Worst Company/Product Ever-Arcserve by Computer Associates

[vetteguy]

For anyone looking at backup product solutions, I STRONGLY urge that you do NOT patronize Computer Associates. Aside from having one of the most poorly written and performing products out there (ArcServe) their technical support policies are outrageous. They will not even provide support on INSTALLATION ISSUES without you paying!!! Furthermore, you cannot access their online knowledge base without paying. I'm sorry, but if I'm paying $5,000 for a software suite, I'd better damn well have someone helping me to install it if I'm running into problems, and I'm NOT paying extra for it. Even worse, if you call with an issue during the day and pay their fee ($95), and it isn't resolved during the day, they then expect you to pay an additional $350 for after-hours support!!! That is beyond reason. Even MIcrosoft provides several free incidents to cover initial setup/installation. Who do the idiots at CA think they are?!?! I'm currently trying to get the director of our department to demand a refund so we can go with Veritas, a product that actually DOES what it's supposed to do, and one you can get support for.

 

[bmacd]

ouch

-=bmacd=-

 

[abc]

well, ArcServe wasn't purely a CA product, it was Chyenne Software or something, but CA bought it... and that was a few years ago though. CA gave a rewrite/overhaul and released it as ArcServe2K back then.


I've used ArcServe, I didn't really like it... Backup Exec. is somewhat smoother overall but also has its quirks. I think Backup Exec. is alot more expensive to deploy enterprise wide though, I think their 'Agent' licenses cost alot and you have to buy alot of them.

 

[vetteguy]

Originally posted by: abc
well, ArcServe wasn't purely a CA product, it was Chyenne Software or something, but CA bought it... and that was a few years ago though. CA gave a rewrite/overhaul and released it as ArcServe2K back then.


I've used ArcServe, I didn't really like it... Backup Exec. is somewhat smoother overall but also has its quirks. I think Backup Exec. is alot more expensive to deploy enterprise wide though, I think their 'Agent' licenses cost alot and you have to buy alot of them.

Yes, I remember when it was Cheyenne as well. Same deal. Basically, let's screw the customers as early on as we can. It's like buying a brand new car, and having the transmission drop on your way out of the dealer's lot. When you walk back in, they say "we'd be happy to help. All we need is $5000 and we can begin work". Unbelievable.

 

[Windogg]

Yea I've always hated ArcServe and CA/Cheyenne's policies. Started working with Backup Exec and never looked back.

Windogg