New Features for Customers
Optimize Microsoft 365 License Planning with Status Updates of Exchange Mailbox Licenses
CloudAlly backup enables you to save big on Microsoft 365 licenses by backing up the data of ex-employees. This allows you to release the Microsoft licenses of ex-employees without the risk of user data being permanently deleted. We've now improved the visibility by explicitly marking out licensed and unlicensed accounts with a new “licensed” column on the Backup Task page. Optimize your Microsoft 365 license planning with a clear count of licensed and un-licensed Exchange mailboxes.
Ensure 100% Backup with Backup Task Activation Alert
CloudAlly can only backup your Microsoft Exchange data after you activate a backup. We do not automatically activate all mailboxes so that you only pay for backing up data that you require to be secured. In response to customer requests to be alerted of the same to avoid missing out on activating required backups, we now have added explicit backup activation alerts. The alert on the Home page draws attention to the fact that no backups have been activated. This is in addition to email alerts sent to customers.
Enhanced Security with Removal of Credential-Based Authorization for SharePoint/OneDrive
We're fanatical about security at CloudAlly. Credential theft is behind a majority of breaches, and it is a security best practice to avoid credential-based authorization. We have thus removed credential-based authorization for new customers and existing customers that do not use credential-based authorization when they create a new SharePoint or OneDrive task. CloudAlly continues to offer industry standard OAuth for permission-based access when possible, eliminating the need to enter or store user credentials on the CloudAlly system.
Usage Reports
In order to provide greater clarity to customers about what mailboxes, teams and drives CloudAlly is backing up, customers will now have the ability to export a CSV file that lists all of the entities that were backed up, including the status of each entity (active, paused, or archived). And for Microsoft Exchange mailboxes, the file will list whether each one is licensed or unlicensed. Previously this was only available via a Support call, but now customers can access this information directly by clicking a new button on the Homepage.
Show Both Monthly and Annual Subscription Forecast on Trial Account
When customers start a trial subscription, it will help them decide whether to sign up for a full subscription if they see not only the monthly forecast of how much their backups will cost, but also their yearly forecast. This will also enable them to immediately view the cost savings in signing up for an annual plan. The “Billing Forecast” table breaks down how much each of their services will cost, both monthly and annually.
Show “Effective Date” in Customers’ Billing Pages
CloudAlly has added the invoice/receipt “effective date” to the direct customers’ billing pages, in order to improve their ability to manage their unpaid invoices and understand when their subscription periods begin.
Enhanced Security: Email Address Validation
CloudAlly is continuously working to tighten its application security and prevent unauthorized changes to customers’ account. In this release, when a customer changes the email address of their account on the Settings page, the change will not take effect until the customer validates the new address via a confirmation email.
Integration with Backup Radar
Wading through your numerous customers’ backup summary reports, looking for any anomalies or red flags, can be very time-consuming. CloudAlly has integrated with the remote monitoring and management company, Backup Radar. Your consolidated task-level reports and customers' back up health statuses will be seamlessly integrated with Backup Radar's dashboard. A quick look on the dashboard will alert you to any issues across your entire customer base, thus saving time and increasing productivity. To enable this feature, contact Support.
Improved Subscription Visibility
Grow your MRR with improved visibility of your customers' subscriptions. CloudAlly will now send you a daily email with the status of each of your trial customers – in progress, expiring and expired. Use this data to drive conversions to encourage your customers to secure their data with a CloudAlly backup subscription.
Show “Effective Date” in Partners’ Billing Pages
CloudAlly has added the invoice/receipt “effective date” to the Partner Billing pages, in order to improve their ability to manage their unpaid invoices and understand when their subscriptions begin and end.
Partners Can Now Delete Trial Accounts from the Partner Portal
Partners create trial accounts during their demos, and appreciate being able to “clean up their workspace” by deleting these accounts. Currently, Partners need to either wait for the 14-day trial to end, or request that Support perform the deletion for them; this new feature enables Partners to perform the deletion themselves on the Partner Portal.
Enhanced Security: Email Address Validation
CloudAlly is continuously working to tighten its application security and prevent unauthorized changes to customers’ accounts. In this release, when a Partner changes the email address of their account on the Settings page, the change will not take effect until the Partner validates the new address via a confirmation email.