Retrospect – the long-time backup software for Mac and Windows – has been spun off as an independent company. The eponymous software publisher has also announced the release of Retrospect 9 for Mac.

Retrospect 9 features data de-duplication, network backup of Mac, Windows and Linux computers, and new support of cloud-based storage: Retrospect 9 can now target any WebDAV-compatible storage system, including services from providers like Egnyte and Dreamhost.

Retrospect’s network backup client for Intel-based Macs has been reworked in the new release; it’s 64-bit and uses optional AES-256 encryption for sending backup data to the Retrospect server. It allows users to initiate backups and restores either from the desktop or the Retrospect Client preferences pane. Users can be notified of backup operations through Growl.

Also new in this release are improvements to performance, task workflows, user interface elements and reliability.

Retrospect 9 goes on sale in boxes at the end of November. Upgrades from previous releases are available – free if you purchased Retrospect 8 on or after July 20, 2011.

Prices for the full version range from $129 to $1,669 depending on desktop and server configurations. More details are available from the Retrospect Web site.

Retrospect started life in the 1990s as a backup software app for the Mac from Dantz Development Corp. Dantz was acquired by EMC Corp. in 2004, which published the software until Roxio acquired Retrospect in 2010.