Custom online backup...programming of backend/server & client software

I'm looking to start providing an online file backup service to my existing customer base. I'm looking for a backup solution that does the following:

User interface:

1. Username/password credential input
2. Selection of directories to be backed up with all new file versions replacing the old.
3. Selection of individual files or directories to be backed up with all new file versions be saved as well as the old.
4. Ideally would allow inclusive and exclusive file-name masks.
5. Status page that displays current size of data backed up, date of last sync, possibly more
6. Ability for an admin to do a full backup to an attached local disk instead of via the internet.
7. Program must run on windows
8. Program must be small in size, use minimal system resources, etc.
9. Program can either be run in the system tray or if easy to implement I'd prefer a sync program to be launched via nncron lite (which will already be loaded on the system for other reasons) only at the time desired.

Backend server interface:

1. Username/password credential verification, verification user has the space to upload more data.
2. Client account management including the ability to set the client's disk space limit.
3. Ability to upload the locally backed up files
4. Compression of data
5. Ability to request only the updated files be sent to the server (not sure if this data should be determined by the client or server).
6. Data is encrypted during transfer (required) and on the server (desired but not if it would cost significantly more to develop).
7. Ideally would like the ability to keep files deleted on the client side for X days before the server purges the files (system never deletes where the system backs up each and every version of that file).
8. Log with specific info fed into the user management portal (such as the date of last sync).

Other notes:

1. At this time there is no need for functionality to allow the client software to download updates. However, the server admin needs the ability to copy the backed up data to a local drive (using a USB hard drive likely) and then be copied again to a local drive on the client's computer.
2. I'm ideally looking for someone I can deal with for revisions, updates, etc.
3. My budget is low but fair. Lets talk details

 

It really surprises me that no one has contacted me. Is this really that complicated of a project? There's a nice chunk of money for someone to make sure. I would prefer to give it to someone on this forum vs. a site like elance or such.

 

Saying you have a low budget will be putting people off - plus many people here are web rather than application developers.

Ball park figure for a client/ server application is going to be round the £10,000 ($21,000) mark for development company to write and very possibly more.

 

I can buy an off the shelf solution for that price! I just don't need something with that many features.

 

Yes, custom developed solutions are more expensive than off the shelf but you can make something to be exactly how you want it rather than a "best fit" of features that prebuilt comes with.

 

A good rule of thumb is that custom solution of a problem generally cost more than comparable custom made solution and it makes sense too. The programmer creating custom made solution won't make any more money once he hands over the code to you (as he would hand over rights over the code as well in most cases). Anyway, 10000 pounds for your project is a bit of an overestimation imo, you can get it done in anything between $2000 - $8000 depending on the quality of coder you choose.

 

Thank you dman_2007 for your thoughts. My budget is almost exactly the range you mentioned mentioned. I agree with your thoughts that generally custom code costs more. However, due to my simplified needs, it shouldn't cost a ton of money to produce this program. I could surely pay £10,000 if I wanted to (and had the money) but there is no need to overpay.

I am currently in communication with someone that proposed using some GPL code to begin with and then adding some custom code here and there. This seems like the perfect idea. I still haven't hired anyone for the project yet so if anyone thinks that they can do it, please contact me.

 

Why dont you build on a already famous protocol like FTP or SFTP. Basically over FTP based windows client which uploads files to server - this will take care of lot of protocol design and management headaches , yet provide usability against a wide range of clients ( With you own custom one ) .

Also free stable server side software will be available, which will allow features like disk allotment/users/bandwidth managements etc.

Though customization will still be required ( server side interface and client side custom/modified FTP client ) .

 

Hello

I ran successfully a software website (fantasticosoft.com) for about 5 years but I retired and now I will be selling all the titles I used to sell including their source codes.

I think my remote backup software will be of help to your business. The fastest and cheapest solution. Guaranteed.

Please see the details here:
http://fantastico.ws/ebay/software/rebranded_backup.html

Let me know if interested.

Thanks

Eduardo