A Look at Our Development
What are we currently working on at Engelmann Software? Today we would like to give you an initial insight into our upcoming software BackupKeeper. An application that is intended not only to back up data, but also to check whether it can really be restored in an emergency.
Several new applications are currently being created at Engelmann Software, which we are working on intensively. In the future, we would like to regularly give you a look behind the scenes, introduce new product ideas and show you which features we are developing.
The first topic is one that affects every computer owner: data backup.
Why we are developing BackupKeeper
Let's be honest: When did you last back up your most important data?
Our computers often contain many years of personal memories and important information. Photos, videos, documents, emails, tax documents and numerous other files.
A hard drive failure, an accidentally deleted folder or malware can be enough for this data to suddenly be lost.
Of course, there are already numerous backup programs. Nevertheless, the same questions always arise in practice:
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Have I really backed up all the important data?
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What about my emails, browser profiles and my application data?
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Is my last backup even still readable?
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Could I restore my files on another computer?
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What would actually be missing in the event of a complete computer failure?
These are exactly the questions at the heart of the development of BackupKeeper.
Our goal is software that does not make data backup more complicated, but rather more understandable and reliable.
Not only back up, but also check
One of the most important planned features is the automatic verification of the backed-up files.
BackupKeeper is intended to read the written data again after each backup process and compare it with the originals.
Because a success message alone does not mean that all files can actually be restored later.
In addition, we are developing a so-called emergency test. Files are restored from existing backups on a trial basis and checked.
Another feature is intended to show which data would be available in the event of a complete computer failure and which has been added since the last backup.
Our basic idea: A data backup should not only exist. It should also work in an emergency.
Also finding forgotten application data
Another problem with classic data backups: Many users do not know where their programs store important information.
While photos and documents are usually easy to find, other data is sometimes buried deep in user directories.
BackupKeeper is therefore intended to detect the storage locations of numerous applications and suggest them for backup.
This includes, among others:
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Email programs such as Outlook and Thunderbird
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Tax and accounting programs
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Banking applications
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Browser profiles and bookmarks
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Password databases
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Notes and other personal application data
Already in the development phase, BackupKeeper takes into account over 30 applications.
Of course, the users themselves decide which data is actually backed up.
Back up automatically and warn in time
The software is intended to support different backup plans. For example, daily, weekly, or monthly data backups.
Automatic backup when connecting an external hard drive is also planned.
We pay special attention to situations where a backup may no longer work reliably.
BackupKeeper is intended to warn, among other things, if a backup medium has not been connected for a long time, shows errors, or if an unusually large number of files change at the same time.
Your own data should remain accessible
An important development principle for us is that users can always regain access to their backed-up files.
Therefore, we are planning two types of backup.
In Clear Mode, files are stored in regular directories. They can then be opened on another computer without BackupKeeper.
The Vault Mode is intended to enable encrypted data backup, where even file names are protected.
And especially important: Even after a trial period expires, the restoration of already backed-up data should still be possible.
For Windows and macOS
BackupKeeper is currently in development and is intended for Windows 10 and 11 as well as macOS version 13 and later.
The software is intended to support both classic computers with Intel and AMD processors and modern ARM systems.
There is currently no firm release date. We first want to ensure that the most important features work reliably.
Curious?
On our new product website, we are already showing in more detail which features we are developing and how BackupKeeper is intended to work in the future.
View the preview of BackupKeeper now
Think about data backup today
Even though BackupKeeper is still in development, you should of course already back up your important files regularly today.
A proven foundation is the so-called 3-2-1 rule: three copies of your data, on at least two different storage types, with one copy stored in a different location.
If you would like to deal more intensively with the topic, we recommend these two follow-up articles:
Data backup: Basics, backup types and strategies on Wikipedia
Here you will find detailed background information on various backup methods, backup strategies and technical basics.
Creating backups: How to back up your data correctly (PCPlatz)
An easy-to-understand guide with practical tips on external hard drives, cloud storage, automatic backups and the correct backup frequency.
And what else are we developing?
BackupKeeper is just one of the projects we are working on at Engelmann Software.
In the coming weeks and months, we would like to introduce you to further applications, new features and insights into our development.
We are also interested in your opinion. Which features are you missing in today's applications? Which tasks would you like to complete more easily?
After all, our software should not only be technically convincing, but above all useful in everyday life.
We look forward to your ideas and suggestions!
Your team at
Engelmann Software
