Dell, VMware ‘Double Down’ on Desktop Virtualization

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwire - Aug 28, 2012) - Today at VMworld 2012, Dell and VMware announced the expansion of the companies' joint efforts to simplify the delivery of world-class desktop virtualization solutions. 

As part of the companies' expanded strategic relationship, Dell and VMware will deliver new, turnkey virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) bundles based on VMware View. The joint solutions will provide customers and channel partners with tested and validated hardware configurations and vertically optimized reference architectures, along with new fulfillment mechanisms and enhanced incentives for joint channel partners.

Organizations are looking to implement trusted VDI solutions, which can scale with them as they grow. According to the results of the recent "Trends around Desktop Virtualization for Small and Midsized Organizations" study conducted by Spiceworks (April 2012), more than 60 percent of customers are planning to roll out or evaluate desktop virtualization in 2012. As a result, channel partners are seeking ways to respond to customer demand with solutions that work seamlessly and offer the ability to scale, delivering value to customers and their businesses.

Cloud client computing in combination with desktop virtualization enables organizations of all sizes to offer anytime, anywhere access to the applications, data and services people want while simplifying IT management and security. The combination of Dell and VMware technology can help customers and channel partners deliver more effective desktop virtualization solutions faster to drive business advantages, embrace bring your own device (BYOD) and mobility challenges and reduce total cost of ownership (TCO).

Dell vStart for VDI, with VMware View -- Delivering VDI Success
Core to the joint initiative is the new Dell vStart for VDI, with VMware View bundle, a combination of Dell vStart preconfigured and tested server, storage and networking hardware that has been validated and optimized by VMware for optimum performance and scalability with VMware View. The solution also includes Dell Wyse cloud clients designed for VMware View. These bundles come with validated reference architectures.

This offering will provide channel partners flexibility to offer a wide range of solutions, from turnkey "View-in-a-box," to a la carte components needed to expand existing VMware View installations. Moreover, solutions will be available in configurations optimized for healthcare, education and government organizations, as well as for the specific BYOD and mobility needs of private businesses.

Quotes
"Dell vStart for VDI, with VMware View®, is an exciting development for MCPc in our efforts to help customers design, implement and manage next generation workspaces. Our customers, especially small and midsize organizations, are asking for simple and cost effective VDI solutions, and we expect this initiative to be particularly attractive to our customers in the mid-market as well as healthcare and education, " said Jed Ayres, SVP Partner Management & Marketing, MCPc, Inc. "This will be a catalyst for growth at MCPc as it provides a turnkey VDI technology stack coupled with programs and training to make sure our entire organization can deliver on this game changing value proposition."

"We are pleased to expand our strategic relationship with Dell to provide our joint channel partners and customers VDI solutions that offer security, ease of deployment and scalability," said Vittorio Viarengo, vice president, End-User Computing, VMware. "With the new vStart for VDI with VMware View®, we are enabling small and midsize businesses to quickly transform their organizations and help their employees work smarter, while reducing costs and driving efficiencies in IT."

"Customers are increasingly turning to cloud client computing technologies to solve their business challenges," said Tarkan Maner, vice president and general manager, Cloud Client Computing at Dell. "Dell recognizes the considerable contribution made by our channel partners worldwide in counseling our customers and implementing robust solutions that meet their needs. Through our strategic relationship with VMware, we have devised a number of turnkey VMware View configurations, reference architectures and incentives to provide our joint partners with the tools needed to rapidly provide enhanced value to customers and prospects in the mid-market segment."

"Today's news reinforces Dell's commitment to channel partners," said Greg Davis, vice president and general manager, Global Commercial Channels at Dell. "In the past week, Dell announced the Dell vStart for VDI with VMware View as well as the Dell PartnerDirect Desktop Virtualization Solution Competency both designed to enable channel partners to optimize their business and better serve their mid-market customers helping them meet their business needs."

About VMware
VMware (NYSE: VMW) is the leader in virtualization and cloud infrastructure solutions that enable businesses to thrive in the Cloud Era. Customers rely on VMware to help them transform the way they build, deliver and consume Information Technology resources in a manner that is evolutionary and based on their specific needs. With 2011 revenues of $3.77 billion, VMware has more than 350,000 customers and 50,000 partners. The company is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the world and can be found online at www.vmware.com.

About Dell
Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more. Dell's global alliance with VMware produces tightly integrated cloud and virtualization solutions with exceptional performance, reliability and simplified management based on VMware technology running on Dell end-to-end infrastructure solutions. To learn more, visit http://www.dell.com/vmware.

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Dell is a trademark of Dell Inc. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

VMware, VMworld and VMware View are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. The use of the word "partner" or "partnership" does not imply a legal partnership relationship between VMware and any other company.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements including, among other things, statements regarding customer plans to implement or evaluate desktop virtualization, the potential benefits and planned features of vStart for VDI with VMware View, and the expected benefits to customers and channel partners. These forward-looking statements are subject to the safe harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors, including but not limited to: (i) adverse changes in general economic or market conditions; (ii) delays or reductions in consumer or information technology spending; (iii) competitive factors, including but not limited to pricing pressures, industry consolidation, entry of new competitors into the virtualization market, and new product and marketing initiatives by our competitors; (iv) our customers' ability to develop, and to transition to, new products and computing strategies such as cloud computing and desktop virtualization; (v) the uncertainty of customer acceptance of emerging technology; (vi) rapid technological and market changes in virtualization software and platforms for cloud and desktop computing; (vii) changes to product development timelines; (viii) VMware's ability to protect its proprietary technology; and (ix) VMware's ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees. These forward looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to uncertainties and changes in condition, significance, value and effect as well as other risks detailed in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K that we may file from time to time, which could cause actual results to vary from expectations. VMware assumes no obligation to, and does not currently intend to, update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release.