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Two ways to pay · same appliance · same immutability

Ootbi CapEx vs Consumption
Own the appliance, or pay for the terabytes you use

Object First sells the same Ootbi hardware two ways. CapEx is an upfront purchase you own. On Consumption, Object First keeps ownership of the appliance and bills a fixed monthly amount for committed capacity, with overage per TB. This page explains how each works; it does not list prices.
10 TB[src]
CONSUMPTION MINIMUM
1 year[src]
CONSUMPTION TERM
Per TB[src]
OVERAGE, BILLED NEXT MONTH
Up to 5 yrs[src]
CAPEX SUPPORT TERM
CONSUMPTION AVAILABLE
7 PB+[src]
CONSUMPTION SCALE, SEVERAL CLUSTERS
Overview

Ootbi CapEx vs Consumption at a glance

With Ootbi CapEx vs Consumption, the product does not change: Object First says both give the same ransomware-proof storage, and both include software, OS and firmware updates, technical support and on-site service[src]. What changes is who owns the box and for how long the cover lasts.

On CapEx you own the appliance and the updates and support run for a fixed term, generally up to five years[src]. On Consumption, Object First keeps ownership, and the updates, support and hardware refreshes continue for as long as the subscription does; when the appliance reaches end of life, Object First replaces it[src].

Ootbi CapEx and Consumption comparedCapEx appliances cannot be converted to Consumption; a separate Consumption cluster can run beside them.CapExConsumptionWho owns the applianceYouObject FirstUpfront payment✓—Updates, support, on-site serviceFixed termFor the subscriptionHardware refresh included—✓Minimum capacityOne appliance10 TB committedBillingOnceMonthly, plus overageTelemetry requiredOptionalYes, port 443Available in the UK✓✓CapEx appliances cannot be converted to Consumption; a separate Consumption cluster can run beside them.
From Object First's CapEx and Consumption web page and datasheet; the optional telemetry on CapEx is from its installation guides[src]. Both models include the same software, support and on-site service; the differences are ownership, term, billing and the telemetry rule.
Billing

How Consumption billing works

Object First organises Consumption into preset tiers and steps. You pay a fixed monthly amount for your step; if you go above it in a month, the excess is billed the following month per TB[src].
Monthly Ootbi usage against a committed stepReducing a step is only possible at renewal; Object First assumes data grows.Backup data stored each month (TB)Within the committed stepAbove it: billed per TB the next monthCommitted step0255075100JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecMoved up a step: new 12-month agreementReducing a step is only possible at renewal; Object First assumes data grows.
Illustration only, not an Object First tariff: a commitment that steady growth overtakes. Usage above the step is billed per TB the next month; Object First suggests moving up a step if that happens regularly, which starts a new one-year agreement[src]. The step sizes here are invented for the example.

Object First says there are no other charges from it during the term beyond step charges and overage[src]. The monthly bill comes from the reseller or service provider you contracted with, not from Object First directly[src].

Process

Getting an Ootbi on Consumption

Object First describes the path in a handful of steps, with sizing done up front using its storage calculator[src][src].
The Ootbi Consumption processTelemetry must stay enabled throughout; without it the appliance stops accepting new backups after a grace period.PLANFree sizingconsultationchange, growth andretentionORDEROrder through apartnerplus Object Firstterms of serviceDELIVERAppliance shippedinstalled on yourpremisesRUNFixed monthly billoverage per TB thenext monthCapacity unlockedas your needs growTelemetry must stay enabled throughout; without it the appliance stops accepting new backups after a grace period.
Object First's Consumption steps from its web page and datasheet, grouped into four stages. The sizing parameters are the ones it names: daily change rate, growth, retention and immutability settings.
Choosing

Which model suits which estate

CapEx

A stable, predictable estate

Object First's own view: if the environment is static, neither growing nor shrinking over five years, CapEx may be appropriate[src].
Consumption

Growth, or no capital budget

No upfront outlay, refreshes included, and capacity unlocked as you grow; the trade is a monthly bill that does not go down until renewal[src][src].
Rule

Telemetry stays on

Consumption appliances need outbound HTTPS on port 443 to Object First's telemetry and Consumption servers, or they stop accepting new backups after a grace period[src].
Mixing

