EMC Launches Private Cloud Management Platform for Velocity Partners

By Erin Harrison, Executive Editor, Cloud Computing

Disk storage giant EMC (News - Alert) this week rolled out its pre-configured private cloud platform created through an alliance with six hardware and software vendors.

EMC’s VSPEX Proven Infrastructure is touted by the Hopkinton, Mass.-based company as “a simple, efficient, and flexible reference architecture” comprised of EMC’s storage systems and next-generation backup products, along with virtualization, server, and network technology from EMC alliance partners Brocade, Cisco (News - Alert), Citrix, Intel, Microsoft, and VMware.

Company officials said the new VSPEX Proven Infrastructure cloud is available through its Velocity Program channel partners, who can rebrand the platform. Some of the initial channel partners that will sell the offering include Arrow Electronics, Avnet, Ingram Micro (News - Alert), WestconGroup and SiS.

“With VSPEX we’re giving our channel partners the tools to address the fast growing market in virtual infrastructure and private cloud computing,” said Gregg Ambulos, senior vice president of global channel sales at EMC. “VSPEX will accelerate customers journey to the cloud as it enables our partners to build value and differentiation. VSPEX has changed how solutions are delivered with partners.”

There are initially 14 VSPEX configurations, which EMC said represent the most popular use cases for companies moving to cloud computing.

For private cloud deployments, customers have the option of running VMware vSphere 5.0 or Microsoft (News - Alert) Windows Hyper-V from 50-250 virtual machines and for end-user computing deployments customers can choose between VMware View and Citrix XenDesktop from 50 to 2000 virtual desktops.

The company’s VSPEX offerings give EMC’s partners additional selling opportunities as well as more choices to the IT channel, according to Scott Zahl, vice president and general manager of Ingram Micro.

“EMC’s new VSPEX solutions broadens the playing field for our mutual Velocity partners – bringing more choice, flexibility, and selling opportunities to the IT channel,” Zahl said. “As a full ONE EMC distribution partner offering solutions from EMC, Iomega, Isilon, VMware and RSA (News - Alert), Ingram Micro brings to market a proven, robust and integrated set of EMC solutions that are supported by a dedicated division and business unit focused on partner enablement, execution and mutual success.”

VSPEX is available exclusively through partners in the EMC Velocity partner program.