Slide: Revolutionizing MSP Backup and Recovery

Summary

Austin McChord, founder of Datto, launches Slide, a cutting-edge backup and disaster recovery solution designed for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Slide offers a modern, cloud-first approach with enhanced speed, security, and seamless integration, aiming to transform the BCDR landscape. This article explores Slide’s features, benefits, and potential impact on the MSP backup market.

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** Main Story**

Okay, so Austin McChord, the guy who built Datto, is back at it again. This time, he’s launching Slide on February 20, 2025, and from what I’m hearing, it’s all about shaking up the backup and disaster recovery world for MSPs. He’s clearly aiming to fix what he sees as problems with current solutions by offering something more modern, secure, and, well, efficient.

The Problem with Old School Backups

Look, let’s face it, some backup tech out there is, shall we say, a bit behind the times. That can really hold MSPs back, especially when dealing with today’s complicated IT setups. Slide seems to be tackling this head-on with its ‘cloud-first’ approach, which, by the way, still plays nice with on-premises environments. It’s all about giving MSPs the flexibility and speed they need. If you can backup faster and recover quicker, that equals less downtime, and that’s what clients care about, right?

What Makes Slide Tick?

So, what’s under the hood? Here’s a quick rundown:

• Cloud-First Focus: Basically, Slide gives you one spot to handle backups, virtualization, and file recovery. Pretty straightforward.
• Speed & Simplicity: They’re pushing this idea of making everything faster and easier, which, let’s be honest, is always a good thing. An intuitive design? Sign me up!
• Security First: With all the cyber threats out there, security is non-negotiable. They’re talking end-to-end encryption and other robust security measures. Can’t argue with that.
• Plays Well With Others: They’re using open APIs and partnering with companies like Backup Radar and ScalePad. No walled gardens here, which I think is a smart move. Speaking of open APIs, I remember one time our old system just wouldn’t integrate with anything… it was a nightmare.
• Tech Support That Actually Helps: 24/7 access to real, live experts. No more endless phone menus! Thank goodness!
• Budget-Friendly: They’re aiming to be affordable, challenging those ridiculously expensive pricing models we’ve all dealt with.

What Does This Mean for MSPs?

Slide’s arrival could seriously shake up the backup and disaster recovery market for MSPs. By focusing on what MSPs actually need and providing a cutting-edge solution, they’re definitely challenging the big players in the field. And, it’s good that McChord’s all about open collaboration, rather than some closed-off ecosystem. Makes you wonder, what took so long?

Looking Ahead

Data’s only getting more important, which means reliable backups are crucial. Slide’s innovative approach, combined with McChord’s track record, positions them as a major player in the future of backup tech. At least, that’s what the buzz is saying, and I gotta admit, it sounds pretty good on paper. With its focus on being fast, secure, and simple, Slide’s a solid option for MSPs who want to step up their game and protect their clients’ data. Will it live up to the hype? Only time will tell, but, if anything, it’s going to be interesting to watch how this unfolds over the next year or so. I’m personally hoping it lives up to its promises, we could all use a better backup solution, couldn’t we?