8-Bay DroboPro FS With File Sharing and Offsite Backup Solution

Data Robotics, Inc. introduced DroboPro FS, the newest member of the Drobo family of automated storage products. Building on the Drobo FS (introduced in April, 2010), the DroboPro FS with the newly integrated Drobo Sync application is tailored to enable small businesses to deploy network storage and offsite backup without complexity. DroboPro FS is for small office environment that requires a simple, safe, and affordable device for sharing and backing up files over the network.

"There is a significant need for simple, expandable storage solutions that address the relentless data growth happening within personal and small to medium business markets," said Liz Conner, Senior Research Analyst, Storage Systems and Personal Storage, IDC. "Data Robotics has had success in addressing the personal and SOHO storage market with its Drobo FS. The company is aiming to meet the increasingly rigid requirements for data availability with its DroboPro FS by enabling off-site backups while preserving its simple-to-use nature that can scale with the capacity needs of its users."

"We are reinventing storage solutions that meet the specific requirements of small business owners," said Tom Buiocchi, chief executive officer, Data Robotics. "Your typical small business needs data storage and protection, but has limited budget and technical resources. We provide the smart alternative to the overly complex and expensive solutions being offered. The DroboPro FS delivers ease of use, functionality, and affordability that many small businesses did not know could exist in a single solution."

DroboPro FS Features and Benefits

• BeyondRAID Technology: Like all Drobo products, the new DroboPro FS is based on patented BeyondRAID technology, which provides unmatched ease of use, affordability, self-healing data protection, and expandability.
• Pay-as-you-Grow Storage Capacity: Small businesses with growing storage requirements can add data capacity by simply inserting a new SATA hard drive or by replacing the smallest drive with a larger one, even when all eight drive bays of the DroboPro FS are full.
• Network File Sharing: The DroboPro FS connects directly to any Gigabit Ethernet network for a true plug in and share set-up experience, supporting Microsoft, Apple, and Linux computer systems.
• Automated Backup: Every DroboPro FS includes the new Drobo Sync application that will automatically backup (locally or remotely) all data to another DroboPro FS. Drobo Sync is both efficient and flexible, only transmitting portions of files that have changed and allowing backups to be conveniently scheduled.
• Redundant Network Connections for High Availability: DroboPro FS provides two Gigabit Ethernet ports with network protection mode to ensure the highest data availability over the network.
• Automated and Continuous Thin Provisioning: the new DroboPro FS provides automated thin provisioning to customers, allowing users to further stretch their storage investment and utilization.

"Our SMB customers are looking for a cost-effective storage product like the DroboPro FS that combines key features including instant expansion, self-healing technology, and offsite backup and recovery," said Matt Troka, vice president, product and partner management, CDW. "Data Robotics understands the needs of SMBs and we’re excited to be the preferred launch partner for the DroboPro FS."

Pricing and Availability
DroboPro FS is currently available from select partners worldwide, including preferred launch partner CDW at a starting price of $1,999 MSRP and multiple configurations to $3,299 MSRP for a 16TB bundle.