VMware Cloud On AWS Joins The Channel

VMware has just extended its VMware Partner Network channel program to include VMware Cloud on AWS, the on-demand service that lets users run VMware vSphere workloads on the AWS platform.

This development comes alongside the expansion of service to Europe, and the addition of a number of highly useful features for users.

The service actually launched in the middle of 2017, exclusively in the United States, and since then the majority of the sales for VMware Cloud on AWS have been direct.

But that changes today.

The vendor has launched partner availability worldwide now, introducing a solution competency based on sales and technical training for VMware Cloud on AWS. Expanded as a result are both the VMware Solution Provider Partner Program and Cloud Provider Partner Program.

Both of which now include the offering.

As Brandon Sweeney, SVP of worldwide commercial and partner sales at VMware, revealed during a press conference, with the move to hybrid cloud, 90% of adopters will ultimately use professional services to help migrate their workloads.

And by offering VMware Cloud on AWS, over 5,000 VMware partners that have expressed interest in joining the product channel can continue to be crucially relevant to customers and drive their overall profitability.

Sweeney noted that there is an opportunity for partners who typically resell VMware to extend their portfolio and earn money through discounts and rebates.

While MSPs, system integrators and consulting services firms can look forward to the tools, training and expertise VMware is adding, in order for them to help develop and offer managed services via its Cloud Provider Partner Program.

Another element part of the package is the new VMWare Cloud on AWS Solution Competency.

Worth a mention that while solution providers are not mandated to be formal AWS partners to earn this new competency, though the company does recommend that they join the Amazon partner program to be trained and certified in AWS infrastructure.

Vendors are seeing this merging of channels as a new opportunity, in a market that is rapidly moving from traditional VM based workloads to hybrid setups on the cloud.