HCLTech and NetApp expand hybrid cloud storage partnership to accelerate enterprise AI adoption

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HCLTech and NetApp have expanded their collaboration to offer hybrid cloud storage-as-a-service (STaaS) designed to help enterprises scale AI and GenAI workloads. The solution integrates HCLTech's U4X digital infrastructure framework with NetApp Keystone pay-as-you-go storage services, enabling organizations to transition from AI pilots to enterprise-scale deployment while maintaining data governance and operational efficiency.

HCLTech and NetApp Expand Partnership for Hybrid Cloud Storage

HCLTech and NetApp have expanded their partnership to deliver hybrid cloud storage-as-a-service (STaaS), a solution designed to accelerate enterprise AI adoption across organizations managing both traditional and AI-driven workloads

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. The collaboration addresses a critical challenge enterprises face: scaling AI and GenAI workloads alongside existing enterprise systems without massive upfront infrastructure investments. This matters because many organizations struggle to move beyond pilot projects to full-scale AI deployment due to rigid infrastructure models and data management complexities.

Integration of U4X and NetApp Keystone

The joint solution combines HCLTech's Utility for Everything (U4X) digital infrastructure framework with NetApp Keystone, NetApp's pay-as-you-go storage services

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. This integration enables organizations to align their storage infrastructure with evolving workload requirements, scaling storage, performance, and data services on demand. The consumption-based infrastructure model shifts enterprises away from traditional capital expenditure patterns, allowing them to pay only for resources they actually use. Organizations can now run workloads closer to where data resides, addressing data governance requirements while improving operational efficiency and reducing time-to-value

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Supporting AI Factory and Enterprise-Scale Operations

The architecture supports AI development, deployment, and operations through HCLTech's AI Factory suite of offerings, which handles generative AI applications from conception through production

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. By combining HCLTech's consumption-led operating model with NetApp's data management capabilities, the offering helps organizations transition from AI pilots to enterprise-scale adoption. This approach strengthens data readiness while maintaining the governance frameworks necessary for regulated industries. The model permits enterprises to shift from early AI test phases to full-scale operations, handling both AI and GenAI workloads without compromising on traditional enterprise data requirements

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Proven Deployments Across Industries

The offering builds on proven implementations across multiple sectors. A global food and beverage company enhanced operational flexibility and reduced upfront investments by adopting the consumption-based model

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. Meanwhile, a European telecommunications provider improved scalability and resilience across distributed environments while meeting stringent regulatory requirements. These implementations demonstrate how organizations have modernized data infrastructure and adopted more flexible operating models, improving agility, scalability, and compliance.

Leadership Perspectives on Pragmatic AI Scaling

"Our collaboration with NetApp reflects our focus on helping enterprises scale AI in a pragmatic and efficient way," said Rampal Singh, Senior Vice President of the Hybrid Cloud Business Unit at HCLTech

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. "By combining flexible infrastructure models with strong data management capabilities, we are enabling clients to unlock the value of their data and accelerate their AI journeys." Alvaro Celis, Chief Partner and Ecosystem Officer at NetApp, emphasized the co-creation approach: "We believe strong partnerships are built by co-creating technology offerings, business models, solutions and services that deliver meaningful customer value. This collaboration gives customers access to NetApp's intelligent data infrastructure through a flexible, accessible business model, backed by HCLTech's hands-on expertise"

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. Watch for how this partnership influences broader enterprise AI infrastructure strategies and whether other technology providers adopt similar consumption-based models for hybrid cloud storage to support pragmatic AI scaling.

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