Virtual Bridges Hires IBM-Softlayer Veteran for VDI Channel Push

Virtual Bridges has hired IBM Softlayer veteran Drew Jenkins to drive the virtualization company’s channel partner program. So why did Jenkins jump to the VDI (virtual desktop integration) company? The VAR Guy found the answers.

During a phone conversation with our resident blogger, Jenkins spoke highly of his time at Softlayer, the cloud provider that IBM acquired last year. But the Virtual Bridges opportunity was too much to ignore. “I wasn’t actively looking to make a career move, but the talent and technology at Virtual Bridges drove my decision,” said Jenkins, who is now director of Channels at Virtual Bridges.

Virtual Bridges has two core products:

Overall, Virtual Bridges is trying to disrupt the VDI market—where players including VMware (VMW) and Citrix Systems (CTX) (among others) are striving to converge Windows desktops onto servers for simplified management. Jenkins said Bridgepoint gives partners the ability to easily deploy workloads in public, private or hybrid clouds.

Joining the company reconnects Jenkins with Mike LaPeters, VP of Worldwide Sales at Virtual Bridges. The two previously worked together at Winternals, which Microsoft acquired in 2006. “The Virtual Bridges team is smart from the top down,” said Jenkins. “The market needs alternatives for VDI and server virtualization. Virtual Bridges has the solution—and the company is committed to get its technology out to the channel.”

So where is Virtual Bridges heading in the IT channel? Jenkins is ramping up the overall strategy and promises to keep The VAR Guy posted.