We have been using a sql job to back up our SQL 2005 databases locally, and then copy them to tape with BackupExec. At the same time, we use MS Data Protection Manager to take incremental backups throughout the day. The tapes are just a nightly backup that we take offsite, and DPM allows us to restore from any 15-minute increment (or nightly Full backup to restore faster). Our most common use is to restore DBs to development servers, which we do several times a day. We're looking to replace DPM, and we are also upgrading BackupExec.
We will continue to use BackupExec as our disaster recovery backups, but I need a replacement for DPM that will primarily be used for putting copies of databases onto development servers. Ideally, I'd like to find a solution that does the incremental backups every 15 minutes or so, and allows me to restore to any time to any server like we do now. In addition, I would prefer if I could automate restores, and/or grant other users access to restore a database to server(s) they have access to. We would like to store copies for weeks or months (probably just a Full copy a day for anything after a week), or basically as long as local disk will let us.
I'm beginning my Google searching today, but I was hoping to hear some expert opinions from here, too.