Enterprise Hybrid Cloud Solutions: Your strategic guide to modern infrastructure

Insights • July 17, 2025 • 7 minutes read

Navigating the complexity of hybrid cloud

Enterprise hybrid cloud adoption is no longer a question of “if,” but “how well.”

According to Cisco’s Global Hybrid Cloud Trends Report, 82% of enterprises worldwide have adopted hybrid cloud, and 92% now use multiple public cloud providers to meet evolving business demands.

In Australia, the push is just as strong, but the stakes are higher. Achieving success across hybrid cloud applications and private cloud solutions remains a challenge, particularly when navigating complex compliance and data sovereignty requirements. Delivering on performance, cost-efficiency, and innovation demands more than just infrastructure; it requires local expertise and trusted private cloud partners.

In fact, many organisations are struggling to make hybrid cloud work for them, especially when it comes to compliance, complexity, and cost control. With increased reliance on AI, automation, and remote work, IT leaders are under pressure to modernise legacy systems without compromising performance, security, or sovereignty.

According to Cisco, the challenges are clear:

37% of global IT leaders cite security as a major hybrid cloud challenge.
33% grapple with operational complexity.
53% move workloads weekly between environments, highlighting the need for flexible, resilient infrastructure.

Certainly, these are real, urgent issues for IT leaders navigating the hybrid landscape in 2025 and beyond. But these challenges also represent opportunity. Hybrid cloud offers the potential for greater agility, innovation, and control, if implemented with the right foundation.

Enter FlexPod: a powerful, proven platform for enterprise hybrid environments. Delivered by Interactive, FlexPod combines pre-validated Cisco and NetApp technologies into a secure, scalable hybrid cloud platform. It enables organisations to optimise workload placement, support compliance requirements, and unlock the full potential of hybrid cloud applications.

In this guide, we’ll explore why FlexPod is a strategic fit for enterprise hybrid infrastructure, how it’s being used across sectors like finance, manufacturing, and professional services, and what steps you can take to make hybrid cloud work for you.

FlexPod: Foundation for enterprise hybrid cloud success

As cloud strategies evolve, converged infrastructure is emerging as the quiet powerhouse behind successful deployments. FlexPod, co-developed by Cisco and NetApp, integrates compute, storage, and networking into a pre-validated platform designed to simplify and accelerate hybrid cloud adoption.

Why FlexPod?

Proven Architecture

FlexPod Datacenter for Hybrid Cloud delivers validated infrastructure that allows seamless extension to major cloud providers when workload demand exceeds on-premises capacity.

Essentially, it empowers IT teams to extend seamlessly into public cloud environments, without compromising enterprise reliability, control, or compliance. Whether you’re running mission-critical apps, managing sensitive data, or scaling AI workloads, FlexPod delivers key advantages including:

Enterprise-grade availability (99.999%)
Pre-validated private cloud solutions
Native hybrid cloud tech integration
Support for a wide range of hybrid cloud applications

FlexPod is the infrastructure equivalent of “ready when you are.” It’s built for high performance today and flexible expansion tomorrow.

Smarter Integration

What sets FlexPod apart is its ability to unify environments at scale:

Advanced Management: Cisco Intersight gives you centralised management and automated orchestration across hybrid cloud deployments.
Data Fabric Capabilities: NetApp ONTAP with Data Fabric ensures consistent enterprise-grade data management across all systems, whether on-premises or extended to public cloud.
Multi-Cloud Connectivity: Cisco ACI Anywhere within FlexPod delivers true hybrid multi-cloud capability for seamless hybrid cloud applications deployment.

With this level of integration, businesses can focus less on managing infrastructure, and more on unlocking its full potential.

Proven Impact

Across industries, FlexPod is already delivering measurable results:

65% more time focused on innovation
30% reduction in infrastructure costs
Consistent 99.999% uptime for critical systems
Seamless scale between on-premises and cloud environments

Interactive’s Advantage

As a certified Cisco and NetApp partner, Interactive is one of Australia’s most experienced FlexPod providers. Our difference lies in execution:

30+ years of infrastructure expertise
Deep knowledge of Australian compliance and data sovereignty
24/7 local monitoring and support
Track record of enterprise FlexPod implementations

Explore Interactive’s FlexPod services

Hybrid cloud applications: Real-world implementation across industries

Hybrid infrastructure isn’t one-size-fits-all. The most effective implementations are tailored to industry-specific demands, from uptime and security to collaboration and cost.

