Dell EMC has expanded its cloud capabilities across the channel ecosystem, through the integration of Virtustream Enterprise Cloud (VEC) into its revamped partner program.
Revealed at Dell EMC World 2017, the alignment allows Dell EMC partners to leverage the wider Virtustream portfolio, following the addition of Virtustream Storage Cloud (VSC) in December 2016.
Specifically, the move is designed to provide partners with flexible selling options, front-end margin and back-end rebates under the unified Dell EMC program.
“Simplifying the process for our customers to obtain the perfect blend of Dell EMC and Virtustream solutions for their digital transformation projects is imperative,” Virtustream vice president of global channels and alliances Scott Millard said.
“Including Virtustream Enterprise Cloud in the Dell EMC Partner Program accomplishes this goal and arms the already strong Dell EMC partner ecosystem with cloud solutions that make a substantive impact on their digital transformation journey.”
Specialising in enterprise cloud technologies, Virtustream operates over 20 data centres across the world, with a channel ecosystem spanning system integrators, service providers, value-added resellers and technology partners.
In the channel, the vendor partners with global system integrators (GSIs) such as Deloitte, Accenture, EY and Capgemini, while also aligning with Cisco and IBM from a service provider perspective.
The alignment comes three months after Virtustream made its enterprise cloud platform and services available to customers across Australia and New Zealand, alongside the introduction of consumption billing model plans.
As a result, Virtustream has established a cloud presence in Sydney and Canberra, specifically targeting local enterprise and public sector markets.
“We are prepared to tackle the most challenging digital transformation projects for our customers in Asia Pacific,” Virtustream chief operating officer Simon Walsh said at the time.
“Our local partnerships combined with the strength of our cloud platform, deep expertise in the enterprise cloud space and relationship with Dell Technologies will provide businesses in the region with an unprecedented opportunity to utilise the cloud to rapidly transform and scale their businesses.”
As indicated during the launch, Virtustream will continue to leverage its partnership with Dell Technologies to expand across the region, with the channel now seen as a viable mechanism to achieve for local growth.
“Virtustream and Dell EMC’s cloud solution will create new ways for organisations to approach enterprise cloud in A/NZ,” Dell EMC A/NZ vice president of enterprise Mark Fioretto added.
“The business of migrating mission-critical systems of record to the cloud is complex and requires specific expertise. Our customers require a multi-cloud strategy to truly transform their environments.
“Between Virtustream and our service provider ecosystem, Dell EMC is ideally positioned to provide enterprise and public sector customers with the choice they need to digitally transform their organisations.”
Founded in 2009, Virtustream delivers application lifecycle automation and orchestration, focusing on I/O-intensive mission-critical enterprise applications such as SAP S/4HANA.
The Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) start-up was acquired by EMC in 2015 for US$1.2 billion, with Virtustream’s xStream platform also tightly integrated with VMware vSphere.
James Henderson attended Dell EMC World 2017 as a guest of Dell EMC.
