Spb Backup 2.0 Adds Some Much Needed Features

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When a company like Spb, which is known for winning multiple awards, does not upgrade an application for a couple of months, you know that something good has to be brewing. Their last version of Backup stopped at 1.6.3 back in November of 2007. Don’t get me wrong. I thought it was great and didn’t need anything else but Spb had other plans and with that, we see the birth of Spb Backup 2.0.

Introduction

Spb Backup, like it’s name suggests, does only 2 things: backup and restore and it does it really well. So much so that I have been using it ever since I started using Windows Mobile devices back in 2003. Back then, it only supported the Pocket PC on the 2002 platform all the way to WM6. With Spb Backup 2.0, it now supports Windows Mobile 2003 and 5.0 for Pocket PC, Windows Mobile 6 and 6.1 Professional, Classic and Standard devices. Not only that, Backup now has a desktop application as well which helps you in managing those backup files. It retails for $24.95 and for those interested, they have a trial which is limited to 5 runs of backup. So how does Backup 2.0 fare and is it worth the upgrade? You’re about to find out.

Installation

This was a pretty straightforward affair with no complications. While you could choose where to install the application, I highly recommend the main memory for optimum performance and to prevent any problems. You could install it to the storage card, but you might encounter problems with scheduling as your storage card might not be able to wake up in time to run as programmed.

For those curious, the file size it took up on my device was 1428KB and this was a 66% increase in file size when you compared it to v1.6.3 which only took up 860KB. Not a good start I would say but if it does improve on the previous version, I wouldn’t mind. Besides, devices nowadays are starting to come with more and more main memory anyway.

Like many applications out there, you could install Backup through a CAB file or over ActiveSync with the EXE file. My recommendation: the ActiveSync method because you can also install the desktop applications at the same time. You could install the CAB file and then EXE file, opting only to install the desktop application, but as you can probably tell, it’s just extra work.

First Glance

When I first launched the application, what struck me at first was that it was just the old version of Backup with a new skin. You had the usual selection of Full Backup, Custom Backup and Schedule Backup and a new entry to Restore Backup. Nothing new there for the old-timers but for those new to Spb Backup, here’s what each does:

Full Backup

Need to backup your device one time? Then you use this option. It’ll backup everything you need (except for your storage card) so in the event of a crash, you can quickly and easily restore your device to this state. No tweaking or settings to mess with.

Custom Backup

For those of you who like control over what gets backed up, use this option. You can choose from just having your PIM backed up to everything, including the storage card.

Schedule Backup

Just doing one backup and forgetting about is almost as good as not doing it so to take the pain out of routine backups, Spb has a Schedule Backup option. Choose the various options which include what days and time to backup as well as the files and when it comes to it, your device will automatically perform the backup. I schedule mine in the middle of the night so when I wake up every morning, I could do anything to my device knowing full well that the most data I lose would be those I created for that day.

Restore Backup

As the name implies, you restore your device to a previous state. However, you do not have to launch Spb Backup to select a file for restoration since clicking on the file in your file manager will launch Spb Backup anyway.

There were not many noticeable changes in the Pocket PC application (most of them are in the desktop application which I will get to shortly) which can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you want to see it. But one thing did stand out from the options menu:

Skip Previous Backup Files

With this option, you can now choose to only backup newer files. Don’t be fooled by the name though. I initially thought that this meant that only new and modified files were added to the backup but after some clarifications with Spb, this was not the case. Backup will copy over the previous archive and replace modified files, add new files and remove deleted files. The result? A much faster backup process which is always a welcome process.

Really Fast Backup

Speaking of speed, I realized that Backup is now much faster than the previous version. Granted that it is not of much use to those who schedule their backups in the middle of the night but it is still a great improvement. And this was before I activated the option to skip previous backup files. Very nice Spb.

For those curious with regards to the speed, it was almost twice as fast as the previous version. Saying it’s faster is not enough for you you say? Well here are some graphs to show you just how much faster it is:

Like I mentioned earlier, there are not many changes to the surface of Backup as most of it are found in the desktop application. However, there are 2 features which are touted in this new version: ROM Upgrade Mode and Device Upgrade Mode.

ROM Upgrade Mode

Spb has finally added ROM Upgrade Restore to Backup and what this means is that you can now upgrade your ROM and apply the backup file so that your device has all the registry tweaks and installed applications just before the upgrade. You save time (since you do not have to make those tweaks and install the software) and you get a better performing device thanks to the ROM upgrade (hopefully).

Device Upgrade Mode

But why stop there? Spb has gone a step further and added Device Upgrade Mode as well. What this means is that if you bought a new device today, you don’t have to spend time installing applications and tweaking it so that it’s just like your previous device. Instead, run Spb Backup on the previous device and transfer the file to the new device to be run there. End result is that you’re new device will be just like your previous one. Among all the features, I think this is a much needed one that gives Spb a real edge, especially when you consider that a slew of new Windows Mobile device are about to or have just been released.

There are no screen shots to show these 2 modes in action because you just need to copy the backup file to the device in question and run it there as if you were restoring on your usual device.

Other Notable Features

Before I go into the desktop application, I wanted to highlight some of the other notable features in the Pocket PC version:

Backup File Verification

Have you ever encountered a situation whereby your device crashed and your latest backup file was corrupted and thus unusable? Why didn’t the backup application warn you? Well if you are using the new Spb Backup, it has a built-in backup file verification system to ensure that such a scenario does not happen. It’ll even give you the option of creating a log file in case of back up error so you know exactly what’s causing it and maybe eliminate it from the backup process.

