Comments on: Thinking Out Loud: Is VMware Legitimizing the Competition? http://blog.scottlowe.org/2009/11/16/thinking-out-loud-is-vmware-legitimizing-the-competition/ The weblog of an IT pro specializing in virtualization, storage, and servers Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:13:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: rbrambley http://blog.scottlowe.org/2009/11/16/thinking-out-loud-is-vmware-legitimizing-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-46652 rbrambley Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:54:51 +0000 http://blog.scottlowe.org/?p=1736#comment-46652 Scott, Great post. I had some fun with this scenario a while back and came up with "The Laws Of vMotion" to help describe a VMware partner's decision to broaden support. http://vmetc.com/2009/07/24/veeam-now-supporting-microsoft-hyper-v-server-2008-r2/ Scott,

Great post.

I had some fun with this scenario a while back and came up with “The Laws Of vMotion” to help describe a VMware partner’s decision to broaden support.

http://vmetc.com/2009/07/24/veeam-now-supporting-microsoft-hyper-v-server-2008-r2/

]]> By: Michelle Pappas http://blog.scottlowe.org/2009/11/16/thinking-out-loud-is-vmware-legitimizing-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-46633 Michelle Pappas Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:50:11 +0000 http://blog.scottlowe.org/?p=1736#comment-46633 Hey Scott- I am not certain that the largest complaint I've heard has to do with the partner ecosystem as much as finding an admin. that is certified and really good with anything other than VMware. Not to say that they don't exist, just not as plentiful. That being said, John Gannon is correct- most "small ISV's" will inevitably be asked what else is supported, and it's pretty standard to respond that something is on the road map. Just remember that the Oracle/Sun deal is being blocked by the EU due to a supposed monopoly, so that tells me that no one company should not have a monopoly on anything. Customers like choice. Competition can be very healthy! Better that a customer choses than doing nothing, right? Hey Scott- I am not certain that the largest complaint I’ve heard has to do with the partner ecosystem as much as finding an admin. that is certified and really good with anything other than VMware. Not to say that they don’t exist, just not as plentiful. That being said, John Gannon is correct- most “small ISV’s”
will inevitably be asked what else is supported, and it’s pretty standard to respond that something is on the road map. Just remember that the Oracle/Sun deal is being blocked by the EU due to a supposed monopoly,
so that tells me that no one company should not have a monopoly on anything. Customers like choice. Competition can be very healthy!
Better that a customer choses than doing nothing, right?

]]> By: John Gannon http://blog.scottlowe.org/2009/11/16/thinking-out-loud-is-vmware-legitimizing-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-46627 John Gannon Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:15:42 +0000 http://blog.scottlowe.org/?p=1736#comment-46627 It's a no brainer for a small ISV to say they have non-VMware hypervisor support on their roadmap (after all, most customers say they want choice of hypervisor - although today they are only choosing VMware) However, in practice I have a hard time believing they(small ISVs) will in the near term prioritize features/functions/bug fixes for non-VMware platforms. In a couple of years there may be some revenue to be had selling tooling for the non-VMware platforms, but I don't think the market is there just yet. It’s a no brainer for a small ISV to say they have non-VMware hypervisor support on their roadmap (after all, most customers say they want choice of hypervisor – although today they are only choosing VMware)

However, in practice I have a hard time believing they(small ISVs) will in the near term prioritize features/functions/bug fixes for non-VMware platforms.

In a couple of years there may be some revenue to be had selling tooling for the non-VMware platforms, but I don’t think the market is there just yet.

]]> By: Carlos http://blog.scottlowe.org/2009/11/16/thinking-out-loud-is-vmware-legitimizing-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-46625 Carlos Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:07:57 +0000 http://blog.scottlowe.org/?p=1736#comment-46625 Scott, All the partners ecosystem were going to do that sooner or later (take a look at Provision Networks for example) and Microsoft HyperV R2 is ging to accelarate that process as soon as it starts to get some marketshare. The partners are here to make money and it makes no sense to disregard one of their main benefits: they can support multiple hypervisors (Nor VMware nor Microsoft will be able to do that with their mangement products). Partners have to add value. vKernel is no longer doing it over VMware Capacity I/Q so they have to reduce the price and start to provide more value (that is, support other hypervisor offerings). But all the efforts will go for HyperV, Xen is almost dead from a market point of view. Scott,

All the partners ecosystem were going to do that sooner or later (take a look at Provision Networks for example) and Microsoft HyperV R2 is ging to accelarate that process as soon as it starts to get some marketshare. The partners are here to make money and it makes no sense to disregard one of their main benefits: they can support multiple hypervisors (Nor VMware nor Microsoft will be able to do that with their mangement products).
Partners have to add value. vKernel is no longer doing it over VMware Capacity I/Q so they have to reduce the price and start to provide more value (that is, support other hypervisor offerings). But all the efforts will go for HyperV, Xen is almost dead from a market point of view.

