Leading Edge Technologies - Mercury includes the very latest technologies from trusted companies. The Server is driven by Microsoft's .NET platform delivering functionality through Web Services, ASP, and XML. Multiplatform, multi-language, and multi-locale functions are provided by one of the most sophisticated programming platforms available.

We use Microsoft's Visual Studio and InstallShield's multiplatform installation framework. The Server's database and storage arrays are powered by the very latest embedded Oracle 11g framework. Encryption is military-grade.

Deliverables (see Quote for more specifics)

Desktop Agent Software

Mercury Desktop Agent software runs on your end users' computers. The distribution package is small (less than 13 Meg) and easy to install.

Versions - There are two versions of Desktop Agent software. One for all Windows operating systems greater than Windows 98, and one for Mac OS X. All features are available on all supported operating systems. All versions are native versions for the target operating system, with the normal look and feel of programs written for each. On registration, your web site will deploy the correct version for the operating system of the computer registering the software.

Updates - RBS issues updates periodically. These updates will be distributed automatically to your end users through the software's built-in automatic updater. You will have control over when updates are distributed to your customers. You can decide to distribute or not to distribute. Software updates are delivered from distributed servers through a built-in load-balancing protocol which make sure your updates are pushed out as fast as possible without interfering with normal backup/restore operations.

Languages and Localization - The Desktop Agent and User's Web Portal are capable of operating in multiple languages. Mercury is currently available in these languages: English, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, French, German, Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified), Bulgarian, Hindi, Portuguese, Japanese, Sinhalese, Hebrew, Greek, Arabic, Hungarian, Russian, Turkish, and Norwegian.

Software Packaging - The software can be packaged in a downloadable installer delivered as a single executable file for the target operating system, and also as a CD that auto-starts when inserted into the computer.

Customization - The software will be customized with your own company and product name and graphics. Most of the features and functionality can be customized. Custom programming is available.

Copy Protection - The software has a flexible built-in copy/execution protection system that will allow you (as the Server operator) to allow/disallow multiple installations on the same or different computers. You can also turn off and on an individual instance of the software. A unique serial number is assigned to each installation of the software that allows such granular control. The Software checks with the Server on startup to get authority to run.

Distribution - The Desktop Agent software can be distributed as a download from your own web site. You can also distribute the software on CDs with an activation key imprinted on the CD case, and you can distribute scratch-off cards with serial numbers.

Installation - Installation and initial setup is very easy, using default file selections and schedule, which the user may change.

Trial Versions - The software is capable of running in Trial mode, which will allow the end user a configurable amount of time and/or storage space for evaluating your service. You may turn the Trial feature off if you don't want to offer free trials.

Version Control - The software maintains a configurable number of versions of backup files, from which the user may restore. It also maintains a configurable "age" for files stored in the backup server, and will automatically purge files from the Server a configurable number of days after they have been deleted from the Client computer. Files can be retained for periods of time from seven days to ten years, and in versions from one to unlimited.

Restoring - Files may be restored from within the software itself, and also from any other computer using the online User Console and a web browser. If restores are browser-based, files may be restored to any computer, even if it doesn't have the Software installed, and even if they were backed up from a different operating system. Files may be backed up and restored across platforms - Windows/Mac, Mac/Windows.

Open Files - The Software can back up files that are locked by the operating system or another application.

Method of Backup - Files are backed up which have been changed or added since the last backup. The first backup is always a full backup, and so it takes longer. Subsequent backups are much quicker.

File Selection - Files can be selected for backup by check-marking a file or folder in the Software's interface, or by selecting one of the File Sets.

File Sets - File Sets specify groups of files to be backed up. The Software will be delivered to you with a default set of File Sets which can include "files that match a certain pattern in the filenames", "files that belong to a specific application", "files that are in My Documents," and other criteria. File Sets can also specify groups of files that will not be backed up, overriding all other file selections. Examples include, "files in the recycle bin", "files that end in .ZIP", "files within certain folders", and "operating system files"

Encryption - Files are encrypted before transmitting to the Server. The encryption method is Blowfish 448 bits.