Ignore Rules

But how do you remove files from the backup process? With Backup’s very own ignore rules, that’s how. Just type in the file you do not want to backup and the next time Backup runs, it’ll be sure to follow the rules. Even better, if your device is always filled with temp files, you can program it to skip all the *.tmp files so that your backup process is not only faster but the file would be smaller in size too.

Choose Your Compression Level

If space is a luxury for you, Spb Backup gives you the option to choose between normal and high compression levels. What this means is that with a high compression level, your back up file size would be smaller than what it would have been if you had used the normal level. The drawback? It would be slower to pack and unpack but if that is not as big an issue as size, then go ahead and choose it.

Backup File Encryption

If you are one of those who encrypt everything, then Spb Backup is one application you want to consider. It allows you to encrypt your files using the AES algorithm with a password. That way, even if the file falls into the wrong hands, they’ll need a password before they can access your files. For users whose device are using encrypted storage card (WM6 and above), this option is compulsory.

Desktop Application

I should actually call it desktop applications as there are two of them that comes with it: Spb Backup Sync and Spb Backup Unpack.

Spb Backup Sync

As the name implies, this application syncs your backup files on the Pocket PC with those on the laptop or desktop. You can choose where to store the files on your computer and you’ll need to tell the application where the backup files are located on the Pocket PC. That’s not all though. When you device is connected via ActiveSync, you can also invoke a backup from your computer by clicking on the Backup button.

Spb Backup Unpack

Here is where it gets really good. It used to be that the backup file is of no use after creation except to restore your device. Not with the new Spb Backup. With this application, you can open any of those backup files and access it like it was on your Pocket PC. On top of that, you can even view your contacts and text messages or any of your PIMs for that matter and if you choose, you can export them as CSV files. Wow!!

What does this mean for you? Well if you sync your backup files with your computer and left the Pocket PC at work, you can still access the files on it through the backup files on your computer. Or if you Pocket PC gets damaged or stolen, you will still have all your files and still have access to it without having to quickly get a Pocket PC to unpack it. The joy of using Spb Backup!

With all the good things I found in the new Spb Backup, it was hard to find it’s flaws but there were a few, though nothing major enough to impact the user experience:

No FTP Upload

The lack of an FTP upload will not affect many users considering that Spb Bakcup Sync partly makes up for it. However, for users who do not sync their devices with their laptops due to platform incompatibility or any other reason whatsoever, having the ability to upload backup files to any FTP server of their choice would be welcome alternative.

Hourly Backups

While being able to backup on a daily basis is great, there are times when I wished I could backup my device even more regularly. While maybe not on an hourly basis, I think the ability to schedule back up of a Windows Mobile device more often than once a day would definitely be welcomed.

Combine Desktop Applications Into One

It’s great that Spb Backup now comes with 2 desktop applications and while they work great, I hope that they can instead be combined into one. I know it’s no big deal to have 2 desktop applications but if I can do everything from one application, it would be a lot better. I mean, at a glance I can make sure that my backup files are synchronized and if I wanted to, I could unpack one to take a look. No need to fumble through the Start Menu and search for the application.

What I Like

• Backups are completed faster.
• Ability to skip previously backed up files.
• Addition of ROM and Device Upgrade mode.
• Backup files are verified and errors log.
• Ignore rules allows you to exempt certain files from being backed up.
• Choose between normal and high compression level.
• Strong encryption option if required.
• Desktop applications work well with Windows Mobile device.
• User can now unpack files on their computer.

What Could Be Improved

• Addition of FTP upload support.
• Provision of hourly backups.
• Combine desktop applications into 1.

Conclusion

With more and more devices being lost as devices get smaller couple with the idea that people are starting to change their phones more often, Spb Backup can help you get your data on whichever device you choose. While at first glance, Spb seemed to only have put on a new skin for Backup, you’ll start to realize that they have done a lot more to it under the hood (which is what counts). It’s going to give other backup alternatives a hard time to keep pace with it.

If you are one of those who have been looking for a backup application, be sure to check out Spb Backup. With their 5 run trial, you can test it for yourself to see what the rave is all about. Licenses go for $24.95 if it’s your first time buying it. For users upgrading, it’ll set you back by $9.95. If you have recently bought an older version of Spb Backup within 90 days of release of Spb Backup 2.0, you are warmly invited to upgrade to the newer version for FREE!!. More details here.

Vital Stats

• Name: Backup
• Developer: Spb
• Version: 2.0
• Test Device/Platform: E-TEN Glofiish X500 running Windows Mobile 6
• Supported Platforms: Device: Windows Mobile 2003 and 5.0 for Pocket PC, Windows Mobile 6 and 6.1 Professional, Classic and Standard devices Desktop: Windows 2000 SP3+, 2003, XP, and Vista
• Supported Resolutions: VGA, Square QVGA, QVGA, wide VGA and other screen resolutions are supported
• Trial: Limited to 5 runs
• Price: $24.95
• Upgrade Policy: Free for users of previous version who purchased within 90 days of Spb Backup 2.0 release. More details here.

Do you use Spb Backup? Why so?

Note: Even though I may mention Pocket PC version throughout the review, I would expect the Smartphone version to have the same features as well as Spb now claims to support this line of devices as well. Unfortunately, I am not able to test it out due to me lacking such a device.

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