HCL Technologies and NetApp have expanded their collaboration to deliver hybrid cloud storage services, specifically launching a storage-as-a-service (STaaS) model to accelerate AI adoption across enterprises. The partnership brings together HCL Technologies' IT services capabilities and NetApp's storage infrastructure expertise to address growing enterprise demand for AI-ready hybrid cloud environments.

Expanded partnership focus

The collaboration between HCL Technologies and NetApp targets enterprises seeking to integrate AI workloads with hybrid cloud storage infrastructure. By combining their respective strengths, the two companies aim to provide organisations with storage solutions that support the scale and performance requirements of modern AI deployments.

The new STaaS offering integrates HCL Technologies’ Utility for Everything (U4X) digital infrastructure framework with NetApp Keystone, a pay-as-you-go storage service. This integration enables organizations to align infrastructure with evolving workload requirements, scaling storage, performance, and data services on demand. The solution supports AI development, deployment, and operations via HCL Technologies’ AI Factory suite.

Strategic direction

The expanded tie-up reflects the increasing importance of storage infrastructure in enabling enterprise AI initiatives. Hybrid cloud environments, which combine on-premises and cloud-based resources, are increasingly being adopted by organisations looking to manage AI workloads efficiently while maintaining data control and flexibility.

By combining HCL Technologies’ consumption-led operating model with NetApp’s data management capabilities, the offering helps accelerate the transition from AI pilots to enterprise-scale adoption. It strengthens data readiness and governance while enabling organizations to run workloads closer to where data resides, improving efficiency and time-to-value.

This offering builds on proven deployments across industries. For example, a global food and beverage company enhanced operational flexibility and reduced upfront investments by adopting a consumption-based model, while a European telecommunications provider improved scalability and resilience across distributed environments while meeting stringent regulatory requirements.

"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 HCL Technologies’ hands-on expertise," said Alvaro Celis, Chief Partner and Ecosystem Officer at NetApp.

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

HCL Technologies has been recognized as a Leader in the 2026 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Public Cloud Optimization and Transformation Services (PCOTS). This designation marks the sixth consecutive year the company has held this position, having been placed in the Leaders quadrant for PCOTS assessments from 2021 through 2025. The recognition underscores HCLTech’s sustained market position in helping enterprises navigate complex multicloud environments while optimizing costs and performance.

The company announced the recognition on August 12, 2026, from New York and Noida. HCLTech attributes its continued leadership to an industry-focused model that delivers standardized, cloud-native solutions for both regulated and non-regulated sectors. This approach is supported by robust DevOps practices and global centers of excellence, enabling clients to accelerate time-to-value and enhance compliance during transformation programs.

Strategic Expansion and Commercial Models

To address the evolving needs of organizations across all sizes, HCLTech is broadening its engagement beyond large enterprises to include mid-sized businesses. The company is introducing flexible commercial frameworks, including sustainability-linked and experience-based models. These structures aim to align service delivery with client-specific outcomes and environmental goals.

Vijay Guntur, Chief Technology Officer and Head of Ecosystems at HCLTech, stated that the approach centers on enabling enterprises to scale with clarity and resilience. He emphasized the role of engineering heritage and cloud-native capabilities in helping clients modernize continuously and create lasting business value.

Operational Resilience Through Automation

HCLTech continues to advance its cloud capabilities through its PCOTS business and partner ecosystem. A key component of this strategy is the application of automation at scale, which strengthens operational resilience and sustains continuous optimization. By leveraging these technologies, the firm supports enterprises in managing complex transformation programs with greater confidence.

What the Numbers Show

The consistency of HCLTech’s placement in the Leaders quadrant from 2021 to 2026 indicates a stable competitive advantage in the public cloud optimization space. While many technology firms face fluctuating rankings due to rapid market shifts, HCLTech’s six-year streak suggests deep integration of its cloud services into client operations. The expansion into mid-sized businesses and the introduction of sustainability-linked commercial models signal a strategic pivot to capture broader market segments beyond traditional enterprise contracts. This diversification may help mitigate reliance on large-scale deals and enhance revenue stability in a competitive landscape.

HCLTech reported consolidated revenues of $14.8 billion for the 12 months ending June 2026. The company employs more than 223,000 people across 60 countries, delivering capabilities centered around AI, digital, engineering, cloud, and software.