Feature Set:  

There wasn't much we liked about the screens in AISBackup except for the quick menu. Here, you can choose one of three backup tasks and follow a few steps to complete it. This isn't as easy as a one-click backup, but easy to use.

AISBackup can do an incremental backup of all files that have changed within a time period you specify. There are many backup options available-you can do an image backup, a full backup or only backup select files. You can even backup files in use. AISBackup will also backup Outlook and Outlook Express email (but not MSN or Eudora).

AISBackup allows you to backup to a remote FTP server or even backup to your email account (we don't see any advantage to backing up to an email account, but you can). AISBackup doesn't come with burning software, so if you backup to CD or DVD you'll have to have your own burning software.

Ease of Use:  

AISBackup installation was smooth and error-free, but setup was lengthy. AISBackup asks question after question while setting up your profile, many of which we felt were unnecessary. Answering so many questions was discouraging—we didn't want to continue.

AISBackup guides you through its backup process with cue cards; you'll have to do a lot of reading as you go. AISBackup gives you a plethora of information with popup windows. We asked a computer novice to look at the screen and try making a backup but she didn't know where to start—she was distracted by all windows with text.

Also, the terms used in AISBackup are confusing. Most people will wonder about the difference between a backup and a backup job. The answer: AISBackup requires you to create a backup job first by selecting files you plan to backup. Then you can make a backup (copy) of the backup jobs (files selected).

Backup/Restore:  

After wading through the instructions, our backup and restoration ran smoothly. The backup was without errors and files were restored perfectly to the right location.

Help/Documentation:  

The help and documentation for AISBackup are comprehensive. Their help file has a glossary and a search tool, and instructional cue cards pop up throughout the program. The cue cards can become annoying, but they contain detailed, relevant information.

The help drop down menu has various options; you can access a "How To" menu, the help files, see a backup bug report (where you can view any backup errors in detail) and access the Aquarius I. S. Consultancy website. Also, AISBackup offers email support and easy upgrades.

We don't recommend Aquarius's AISBackup for beginners. Although the program has excellent help available, sorting through it is time-consuming.

For simpler data backup software, refer to our reviews of  Genie Backup Manager,   Acronis True Image and DT Utilities PC Backup