Enterprises are increasingly looking for robust, scalable and flexible cloud solutions to maintain a competitive advantage and VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) has emerged as a foundational technology for enterprises looking to build a trusted private cloud. When combined with the expertise and services of VMware Cloud Service Providers (VCSPs), VCF enables organizations to achieve a cloud operating model with greater security, agility and operational efficiency, particularly addressing the three C challenges that Hock Tan identified in his VMware Explore fundamental.
In this blog, we will explore the aspects of delivering private cloud as a service with VMware Cloud Foundation, explore how VCSPs add value, and discuss best practices for leveraging this powerful combination to meet your organization’s unique cloud objectives.
Understanding the difference between private cloud and public cloud
Before we dive into the details, let’s quickly define the key differences:
- Public cloud: A shared infrastructure where multiple organizations share resources managed by the cloud provider. And it is best used when demand is flexible and workloads increase.
- Private Cloud: A model of Cloud computing where the infrastructure is dedicated to a single-tenant organization. A private cloud can be hosted in an organization’s own data center, in a third-party co-location facility, or through a private cloud provider that offers private cloud hosting services and may or may not also offer traditional multi-tenant shared public cloud infrastructure.
- Managed Private Cloud: A fully managed solution where the provider takes care of the infrastructure, allowing businesses to enjoy the benefits of private cloud without the management overhead.
VMware Cloud Foundation: The Backbone of the Private Cloud Platform
VMware Cloud Foundation is an integrated private cloud platform that combines VMware’s industry-leading cloud computing, storage, networking, automation and management technologies. VCF simplifies the deployment and operation of a private cloud by providing a unified, comprehensive infrastructure platform that is consistent across on-premises data centers and public cloud environments.
VMware Cloud Foundation offers a robust and profitable Solution for your company that offers unparalleled resilience, security and scalability with a proven TCO value.
Taking advantage VMware Cloud Foundation Advanced ServicesVCSPs can enhance traditional private cloud environments with features that closely resemble public cloud capabilities. This comprehensive service portfolio includes: Private AI for secure data analysis, Data services for efficient management and storage, and Container operations for agile application deployment.
Besides, Disaster Recovery The solutions ensure rapid recovery from outages, while Advanced Security Measures protect against changing threats. Load balancing optimizes resource allocation, Edge orchestration extends capabilities to the edge of the network for real-time processing and Workload Automation streamlines operations.
Together, these advanced services elevate the functionality of private clouds, enabling organizations to excel in today’s digital landscape.
The future of the company is private
The future of business is private, where your cloud is completely isolated and secure, your data is protected and under your control, and you have the flexibility to harness the power of private AI, tailored to your unique environment and needs.
Source: VMware Explore Key Notes for 2024
A recent study conducted by a major global bank in collaboration with numerous Chief Information Officers (CIOs) revealed a surprising trend. The survey revealed that a staggering 80% of CIOs are choosing to repatriate workloads to their on-premises environments, indicating a significant shift in their cloud strategy (see fundamental).
This finding highlights that many CIOs are re-evaluating their cloud adoption and migration strategies, noting that hyperscale clouds raise concerns about data security, control and compliance. The survey results imply that the magic of hyperscale public cloud has lost its luster and that CIOs are now looking for greater control and flexibility in their infrastructure choices.
This trend of shifting investment towards public clouds will have significant implications for the cloud computing industry as it highlights the need for more flexible and adaptable cloud solutions that meet the changing needs of organizations.
Figure 1: Private Cloud Services Market Size, 2024-2032 (USD Billion)
Fountain: Market research of the future
Figure 1 explains that the private cloud services market is expected to expand significantly, with a projected value of USD 28.7 billion by 2032, up from USD 7.6 billion in 2024 and USD 6.9 billion in 2023. This growth is attributed to a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.60% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2032. The key factor driving the market growth is the increasing demand for these services year on year.
Figure 2: Barclays CIO Survey: Percentage of respondents planning to move workloads from public cloud to private cloud or on-premises.
