Lockstep Releases New Version of Backup for Workgroups 2.0; Adds Support for Microsoft Exchange Servers and Active Directory.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2004

Lockstep Systems Inc. today announced the release of Backup for Workgroups(TM) 2.0. Backup for Workgroups is a disk-based backup and disaster recovery software utility designed for networked Windows servers and workstations. Designed for small offices and departmental workgroup environments, it empowers resource-constrained companies with the ability to conform with data backup best practices while keeping control of their own data.

Highlights of the major upgrade include full support for Microsoft Exchange Servers, Active Directory and enhanced support for Windows Servers, including Windows Small Business Server 2000/2003 and Windows Server 2003.

Support for Microsoft Exchange Servers and Active Directory in version 2.0 provides users with the ability to back up their critical e-mail servers without interrupting the flow of e-mail. "I have been using Backup for Workgroups for over a year. With the new version, I am now able to back up our Exchange Servers without interruption," said Matt Gross, network administrator at Egg Harbor Public Schools in Egg Harbor, N.J. "I have already used Backup for Workgroups to replace a failed primary Domain Controller. In about 15-20 minutes, the network was back up and running. It's one of those things where you never really know how good a backup program is until you have to use it during a restoration process. Backup for Workgroups passed with flying colors."

Backup for Workgroups' straightforward approach to data backup and restoration makes recovery quick and easy while providing a viable, cost-effective alternative to tape-based backup solutions. "I was looking for an alternative to the hassles of using a tape backup system," said Bob Gauger, network administrator for the city of Clinton, Okla. "Having to remember to swap out tapes, encountering numerous backup errors and the fact that my backup process was taking 10-12 hours every night sent me looking for alternatives to tape. Backup for Workgroups has helped out in every facet of the backup procedure and my job is easier now and my stress level has dropped tremendously knowing that we are getting good backups. Several times I have rolled back a file to a previous date for someone that accidentally deleted or made changes to a file and saved it to the file server."

Mark Santos, information technologies coordinator and department head of information technologies for the city of Treasure Island, Fla., said he " ... came across Backup for Workgroups while having a backup crisis. Treasure Island is in a hurricane zone and contingency planning is a high priority. I was unhappy with our tape backup solutions, the costly tapes, costly tape devices, and the speed and capacity issues. We are a small organization with big organizational needs. Not only did Backup for Workgroups fix our backup problems, but we can actually restore our data. We use Backup for Workgroups to back up the city's servers and Exchange Server. At a recent contingency plan review, we proved that in a total loss disaster, using items that could be purchased locally or borrowed or leased, we could bring a functional network up and running, with the help of Backup for Workgroups, in less than one hour."

Backup for Workgroups 2.0 has passed VeriTest's independent testing program "Verified for Windows Server 2003."

System Requirements

Backup for Workgroups runs on Windows 95 / 98 / ME / NT / 2000 / XP / 2003 computers. The program requires 10 MB hard disk space and needs access to sufficient hard disk storage space to hold compressed Backup Client data.

Pricing and Availability

Backup for Workgroups version 2.0 can be purchased direct from Lockstep Systems' Web site or from any authorized Lockstep reseller. A 30-day trial version is available for download from http://www.backup-for-workgroups.com. The trial software allows for the backup of 10 workstations; three Windows servers; and one Exchange Server. Pricing: Workstation Client licenses start at $99 per client, with volume discounts at five, 10, 25, 50 and 100 workstations; Server Client licenses to back up one Windows Server are $299 each; and licenses for the Exchange Server Add-On are $249 each. Reseller, integrator, VAR and OEM inquiries are welcome.

Free Upgrades to Registered Users

Lockstep Systems is offering free upgrades to current, registered users of Backup for Workgroups version 1.x. Registered users may upgrade their Backup for Workgroups Data Repository and their existing backup client licenses to the new version 2.0 workstation client licenses at no charge.

About Lockstep Systems

Lockstep Systems Inc. is a leading manufacturer of disk-based backup and disaster recovery software designed especially for resource-constrained small and midsize businesses. Our family of backup products includes Backup for Workgroups, the industry standard in disk-based, client/server backup for networked Windows Servers, Exchange Servers, Active Directory and Windows workstations; and Backup for One, the disk-based backup utility for individual and home Windows workstations. Backup for Workgroups customers include small and midsize businesses, and departments of larger enterprises such as Intel, The National Weather Service, Cort Furniture and Container Service Corp. Lockstep Systems is a privately held company located in Scottsdale, Ariz., founded by the team who developed the backup software now known as Computer Associates' BrightStor Mobile Backup.

Lockstep Systems Inc., P.O. Box 1906, Scottsdale, AZ 85252 USA. Telephone: [phone]. Fax: [phone]. Toll-free (in United States): 877-932-3497. Backup product URL: http://www.backup-for-workgroups.com. Company URL: http://www.lockstep.com. Lockstep Systems is a registered trademark and Backup for Workgroups is a trademark of Lockstep Systems Inc.