Can VMware Transform IT Admins, VARs Into Cloud Brokers?
What if VARs could help to transform corporate IT departments into IT services brokers — and perhaps even cloud brokers? That's part of VMware's (VMW) mission for the software-defined data center (SDDC). Here's why.
For more than two decades, corporate executives (particularly CEOs and CFOs) have asked their CIOs to be more accountable. Ideally, corporate IT departments will transform from cost centers into profit centers. And the IT departments will also transform into service providers — similar to a full-blown ISP or CSP that turns on/off services for business units at a moment's notice.
Of course, fulfilling that mission isn't easy. It's difficult for corporate IT departments just to keep the lights on — all systems running — in a proactive manner. Sorting out billing, SLAs, charge backs and other functions can be really challenging.
Still, there are clear signs of progress. A case in point: At VMworld Barcelona 2013 in October, several sessions will focus on the brokerage model — and VMware's ability to automate data centers — virtualizing servers, storage and networking amid the march to software-defined data centers (SDDCs).
But here's where things get really interesting: Amid this journey, VARs could become cloud brokers — helping corporate IT departments to stand up and stand down IT services on demand. The VAR Guy expects more details at VMworld.