Full migration to Data Fabric
The company once specialized only in solutions based on ONTAP, the company's own operating system for data warehouses such as NetApp FAS and AFF. However, while the system works really well, it cannot be applied to all new NetApp products. This prevented the development of new solutions.
In 2019, NetApp talked about changes in development strategy and the release of new products based on Data Fabric ("data factory") - a single complex of technical and software components that helps organizations manage data in hybrid and multicloud, unite on-premises and cloud infrastructure. These solutions make it easier for customers to manage big data and integrate cloud technologies.
This was a big step forward for the company. NetApp began developing products such as StorageGrid object storage, acquired Solidfire, integrated various product families to make everything work together, and added additional tools to make life easier for its customers. In the end, ONTAP was no longer the only answer to all questions, and the company began to move forward.
Data Fabric Cloud
The Data Fabric concept included the cloud a year ago, but in some aspects it was incomplete. Data Fabric was developed even before the success of Kubernetes, and there was no question of multicloud.
After Insight and CFDs, the strategy update seems complete. We can say that NetApp is one of the most advanced providers in the hybrid technology market today. Astra projects or even a new VDS (Virtual Desktop Service) use Data Fabric at the core.
NetApp is no longer a simple storage provider, at least not in the traditional sense. The company is diversifying and becoming a serious player in the cloud computing market. It is also interesting that the company is doing this in a way that does not compete with established cloud providers or their partners.
In fact, NetApp is positioning its product family as the foundation for seamlessly moving data from on-premises to the cloud, and then managing it with a single user experience, regardless of cloud platforms. That is, NetApp provides a variety of options for working with data in the cloud, giving users more freedom of choice.
The company creates a set of interesting solutions based on reliable and consistent data management practices. From a certain point of view, this strategy is similar to that of VMware: their stack is now available in all clouds, and on its basis additional solutions are built (for example, Disaster-Recovery-as-a-Service or Disaster Recovery as a Service, which appeared as a result of the acquisition Datrium).
What is the result
Can NetApp still be classified as a traditional storage vendor? Surely storage revenues still account for the lion's share of their revenues (so they are still “traditional” in this regard), but the change in strategy is quite noticeable here, and cloud computing revenues are becoming more impressive.
Most businesses are changing the way they think about IT infrastructure. Hybrid and multicloud solutions are now the norm. Users want to quickly and easily launch their applications where business demands it. Just being a storage provider is no longer enough.
It's important to note that NetApp is not alone in this regard (we've already mentioned VMware). Other companies such as RedHat follow a similar strategy. They all want to create a consistent user experience no matter where the customer deploys their business (and data).
Forecast
Can NetApp Change Again? Will it be a trusted cloud provider and will it become a true hybrid cloud storage provider? The company has done well with the move to Data Fabric and is on the right track to repeat the success. Comparing NetApp to some of the other traditional storage vendors, they are really well positioned to expand their services and gain a foothold in the cloud market.
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