This train terminates here . . .

[Barnaby]

I've been away for quite some time. Not physically, you understand, although the same level of travelling around the world applies, as ever, but in writing terms. A lot has been happening in the world of Backup Exec and its left me with little time to sit and think and write. For that I can only apologise but its all been in the name of a good cause. If you're reading this then you are probably aware that Backup Exec 2012 has been launched. Its significant. It brings change, but not just change for the sake of change. It brings change that makes life easier. I urge you to familiarise yourself with the changes. I moved from a Blackberry to an iPhone a little while ago and its a bit like that. Different, but better and it took no time at all to get into a new look and feel.

While I'm on the subject of change, its change time for me too. For the last eleven years I've been looking after Backup Exec in one role or another and that's a long time in anybody's book so its time for something new. I had an offer that came out of nowhere really. But wait, its not game over. I'm getting off this train, but I'm getting on another train. Another yellow train - in fact another Backup Exec train.

One of the areas we talked about as part of the recent product launch was the Backup Exec Appliance. I've mentioned it here before, and no, at the time I didn't know I'd be changing roles, but that's what I'm picking up - the Backup Exec Appliance business. It follows the path of what I really believe in when it comes to protecting data - two things: it's not about backup and restore; firstly, its about making life easier, better and secondly if I'm a company that builds boats its about helping me to build more boats. Plug and play, all in one place, done for you. You focus on what you do as a business, I'll focus on what I do. So now when you think about protecting your data and you get to the software bit, you just have to decide whether you want it to arrive in a box, or on a box? With Backup Exec 2012 both options are easy. Perhaps one will turn out to be more easy than the other. Your call.