Unleashing the Power of VMware Labs: A Year-Round Hands-On Experience

VMworld 2010 in both the US and EU was undoubtedly a resounding success, with one of its most popular features being the labs. These hands-on exercises allowed attendees to configure and use various VMware products without the need for local lab equipment or licenses. However, what if VMware could extend this experience beyond the confines of the conference? Imagine having access to these labs all year round, allowing you to explore and learn about VMware’s cutting-edge technologies at your own pace.

The Benefits of Extended Labs Access

Providing customers and partners with extended access to the VMware labs would offer numerous benefits. Firstly, it would serve as an invaluable training resource, allowing individuals to gain hands-on experience with VMware’s products without the need for expensive equipment or licenses. This would not only enhance their understanding of the technology but also increase their confidence in deploying and managing these solutions in their own environments.

Secondly, the labs could serve as a showcase for VMware’s core “cloud” services, demonstrating their enterprise-readiness and versatility. By providing customers and partners with the opportunity to experience these technologies firsthand, VMware can build trust and credibility in their products, ultimately driving sales and growth.

Lastly, extended lab access would give VMware a unique opportunity to gather feedback from their audience, allowing them to refine and improve their offerings based on real-world usage and experience. This would not only improve the quality of their products but also demonstrate their commitment to customer satisfaction and innovation.

How to Make it Happen

So, how can VMware make this vision a reality? Here are some possible steps:

1. Create a web-based platform: Develop a user-friendly online platform that allows customers and partners to book time in the VMware labs. This platform could include a calendar system for scheduling lab sessions, as well as a dashboard for managing accounts and accessing lab resources.

2. Offer tiered access: To ensure fairness and availability, VMware could offer different tiers of access based on customer status (e.g., customers with active support contracts or partners with certified engineers). This would allow VMware to prioritize access for their most loyal and engaged customers.

3. Provide remote lab access: To make the labs more accessible, VMware could provide remote access to the labs using virtualization technologies like VMware Horizon. This would enable customers and partners to access the labs from anywhere, at any time.

4. Offer a variety of lab configurations: To cater to different learning styles and scenarios, VMware could offer a range of lab configurations, such as pre-configured environments for specific product versions or use cases.

5. Incorporate interactive content: To enhance the learning experience, VMware could incorporate interactive content like videos, webinars, and virtual classrooms into their labs. This would allow customers and partners to engage with the technology in a more dynamic and immersive way.

6. Monitor and analyze usage: Finally, VMware should monitor and analyze user behavior within the labs to identify trends, preferences, and areas for improvement. This data could be used to refine the lab experience, introduce new features or products, and optimize the overall customer journey.

Conclusion

VMware has the opportunity to unleash the power of their labs all year round, providing customers and partners with a hands-on experience that enhances their understanding of VMware’s cutting-edge technologies. By offering extended access to the labs, VMware can build trust, demonstrate the enterprise-readiness of their products, and gather valuable feedback to drive innovation and growth. With these steps, VMware can make this vision a reality and create an unparalleled learning experience for their audience.