Object First has announced Ootbi Mini, a desktop appliance with immutable storage designed for remote offices and branch sites (ROBO), edge environments, and small businesses that use Veeam. The proposal transforms a compact tower —without the need for a server room— into the same security, simplicity, and integration standards that the company’s Ootbi range has been offering for data centers, but with capabilities and noise levels adjusted to office realities.
The device arrives accompanied by two announcements focused on daily operation: Ootbi Honeypot, an early detection feature that deploys a Veeam Backup & Replication decoy to warn of malicious activity, and the beta program of Ootbi Fleet Manager, a SaaS dashboard to monitor a fleet of distributed Ootbi units from a single interface.
Ootbi Mini: “out-of-the-box” immutability for desktops and cabinets
The product name — Out-of-the-Box Immutability (Ootbi) — encapsulates the promise: ready-to-use immutability. The company emphasizes that the design follows Zero Trust principles and talks about “Absolute Immutability”: not even an administrator can alter the firmware, operating system, storage layer, or backup data during the configured retention period.
- Format: desktop tower, 5–6 pounds weight, single power supply, and three disks inside; designed to fit in a cabinet, shelf, or under a desk, without rack or data center cooling.
- Capacities: 8 TB (entry level), 16 TB (balanced), and 24 TB (for slightly larger footprints).
- Use cases: small offices without technical rooms, branches or edge sites with space and power constraints, managed service providers (MSPs) protecting remote sites.
- Purchase options: CapEx or consumption-based subscription, with support included.
- Availability: orders starting today; deliveries in January 2026.
The desktop format is a deliberate choice. Object First argues that rack-mounted units tend to be more expensive and noisier —with large fans and more heat— and are less compatible with office comfort. With Ootbi Mini, the company promises faster local recovery than a cloud-only strategy, natively integrating with Veeam and fitting into 3-2-1 architectures (three copies, two media, one off-site).
“Organizations using Veeam can benefit from storage solutions that combine immutability, simplicity, and resilience,” says Phil Goodwin, IDC research VP. “With Ootbi Mini, Honeypot, and Fleet Manager, Object First is expanding its ransomware-proof portfolio to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes.”
Built-in Honeypot: an “early warning” ransomware alert on Veeam
Alongside the Mini, Object First introduced Ootbi Honeypot (available from Ootbi 1.7) at no extra cost for current customers. In two clicks, the deploys a Veeam Backup & Replication (VBR) decoy environment in a segmented zone within Ootbi. This decoy acts as a sensor: if it detects suspicious activity —such as tampering attempts or anomalous access— it triggers alerts through the customer’s preferred channel.
The purpose is to capture signals of lateral movement or scanning towards backup infrastructure before they impact actual repositories. For units with limited resources at small sites, having an integrated “canary” reduces complexity and response times without deploying extra tools.
Fleet Manager (beta): a SaaS dashboard for a distributed fleet
The third announcement is Ootbi Fleet Manager, whose beta program opens the door to monitoring multiple Ootbi clusters from a single cloud dashboard:
- Map and status of distributed clusters (health, alerts, capacity trends, and hardware utilization).
- Custom fleet organization and delegated access, integrable with existing identities.
- No need to set up management stations or VPNs at each site.
For MSPs and IT administrators managing dozens of locations, centralized telemetry and granular reporting shorten operation and auditing times.
Company message: “immutability for all Veeam users”
“Making ransomware-proof backups simple, powerful, and accessible for every Veeam user,” summarized David Bennett, CEO of Object First. “With Ootbi Mini, any organization, anywhere, can have enterprise-level immutability in a small footprint. Honeypot takes it a step further by providing early cyber threat alerts, and Fleet Manager simplifies how to monitor and manage Ootbi deployments. Together, these innovations reinforce our commitment to delivering a secure, simple, resilient backup solution for Veeam customers.”
The launch will be complemented by the “Simply Resilient” event (today at 11:00 a.m. EDT) featuring Bennett and Brian Beeler (StorageReview) to showcase Ootbi Mini, Honeypot, and a pre-release of Fleet Manager.
Why this move matters (beyond the product)
1) Ransomware and “last line” at the branch
Recent attacks show criminals target backups after encrypting production data. For offices and edge sites, where segmentation and resources are limited compared to data centers, an immutable repository shortens the damage window and accelerates recovery.
2) “Factory default” immutability
Properly configuring immutability is not trivial. Ootbi advocates for default immutability, with firmware/OS/storage level locks and policies that do not depend on a “correct click” by an admin under pressure.
3) Operational simplicity
For SMBs or MSPs, having the appliance come with Veeam integration and a streamlined UI speeds up deployment. And the fact that Honeypot is “two clicks” away avoids custom scripts or patching.
4) Fleet observability
The backup backend has become distributed: more sites, more edge, more regulations. A SaaS dashboard with delegated access and capacity and hardware metrics helps maintain standards and anticipate expansion.
Channel and customer feedback
Several integrators have praised the “rack-free anti-ransomware” approach:
- DataServ: “The size and price of Mini fit many clients. Immutable copies are essential and now accessible at branch sites without data centers. Honeypot adds a layer of early detection.”
- CDW: “Addresses the issue of over-sized repositories at branches. We foresee good reception among Veeam clients asking for small-footprint immutability.”
- Central Technology (UK): “In the UK, our clients face increasing pressure to protect data at central and distributed locations. The Mini enables enterprise immutability in a compact format, and Honeypot provides early ransomware alerts.”
- DATASIGN (LATAM): “Extends enterprise-level protection to small branch sites of Veeam customers, creating real value.”
Ootbi Mini quick facts
- What it is: immutable storage appliance for Veeam backups (edge/ROBO/SMB).
- Capacities: 8 / 16 / 24 TB (3 internal disks).
- Format: desktop tower, 5–6 lbs, 1 PSU, low noise.
- Security: Absolute Immutability (Zero Trust); firmware/OS/storage/data locks against changes.
- Software: intuitive UI, Veeam integration; Honeypot (1.7) included.
- Management: Fleet Manager (beta) to monitor Ootbi fleets.
- Purchase options: CapEx or consumption-based subscription; ships starting January 2026.
Target audiences
- SMBs and branch offices needing fast local restores and anti-ransomware protection without rack hardware.
- MSPs managing dozens of sites requesting central observability (Fleet Manager) and early alerts (Honeypot).
- Edge environments with limited space/power, where a 24 TB immutable appliance makes a difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Absolute Immutability” mean in Ootbi Mini?
During the configured retention period, neither firmware, operating system, storage layer, nor backup data can be altered, not even with admin credentials. It provides a key defense against malicious deletions/changes (internal or ransomware).
How does Ootbi Honeypot work and what does it detect?
Honeypot (Ootbi 1.7) creates a VBR decoy environment in a segmented zone of the appliance. Acting as a sensor, it detects anomolous activity — such as access attempts or manipulation — and triggers alerts via the chosen channel (email, messaging, etc.). It does not replace endpoint security but reduces detection times.
Can I upgrade from a Mini to a larger Ootbi?
Yes. Mini units can be evacuated and replaced by larger systems as needs grow. It’s also possible to combine nodes to expand footprint.
What does Fleet Manager add compared to managing each site individually?
Unified visibility (health, capacity, alerts) across the entire fleet without VPNs or local management stations, with delegated access and integrated authentication. It reduces operation times and response times for distributed deployments.