If you're reading this, chances are you're already thinking about backing up your Google Workspace. I've been there. For years, I relied on other solutions, and don't get me wrong, they're solid and reliable, but I always felt like I was settling for compromises.
When you choose backup software, you're placing a huge amount of trust in it. It needs to deliver when the worst happens—be it a ransomware attack, an accidental deletion, or a vendor disappearing. As the head of an IT business in the southeast of England specializing in disaster recovery, I've experienced that stress. Every time a client calls in a panic, I feel the pressure to restore order. I needed a tool that would truly make my job easier and give me the assurance I needed to actually sleep at night.
That's why I started developing GWS Backup. My goal was a scalable product for SMEs and enterprises that wasn't just great at backing up, but also brilliant at process reporting and providing extra tools.
The existing solutions drove me crazy
The truth is, three major things about the existing solutions were incredibly frustrating:
- Fake Success Messages (The "Silent Fail"): Google Workspace has tough rules on how much data you can move in and out, and how fast you can talk to the system. Try to exceed those limits on a large first run, and you get penalized—you're locked out. The other apps knew this, but they'd still flash "Backup Successful" on a first run when they clearly hadn't finished everything.
- Zero Control over Storage: I hate relying on "complete faith" that my client's data is safe. Where is the data stored? How quickly can I get to it when I need to restore everything? I had no idea.
- Limited Destinations: The software was rigid. It rarely accounted for platforms I wanted to use, whether that was S3, local GDrive, SharePoint, or other specific destinations.
How GWS Backup Is Different
- Honest Reporting: We don't do "silent fails" or "fake successes." We tell you the truth: "This is the size of your workspace, and it's going to take a week on the first run." If we hit a Google limit, GWS Backup parks the run. You see exactly how many files and emails have been backed up at that moment. No fake figures, just reassurance based on facts.
- You Own the Storage (Control is Everything): Sure, backup software with built-in storage might seem cheaper initially, but I couldn't compete with those big companies on purchasing power, nor did I want to. My primary focus was control. I knew my clients would gladly pay more if I could tell them exactly how their data was being handled and stored.
- Designed for Efficiency and Flexibility: I run modest Linux webservers, so I designed GWS Backup to be run on the most modest VPS possible. Each backup uses hardly any CPU and a maximum of 50MB per workspace backup. I even designed it to solve my own specific 'edge case'—I'm a Google ultra-user with 30TB of storage. This app works directly off my web server and can use target destinations like GDrive, GWS, and S3. I built it for control, flexibility, and the ability to change storage providers whenever I want.