Looking for backup solutions

Two thoughts; (1) you get what you pay for and (2) be careful what you "save on paper".

I would look at Barracuda (who recently purchased Intronis). I have had experiences with a "cost saver" but then pay the price.

However, a lot of this is driven by the features you need. If just basic files (and no databases, email, etcetera), there are many more options.

Personally, I go with something which will allow me to expand / grow / scale in the future. Also, I prefer (1) a central console and (2) an appliance (which gets me off of the "technical support merry-go-round of finger-pointing") which both lead back to "be careful what you save on paper."

I'm looking for a software solution.  I have an external tape drive I just need something I can install on a windows 2012 server to back up a SAN. No email just basically files and some dbs for programs such as quicken, but no SQL, Exchange or anything like that.

To me, similar rules apply, now it is just software.

I would take a look at Veeam; feature-rich and does well with virtualization.

Not a virtual shop. They are small there's no need for that. But if Veeam can do a SAN for less then Symantec I'll check it out.

I understand where you are coming from but features and cost aren't always just what you need and pay for up front ... some of it is what you can't do later and then have another migration on your hands.

Trends are moving away from tape / physical servers and more toward (1) backup to disk, (2) backup to cloud and (3) virtualization ... Veeam covers all three plus tape drives. Just confirm compatibility and keep in mind anyone else's input as well.

I'm not saying your configuration is wrong or bad because situations call for exactly what you have in place; I'm just saying don't paint yourself in a corner if a product will do what you what (plus) for now.

I understand but this is a small accounting firm with maybe 10 employees.  To spend $2000.00 on backups is a bit much.

I've seen accountants have catastrophic failures ... in *and* out of Busy Season. Some observations:
1. Before they ever had it happen, they would agree with you
2. While it was happening, they would have loved to pay $ 2,000 plus yearly maintenance to have it go away
3. After it was over, backup costs were watched but held less $$ value and more quality in their thought process of accepting the invoice(s)

This is based on 25 years in the field and 15 years as the primary CPA IT contact for 10+ CPA firms while I was there.

They pinch pennies until the pennies pinch them ... then they understand. My father is a CPA ... I get it (and he would laugh reading this but know it is true)!

If a 2 TB SAN is necessary for business then backing it up is the cost of the necessities (unless downtime doesn't matter).

I would suggest that you look at GoodSync.  It will both sync files or back them up (one way only).  I am a home user, but it works great for me to copy changed info from one external HD to the other one.

https://www.goodsync.com

What's the make and model of the tape drive?

I don't know I'm in Florida client is in NY but it's an external drive ISCSI with Tapes the big ones.  I'm looking at Acronis

Well,need to know as certain drivers are required to backup certain drives.
Acronis is a good product with good tape support,but others give basic tape support,but require upgrades for things like tape library support

Retrospect is a pretty good product with tape support.
https://www.retrospect.com/au/devices