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{{Short description|American computer hardware brand}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Virtual Computing
| logo
| type
| foundation
| industry
| parent = [[EMC Corporation]]
| homepage
| key_people = Chad Sakac ([[President (corporate title)|President]])<br />Trey Layton ([[Chief technology officer|CTO]])
| products = Vblock, VxBlock, VxRack, VxRail
| fate = Acquired by EMC, which was later acquired by [[Dell Technologies]]
| defunct = January 2016
}}
'''
On September 7, 2016, EMC was acquired by Dell. The Converged Platform Division of EMC is currently known as the Converged Platform and Solutions Division of Dell EMC.▼
The company initially manufactured converged [[datacenter]] units known as [[Vblock]], which incorporate Cisco [[server computer|servers]] and networking hardware, EMC storage systems, and VMware for [[virtualization]].<ref name="bets">{{Cite news |title= Converged Infrastructure Bets Are In: Where Are They Paying Off? |author= Joseph F. Kovar |date= May 27, 2013 |work= CRN |url= http://www.crn.com/news/data-center/240155540/converged-infrastructure-bets-are-in-where-are-they-paying-off.htm |accessdate= August 9, 2013 }}</ref>▼
Later, [[VxBlock]] was added providing the ability for customers to run VMware NSX.▼
In 2015, [[VxRack]] and in 2016 [[VxRail]] were added as separate products.▼
==History==
[[Cisco Systems]], [[EMC Corporation]] and [[VMware]] (partially owned by EMC) unveiled a joint partnership in November 2009 to develop [[cloud computing]] platforms called Vblock Infrastructure Packages.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Cisco and EMC, Together with VMware, form Coalition to Accelerate Pervasive Data Center Virtualization and Private Cloud Infrastructures |work= Press release |date= November 3, 2009 |publisher= Cisco Systems |url= http://newsroom.cisco.com/dlls/2009/corp_110309.html |
|title= A Most Interesting IT Experiment: The History (So Far) Of VCE
|author= Joseph F. Kovar
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|work= CRN
|url= http://www.crn.com/slide-shows/storage/240008782/a-most-interesting-it-experiment-the-history-so-far-of-vce.htm/pgno/0/5
|
|title= Virtual Computing Environment coalition-VCE coalition
|work= Original web site |url= http://www.vcecoalition.com/index.htm
|url-status=dead
|
|
|
}}</ref>
At the same EMC World trade show, Cisco and EMC introduced a joint venture named Acadia.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Cisco, EMC Form Acadia Joint Venture for Data Centers (Update3) |author= Rochelle Garner |date= November 3, 2009 |work= Bloomberg news |url= https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=azxgvBN9ckao&pos=7 |
By the end of 2010, Capellas told analysts the venture had 65 customers, with an average system costing about $2.5 million.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Vblock clouds moisten the data center: Capellas talks up VCE sales and pipeline |author= Timothy Prickett Morgan |work= The Register |date= December 21, 2010 |url= https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/12/21/vce_acadia_ramp/ |
▲By the end of 2010, Capellas told analysts the venture had 65 customers, with an average system costing about $2.5 million.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Vblock clouds moisten the data center: Capellas talks up VCE sales and pipeline |author= Timothy Prickett Morgan |work= The Register |date= December 21, 2010 |url= https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/12/21/vce_acadia_ramp/ |accessdate= August 11, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title= Capellas-led coalition making strides by the Vblock |author= John Webster |work= CNET news |date= December 20, 2010 |url= http://news.cnet.com/8301-21546_3-20026158-10253464.html |accessdate= August 11, 2013 }}</ref>
Acadia and the Virtual Computing Environment coalition combined into a single entity in January 2011, called VCE, the Virtual Computing Environment Company.<ref>{{Cite web |title= VCE Coalition Combines with Acadia, Simplifies Name to VCE |work= The VAR Guy |date= January 21, 2011 |url= http://thevarguy.com/virtualization-applications-and-technologies/vce-coalition-combines-acadia-simplifies-name-vce |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140424153658/http://thevarguy.com/virtualization-applications-and-technologies/vce-coalition-combines-acadia-simplifies-name-vce |url-status= usurped |archive-date= April 24, 2014 |access-date= August 9, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title= VCE Coalition and Acadia Combined and Renamed VCE, the Virtual Computing Environment Company |work= Press release |date= January 20, 2011 |publisher= VCE |url= http://www.vce.com/about/media/news?id=tcm:20-468 |access-date= August 9, 2013 }}</ref> Originally located in [[Silicon Valley]] and [[Dallas, Texas]], an expansion was announced in March 2011 to [[Richardson, Texas]] with an investment from the [[Texas Enterprise Fund]].<ref>{{Cite news |title= VCE, Major Cloud Computing Company, Plans Major Expansion in Richardson |work= Press release |date= March 15, 2011 |publisher= VCE, The Virtual Computing Environment Company |url= http://www.vce.com/about/media/news?id=tcm:20-476 |access-date= August 9, 2013 }}</ref> In October 2011, another office opened in [[Marlboro, Massachusetts]], close to VCE's EMC-owned manufacturing plant in [[Franklin, Massachusetts]].<ref>{{Cite news |title= Cloud computing allows companies to outsource IT services |author= Priyanka Dayal |work= Worcester Business Telegram |date= December 11, 2011 |url= http://www.telegram.com/article/20111211/NEWS/112119983/1002/business |access-date= August 21, 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title= EMC, Cisco, Intel & VMWare Launch Joint Venture in Marlborough |author= Brandon Butler |work= Worcester Business Journal |date= October 13, 2011 |url= http://www.wbjournal.com/article/20111013/METROWEST01/310139999/emc-cisco-intel--vmware-launch-joint-venture-in-marlborough |access-date= August 21, 2013 }}</ref> In July 2012, Cisco executive Praveen Akkiraju was appointed CEO and Frank Hauck as president.