]]> By: slowe http://blog.scottlowe.org/2009/11/16/thinking-out-loud-is-vmware-legitimizing-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-46624 slowe Mon, 16 Nov 2009 17:12:11 +0000 http://blog.scottlowe.org/?p=1736#comment-46624 All, Great comments! Thanks for everyone taking the time to share your thoughts. "Legitimizing" was definitely not the right word, but I think Jason Boche has it right---is VMware accelerating the adoption of cross-platform support by the virtualization ecosystem, thus leveling the playing field and eliminating one of their competitive advantages? I think we can all agree that it's necessary and expected for VMware to move into new markets; it is, after all, a fiduciary responsibility the company has to its shareholders. Are there other ways in which VMware could seek growth without jeopardizing the partner ecosystem? I think we can also all agree that it was inevitable for the partner ecosystem to expand their support for multiple hypervisors; again, it's in their best interests as well. But are they being "gently driven" to do so by VMware's expansion moves? All,

Great comments! Thanks for everyone taking the time to share your thoughts.

“Legitimizing” was definitely not the right word, but I think Jason Boche has it right—is VMware accelerating the adoption of cross-platform support by the virtualization ecosystem, thus leveling the playing field and eliminating one of their competitive advantages? I think we can all agree that it’s necessary and expected for VMware to move into new markets; it is, after all, a fiduciary responsibility the company has to its shareholders. Are there other ways in which VMware could seek growth without jeopardizing the partner ecosystem?

I think we can also all agree that it was inevitable for the partner ecosystem to expand their support for multiple hypervisors; again, it’s in their best interests as well. But are they being “gently driven” to do so by VMware’s expansion moves?

]]> By: Jason Boche http://blog.scottlowe.org/2009/11/16/thinking-out-loud-is-vmware-legitimizing-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-46622 Jason Boche Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:22:05 +0000 http://blog.scottlowe.org/?p=1736#comment-46622 I wouldn't say VMware is forcing it but they are accelerating it, particularly with the cost of some of their bolt ons (ie. vChargeback). Competition in the hypervisor market was inevitable. The proliferation of management tools adapting to other hypervisors is equally inevitable. I wouldn’t say VMware is forcing it but they are accelerating it, particularly with the cost of some of their bolt ons (ie. vChargeback).

Competition in the hypervisor market was inevitable. The proliferation of management tools adapting to other hypervisors is equally inevitable.

]]> By: Philip Sellers http://blog.scottlowe.org/2009/11/16/thinking-out-loud-is-vmware-legitimizing-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-46620 Philip Sellers Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:32:16 +0000 http://blog.scottlowe.org/?p=1736#comment-46620 Scott, I agree with you. I think its one of their unintended consequences, though I agree with Michael that the competition is already legitimate. We are already using XenServer in production in addition to our VMware, and while it lacks some of the management and features, it meets the needs for our virtualized XenApp servers. I think its going to be increasingly difficult for VMware to charge for the add-on management products and maintain their market share. I have always thought that VMware will have to take and bundle some of these add-on products into their existing Enterprise licensing to preserve customers paying those annual subscriptions, instead of having them abandon the VMware ecosystem and moving to a competitor as the competitors mature. Adding these management capabilities, if only basic or scaled back functionality, into their existing structure would also help convert some new customers who would have to pay for third-party partner software to meet the needs on a competitor's hypervisor -- helping level the cost/benefit ratio that may soon tip in the competition's favor. Scott, I agree with you. I think its one of their unintended consequences, though I agree with Michael that the competition is already legitimate. We are already using XenServer in production in addition to our VMware, and while it lacks some of the management and features, it meets the needs for our virtualized XenApp servers.

