VMware: No one has missed the virtualisation boat

Vendor confirms Horizon workforce mobility suite will be available from Q4

VMware has assured its partners that there are still huge opportunities for the channel to cash in on its technology.

At its VMworld summit in Barcelona, the vendor today announced a series of new innovations in its end-user computing portfolio, including the news of the availability of Horizon, a suite of workforce mobility products, in beta from Q4. Chief technology officer Steve Herrod told the audience that end users will embrace the technology updates, which focus on managing personal and work applications on one device.

Echoing chief executive Pat Gelsinger's words, Herrod said VMware understood that the industry is now a "multi-device" world, and products were demonstrated on tablets and mobile phones to reflect this.

The vendor, which operates through the channel outside of 300 direct accounts, said its partners can take advantage of the technical updates, and that it will work with distributors to ensure they are up to date with demonstrations of the product enhancements.

Ed Dolman, VMware's channel leader, said the company has more customers that have just begun virtualisation than those that are a long way down the virtualisation road, meaning the market is ripe for the channel to cash in on.

"Virtualisation is not finished. We have partners asking if they have missed the boat and are too late, but it is not the case," he added.

"We are seeing genuine proliferation now, and it can only accelerate from here. It is a big opportunity for partners and we recognise this; that is why we have made deals for them so they know they are supported by VMware on the pricing."