Could Metallic and Hedvig provide the tailwind that Commvault Systems Inc. is looking for?

The data backup and recovery provider launched Metallic in October as a new software-as-a-service portfolio that enabled protection for on-premises, cloud-based and hybrid file data. Commvault has since continued to refine and promote the product since through a recent partnership with Microsoft Azure, and hints that Metallic is exceeding expectations.

Commvault also released product upgrades today that include optimized hardware and software for Kubernetes deployments through its Hedvig Distributed Storage Platform.

“We’re watching the transformation of Commvault as they’re trying to go much deeper in the cloud,” said Stu Miniman, co-host of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio. “When we go to SaaS and the cloud, we understand that data protection isn’t just something that comes inherently. Metallic was the first step, and what we saw really looks like a holistic refresh of the product line.”

Miniman spoke with co-host Dave Vellante as part of the keynote analysis during the Commvault FutureReady 2020 Digital Experience. They discussed transition challenges facing the company and how a key acquisition by Commvault last year may strengthen its hand with developers. (* Disclosure below.)

Transition to subscription-based

The latest moves by Commvault come approximately 18 months after the company brought Sanjay Mirchandani on board as its new president and chief executive officer. The new CEO inherited a company in transition.

“It was transitioning from what had been a legacy, on-premises perpetual software license business to one that is now transferring into a subscription-based model,” Vellante said. “The good news on Commvault is that their balance sheet is tremendous; they have no debt. Many companies during this pandemic have tapped the credit markets, but Commvault has chosen not to.”

Another significant move under Mirchandani’s tenure has been the acquisition of software-defined storage vendor Hedvig Inc. for $225 million in September. The purchase by Commvault, along with additional Hedvig releases on Tuesday, signaled its interest in multicloud data management, which could attract developers as well.

“Last year one of the things that impressed me at Commvault Go is they did have some good developer action,” Miniman noted. “When you talk about cloud native, enabling developers is one of the key things. Hedvig is a good acquisition along those lines.”

Here’s the complete video interview, part of SiliconANGLE’s and theCUBE’s coverage of the Commvault FutureReady 2020 Digital Experience. (* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for the Commvault FutureReady event. Neither Commvault, the sponsor for theCUBE’s event coverage, nor other sponsors have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

Image: SiliconANGLE