Embotics targets VMware partners ahead of Lab Manager axe

Private cloud vendor labels VMware upgrades too complex and costly; aims to lure 20 partners with upgrade offer

Private cloud management firm Embotics is hoping to pounce on VMware partners as they look for upgrades ahead of the imminent end-of-life process for the virtualisation giant's Lab Manager product.

VMware will no longer provide support for its Lab Manager product from 1 May, a move which Embotics hopes will give the channel the impetus to move to its offering, which it claims is less complex and cheaper than its rival's.

Embotics' upgrade programme offers partners its own V-Commander licences at the same cost as their existing vCentre Lab Manager maintenance and support, which it hopes will snare it about 20 UK partners. Its offer is valid until 31 March and includes two days of Embotics support.

Last month Embotics launched an initiative to lure VMware partners across to its managed service provider (MSP) programme. Colin Wright, Embotics vice president for EMEA said that although the two vendors' products overlap, they play in different markets.

"In reality... there is product overlap, it would be folly to say there was not... but VMware looks for enterprise and we deal in the mid-market," he added.

Embotics distributor Prianto claims Lab Manager's end of life presents an opportunity for the channel.

Its UK managing director Yuri Pasea said: "The fact that vCentre Lab Manager is reaching end of life presents an opportunity for many resellers, as customers will need to decide on the upgrade path that is most appropriate for their business.

"For customers migrating to vCloud Director or vCloud Automation Center, they may find them too complex and expensive for their needs, but at the same time they cannot afford to stand still."