Well, I never thought I’d see this day. But it is a very happy day indeed. Working in conjunction with VMware and the VMUG – folks can now subscribe on a yearly basis to receive evaluation non-production VMware software for 365-day period. The access is delivered as one of the very many benefits associated with the VMUG Advantage program. Thus the folks at VMware who manage the VMUG program, have succeed where countless others have failed before them. As you might recall before I joined VMware in 2012, I helped spearhead a popular movement to get the “VMTN Subscription” in stated. Although this was followed up on two occasions internal, for various reasons it just didn’t come to fruition…
Late last year I was approach by my colleagues at VMware who help manage the VMUG program – to ask me for my arguments and views on why this should be done. To be honest, I wasn’t from previous experience that optimistic. But I’m pleased to say that their attempt has been successful. It’s a great triumph for them. In late December I was part of small group of people asked to test the new delivery system from a download perspective.
And now in Jan, 2015 they are ready to announce the program – called EVALExperience. Personally, I think this is a great coup for the VMware Community. Whilst other companies have pulled up the draw-bridge and withdrawn access to their software in this manner. VMware has (finally) listened to the community and re-opened theirs. The world is changing fast and increasingly it seen as the IT-Professionals job to keep their skills up-to-date – to both keep their job but also further their careers. Its in my view that the EVALExperience goes along way to address these issues. Once again, the VMUG Advantage program (of which it is part) has demonstrated how the relatively small fee, pays for itself.
VMware and VMUG have partnered with Kivuto Solutions to provide VMUG Advantage Subscribers a customized web portal that provides VMUG Advantage Subscribers with self-service capability to download software and license keys. Licenses to available VMware products are regularly updated and posted to the self-service web portal. The licenses available to VMUG Advantage Subscribers are 365-day evaluation licenses that require a one-time, annual download. Annual product downloads ensure that Subscribers receive the most up-to-date versions of products. Included products are:
- VMware vCenter Server™ 5 Standalone for vSphere 5
- VMware vSphere® with Operations Management™ Enterprise Plus
- VMware vCloud Suite® Standard
- VMware vRealize™ Operations Insight™
- VMware vRealize Operations™ 6 Enterprise
- VMware vRealize Log Insight™
- VMware vRealize Operations for Horizon®
- VMware Horizon® Advanced Edition
- VMware Virtual SAN™
A new 365 entitlement will be offered with the renewal of your yearly VMUG Advantage Subscription. Software is provided to VMUG Advantage Subscribers with no associated entitlement to support services, and users may not purchase such services in association with the EVALExperience licenses. I understand that existing subscribers will be able to add the EVALExperience to their existing subscription. The EVALExperience is bundled as part of the VMUG Advantage which offers other benefits and discounts including:
- 35% discount on the all-new VMware Learning Zone
- 35% discount on the VMware Lab Connect environment
- 20% discount on instructor-led training courses
- 20% discount on VMware On-Demand self-paced training
- 20% discount on VMware Certification Exams
- $100 off your VMworld Admission (useable with other discounts such as Alumni status)
- Free access to VMworld 2014 Online Content (usually $699)
- 50% discount on VMware Fusion and Workstation licenses