Veeam has announced to its partner ecosystem that it has acquired Object First, a manufacturer of turnkey storage appliances designed as destinations for immutable backups for Veeam environments. According to the message sent to the channel, this move aims to expand the backup storage options with a very specific focus: built-in immutability and operational simplicity on-prem, without changing (at least for now) the business model or the rules of the ecosystem.
In the email, Veeam emphasizes three key ideas that set the tone: the company will remain “software-first”, will maintain its storage-agnostic approach (meaning not locking customers into a single hardware vendor), and Veeam and Object First partner programs will continue operating separately while the development of an integration roadmap is underway. For the channel, the message is reassuring: relationships, agreements, and program operations stay the same, and partners retain the freedom to recommend the most suitable option (cloud vault, third-party hardware, or Object First) based on complexity, customization needs, and customer requirements.
Who is Object First and why does it fit so well with Veeam?
Over the past few years, Object First has positioned itself as “the best storage for Veeam” with its Ootbi (Out-of-the-Box Immutability) range: native S3 storage appliances designed for quick deployment and acting as immutable backup repositories. Its value proposition rests on two easy-to-communicate messages in 2026: default cyber-resilience and frictionless operation.
On a technical-conceptual level, the brand emphasizes Zero Trust, immutability based on S3 Object Lock, and a reinforced system aimed at minimizing destructive actions, with a deliberate focus on “appliance” rather than general-purpose storage. Meanwhile, Object First has expanded its catalog with smaller and larger capacity models (e.g., 20 TB, 40 TB, and 432 TB) and scaling options in cluster configurations, along with typical Veeam architecture integrations such as Scale-Out Backup Repository (SOBR).
In other words: while Veeam dominates the “brain”” of backup (software), Object First aims to be a key component of the “body” (destination) that reduces human errors, hardens defenses against ransomware, and shortens deployment time.
Why does this acquisition make sense (and why now?)
The context is significant: ransomware no longer merely encrypts production data; it deliberately targets backups because they are a contingency plan for any organization. In this scenario, immutability ceases to be a “nice-to-have” feature and becomes a fundamental requirement in audits, policies, and continuity plans.
Additionally, Veeam has been reinforcing its message of immutability across multiple layers, with cloud and on-premise options:
- Veeam Data Cloud Vault: cloud storage designed for backups where immutability is enabled by default and cannot be disabled, with configurable periods (defaulting to 30 days as per documentation).
- Hardened Linux repositories: on-premise option with enhanced controls, where a window of immutability is defined during which files cannot be modified or deleted.
- Veeam Software Appliance: a hardened deployment aimed at simplifying operations and elevating security standards within the control plane.
With Object First, Veeam adds a further option: a pre-integrated immutable destination marketed as a “backup appliance” (not as a multi-purpose storage system). This approach fills a common need among mid-size clients: they want immutability and quick recovery, but do not want to assemble solutions from separate parts (servers + Linux hardening + S3 compatibility + governance + procedures).
What does this mean for partners and customers (in clear terms)
In the short term, Veeam communicates that continuity will be maintained:
- Partners can still recommend the “target” that best fits (cloud vault, open hardware, appliance), without vendor lock-in.
- Partner programs remain separate for now.
- Veeam emphasizes that the software-first approach continues, using Object First as an “appliance target,” not as a general storage platform.
In the medium term, the real focus will be on integration: packaging, promotions, cross-references, coordinated support, architectural guides, hardening templates, and especially how to simplify the “path” from Veeam to an immutable repository with guarantees.
Mini table: three common paths to “immutable backup” in Veeam
| Approach | What it is | Best suited for | Strength | Things to watch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Object First Ootbi (appliance) | Pre-integrated on-prem S3-native destination for immutable backups | Customers seeking speed and minimal “assembly” | Simplicity + “out-of-the-box” immutability | Capacity/scaling fit and on-prem logistics |
| Veeam Data Cloud Vault | Cloud “vault-type” storage for copies | Secondary/tertiary off-site copies, DR, compliance | Default immutability and cloud operation | Recurring costs + connectivity/egress |
| Linux Hardened Repository | Hardened on-prem repository managed by the customer/partner | Teams capable of managing Linux and processes | Flexibility + fine control | Operational complexity and hardening discipline |
Strategic insight: Veeam accelerates towards “packaged resilience”
The acquisition of Object First (as presented by Veeam to the channel) reinforces a clear trend: resilience is increasingly being sold as an outcome, not as a project. Many companies no longer want to “design” backup security; they want to “buy” it as a repeatable architecture, with clear support and quick deployment times.
Underlying this is a commercial reality: when ransomware enters boardroom discussions, justifying investments in immutability, isolation, and rapid recovery becomes easier. For Veeam, integrating a purpose-built appliance enhances its competitiveness in a market where the features matter less than ease of deployment and frictionless operation.