Although VMware did not invent virtualization (IBM did back in the 1960's), it enjoyed a "virtual" monopoly on the market since it released its VMware ESX server software in 2001. Competitors, such as Microsoft and Oracle, have responded with virtualization products of their own, thus eliminating VMware's ability to charge premium licensing prices.
I would like to address the following issues in my memo to new CEO Paul Maritz (former Microsoft executive):
- What steps is VMware taking to differentiate its products and stay ahead of its new competitors in the virtualization space? This is critical since a few competitors have enough money to remain in the market despite currently having an inferior product.
- How is VMware preparing for the day when all servers have been virtualized? The hypervisor is quickly becoming a commodity (packaged as part of OS, open source options) and VMware now gives away its basic hypervisor for free. Will VMware become a pure service company?
- Should VMware use its own technology and enter the cloud computing space? Which partnerships would make this venture less risky and give it a greater chance of success?
- Can VMware form similar partnerships in the mobile space?
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