VMware unveils 'app store' for cloud and virtualisation tools

VMware has launched an online marketplace to help customers find virtualisation and cloud technologies and hook up with vendors and VMware partners capable of providing the systems they require.

The VMware Solution Exchange makes it easier for customers to discover, evaluate, purchase and deploy various products and services built around VMware's platform, the company said.

The Exchange is aimed at organisations of all sizes, from small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), to the largest enterprise firms.

"For customers, our goal is to empower them to quickly and easily find the resources they need to make purchasing decisions," said Parag Patel, VMware vice president of global strategic alliances.

Customers will also be able to provide feedback via a five-star rating system and written accounts of their experience of the product or service.

The format gives a nod to consumer app stores such as that of Apple and Android, by enabling partners and developers to showcase their wares using multimedia content and offer trial versions of software.

VMWare's move follows that of Red Hat, which announced the Red Hat Market Place to coincide with the launch of Red Hat Enterprise Virtualization (RHEV) 3.0 earlier this month.

The European Comimssion also recently announced its intention to launch a €10m European Cloud Partnership project to drive the use of cloud technologies among businesses.