Obviously that cache can massively accelerate repeated access to the same data, and reduce tape wear and mechanical wear and energy usage.
But I think the critical issue is where you want the cache to be. Because end point devices already have local cache.
So this product only seems to have a big advantage on applications where you expect many unique users to access the same archive data for the first time, and within a short period of time before it expires from the tape drive’s SSD cache.
This is why I think it’s a small niche. Maybe too small to be worthwhile.
Edit: it also has the disadvantage that the first few devices to try to access the data would have a huge delay for a minute or more while the data is located on the tape. It’s also vulnerable to DDOS by attackers requesting random cold data, to fill the SSD.
If the alternative is slow storage, getting it from a different client on the LAN might be win.