What VMware's CEO Thinks of Microsoft

Here at RCP, we've often covered the inflammatory things Microsoft executives have to say about VMware. (Mostly COO Kevin Turner in his annual Worldwide Partner Conference keynote.)

In the Satya Nadella era, Microsoft has turned down the temperature on such statements a bit, and even eliminated a blacklist of companies, including VMware, that were previously banned from attending WPC.

Keith Ward, editor of RCP's sister site, Virtualization Review, got a 1:1 with VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger and took the opportunity to ask, "Microsoft: friend, foe or frienemy, and why?"

Here's what Gelsinger had to say:

"It's no secret that we have offerings that compete with each other. That said, we support our customers and partners on any platform. VMware has numerous offerings that help enterprises get the most out of their Microsoft applications, platforms and devices. We are a committed and active contributor to the Microsoft community through our support of Windows enterprise customers, including IT groups developing, testing and deploying Windows-based applications. And as Windows 10 is rolled out across enterprises, AirWatch can best secure and manage all Windows devices -- desktop, notebook, tablets and phones, along with devices from other platforms."

A classy response from Gelsinger, but also one that makes clear that VMware has no intention of ceding market share, not just in virtualization but also in the emerging and strategic category of enterprise mobility, where AirWatch and the Microsoft Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS) both play.

Check out more of Keith's lengthy and revealing interview here.

Posted by Scott Bekker on August 20, 2015 at 10:19 AM