Intended as a low-cost alternative to other backup options, Red Gate SQL Backup & Rescue Bundle offers "excellent features for a modest price," according to our judges. It takes the Bronze Award in the General Database Utilities category.

This two-part tool includes SQL Backup, software that provides compressed and encrypted backups for SQL Server databases, and SQL Log Rescue, which enables undo and redo of individual database transactions to protect against data loss and downtime.

This product exceeded the scores of most other contenders in the areas of ease of integration and ease of use. While judges' scores varied, one judge gave it top billing (five out of five) in every category except for innovation and support, which he still rated highly (four out of five).

SQL Backup uses a SQL Server virtual device to act as an alternative to native SQL Server backup. Log Rescue runs directly on a PC or a server hosting SQL Server databases. SQL Backup & Rescue supports SQL Server 2000 and above.

Price: Red Gate Software Ltd.'s SQL Backup & Rescue Bundle is priced at $490 for a single license or $289 per license for a 10-server pack.

SearchSQLServer.com editors