Scheduling - The Software can be scheduled by the user to run every 15 minutes (at the least) to once a day at the most. It can also be launched to perform a backup on demand using a task bar icon or the right-click menu. Short schedules, like every 15 minutes, mean that your users will not have to select a backup schedule, which greatly simplifies the software installation.

User Interface - The User Interface is simple and wizard-driven. It is a forward-looking application that is familiar enough to have virtually no learning curve, yet futuristic enough to be eye catching and visually appealing (in a Web 2.0 sort of way). The application takes advantage of the GUI resources of the operating system it runs on.

Software Controls - Virtually all software controls are delivered via Web Services and a web site containing the User Console. Nearly all settings are maintained on the Server and downloaded to the Desktop Agent through XML as needed. This provides for the greatest amount of portability and recoverability for the end user, and the easiest and quickest upgrades from the Service Provider. It also allows your staff, including Tech Support, through their Customer Management interface, to edit most of the settings for individual clients. This allows for an unprecedented level of customer support.

Password and Username - If using the Web interface, end users are required to enter their user name and password to change settings for their software. At the push of a button, the software will remind the user of his password by displaying a hint entered by the user during registration.

Encryption Key - An end user can use BackUPMAX's default encryption key, or he can select his own encryption key, and a hint to remind him of it if he forgets it. In order to maintain compliance with various security regulations (HIPAA, GLB, Sarbanes-Oxley, SEC), the encryption key is never be transmitted to the Server, although the hint is. Users can restore files to the computer containing the Software without entering the Encryption Key, or the username or password. Restoring through a web browser requires entry of all three.

Shut Down/Log Out After Backup - The software has the ability to shut down the computer after a backup, or to log off the current user, selectable by the end user.

View Backup Logs - Users can view statistics about their backup sessions - how many have been done, what files are in storage, etc.

Operational Messages - Various messages display on screen, informing the user of operational issues such as: Backup Completed, Missed Backup, Backup Failed, Over Quota, etc. These messages remain on screen until the user clicks an "OK" button.

Status Messages - The Software displays several status displays and messages, including a graphical meter indicating the amount of storage space remaining in the user's quota. The software also displays the total size of backups during file selection (so users will know how much quota space they are about to use). Progress bars are displayed during file processing and transmission.

Data Compression - Files are compressed before transmitting to the Server using RBS' lossless compression methods. This sometimes results in compression of files to as little as 10% their original size, depending on the file type. Music and pictures compress only to about 95% of original size. Files are stored on the Mercury server in compressed format, but reported to end users as native format. So, your server-side storage requirements are usually less than half the total of the native file sizes.

Native File Size - The Software displays all status messages, graphs, and progress displays in terms of NATIVE file size instead of compressed file size. The Software cannot predict the compressed size of a file. Furthermore, our experience shows that end users are confused by compressed file sizes, since they don't universally understand how compression works. Their computers display native file sizes in all other interfaces, so that's what they are used to seeing. We suggest billing customers by Native file size instead of compressed size, and taking the compression ratio as a benefit to your business of the need for less storage space, or you can raise your users' quota space for a competitive advantage.

Remote Security Suite

Mercury is available with and without the Remote Security Suite. The Remote Security Suite is a first-of-its-kind suite of security features that add further layers of security to the computers running Mercury Desktop Agents.

Erase Sensitive Data - End users can log into their Web consoles from any computer and order their computers to erase files on their computer that have been backed up. They can also shred files with military-level DoD 5220.22-M file shredding technology that cannot be reversed. This prevents sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands. Data will not be erased from the Mercury Server.

Take Pictures & Record Sound - The Remote Security Suite can activate a client computer's built-in camera and microphone, recording in one minute segments and uploading to the user's account. This lets users see and hear who is using their computers.

Send Technical Details - Client computers can collect and send technical information about their environments, including networks to which they are connected, and other data that might help zero in on who is using the computer.