Below, we explore how Australian businesses across financial services, manufacturing, and professional services are leveraging FlexPod and hybrid cloud solutions to meet their goals.

Financial Services

The financial services sector faces dual pressures: safeguarding highly sensitive data and accelerating digital innovation.

Leading Australian banks deploy core systems on private cloud solutions while leveraging public cloud for analytics, creating hybrid cloud applications that meet compliance while enabling innovation.

What does that look like in action? Consider these common use cases:

Core Banking on Private Cloud Solutions

Customer transaction systems on private infrastructure
Sensitive financial data maintained within Australian borders
Real-time fraud detection systems with sub-second response times
Regulatory compliance with APRA and ACSC guidelines

Analytics and Innovation powered by Hybrid Cloud Applications

Customer behaviour analytics processed in public cloud
Machine learning models for risk assessment and credit scoring
Digital banking applications with cloud-native scalability
Hybrid cloud tech enabling seamless data flow between environments

Global Proof Point – Vietnam Military Bank

While based overseas, Vietnam Military Bank provides a compelling example of how FlexPod can modernise financial infrastructure. By deploying Cisco FlexPod to unify compute, storage, and networking, the bank elevated digital service delivery and ensured scalable performance for both core banking workloads and next-gen digital services. It showcases how regulated institutions can confidently adopt a hybrid-ready architecture that meets both customer and compliance expectations.

Learn how we support Financial Services

Manufacturing

Modern manufacturers balance production reliability with supply chain agility through strategic hybrid cloud applications deployment. In fact, manufacturers are using hybrid infrastructure to gain agility while maintaining control over critical operations.

These examples illustrate how hybrid infrastructure is being deployed in the sector:

Production Systems on Private Cloud Solutions

Manufacturing execution systems (MES) on private infrastructure
Quality control databases with 99.999% availability requirements
Safety-critical systems maintaining air-gapped security
Predictable performance for time-sensitive production processes

Supply Chain Optimisation via Hybrid Cloud Applications

Global supplier networks managed through public cloud platforms
IoT sensor data processing via hybrid cloud tech
Demand forecasting using cloud-based analytics
Collaborative planning platforms connecting multiple facilities worldwide

Discover our solutions for Manufacturing

Professional Services

Professional services firms leverage hybrid cloud applications to balance client confidentiality with collaboration efficiency. What’s more, firms in legal, consulting, and advisory sectors rely on secure data environments while enabling agile collaboration.

Practical examples include:

Client Data on Private Cloud Solutions

Confidential client files and intellectual property on private infrastructure
Legal and consulting work products with strict access controls
Compliance with professional confidentiality requirements
Document management with audit trails and version control

Collaboration and Growth via Hybrid Cloud Tech

Video conferencing and collaboration tools in public cloud
Project management platforms with global team access
Business development and marketing systems
Hybrid cloud applications enabling remote work flexibility

Explore how we support Professional Services

Why FlexPod + Interactive is a Smart Bet in 2025

In 2025, enterprise IT leaders are choosing partners, not just platforms. That’s why success in hybrid cloud depends on the right infrastructure foundation, paired with local expertise and a shared commitment to uptime, compliance, and innovation.

FlexPod is that foundation. And Interactive brings it to life.

From assessment and strategy to ongoing optimisation, our teams support you through every phase of hybrid cloud transformation, with a focus on Australian compliance, cost-efficiency, and long-term scalability.

Learn more about our Private Cloud Solutions

Implementation Snapshot: Your FlexPod Journey

Phase 1: Assessment & Strategy (0–30 days)
Define your hybrid cloud goals, audit current infrastructure, and create a roadmap tailored to business and compliance requirements.

Phase 2: FlexPod Foundation (30–90 days)
Deploy pre-configured FlexPod converged infrastructure in your chosen environment with minimal disruption.

Phase 3: Cloud Integration (90–120 days)
Extend workloads to public cloud providers, integrate analytics, and connect hybrid cloud applications.

Phase 4: Optimisation (Ongoing)
Continuously refine performance, manage costs, and adapt infrastructure as needs evolve.

Ready to modernise

A successful enterprise hybrid cloud strategy doesn’t happen by accident; it’s architected from the ground up. With FlexPod, you get more than infrastructure. You get a platform designed for what matters most: resilience, agility, and results.

And with Interactive, you get a partner who understands your local needs and brings global-grade infrastructure to your doorstep.

Ready to modernise your infrastructure? Let’s talk.