VMware, Salesforce.com Unveil VMforce Java App Cloud
Under the new partnership, the two companies plan to jointly sell and support a new enterprise Java cloud, called VMforce, which VMware and Salesforce.com said will provide an open path to cloud computing.
VMforce takes advantage of VMware's Spring Java development framework. VMware acquired SpringSource, which spearheaded the Spring open source community, in August. SpringSource was a developer of applications based on open-source technologies, and the company leads a number of open-source communities.
VMware had been expected to use its Spring acquisition and other past and future acquisitions to expand its cloud computing platform. That is happening now with the VMforce program.
VMforce is slated to provide what the two companies call the first mission-critical deployment environment for enterprise Java apps in the cloud. Both companies will jointly deliver using Salesforce.com's trusted cloud platform, Force.com. The technology will run on VMware's vSphere virtualization platform.
"Enterprise Java developers, welcome to Cloud 2," said Marc Benioff, chairman and CEO, Salesforce.com, in a statement welcomed enterprise Java developers to "Cloud 2."
"This fundamental shift incorporates cloud computing, real-time collaboration and mobile devices like the iPad to meet the new needs of the enterprise. Now, in partnership with VMware, we are delivering VMforce and bringing Java to Force.com so enterprise Java developers can create powerful new innovative Cloud 2 apps," Benioff said.
Companies are looking for ways to offer the benefits of cloud computing while utilizing existing resources, said Paul Maritz, CEO of VMware, in a statement.
"By creating a dramatically simplified solution for modern application development, VMforce is a significant step forward in offering our customers a path that bridges existing internal investments with the resources and flexibility of the cloud," Maritz said.
VMforce is currently scheduled to be available in developer preview sometime this year, and pricing has yet to be announced.