Introduction
Hi there, it’s Des here. I’m in Denver, Colorado at Commvault Go 2019. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Janet Giesen, head of operations and Go-to-market for Metallic, and Rob Carlustian, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Metallic. We had a fascinating conversation about the birth of Metallic, its unique position as a startup within a large organization, and its exciting future in the world of data protection.
The Backstory of Metallic
Rob shared the intriguing backstory of Metallic, a startup nestled within an established company. The idea for Metallic stemmed from identifying market opportunities and customer needs. The team recognized a gap in the market for a SaaS-delivered model that offered simplicity, scale, and flexibility for both enterprise and mid-market customers. This led to the inception of Metallic, with a focus on customer experience and leveraging two decades of technological expertise while innovating for the future.
The Birth of Metallic
The birth of Metallic involved a leap of faith and a commitment to building something new while drawing from existing technological foundations. Rob and Janet shared their experiences of presenting the proposal to the board of directors and the challenges of running Metallic as a startup within a larger organization. They emphasized the importance of customer choice and the need to balance innovative solutions with the reliability of proven technology.
The Unique Offerings of Metallic
Metallic launched with three solid use cases – Metallic Core Backup for VM, file, and SQL data, Office 365 backup, and endpoint backup for laptops and desktops. These offerings were carefully selected based on market research and customer demand. The team at Metallic is open to extending their offerings based on evolving market demands and technological advancements.
The Story Behind the Name
The name “Metallic” was chosen to symbolize strength and flexibility, much like the paint on a high-performance sports car. It represents a mix of metal and pigment, catching the eye and resonating with the innovative and robust nature of Metallic as a venture within Commvault. The team went through internal debates and discussions to finalize the name, aiming for something memorable and impactful.
Challenges and Future Growth
As Metallic expands its reach, it faces challenges related to data location, regional rollout, and compliance with regulations like GDPR. The team is focused on addressing these challenges while maintaining the flexibility and adaptability that have become hallmarks of Metallic’s offerings. They are also considering future use cases, such as the integration of IoT data and the potential for expanding into new regions and markets.
Conclusion
The future looks bright for Metallic as it continues to innovate and expand its offerings in the ever-evolving landscape of data protection. With a strong foundation in Commvault’s core technology and a focus on customer experience, Metallic is poised to make a significant impact in the industry. We look forward to seeing where Metallic goes in the next 12 to 18 months and beyond.
In conclusion, Metallic’s journey from inception to launch is a testament to innovation, adaptability, and a deep understanding of customer needs. As the world of data protection continues to evolve, Metallic is well-positioned to lead the charge with its unique blend of strength, flexibility, and customer-centric approach. The future is indeed exciting for Metallic, and we can’t wait to see where this journey takes them.
