Ingram Micro, VMware Partner on Service Provider Licensing

By samdizzy

Ingram Micro, the massive IT distributor, has scored global distribution rights to sell VMware under a service provider licensing model. The news, which surfaced at VMware Partner Exchange in Las Vegas, could provide a further boost to Ingram Micro’s ambitious cloud aggregator strategy.

The straightforward news: Ingram Micro is now “authorized as a global VMware Service Provider Program (VSPP) aggregator.”

But what exactly does that mean?

The Ingram Micro Cloud offers dozens of SaaS applications that channel partners can source on behalf of their customers. Moreover, the Ingram Micro Cloud allows channel partners to maintain control of end-customer pricing and end-customer billing for cloud services, a big plus for channel partners who want to maintain close customer relationships.

In a prepared statement, VMware VP Doug Smith specifically pointed to VMware’s growing relationship with Ingram Micro Cloud. Smith stated: “By authorizing Ingram Micro to sell VMware-based cloud services globally and via the Ingram Micro Cloud, we’re building on our success, expanding our reach and providing VMware partners with additional enablement and sales support.”

Most major distributors, including Tech Data and Synnex, are launching cloud initiatives of their own. Synnex, for one,  earlier today unveiled the CONVERGESolv Enterprise Utility Data Center, a  holistic utility computing solution in the channel. Talkin’ Cloud will be back with more insights soon.