Clouds come in many flavors to suit different types of applications and address a myriad of customer needs, but what if I told you we can now cater to all?
I’m delighted with this morning’s announcement about EMC’s decision to enter into an agreement to acquire Virtustream, a leading enterprise-class managed cloud software and services provider with a strong track record of running large scale, mission-critical managed applications, including SAP, in the cloud. They have done this for many recognized global brands, including The Coca-Cola Company, Heinz and Kawasaki. This decision represents a transformational step forward in our Federation strategy, enabling us to offer customers the industry’s most comprehensive, end-to-end solution, across the full portfolio of applications, and with all cloud models, both on and off premises.
Full Spectrum of Cloud Models for Customers
To date we’ve been able to provide a robust range of hybrid cloud offerings via EMC’s Federation of businesses, but increasingly we’re hearing from customers that they want the option to confidently move all workloads to an off prem managed cloud model, including their most mission-critical applications like SAP. The significance of Virtustream is that it will also extend the EMC Federation’s capabilities to enable us to support everything from the smallest applications to the most I/O intensive enterprise applications, whether on or off prem, as we intend to incorporate this technology into the Federation Enterprise Hybrid Cloud Solution.
This set of offerings will be unique to the industry and will enable our customers to purchase their entire cloud infrastructure from one vendor, making their transformational initiatives as seamless as possible across any app, any workload, and any cloud model. Customers will also have the choice to purchase these solutions directly from EMC or via our global partner ecosystem.
Enabling Our Business Partners
EMC is blessed with an extensive partner ecosystem, one in which we are truly invested to drive mutual success for our customers. We always develop our go-to-market and delivery models with our service provider partners in mind, and adding Virtustream to our portfolio will provide significant opportunities to our entire global partner ecosystem. Our service provider partners will have access to Virtustream’s cloud management software platform, enabling our partners to adopt and deliver their own branded services.
Partners will also have access to our proprietary services methodologies. In addition to IP enablement, we will develop joint go-to-market programs and set up a model for the respective sales teams to ensure neutrality between selling direct and selling through a partner.
Virtustream has built a solid business over the last several years and has a stellar list of customers and partners, and a world-class team. I have known these folks for quite some time and am very impressed by their extraordinary passion, their deep expertise and their maniacal focus on customer success. Their DNA is a perfect match for us!
This acquisition will be transformational for EMC, our customers and partners. Stay tuned as we work through the acquisition closing and develop the operating details of this new business venture.
[In this blog, EMC refers to the EMC Federation of Businesses.]
