CommVault Systems Inc. is now shipping its Simpana 8 software suite, complete with an integrated cloud storage connector that enables cloud-based storage for small to large-sized businesses.
The company’s Simpana software products are designed to help businesses protect, archive, replicate, search and perform resource management tasks on their data. With the new built-in cloud storage connector, CommVault customers are now able to move on-premises backup and archive data both into and out of cloud storage environments.
Jeff Echols, director of cloud solutions at CommVault, said the new cloud-optimized Simpana 8 offering is an opportunity for channel partners and their customers to enter into the cloud computing space.
“This is another tier of storage offering from CommVault,” Echols said. “Customers only pay for what they utilize, so it saves on management and compliance costs. This offering lowers the barrier of entry into cloud storage (environments) for customers.”
Possible use-case scenarios for this solution include companies that want to move older data into a cloud environment because it may be taking up too much space in their infrastructure, or they want to simplify their management costs.
“Customers can keep track of (data) in the cloud and they still have the option of pulling (data) back whenever they need it,” he explained. “It’s virtually the same interface, but now we’re giving customers more choice by enabling a new tier of storage in the cloud.”
To help its partners in this space, the company has prepared resources which include data sheets and Webcasts that are specific to this offering, in addition to the company’s other existing channel tools as well.
For existing CommVault Simpana users, Echols says customers can download the latest service pack to immediately take advantage of the cloud-based opportunity. Once this is downloaded, the customer can then select their provider of choice and establish a relationship with them.
The company currently has cloud storage partnerships with companies including Amazon, Microsoft and Nirvanix. Customers will also be able to take advantage of the cloud connector in Simpana from EMC and Iron Mountain, two other business partners, at a date which is still to be determined.
Pricing starts at $900 per terabyte for a CommVault software license, with the option of adding on other services. The company offers capacity-based licensing, so that customers can grow their cloud storage infrastructures as they need it, Echols added.