Fountain: Barclays CIO Survey Program
Private cloud platform on a large-scale public cloud
VCF for Hyperscalers enables organizations to leverage the benefits of private and public clouds without the challenges associated with native hyperscale public clouds. They can use the hyperscaler’s infrastructure to meet their workload requirements while maintaining control over their data and services.
VMware Cloud Foundation is a private cloud platform
VMware Cloud Foundation enables organizations to build and operate a secure, scalable, high-performance private cloud platform. By leveraging VCF, enterprises can achieve the following benefits:
- Consistent operations: VCF offers a unified management plane that delivers consistent operations across on-premises and cloud environments. This consistency simplifies management, reduces operational complexity, and accelerates time to value.
- Security: With built-in security features such as encryption and identity management, VCF helps ensure that applications and data are protected across the entire cloud environment. This comprehensive security approach reduces the attack surface and improves compliance with industry regulations.
- Automated operations: VCF automates the deployment, configuration, and management of cloud infrastructure, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing the risk of human error. This automation accelerates the provisioning of new services, improves operational efficiency, and allows IT teams to focus on strategic initiatives.
- Scalability and flexibility: VCF’s software-defined architecture enables organizations to seamlessly scale their private cloud environment. Whether scaling to meet increased demand or adapt to new workloads, VCF provides the flexibility to adapt to changing business requirements.
VMware Cloud Service Providers: Extending the Value of VMware Cloud Foundation
VMware Cloud Service Providers (VCSPs) play a critical role in helping organizations maximize the value of VMware Cloud Foundation. These providers offer a broad range of services, including managed private cloud on-premises or in the VCSP data center, disaster recovery, and hybrid cloud solutions, all based on VMware technologies. By partnering with a VMware Cloud Service Provider, organizations can take advantage of the following benefits:
Accelerate your cloud experience
VMware Cloud Service Providers have extensive experience in deploying, managing, and optimizing VMware Cloud Foundation environments. They provide organizations with access to a team of certified professionals who can design and implement a private cloud solution tailored to their specific needs. Additionally, CSPs offer ongoing support and maintenance services, ensuring that the private cloud environment remains secure, reliable, and up-to-date.
Achieving cost efficiency
Building and maintaining a private cloud platform can be a significant investment requiring substantial capital expenditure (CapEx) and operational expenditure (OpEx). VMware cloud service providers offer a more cost-effective alternative by providing private cloud services on a subscription or pay-as-you-go basis. VCF includes out-of-the-box optimization for workloads of all types, and VCSP can help you consolidate your cloud onto an optimal physical and virtual footprint while managing increased performance and service level agreements. This model enables organizations to reduce upfront costs, scale resources as needed, and align cloud spending with business needs.
Accelerate time to market
VMware cloud service providers offer pre-configured and validated private cloud solutions and services that can be deployed quickly and efficiently. By leveraging these ready-to-use solutions, organizations can accelerate the deployment of new applications and services, reducing time to market and enabling faster innovation.
Increased security and regulatory compliance
VMware cloud service providers implement robust security measures and adhere to industry best practices to ensure the security and compliance of their private cloud environments. These providers offer advanced security features such as data encryption, identity and access management, and regular security audits. Additionally, VMware cloud service providers can help organizations meet complex regulatory requirements, ensuring that their private cloud environment meets all necessary compliance standards and sovereignty needs.
Conclusion
VMware Cloud Foundation, when combined with the expertise and capabilities of VMware cloud service providers, offers organizations a powerful solution for adopting private cloud as a service. By following best practices and working with a VCSP partner, customers can experience the full potential of VMware’s integrated private cloud platform to achieve their cloud goals, drive innovation, and stay ahead in the ever-evolving digital landscape.
Whether you’re just beginning your cloud journey or looking to optimize your existing cloud environments, partnering with a VMware cloud service provider can give you the support, expertise, and flexibility needed to succeed. Embrace the future of cloud computing with VMware Cloud Foundation and realize the full potential of your private cloud with a VMware cloud service provider.
