Cloud-smart strategy: FlexPod for smarter infrastructure

As cloud strategies evolve across Australian enterprises, the shift from “cloud-first” to “cloud-smart” is rapidly gaining traction. For IT leaders facing rising costs, compliance complexities, and performance demands, this shift isn’t just a strategic preference—it’s a necessity.

Interactive is leading the way with an advisory-led approach to infrastructure planning, powered by Cisco FlexPod architecture. By combining private cloud, co-location, and AI-optimised workloads, Interactive helps organisations make smarter, tailored decisions that meet today’s demands and tomorrow’s ambitions.

From cloud-first to cloud-smart: A strategic shift

The cloud-first mandate—adopted widely in the early 2010s—prioritised public cloud adoption for speed and scalability. But in today’s regulatory and cost-conscious environment, CIOs and CTOs are reconsidering that one-size-fits-all mentality.

Analysts report that most organisations plan to repatriate some workloads from the public cloud by 2027 due to concerns over data sovereignty, performance, and escalating costs. Enter the cloud-smart model: a more strategic, nuanced approach that evaluates the right environment for each workload.

Certainly, there’s a palpable shift from ‘cloud-first to cloud-smart,’ driven by businesses needing more cost-effective, compliant, and controlled infrastructure options.

In fact, 61% of organisations are contemplating workload repatriation, a strategic shift where workloads or data are moved from the cloud back to data centres infrastructure or a different cloud provider, according to ADAPT.  [For a deeper dive into why some businesses are bringing workloads back from the public cloud—and how it’s not a retreat, but a smarter recalibration—read more here. 

What is cloud first?

A cloud-first strategy encourages businesses to default to public cloud for all new workloads. While this accelerates innovation, it can result in spiralling expenses, lack of visibility, and misalignment with compliance requirements.

What is cloud smart?

A cloud-smart strategy focuses on right-sizing workloads—placing them where they perform best. Whether on-premises, in a private cloud, or via co-location, the goal is to balance cost, control, performance, and compliance.

Interactive’s framework and rebalancing

Interactive’s advisory-led approach supports tech leaders through the complexity of cloud infrastructure planning. By understanding a business’s unique workload requirements, data sensitivity, and long-term goals, Interactive creates infrastructure blueprints that reduce risk while improving agility.

The process includes:

• Workload assessment and classification
• Infrastructure cost modelling and forecasting
• Regulatory compliance and data sovereignty analysis
• Migration and optimisation planning

By avoiding cloud sprawl and targeting the optimal environment for each application, Interactive supports cloud cost optimisation and better operational control. In short, it helps businesses access their workloads, risks, and goals, offering more flexible infrastructure solutions.

Cisco FlexPod: Enabling smarter infrastructure decisions

So, what’s powering the shift? FlexPod—developed jointly by Cisco and NetApp—combines Cisco UCS compute, Cisco networking, and NetApp storage into a single, pre-validated architecture. It supports both traditional and next-gen workloads and is an enabler of hybrid cloud environments.

Interactive uses FlexPod hybrid cloud solutions to help clients:

• Simplify data centre operations
• Accelerate time-to-value for infrastructure investments
• Ensure high availability for critical applications
• Improve performance consistency across cloud and on-prem

FlexPod also supports cloud migration strategies, easing transitions while maintaining business continuity.

Inside the Cisco-powered Interactive private cloud

Interactive’s private cloud, underpinned by Cisco-supported infrastructure and FlexPod design best practices, is engineered to deliver secure, scalable, and high-performance hosting for mission-critical workloads. Purpose-built for businesses operating in regulated industries or requiring local data residency, this sovereign cloud environment offers the control and reliability enterprises need.

Key benefits include:

• Data sovereignty – Hosting entirely within Australia to meet strict compliance and regulatory requirements
• Consistent performance – Ideal for latency-sensitive applications that demand predictable throughput
• Expert support – 24/7 access to Interactive’s certified engineers who specialise in Cisco and FlexPod architecture
• Seamless integration – Built to work with your existing Cisco environments, ensuring a smooth hybrid cloud experience

With more than 30 years of experience and a national footprint of three data centre locations in Sydney, Melbourne and  Brisbane, Interactive provides the infrastructure backbone that empowers organisations to scale intelligently and securely.

Ready to build a cloud-smart strategy?

The future of infrastructure isn’t about moving everything to the cloud—it’s about placing workloads where they perform best. Whether you’re navigating cloud repatriation, managing hybrid deployments, or exploring AI-ready infrastructure, Interactive can help.

Backed by FlexPod architecture, deep Cisco expertise, and an agile advisory approach, Interactive empowers you to make smarter infrastructure decisions—not just faster ones.

Get in touch today to learn how you can adopt a cloud-smart approach with private cloud, co-location, and intelligent workload design.

Let’s design a smarter, future-ready infrastructure—together.