By Doug Allen

Data backup and storage provider Backupify has introduced an online backup, archiving and export service for cloud-based social media and SaaS data, specifically for Google Apps. Aimed at SMBs with limited IT staff, the service enables various GoogleApps data to automatically and securely back up data from various GoogleApps, such as Google Docs, Calendar, Contacts and Sites. The service is based on Amazons cloud storage system, which backs up data daily. Backupify can also automate backup downloads to a user PC as a fail-safe option.

Backupify is also in the early stages of setting up a partner program, which founder Rob May says is in the beta stage. Were not quite ready to open it up to all partners just yet. He expects to launch the program in late August, after it finalizes key components such as partner tiers and margin levels, but May did provide a few more details:

We anticipate a 20-30 percent margin for the channel, and plan to offer some partners master reseller deals. Support will be tiered, and will be handled by Backupify for small partners. We will add other services on top of the Google apps backup in coming months, like Quickbooks Online backup, Salesforce backup, etc.

Once up and running, Backupify will provide resellers with an independent backup system for their customers to further protect against data loss, eliminating a single point of failure for both partners and customers. The company will also provide partners with a user interface to track all Google Apps and Backupify accounts from a single view.

The companys Google Apps offering comes in three tiers: a Premium package (250 GB of storage for 50 Google Apps accounts at $59.95 per month); the Plus package (100 GB of storage for 25 Google Apps accounts, for $29.95 a month) and a Basic package (25 GB of storage for 10 Google Apps accounts for $9.95 per month).

As the owner of an emerging business that relies on Google Apps for email and other IT services, Backupify provides an essential service by protecting my valuable data from accidental or malicious loss, said Ben Peskoe, founder of Sierra Interactive. The idea of housing mission-critical data in the cloud was daunting at first but Ive found that Backupifys solutions and customer service provides me with a level of comfort that helps me to rest easy.

The company is still young, having been founded just two years ago, but already provides backup and storage for a number of leading social media platforms, including Facebook, Flickr and Twitter.