A method performed by a computing device for upgrading limited feature data management software applications by docking limited feature data management modules to a full-featured data management system , wherein the computing device is configured to be connected to a server computer via a network , and wherein the computing device is coupled to at least one primary data storage device, the method comprising: executing a limited-feature data management software module , wherein the limited-feature data management software module is configured to perform at least one data management operation for the computing device ; storing data or metadata generated by executing the limited-feature data management software module in the primary storage device; discovering and docking the computing device with the full-featured data management system in order to provide additional features, wherein the computing device performs the docking when coupled to the network, and wherein the full-featured data management system is accessible via the server computer; receiving configuration settings and commands to perform at least one data storage operation from the full-featured data management system; performing the at least one storage operation, wherein the at least one storage operation includes integrating the generated metadata or data with existing metadata or data that are already under management by the full-featured data manangement system, wherein said integrating includes normalization, association, and/or deduplication of the generated metadata or data; and providing a user of the computing device , from the full-featured data management system, with additional data management features or functionalities related to the generated metadata or data, wherein the additional data management features or functionalities include additional data management features or functionalities not available from the limited-feature data management software module . executing a limited-feature data management software module , wherein the limited-feature data management software module is configured to perform at least one data management operation for the computing device ; storing data or metadata generated by executing the limited-feature data management software module in the primary storage device; discovering and docking the computing device with the full-featured data management system in order to provide additional features, wherein the computing device performs the docking when coupled to the network, and wherein the full-featured data management system is accessible via the server computer; receiving configuration settings and commands to perform at least one data storage operation from the full-featured data management system; performing the at least one storage operation, wherein the at least one storage operation includes integrating the generated metadata or data with existing metadata or data that are already under management by the full-featured data manangement system, wherein said integrating includes normalization, association, and/or deduplication of the generated metadata or data; and providing a user of the computing device , from the full-featured data management system, with additional data management features or functionalities related to the generated metadata or data, wherein the additional data management features or functionalities include additional data management features or functionalities not available from the limited-feature data management software module . <EOS>