VMware unveils hybrid cloud service to the channel

Virtualisation vendor claims new offering will simplify users' journey to the cloud

VMware has unveiled its new cloud service to the channel in the hope of driving even more business through its resellers.

The virtualisation vendor launched its vCloud Hybrid Service at a US event today, and claims the service offers users the easiest and fastest path to the cloud.

The IaaS offering is a dedicated hybrid cloud offering which extends VMware software into the cloud, meaning customers can use their existing skills, tools and business models in on- and off-premise environments.

The new service will be sold through partners in the same way its existing on-premise licences are, meaning partners retain billing relationships with their customers. Cloud service providers will gain additional opportunities to offer further value-add services as part of the offering, in a move VMware claims shows its commitment to delivering innovation to the market.

VMware says the new service will allow users to extend their datacentres to the cloud with a "seamless" transition, business-critical reliability and simplified management.

At the vendor's Forum event in London earlier this month, simplification of IT was a key goal for the company along with its three strategic goals: the software-defined datacentre, hybrid cloud and end-user computing.

Speaking at the launch of its new hybrid cloud service today, VMware's chief executive Pat Gelsinger (pictured) said the new offering will make lives simpler for users while driving revenue through its partners.

"VMware's mission is to radically simplify IT and help customers transform their IT operations," he added.

"Today, with the introduction of the VMware vCloud Hybrid Service, we take a big step forward by coupling all the value of VMware virtualisation and software-defined datacentre technologies with the speed and simplicity of a public cloud service that our customers desire."