Embodiments are described for distributed and scalable client-based storage management and microservices-based storage management, which can operate in combination. Embodiments distribute responsibilities and client-specific information needed for storage management jobs away from a central storage manager and its management database. New features and components minimize communications to/from the storage manager and ensure the integrity and synchronization of data being distributed. The management database at the storage manager retains its role as repository of information for the data storage management system as a whole, yet without being a bottleneck to storage operations. Improvements are implemented within the storage manager, through new functionality added to clients, and further through a new micro-server component interposed between storage manager and clients.