Systems and methods for on-demand data storage

A system, comprising:

• a plurality of customer computers to be backed-up, each customer computer running a client software to transfer back-up data files on pre-provisioned data volumes by creating an unpartitioned storage pool;
• generating a unique volume identifier for a data storage volume at a predetermined location;
• pre-provisioning the data storage volume in a volume queue ready for use on-demand;
• and storing data on the data storage volume at the predetermined location on-demand;
• a system management platform coupled to the client software over the Internet, the system management platform receiving inputs from a web user portal to control operations of the client software and the system management platform to back up the customer computer;
• and
• two or more data storage silos, each including:
• a plurality of storage directors communicating with the client software;
• and
• a clustered data storage array.