Spanning Cloud Apps: Google Apps Backup for Channel Partners

If (like me) you've sold your soul to Google, you have a lot of important information floating around Gmail, Drive and other Google Apps. And if (like me) you want to be sure that data sticks around even if you do something dumb, you may be interested in channel partner opportunities for protecting Google Apps data. Here's a look at one initiative involving the Spanning Backup platform for Google Apps.

As described by Spanning Cloud Apps, the company behind the backup platform for Google Apps, the tool "provides backup and recovery of the complete Google Apps suite: Gmail, Drive, Sites, Calendar and Contacts. The solution features a secure cloud-to-cloud environment for protecting Google Apps data and SSAE 16 Type II audited processes that ensure its integrity. Spanning also provides constant monitoring of data backup, allowing administrators to correct issues before they become problems."

Spanning Backup has been available for some time, but its creators are now taking steps to promote the Spanning Authorized Reseller Program. It is designed to offer participating VARs discounted pricing, referral opportunities for generating new business and customized marketing programs tailored to specific geographies, market segments or business strategies.

This is an important step for Spanning Cloud Apps, which was founded only in 2010 and focuses pretty exclusively on backup solutions for Google Apps. With the launch of a partner program, combined with the steady popularity of Gogole tools in the enterprise, the Texas-based company — which already counts partners across the world — stands to expand its channel presence and integrate its software into broader platforms.

The program is also helping to build the partner ecosystem around Google Apps, a seemingly ubiquitous platform that nonetheless offers myriad opportunities for value-added enhancement by parties elsewhere in the channel. (Spanning is quick to remind potential customers, for instance, that Google guarantees information against mishaps on its own part but offers no assurance in the case of data loss resulting from user error.) Demand for such tools will only grow along with usage of Google's services, especially for professional purposes.

And on that note, stay tuned for a similar announcement (not officially public as of now) later this week from another vendor also building bridges across the channel based on Google Apps.