VMware to sell vCloud Air service and datacentre infrastructure to OVH

VMware is preparing to offload its vCloud Air hybrid cloud business to French infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) provider OVH, with the sale due to close during the second quarter of 2017.

vCloud Air is an IaaS service built on VMware’s vSphere technology that enables users to run apps and workloads either on-premise or in the cloud, and switch between these two hosting environments as required.

Since its launch in 2013, VMware has opened various datacentres around the world to support this endeavour, and has also partnered with numerous cloud service providers – including OVH – which also host the service within their own facilities.

In a statement, the virtualisation giant confirmed it was about to hand over the reins of its US and European vCloud Air datacentres to OVH, which will also assume responsibility for running its customer service and operations teams when the deal is completed.

At this point, the service will be renamed vCloud Air Powered by OVH, but will continue to be underpinned by VMware’s technology. The firm has also confirmed its ongoing involvement in the go-to-market and aftercare support that vCloud Air customers will receive once the deal closes.

VMware CEO Pat Gelsinger said offloading vCloud Air would enable the firm to focus on building out its cross-cloud services and software strategy, which it debuted at VMware US in August 2016.

The aim of the cross-cloud strategy is to allow enterprises to run their applications and workloads in public, private or on-premise environments that do not necessarily feature VMware technology.

“We remain committed to delivering our broader cross-cloud architecture that extends our hybrid cloud strategy, enabling customers to run, manage, connect and secure their applications across clouds and devices in a common operating environment,” said Gelsinger.

“Customers will have access to OVH’s global footprint, high-touch customer support, and still retain the VMware SDDC technology innovation they are accustomed to.” 

OVH said the deal would offer existing vCloud Air users a wider range of geographical locations in which to host their applications and workloads.

“OVH’s global reach and technology innovation, combined with VMware’s software-defined datacentre technology, will give customers competitive hyperscale cloud economics,” said Russell Reeder, president and CEO of OVH.

“Both companies are committed to providing a seamless transition for current vCloud Air customers, great customer support, increased access to our global network and modern green datacentres.”