VMware vCloud Hybrid Cloud Service: 5 Partner Considerations
The VMware vCloud Hybrid Service (an IaaS cloud alternative to Amazon Web Services, Windows Azure and Google Compute Engine) launches May 21. For VMware (NYSE:VMW) channel partners, there are at least five timely questions worth asking. Here's a preview plus some perspective from The VAR Guy.
First, the background: VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger unveiled the IaaS cloud plan back on March 13 during an EMC-VMware Strategic Forum. Fast forward to this week: Gelsinger and Bill Fathers (GM, Hybrid Cloud Services) will unwrap the new IaaS cloud for partners and customers. The big questions?
1. Channel Partner Program: Will VMware's public cloud have a partner program from Day 1? If so…
- How will it reward agents (those that simply drive customers onto the IaaS system)?
- How will it reward VARs, integrators and consultants that become long-term partners of record?
2. ISV Partner Program: How will VMware inspire independent software vendors (ISVs) to deploy their applications on vCloud Hybrid Service? Also, will VMware's own applications — such as the Zimbra email platform — run on the cloud service?
3. Geographic Reach: Which data centers will run the cloud service? And how will VMware address compliance and regulatory issues from one country to the next?
4. Price Wars: Amazon Web Services (AWS) has delivered more than 30 price cuts since launching. Rivals like Rackspace have suffered from all that price competition. How will VMware balance innovation with the need to potentially match Amazon, Google and Microsoft on IaaS pricing?
5. Cloud Credits Program: VMware has a Cloud Credits Program that rewards VARs for driving business to VMware's vCloud Service Providers. How will VMware balance those partner efforts with its own cloud service?
In the quest for answers The VAR Guy will closely monitor VMware's May 21 announcement.