Background
Digital transformation projects and the IT requirements of the modern enterprise are growing in scale and complexity. A shortage of skilled IT personnel and an increased risk of failure means enterprises are turning to professional services partners for help to accelerate and de-risk their IT projects. But, how can an enterprise be confident in the capabilities of their chosen service partner? Well, for VMware customers, working with a VMware partner with all of the VMware Master Services Competencies (MSC’s) is the answer.
What is the VMware Master Services Competency Partner Program?
Launched in 2018, the program was introduced to drive the success of VMware customers. The MSC’s are awarded to partners whose service capabilities have been validated, so enterprise customers can be assured that they are in safe hands when it comes to the design and deployment of their VMware solution.
What are VMware Master Services Competencies?
The MSC’s are VMware Partner enablement designations designed to identify the very best support for customers. To attain each of the MSC’s, a VMware Partner must demonstrate services delivery experience by providing three customer references for recently completed projects.
What are the Master Services Competency areas?
Cloud Management and Automation – designates expertise in delivery of VMware Cloud Management and Automation solutions and services. Achieving this competency validates deep understanding and execution of cloud management design principles and methodologies.
Data Center Virtualization – designates expertise in delivery of VMware vSphere® environments and digital infrastructure services. Achieving this competency validates deep understanding and execution of Data Center Virtualization design principles and methodologies.
Digital Workspace – designates partner organizational expertise to design, deliver and support the ongoing management of customer apps, data and virtual desktop solutions whether on-premise or cloud delivered. Achieving this competency validates partners’ deep understanding and execution on VMware Horizon and VMware Workspace ONE end-user computing solutions.
Network Virtualization – designates expertise in delivery of VMware NSX environments and services. Achieving this competency validates deployment and optimization of NSX environment capabilities.
VMware Cloud on AWS – designates expertise in the delivery of hybrid cloud solutions based on VMware Cloud on AWS. Achieving this competency validates a partner’s capabilities in the deployment of an integrated cloud solution that delivers an on-demand service enabling customers to run applications across a VMware Cloud Infrastructure environment with access to a broad range of AWS services.
Cloud Native – designates partner organizational expertise to run and manage VMware Modern Application solutions. Achieving this competency validates partners’ deep understanding of Kubernetes core concepts and proficiency in networking, security and application lifecycle management to ensure the continuous delivery of applications on Kubernetes-based platforms.
VMware Cloud Foundation – demonstrates expertise in designing and deploying the complete Cloud Foundation stack including SDCC Manager, computing, HCI, networking and cloud management and automation.
What are the requirements for achieving a Master Services Competency?
A Master Services Competency is not officially achieved until training requirements are met and references are submitted. To achieve Master Services Competencies VMware partners must:
- Achieve a specified number and type of VMware Certifications, e.g. VCPs, VCAPs and/or Master Specialists
- Submit Customer References within then designated technology area to verify success in ‘real life’ business cases
The specific requirements are for each MSC are shown in the table below:
How do Master Services Competencies differ from Solution Competencies?
VMware offers Partner Competencies in two areas: Solution Competencies and Master Services Competencies. Solution Competencies are a first step in partner achievement of sales and pre- and post-sales technical expertise in VMware virtualization and cloud computing solutions. They include sales training as well as both pre- and post-sales technical trainings.
VMware Master Services Competencies require achieving advanced technical certifications and proof of high-level service capability and expertise as validated by the partner’s customers. Unlike Solution Competencies, a partner organization must demonstrate services delivery experience by providing three customer references for recently completed projects in order to achieve a Master Services Competency (in addition to meeting the training requirements.)
Who are Xtravirt?
Xtravirt is a leading cloud consultancy and managed services business and the first organisation in the UK to hold all seven of the VMware Master Services Competencies. Furthermore, Xtravirt is a multi-award winning business; Our VMware accolades include VMware EMEA Services Partner of the Year (2018), VMware Global Services Partner of the Year (2018), VMware Customer Story of the Year (2019), VMware Partner Expertise Award for Cloud Platform Transformation (2020) and VMware Partner of the Year Award (2020).
Xtravirt work with mid-sized to large enterprises across the private and public sectors.
If you’d like to find out more about how we can help guide your business to success, then send an email to info@xtravirt.com and one of our team will get back to you.
