Want to get involved in VMware's cloud programme? Then read on.
Hervé Basso,
South EMEA director of the cloud providers business at the VMware cloud
business unit spoke to the The Margin about the popularity of the VMware cloud provider programme.
What is the VMware cloud provider programme?
"The VMware cloud provider programme (VCPP) enables partners to use our
infrastructure solutions on a monthly subscription basis, leveraging a
public and hybrid cloud model. The programme enables the customer or cloud
provider to consume VMware products for cloud services on a
pay-as-you-go, pay-as-you-grow basis.
"The programme is made up of VMware
software-as-a-service offerings and our global ecosystem of VMware
service provider partners. It is suited for partners that
include infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) providers, cloud service
providers (CSPs), application service providers (ASPs), internet service
providers (ISPs) and platform-as-a-service (PaaS) providers.
What are the software solutions included in the VCPP programme?
"VCPP includes the full remit of VMware cloud solutions, which enable a
cloud provider to build agile, robust, and flexible cloud platforms that
are enterprise ready. Almost every VMware product is available through
the VCPP programme such as data centre and cloud infrastructure solutions,
infrastructure and operations management, network and security with NSX,
end-user computing solutions.
Where is the VCPP programme available?
"The VCPP is available in the Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and
Africa) and APAC territories. In fact the programme is exceptionally
successful in the African region. I am currently responsible for
the business in Southern Europe, Middle East and Africa, and I'm really impressed with the rapid adoption of the
programme by some of the leading cloud providers in the region.
Our customers range from service providers that include telecommunications operators, hosting and cloud providers, system
integrators, outsourcing companies, right from small businesses through
to large enterprise customers."
What are the benefits that companies can obtain from the programme?
"The programme enables cloud providers to build enterprise-ready data
centres, while providing the agility and leading-edge technologies of a
modern cloud. Key benefits to a customer include its pay-as-you-grow
nature, where a partner can consume VMware products through a monthly
subscription on a pay-as-you-grow model and are only charged for what
they consume.
"It is also fantastic for hybrid cloud
environments, be it on-premise or off, and it provides the customer with
one seamless IT experience, while improving security and
compliance, enhancing business continuity with automation, and
implementing dynamic scaling to meet demand spikes."
How can a company be eligible for the VCPP programme?
"Any company, as long as they
follow these four steps: enrol in the VMware partner network (VPN);
declare themselves as service provider as the route-to-market; accept
the terms of the service provider; and sign a rental contract with a
VMware aggregator."
Basso said the programme is broken up into three subscription levels, including a professional level in which service providers invest in training and are
actively using VMware products and offers additional access to VMware
branding and partner listing. There's an enterprise level intended for organisations which offer hybrid cloud powered services
based on VMware products and rewards partners with additional licensing
and marketing benefits. The premier level is for partners who are strategically and technically aligned to VMware
and commit their business resources to delivering hybrid cloud powered
services. It offers premium benefits such as early access to roadmaps,
co-marketing and account support.
Why would you suggest a partner consider aligning to the programme?
"The worldwide VCPP ecosystem is already powering billions of dollars of
hosting and cloud services and is fast becoming an opex-based standard
for those partners looking at providing services based on VMware
technology. To date, the revenue generated by the service providers
using the programme is growing on average 40% year-on-year. Due to the
popularity and success of the programme we are also developing the VCPP
team in each region."