Both, in separate clusters

Existing CapEx appliances stay CapEx. Add Consumption as its own cluster so usage is tracked separately[src].
End of life

Replacement and a certificate

On Consumption, Object First ships a replacement node, you swap it into the cluster, and it provides a data destruction certificate for the old one[src].
Sizing

Size for the real retention

When immutability follows job retention, Veeam keeps data on Ootbi for the longer of the two plus up to 10 days of block generation, so commit to capacity on that basis[src][src]. Sizing guide →
Supply & quote

Get Ootbi quoted, and Consumption explained

  • We size the capacity from your data, growth, retention and immutability, including Veeam’s block generation.
  • We price a CapEx purchase and confirm how the Consumption model can be provided for you.
  • We set out what each model includes over the same term, so you can compare them.
  • We include Object First support and any extra nodes in the same quote.

Get an Ootbi quote

Tell us how much Veeam protects and how long backups must stay locked. We size the appliance or cluster and quote it.

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FAQs

Ootbi CapEx and Consumption: common questions

What is the minimum commitment on the Ootbi Consumption model?

Object First’s minimum commit is 10 TB of backup storage. It quotes the model as running from 10 TB to 7 PB, and says multiple Ootbi nodes take it to many petabytes; one four-node cluster holds up to 1.7 PB, so the top of that range means several clusters.

How long is an Ootbi Consumption agreement?

One year at a time. Object First says agreements do not auto-renew; it works with your partner towards the end of the term to continue service. Moving up a step mid-term puts a new one-year agreement in place.

What happens if I use more than my committed capacity?

You are billed for the excess the following month, per TB. Usage is organised into tiers and steps; if you regularly go over your step, Object First suggests moving up a step or tier, which it says is more cost-effective than paying overage each month.

Can I reduce my Consumption commitment?

Not during the term. Object First assumes storage use grows over time, and says reducing consumption is possible at agreement renewal.

Can I convert an Ootbi I already own to Consumption?

No. Object First says a CapEx appliance cannot be converted, but you can run both models side by side by deploying a separate Ootbi cluster for Consumption, which keeps usage tracking separate and accurate.

Who owns the appliance on the Consumption model?

Object First does. You keep the appliance for as long as your agreement runs; if it has to be changed for growth or end of life, Object First sends a replacement node, you add it to the cluster and decommission the old one, and Object First provides a data destruction certificate afterwards.

Is the Consumption model available in the UK?

Yes. Object First lists it as available in the USA, the European Union and the United Kingdom. The agreement is with your Object First partner, plus Object First’s own terms of service, so tell us you want it and we will confirm how it can be provided for you.

Why does this page not show prices?

Because the price of an Ootbi depends on capacity, node count, term and buying model, and on Consumption on the step you commit to. We quote each configuration rather than publish a list. Ask for a CapEx quote and we will confirm how the Consumption model can be provided for you.

The Object First range

More Object First pages

Keep exploring

Related Servnet guides, tools and hardware

Sources

Every specification on this page comes from Object First's own datasheets, product pages and Help Center, and every statement about how Veeam behaves comes from Veeam's own documentation, listed below with their dates. Where Object First's web copy and a datasheet differ, we use the datasheet. Figures are confirmed against the current revision when we quote.

  1. CapEx and Consumption Acquisition Models for Ootbi · web page, read 30 Oct 2026
  2. Ootbi CapEx or Consumption datasheet (1.0_20251118) · PDF dated 7 Nov 2025
  3. Object First product overview · web page, read 30 Oct 2026
  4. Ootbi 18/36/72/144/216 TB installation placemat · PDF dated 29 Jul 2026
  5. Veeam Backup & Replication 13 User Guide: How Immutability Works · page updated 18 Mar 2026, build 13.1.2.57
  6. Veeam Backup & Replication 13 User Guide: Block Generation · page updated 6 Feb 2026, build 13.1.2.57

Object First, Ootbi and Simply Resilient are trademarks of Object First; Veeam is a trademark of Veeam Software, which acquired Object First in January 2026. Servnet is an independent UK IT reseller; this page is our own guide to the range.

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