Lifeboat Distribution to Offer Livedrive in USA

Livedrive, an online storage, back-up and file-sharing service located in the U.K., announced its official entry into the U.S. marketplace via a distribution agreement with Lifeboat Distribution, an international specialty software distributor for security, application lifecycle, and virtualization and network infrastructure products. Lifeboat, a subsidiary of Wayside Technology Group, Inc., will offer the product through its network of value added resellers and solution providers.

Livedrive plans to open an office in the U.S. within 12 months.

Livedrive provides unlimited online storage, cross network sync, one-click backup, and the ability to easily share and access files from any device. With local caching functionality, users have the option of automatically storing their data both online and offline for better peace of mind. Serving the needs of both small businesses and consumers alike, Livedrive counts more than 300,000 paying customers globally.

"With companies such as Mozy and Dropbox, and even big players like Google and Microsoft offering backup products, we understand we’re in a competitive space," said Andrew Michael, CEO of Livedrive. "What sets Livedrive apart is the advanced functionality and tightly embedded applications. Livedrive users can simultaneously edit documents, play videos, stream music and share files all within the web browser. It essentially turns online storage and backup into a social network and online operating system."

Livedrive is accessible from any device connected to the Internet, including the iPhone and BlackBerry. Livedrive also has Facebook, Flickr, and SmugMug integration, so users can just drag and drop photos from and to their Livedrive easily, eliminating the need to upload photos separately.

"We’re excited to partner with Livedrive to distribute their online storage and back-up service through our resellers in the United States," said Dan Jamieson, vice president and general manager at Lifeboat Distribution. "Resellers will see great value for their small business customers with Livedrive’s affordable, easy-to-use storage, backup, and file sharing solution."

The company was founded by Andrew Michael, whose previous company Fasthosts, a small business Internet hosting company, sold to a German ISP in 2006 for over $120 million. Livedrive already partners with a number of leading companies in the U.K., including DSGi, Britain’s leading electronics retailer.