NetApp Acquires StackPointCloud, a Managed Kubernetes-As-a-Service Provider

NetApp is transforming itself from storage vendor to multi-cloud vendor. NetApp has acquired StackPointCloud, a multi-cloud Kubernetes as a service (SaaS) platform for deploying, managing and upgrading Kubernetes clusters on the public clouds. StackPointCloud is also one of the contributors to the Kubernetes project.

The combination of StackPointCloud with NetApp creates NetApp Kubernetes Service. It will be the industry's first complete Kubernetes platform for multi-cloud deployments and a complete cloud-based stack for Azure, Google Cloud, AWS, and NetApp HCI. NetApp will also benefit from the knowledge and experience of StackPointCloud's CEO Matt Baldwin and other members of the team, the announcement said.

The combined solution will also dramatically increase NetApp's presence with the Kubernetes and Istio open source DevOps communities.

NetApp Kubernetes Service is immediately available at cloud.netapp.com for customers to deploy and manage clusters and applications across the clouds. NetApp customers will be able to more easily manage data and applications in the cloud and across clouds, they can put the data where it needs to be.

In a blog post, senior vice president & general manager of NetApp's Cloud Data Services business unit, Anthony Lye said, "We’ve done the analysis internally, and, on average, we release new software 60% faster, spend 35% more time writing code, and spend 90% less time provisioning and maintaining new clusters. Time spent on common operational tasks, like patching, has also reduced by over 90%. Also, by reducing the patching burden, we found that we are much more likely to quickly apply security remediations. Netapp will charge a small percentage of what you deploy, plain and simple. No upfront license costs, no multi-month or annual contracts, no installation, no upgrades, no hassle. A true SaaS service. My Salesforce for Kubernetes."

With StackPointCloud acquisition, NetApp has an advanced Kubernetes-as-a-service platform that will support the application orchestration capabilities of NetApp's Data Fabric. Further, there will be integration with NetApp Cloud Volumes and Trident. This will allow multi-cloud application orchestration with persistent storage for stateful applications that use file-based protocols. Additionally, it will simplify data and application management in Cloud.

"This acquisition will benefit customers looking to simplify the delivery of data and applications in clouds, across clouds and hybrid clouds. The StackPointCloud Kubernetes-as-a-service platform combined with NetApp's Cloud Data Services creates a complete DevOps solution, so customers can focus on innovation, not administration", said Anthony Lye, senior vice president & general manager of NetApp's Cloud Data Services business unit.

Along with StackPointCloud, NetApp also receives experienced, cutting-edge engineering, development and services teams with the vital intellectual property. It will further help Netapp's future services and on-premises products.