VMware takes aim at AWS with hybrid cloudy infra service

VMware will next week launch a hybrid cloudy infrastructure service to take on Amazon in the UK, using only channel partners rather than his own employees to do so, a move many old world tech vendors have so far failed to make.

The covers are to be lifted from the VMware Hybrid vCloud Service – launched last year across the pond – on Tuesday after a period of beta testing, say sources close to the company. The IaaS product can be sold the same way as on-premise licences with a standard SKU, says the source.

"VMware thinks its biggest enemy is Amazon, yes Microsoft is important but the workloads are going to Amazon," said one of our company moles.

Some 97 per cent of the virtualisation kingpin's revenues in the UK are transacted via channel types, around 85 per cent worldwide, and the IaaS play is for those that cannot build their own.

Premier partners Kelway, Softcat and Computacenter were involved in the pilot phase but it is understood the vCHS - yes that is how VMware abbreviates it - will be available to all involved in the solution provider programme.

The service provides a single route of management, with the ability to connect to vCentre and the VMware cloud. "It should make it easier to move workloads in the corporate world: just pick up the VMs," said a source.

"It is a familiar environment for customers and less threatening to IT admins because it involves tools they are comfortable with," he added.

Vendors are vying for a piece of the action in the IaaS and PaaS markets, a space currently ruled by Amazon Web Services, which owns a higher global share than Microsoft, IBM, salesforce.com and Google combined.

Pricing for vCHS has yet to materialise, but if the service does make a dent in AWS's sales, be sure that Bezos and co will react with further drops.

Channel peeps are surprised HP has not yet stood up its own [IaaS] service in the UK, and say similar moves from Dell, Oracle and EMC had also failed to show up in partner land locally.

VMware said it was not able to comment until the service is officially launched. ®