In my search, I found Spb Clone, but this was really more of an enterprise solution, and designed to deploy identical setups to multiple devices. Spb Software House hasn't forgotten the individual consumer though. For individual use, Spb has created Spb Backup, shown in Figure A.

FIGURE A


Spb Backup will save your data and your sanity. Roll over picture for a larger image.

What it does
In a nutshell, what Spb Backup does is create an image of your Pocket PC's system; ROM, registry, system files, and all data at the moment of backup. As you can see in Figure B, this image is then saved as a self-extracting file for later restoration.

FIGURE B


Your backup is saved as an easy to use self-extracting file. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Spb has included a variety of options to suit your backup needs. They have included the option for both selective backup and restore as shown in Figure C.

FIGURE C


A backup can be full, or custom. Roll over picture for a larger image.

You can even selectively restore particular files from a full backup.

Backups can compressed and password encrypted, saved to main memory (not really recommended), or to an external card (recommended). You can schedule automatic backups for when they are convenient, like shown in Figure D.

FIGURE D


Scheduled backups ensure your data is saved on a regular basis. Roll over picture for a larger image.

The Today plug-in you see in Figure E will keep you informed as to when the last backup was performed, and when the next scheduled one will occur.

FIGURE E


The Today plug-in keeps you up-to-date on Spb Backup's status. Roll over picture for a larger image.

And for Pocket PC phones that require a PIN after reset (the device is reset after a backup), as you see in Figure F, Spb Backup will take care of that as well.

FIGURE F


Spb Backup will even apply the PIN to activate you phone. Roll over picture for a larger image.

In fact, Spb Backup truly is a set it, and forget it application.

How it works
So how does Spb Backup work? In a word, perfect.

I'm continually amazed at how much differently the Pocket PC platform works from that of the Palm. And the backup utilities are no exception.

Shown in Figure G, Spb Backup gave me the most flawless, seamless restore I've ever experienced.

FIGURE G


Restoration is as easy as activating the self-extracting file. Roll over picture for a larger image.

After performing a full restore, the only thing I had to do was set the correct time. This is how it should be.

With other backup applications I've used, although my files may have been restored, my preferences and shortcuts were not. Not so with Spb Backup. As a matter of fact, it was completely undetectable that a restore had even been performed. And isn't that how it should be?