I think its going to be increasingly difficult for VMware to charge for the add-on management products and maintain their market share. I have always thought that VMware will have to take and bundle some of these add-on products into their existing Enterprise licensing to preserve customers paying those annual subscriptions, instead of having them abandon the VMware ecosystem and moving to a competitor as the competitors mature. Adding these management capabilities, if only basic or scaled back functionality, into their existing structure would also help convert some new customers who would have to pay for third-party partner software to meet the needs on a competitor’s hypervisor — helping level the cost/benefit ratio that may soon tip in the competition’s favor.

]]> By: Mike Laverick http://blog.scottlowe.org/2009/11/16/thinking-out-loud-is-vmware-legitimizing-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-46619 Mike Laverick Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:27:38 +0000 http://blog.scottlowe.org/?p=1736#comment-46619 What's VMware to do. Nothing. This is a great thing you are doing - acting as spearhead for the industry - whilst lazy & non-innovative companies (er, like your competition) continue to lag behind in a herd like fashion. After doing the innovation the next step is keep on improving it, and re-evaluating this valid-add against its true market value. The problem I see that sometime VMware makes for itself - is sometimes marking things as "experimental" and also pricing or SKU'ing features out the reach of the bedrock of its customers - host profiles and DvSwitches could be a case in point.... The last thing customers want is innovation that locks them forever in one provider - I think Paul's "Hotel California" argument - has merits - despite not being a huge fan of 70's supergroups! What’s VMware to do. Nothing. This is a great thing you are doing – acting as spearhead for the industry – whilst lazy & non-innovative companies (er, like your competition) continue to lag behind in a herd like fashion. After doing the innovation the next step is keep on improving it, and re-evaluating this valid-add against its true market value. The problem I see that sometime VMware makes for itself – is sometimes marking things as “experimental” and also pricing or SKU’ing features out the reach of the bedrock of its customers – host profiles and DvSwitches could be a case in point…. The last thing customers want is innovation that locks them forever in one provider – I think Paul’s “Hotel California” argument – has merits – despite not being a huge fan of 70′s supergroups!

]]> By: Louw Pretorius http://blog.scottlowe.org/2009/11/16/thinking-out-loud-is-vmware-legitimizing-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-46618 Louw Pretorius Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:26:16 +0000 http://blog.scottlowe.org/?p=1736#comment-46618 When a company grows past a certain size, they have to start competing in a more open playing field - if thats the right phrase. They have to start branching out from "just virtualising" or risk stagnating - think Netware (brilliant fileserver with nothing added) VMware needs to add value to their virtualising dish to truly become the Datacenter of tomorrow. Yes there are trade-offs but then it's like growing up, sometimes your favorite shirt just don't fit anymore. When a company grows past a certain size, they have to start competing in a more open playing field – if thats the right phrase.

They have to start branching out from “just virtualising” or risk stagnating – think Netware (brilliant fileserver with nothing added)

VMware needs to add value to their virtualising dish to truly become the Datacenter of tomorrow.

Yes there are trade-offs but then it’s like growing up, sometimes your favorite shirt just don’t fit anymore.

]]> By: Dave Convery http://blog.scottlowe.org/2009/11/16/thinking-out-loud-is-vmware-legitimizing-the-competition/comment-page-1/#comment-46617 Dave Convery Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:17:20 +0000 http://blog.scottlowe.org/?p=1736#comment-46617 Scott - You are absolutely not crazy...On this anyway :oD I think the "problem" surrounds the fact that VMware is a software company. They have created a few great virtualization products and continue to improve them and upgrade them. But upgrades and improvements only bring limited growth. The growth comes from new stuff, either created or acquired. Acquiring stuff costs more money and gives less payback than creating. You're right about the ecosystem as well. The partners must now spark up relationships with the competition in order to stay alive. It's a shame VMware can't come up with some NEW ideas on its own. Dave Scott -
You are absolutely not crazy…On this anyway :o D

I think the “problem” surrounds the fact that VMware is a software company. They have created a few great virtualization products and continue to improve them and upgrade them. But upgrades and improvements only bring limited growth. The growth comes from new stuff, either created or acquired. Acquiring stuff costs more money and gives less payback than creating. You’re right about the ecosystem as well. The partners must now spark up relationships with the competition in order to stay alive.

It’s a shame VMware can’t come up with some NEW ideas on its own.

Dave

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