Help Track a Stolen Computer - Using a unique geolocation technology that does not require a GPS in the client computer, the Remote Security Suite collects and transmits location information. Users can then look up this information in public databases to help isolate their computer's location. (Geolocation services are not exact, and depend on the reliability of the databases and the presence of WIFI access points around the missing computer.)

Freeze Normal Desktop Agent Operations - This prevents a computer thief from accessing the user's online account. The Desktop Agent will continue to do backups (sometimes capturing documents, links, and other evidence created by the thief.) but its menu will be disabled, and it will operate in "silent" mode with no prompts or messages to draw attention. All the data collected by the Remote Security Suite is transmitted and stored in users' online accounts, accessible with a web browser.

Server Software

Server software runs in your data center. It manages backups and restores, serves the User Console and the Admin Console, Payment Gateway, Software Distribution, Billing, Reporting, and Customer Maintenance. All the Server's features are managed over the Web.

Data Storage - Customer data are stored in the the embedded Oracle 11g database framework. 11g includes remote real-time mirroring, automatic failover, automatic encryption for the very best in security, extremely fast access (the fastest in the business), extreme reliability, and the very best in easy scalability. Your storage array can quickly expand from terabytes to petabytes. Embedded Oracle is included with the Mercury software.

Mailing Lists - Your Server software has the ability to export groups of end users on demand for sending out announcements, notices of credit card charges, birthday notices. Data can be exported to Excel or a PDF file.

Web Management - You can manage your customers and your RBS-delivered server side software through a secure web interface from anywhere on the Internet. Staff members will have access to controlled sections of the site, through login authorization. Your customers will have logins for their Dashboard so they can view their backups and various settings.

Email Notifications - The Server is able to email various alerts to users, triggered by programmed events. Some of them include: Backup Completed Successfully, Backup Failed, Backup Missed, Account Over Quota, Credit Card Failed, and more.

Payment Gateway - RBS will deliver and install a registration and payment gateway for your users to sign up for your service. This series of web pages accepts all the pertinent information from the user - name, address, phone, email, etc., and then asks for a credit card number. It then charges the credit card, and upon success, creates an account and downloads the software.

Reports - Through its web interface, the Server can run various reports including "who didn't back up last night", an AR aging report, various lists of users, grouped; mailing lists, user quota report, various server statistics, server loading charts, and more. All reports can be displayed on screen, exported to Excel and delivered as PDF files.

Optional Features

Restore Options - There are several Restore options, including individual files and folders, files by name or partial name, files by date, and files by Tag (used for E-Discovery). A future version will allow users to order a CD of their data, which will be automatically burned and labeled by a robotic CD burner.

Marketing Balloons - The software has the ability to display messages as pop-up balloons from the taskbar icon, which users have the option to turn off. You can activate the balloons from the Server just by typing a message and pressing the "GO" button.

Marketing Graphics - You can change graphics from the Server. If you like, we can deliver a Client interface with a space for a skyscraper ad, which will be downloaded from the Server whenever the Software is started. The graphic can contain a link to a web site. You can change the graphic and the link from the Server.

Drag and Drop - We can include drag and drop functionality to manually place files in a Virtual Backup Folder.

Windows Integration - When run on Windows, Mercury can be available from a right-click menu. You can right-click on a file or folder, or a group of files, to back them up immediately, add them to your next backup, or create an Exclusion rule.

Key Escrow - Because users sometimes forget their encryption keys, we can include a function to escrow encryption keys with a trusted third party Escrow company.

Billing Management - We can include a billing management system. It does recurring billing to credit cards, generating a report of successes and failures. It has an interface for your staff members to edit customer records, apply payments, etc.

Data Deduplication - Many end users back up copies of the same files, particularly music files. The Server can detect when an exact duplicate of a file already backed up is being uploaded, and can write a pointer to that file instead of saving the file itself. This saves storage space on the Server, and makes backups much faster.