The releases keep coming in 2023 from Veeam! This week, we have released the GA of Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 (VBM) version 7.0 (Build 7.0.0.2911). This new version again builds on the previous releases that added a new Self Service Restore Portal, backup copy, new update mechanism and much more. Version 7.0 is focused on the enhancements around integration with Veeam ONE v12, extended storage support for copying data from any object storage to any object storage, and immutable backup copies for protection against ransomware and malware.

Self-service Restore Portal enhancements include point-in-time selection, support for Microsoft Teams, and OneDrive file versions restore. Other features include job calendar search, OAuth 2.0 support for email notifications, and support for Amazon Glacier Instant Retrieval and Flexible Retrieval storage classes

What’s New in 7.0:

Apart from the headline new features, there are a lot of key scalability and performance enhancements that address the needs of larger and growing organizations and Veeam Cloud Service Providers. Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 v7 delivers multiple architectural enhancements and processing optimizations resulting in better backup and restore rates.

Below are the headline features and enhancements of v7

  • Self-service Restore Portal enhancements
  • Next level of integration with Veeam Service Provider Console
  • Integration with Veeam ONE v12
  • Immutable backup copies
  • Backup copies to ANY object storage

While Immutability is a headline feature with the backup copy to any Object Storage along with Veeam ONE integration, I want to highlight the first two major enhancements as they take this product to the next level for Managed Cloud and Service Providers (not forgetting that both features can be leveraged by Enterprises for internal multi-tenancy)

Self Service Portal Enhancements:

The Self Service Portal released in v6 was a huge step forward for Veeam and a brilliant example of community engagement and Service Provider feedback. We have kept listening to further enhance the portal in v7.

Portal Configuration Video

This new version brings several improvements to the Self-service Restore Portal. These enhancements include the ability to select a specific point in time for data restoration, recovering Microsoft Teams objects, restoring entire SharePoint and OneDrive folders, and restoring specific versions of OneDrive files. These features make it easier for end-users and restore operators to recover data, enhancing the overall functionality of the Portal.

Service Provider Console Integration

v7 has taken a big step with improved integration with Veeam Service Provider Console v7. This is the first integration in which Console can end to end configure a tenant instance, create and manage jobs from the Console UI and then offer reporting and monitoring for connected Backup for Microsoft 365 instances.

This makes it easier for service providers and their tenants to manage backups, monitor protected data, generate SLA reports, and handle billing. This integration allows tenants to register their organizations securely without sharing credentials with service providers and access the Restore Portal for self-service restores in one click from the Veeam Service Provider Console.

Architecture and Components:

With the addition of Veeam ONE integration, we have significantly updated the high level architectural diagram and it’s pretty busy! That said it shows off the growing flexibility of the platform and multiple options for backup and recovery of Microsoft 365 data and now the reporting with Veeam ONE. The one thing is doesn’t show is the Service Provider v7 integration.

Installation and Upgrade Notes:

You can download the the latest version of Veeam Backup for Microsoft 365 from this location. The download is ISO based and contains a more streamlined install process that handles all the components at the same time. You can see below, that it handled my existing v6 to v7 upgrade in the one go.

To finish off…It’s important to read the release notes here as there are a number of known issues relating to specific situations and configurations and some gotchas with upgrades. It’s important reading before any upgrade or fresh install.

Backup for Microsoft 365 has been a huge success for Veeam with market leading realization that SaaS based services require an data protection strategy. The continuity of data on SaaS platforms like Microsoft 365 is not guaranteed and it’s critical that a backup strategy is put into place. The market has now been well and truly educated on the need for protecting Microsoft 365 data and we continue to lead the way by leading the market in this space… v7 will further solidify our momentum in the space!

Links and Downloads:

TL:DR ChatGPT Generated Summary:

Veeam has released version 7.0 of its Backup for Microsoft 365, which includes enhancements to the Self Service Restore Portal, integration with Veeam Service Provider Console, extended storage support, and immutable backup copies for protection against ransomware and malware. The product has also received scalability and performance enhancements for larger organizations and Veeam Cloud Service Providers. The Self Service Portal enhancements include the ability to select a specific point in time for data restoration, recovering Microsoft Teams objects, restoring entire SharePoint and OneDrive folders, and restoring specific versions of OneDrive files. The integration with Veeam Service Provider Console v7 allows tenants to manage backups, monitor protected data, generate SLA reports, and handle billing. The release notes should be read before upgrading or installing.