Dell and Microsoft deepen partnership to drive customers’ digital transformation

Dell, owner of VMWare, and Microsoft jointly announced on 29 April that they have expanded their partnership to address growing consumer demand for accelerated digital transformations.

The collaboration will see the two firms launch a VMWare cloud infrastructure on Azure, Microsoft’s prolific cloud platform, as well as enabling joint VMWare Workplace ONE and Microsoft 365 customers to manage 365 across devices through the cloud-based integration of Microsoft Intune and Azure Active Directory.

In addition, VMWare will broaden the capabilities of Microsoft Windows Virtual Desktop through VMWare Horizon Cloud’s integration with Azure.

"Customers are excited to see us expand our collaboration with Microsoft," said Pat Gelsinger, CEO of VMware, in the joint statement. 

"These innovative cloud and client offerings will deliver customers even more value, provide more flexibility to accelerate their hybrid multi-cloud and multi-device journey, and accelerate the digital transformation of their business."

Azure VMWare Solutions, the joint offering deployed on Azure, will enable customers to migrate, extend and operate their existing VMWare solutions from on-premise infrastructures to Azure.

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Customers will also be able to develop and operate existing and new applications across VMWare and Azure environments through the solution, according to the statement.

"At Microsoft, we're focused on empowering customers in their digital transformation journey, through partnerships that enable them to take advantage of the Microsoft cloud, using the technologies they already have," said Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, in the press release. 

"Together with Dell Technologies and VMware, we are providing our mutual customers with an integrated cloud experience and digital workplace solutions to open up new opportunities and meet their evolving needs."

Clay Johnson, Executive Vice President and Enterprise Chief Information Officer at Walmart, added: "The partnership being announced today between Microsoft, Dell and VMware in Cloud and Client innovations will allow them to better bring their best solutions to customers like us. We look forward to continuing to work with Microsoft, Dell and VMware to accelerate our digital transformation."