Turning Container Complexity Into Service Growth With VMware VKS
As enterprises push deeper into containers and Kubernetes, many are encountering fragmented platforms, siloed teams and governance gaps. Managing the business impact of this increased complexity for clients is landing squarely with solution providers, introducing both risk and opportunity.
CRNtv host Sydney Neely spoke with Chris Nolan, professional services management with Broadcom, and Jim Richards, CEO of Capstone IT Solutions, to discuss how VMware VKS on VMware Cloud Foundation helps partners build higher-margin services around modernization, container deployment and streamlined operations.
Sydney Neely: When you’re talking with customers, where are they really struggling when it comes to containers and modern applications?
Jim Richards: We see enterprises struggling in that they've implemented containers and Kubernetes, but they're really not seeing the ROI they expected. And they struggle to implement those platforms because they have multiple platforms. Some are open source, some are OpenShift, some are Rancher, while they have VCF, which has all the tooling in it already. And finally, there's siloing of the teams, app dev, infrastructure, which leads to lack of governance.
Sydney Neely: That is where the right tools and support can really make a difference. Chris, how do VMware VKS and Broadcom's EAP Consulting Services help partners simplify and address those challenges?
Chris Nolan: VKS on VCF allows the convergence of VM and container-based workloads. This consolidated platform allows our customers to simplify their fragmented platform strategy. Being open standards focused, VKS will run and enable all Kubernetes workloads. Our EAP partners have the skills, background and experience to help our customers develop the strategy, approach end designs to help our customers succeed.
Sydney Neely: That's where things start to shift for partners. Where are you seeing the biggest opportunities for partners to build services around VKS?
Chris Nolan: The biggest opportunities for our partners are in developing services that help our customers understand the platform and operating model for VKS on VCF, build and deploy VKS, and help our customers re-platform and modernize their environments, and then build services to operate their on-prem private clouds. Our customers need the expertise our partners bring to help them through this journey.
Sydney Neely: What kind of business outcomes are partners able to deliver when they bring this to their customers?
Jim Richards: They first of all see a simplified single technology on VKS, which is a production ready platform that the teams really can use. They also see faster, safer delivery with clear ownership and guardrails as they implement both sides of the technology and the people, what we call a two-sided shift. Finally, there's real ROI realized. First, in reduction of cost: they implement VKS, which they already have, and get rid of the other tools. They can increase their development and modernization speed which means more delivered with the same amount of people. Finally, the scaling cost is not linear—it doesn't grow as fast as [partners] grow with the use of Kubernetes.
To learn how Broadcom is helping partners build services with VMware VKS, visit expert.broadcom.com.