HCLTech expands NetApp partnership to launch consumption-based storage offering for enterprise AI

The hybrid cloud storage-as-a-service platform combines NetApp Keystone and HCLTech's U4X framework to support AI deployment, improve data readiness and accelerate the move from AI pilots to production environments.

HCLTech and NetApp have expanded their partnership to launch a hybrid cloud storage-as-a-service (STaaS) offering with an aim to help enterprises scale AI and data-driven workloads through a consumption-based infrastructure model.

The offering combines HCLTech's Utility for Everything (U4X) digital infrastructure framework with NetApp Keystone, the company's pay-as-you-go storage service.

The companies said the solution will help organisations align infrastructure investments with changing business and workload requirements while supporting AI, GenAI and traditional enterprise applications.

HCLTech’s senior vice president, Hybrid Cloud Business Unit, Rampal Singh, said the expanded collaboration is focused on helping enterprises scale AI practically and efficiently.

He added that combining flexible infrastructure models with strong data management capabilities enables organisations to unlock greater value from enterprise data and accelerate AI initiatives.

Infrastructure scalability, data management and governance are becoming critical requirements for enterprises to move beyond AI experimentation and pilot programmes. HCLTech and NetApp are positioning the new offering as a way to address those challenges through a flexible consumption model that allows enterprises to scale storage, performance and data services based on demand.

The solution also integrates with HCLTech's AI Factory suite of offerings to support AI development, deployment and operations.

The offering is also intended to strengthen data readiness and governance while enabling organisations to run workloads closer to where data resides. The companies said this approach can help improve operational efficiency and reduce the time required to derive value from AI investments.

Focus on data infrastructure for enterprise AI

Enterprises need to prepare data infrastructure for AI adoption. While many organisations have begun experimenting with AI and GenAI use cases, scaling those initiatives often requires changes across storage, data management and infrastructure operations.

The new STaaS offering seeks to address these requirements through a hybrid cloud model that provides on-demand infrastructure capacity instead of traditional upfront investments.

The companies said enterprises can scale storage and performance resources as requirements evolve, allowing infrastructure to adapt to changing workload demands.

For channel partners and enterprise customers, the offering also represents a shift toward consumption-based infrastructure models, where organisations pay for resources based on usage rather than making large capital investments in storage infrastructure.

NetApp's Keystone platform serves as the foundation for the consumption-based model, while HCLTech provides integration, infrastructure expertise and operational support through its U4X framework.

The companies said the offering builds on existing customer deployments across multiple industries where organisations have modernised data infrastructure and adopted more flexible operating models.

Builds on existing customer deployments

As part of the announcement, HCLTech and NetApp pointed to previous implementations where customers used the companies' capabilities to improve infrastructure agility, scalability and compliance.

One example involved a global food and beverage company that adopted a consumption-based operating model to improve operational flexibility while reducing upfront investments.

Another deployment involved a European telecommunications provider, which used the approach to improve scalability and resilience across distributed environments while supporting regulatory compliance requirements.

According to NetApp, the collaboration gives customers access to its intelligent data infrastructure capabilities through a more flexible commercial model supported by HCLTech's implementation expertise.

Alvaro Celis, chief partner and ecosystem officer at NetApp, said the collaboration is focused on co-creating technology offerings, business models, solutions and services that deliver customer value.

He added that the partnership provides customers with access to NetApp's intelligent data infrastructure through a flexible and accessible business model, supported by HCLTech's expertise.