VMware, Verizon: DaaS for Google Android Smartphones

Verizon (NYSE:VZ) and VMware (NYSE:VMW) have extended Desktop as a Service (DaaS) capabilities out to Google Android-based smartphones from LG and Motorola — with additional smartphone support coming throughout 2013. For channel partners, the VMware Horizon Mobile Service could allow end-users to run corporate workspaces on their smartphones.

According to a prepared statement from Verizon and VMware: “These Android devices run a corporate workspace that is controlled and managed by IT, and is completely separate from the employee’s personal information, applications and data on the device. The workspace contains its own operating system, applications and policies, enabling IT to remotely manage the entire lifecycle of the workspace. IT is able to provision the workspace, deploy applications and monitor the flow of information to and from the workspace for security.”

Where Channel Partners Fit In

VMware Horizon Mobile is available immediately with perpetual licensing starting at $125 per user. The solution can be purchased through local resellers of VMware and Verizon Wireless, according to the companies.

But where do traditional VARs fit into this story? Sure, those VARs could become Verizon Wireless resellers. But there are DaaS opportunities elsewhere as well. In recent weeks, VMware and Riverbed have been pitching branch office DaaS. Here again, the solution involves VMware’s Horizon technology. But in this case it’s melded with Riverbed’s Granite technology.

Take a step back and it’s clear VMware wants DaaS to blanked traditional PCs as well as tablets and smart phones. Heck, there may even be a Horizon DaaS play with the new VMware vCloud Hybrid Service — which launches May 21.