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Michael Dell to VMware Partners: Trust Me

As part of Dell's buyout of EMC, Michael Dell says his company will support the VMware Partner Network of OEMs, Systems Integrators, Solution Providers, Resellers and more.

Michael Dell's VMware comments surfaced in a blog today. They aim to appease investors, partners and customers -- some of whom worry VMware will become locked to Dell hardware. To thrive, Dell apparently understands that VMware must remain vendor-neutral and open -- supporting server hardware from Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, Lenovo and many other plays.

Within the blog, Dell states:

"We intend for VMware to remain an independent public company. Further, we believe it is very important to maintain VMware's successful business model supporting an open and independent ecosystem. We do not plan to do anything proprietary with VMware as regards Dell or EMC, nor place any limitations on VMware’s ability to partner with any other company."

Dell Buys EMC: Potential Hurdles

Still, other challenges may remain. For instance, some investors are wondering if Dell will sweeten its offer EMC and VMware. There's also an outside chance that another company will bid for EMC and VMware, since third-party discussions are permitted under terms of Dell's buyout offer.

Michael Dell is set to speak at Dell World 2015, which kicks off Oct. 20 in Austin, Texas. It's unclear, however, how much he will say since the EMC buyout isn't expected to become official until at least May 2016.

Related Coverage
> Dell Buys EMC: Proof VMware Can Act On Its Own (With IBM)
> Dell Buys EMC: Big Service Providers Are Next Battleground
> Dell Buys EMC: VMware At A Crossroads

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.