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VMware Unveils New System Builder Program for Channel Partners

VMware Unveils New System Builder Program for Channel Partners

VMware VIP Partner Program Now Helps System Builders Deliver World-Class Virtualization Solutions to Customers of All Sizes with New Technical and Marketing Resources

PALO ALTO, Calif., August 5, 2008 — VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW), the global leader in virtualization solutions from the desktop to the datacenter, today unveiled the VMware System Builder Program, a new program within its award-winning VIP Partner Program designed for system builders that sell VMware virtualization solutions. The VMware System Builder Program provides unique benefits for system builders, including pre-sales technical support, targeted training programs, and new and improved marketing tools. System builders also can leverage all the best-in-class benefits of the VMware VIP Partner Program including the Advantage+ financial incentive program, the VMware Alliance Affiliate Initiative, the VMware Going Green Program, and the ability to sell VMware’s entire line of industry-leading virtualization solutions.

A “system builder” is considered to be an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) that focuses on local or national distribution. In addition, VMware has been working with leading global original design manufacturers (ODMs) to certify a wide range of one-, two- and four-socket server systems as well as blade servers for the VMware ESX and ESXi hypervisors. ODMs supply many system builders with the hardware they use to build and brand their custom systems. This existing effort from VMware provides system builders participating in the new program even more flexibility in how they make VMware virtualization available by offering a broader range of hardware options to suit the needs of customers of all sizes.

“For system builders focused on the server business, there is a great new opportunity for them to increase their value-add with VMware's virtualization software,” said Steve Dallman, vice president, worldwide reseller channel organization at Intel Corporation. “We are excited about VMware's new System Builder program, which provides the necessary certified education and technical enablement resources for Intel channel partners to rapidly customize their server hardware solutions for a time-to-market advantage.”

VMware system builders worldwide can sell VMware’s entire line of datacenter and desktop virtualization solutions—composed of more than 20 products that run on top of the industry-leading VMware ESX hypervisor—and have access to specialized benefits including:

  • Up to 10 instances of pre-sales technical support targeted to help system builders successfully integrate their systems for customers
  • Online trouble-shooting courses and comprehensive technical training that helps system builders provide the unique technical support their customers need
  • New marketing programs and sales tools designed specifically to help system builder partners capitalize on the market opportunity of VMware virtualization, including a unique system builder logo, a system builder community forum and sales training

In addition to the specialized benefits, system builders can take advantage of the full benefits of the VMware VIP Partner Program, including:

  • The VMware Advantage+ financial incentive program, which delivers best-in-class margin enhancements to VMware VIP partners and is designed to help reward the partner’s investments when proactively selling VMware products and solutions. The VMware VIP Partner Program rewards VMware VIP partners with a combined up-front discount and back-end rebate program when selling into new accounts, registering new opportunities and influencing deals.
  • The VMware Alliance Affiliate Initiative, which enables partners to accelerate profitability through joint solution selling with VMware’s technology alliance partners.
  • The VMware Going Green Program, which provides financial incentives to partners in North America who participate in the energy-efficiency rebate programs offered by a growing number of utility companies nationwide, helping companies who virtualize their datacenters to reduce power consumption.
  • VMware demand generation programs, which help partners integrate and execute virtualization marketing activities quickly and easily including pre-packaged customizable campaigns, Website-in-a-box content, RSS feeds and other activities. 

“System builders account for a significant number of servers sold around the world, especially to small and medium businesses, so it is important that we provide them with the tools they need to capitalize on the global market opportunity for VMware virtualization,” said Steve Houck, vice president of worldwide channels at VMware. “Now that customers and partners can download the VMware ESXi hypervisor free of charge, we expect virtualization to become even more pervasive, increasing the demand for system builder offerings. To help address this, we will continue to broaden our world-class partner program, which now enables our system builder partners to more easily develop their expertise, achieve additional profitability and stimulate demand for their solutions through VMware virtualization.”

More information on the VMware System Builder program is available at www.vmware.com/partners/vip/system-builders/.

About VMware

VMware (NYSE: VMW) is the global leader in virtualization solutions from the desktop to the datacenter.  Customers of all sizes rely on VMware to reduce capital and operating expenses, ensure business continuity, strengthen security and go green. With 2007 revenues of $1.3 billion, more than 120,000 customers and nearly 18,000 partners, VMware is one of the fastest growing public software companies. Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, VMware is majority-owned by EMC Corporation (NYSE: EMC) and on the web at www.vmware.com.

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