<ref>{{Cite news |title= VCE Appoints Praveen Akkiraju Chief Executive Officer |work= Press release |date= July 19, 2012 |publisher= VCE |url= http://www.vce.com/about/media/news?id=tcm:20-2159 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130809191844/http://www.vce.com/about/media/news?id=tcm:20-2159 |url-status= dead |archive-date= August 9, 2013 |access-date= August 9, 2013 }}</ref> It was estimated VCE had 1200 employees at the time, with undisclosed revenues but accumulated losses.<ref>{{Cite news |title= VCE Taps Cisco Veteran As New CEO |work= CRN |date= July 19, 2012 |author= Chad Berndtson |url= http://www.crn.com/news/networking/240004002/vce-taps-cisco-veteran-as-new-ceo.htm |access-date= August 21, 2013 }}</ref> Publicized customers included [[Babson College]]<ref>{{Cite news |title= Taking College IT Out of the Hardware Business |author= Bridget McCrea |date= September 15, 2011 |work= Campus Technology digital magazine |url= http://campustechnology.com/articles/2011/09/15/taking-college-it-out-of-the-hardware-business.aspx |access-date= August 21, 2013 }}</ref> and the [[Mississippi Community College Board]].<ref>{{Cite web |title= Vblock Video Success Story – MS Community College Board |work= Press release |date= July 11, 2012 |url= http://www.ventech.com/2012/07/vblock-video-success-story-ms-community-college-board/ |publisher= Venture Technologies |access-date= August 21, 2013 }}</ref> The press debated if the venture should be considered a "[[startup company]]", with one headline joking "VCE = virtual cash erosion" and questioning millions of dollars of executive compensation.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Vblocks bleed out EMC money: VCE = virtual cash erosion |author= Chris Mellor |date= August 8, 2011 |work= The Channel |url= http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2011/08/08/vce_losses/ |access-date= August 21, 2013 }}</ref> Others considered the arrangement to be a wise investment.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Is VCE a Flailing Startup? A Study of Snark in New Media |author= Mark Hopkins |work= Silicon Angle |date= August 17, 2011 |url= http://siliconangle.com/blog/2011/08/17/is-vce-a-flailing-startup-a-study-of-snark-in-new-media/ |access-date= August 21, 2013 }}</ref>
Through 2012, there was a mixture of some success (with speculation of layoffs), and continued confusion due to products from competing partners such as [[NetApp]] FlexPod and [[Xsigo Systems]].<ref>{{Cite news |title= The VCE Gamble: You Got To Know When To Hold 'Em, Know When To Fold 'Em |author= Chad Berndtson and Joseph F. Kovar |date= November 26, 2012 |work= CRN |url= http://www.crn.com/news/data-center/240008994/the-vce-gamble-you-got-to-know-when-to-hold-em-know-when-to-fold-em.htm?pgno=2 |
In a November 2012 report by [[Gartner]], VCE had a 57.4% share of integrated infrastructure systems in the second quarter of 2012 based on revenue.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Market Share Analysis: Data Center Hardware: Integrated Systems, 1Q11-2Q12 |publisher= Gartner |author= Adrian O'Connell |date= November 30, 2012 |url= http://www.vce.com/asset/documents/gartner-market-share-analysis-report.pdf |access-date= August 9, 2013 }}</ref> Gartner had previously tracked server, networking, and external controller-based storage as individual markets. VCE was named one of the “2013 Virtualization 50” by ''[[CRN Magazine]]''.<ref name="crn13">{{Cite news |title= 2013 Virtualization 50 |work= CRN |date= May 24, 2013 |url= http://www.crn.com/slide-shows/virtualization/240155351/2013-virtualization-50.htm?pgno=43 |access-date= August 9, 2013 }}</ref> In May 2013, VCE estimated a $1 billion annual sales rate with more than 1,000 Vblock Systems sold.<ref name="bets" /> However, in US [[Securities and Exchange Commission]] filings, EMC accounted for a cumulative loss of over $430 million by September 2012, and Cisco a loss of $457 million by early 2013, since revenues are recorded to the owning companies, not VCE itself.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Cisco, EMC tout VCE market share, but report losses |author= Larry Dignan |work= Between the Lines |publisher= ZDNet |date= February 21, 2013 |url= https://www.zdnet.com/article/cisco-emc-tout-vce-market-share-but-report-losses/ |access-date= August 11, 2013 }}</ref> EMC reported an investment of $667.2 million in cash and $13.2 million in stock-based compensation to VCE, for a stake of about 58%.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Quarterly Report for period ended September 30, 2012 |date= November 2, 2012 |work= Form 10-Q |publisher= SEC |author= EMC Corporation |url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/790070/000079007012000154/emc-2012930x10q.htm |access-date= August 11, 2013 }}</ref> Cisco reported a gross investment of $457 million, for a stake of about 35%.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Quarterly Report for Quarter ended January 26, 2013 |date= February 19, 2013 |work= Form 10-Q |publisher= SEC |author= Cisco Systems, Incorporated |url= https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/858877/000085887713000013/csco-2013126x10qq2.htm |access-date= August 11, 2013}}</ref>
By 2013, some of the same press writers that initially criticized VCE came to view the structure of VCE as being good business for investors.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/03/06/emc_vce_losses/|title = EMC loses half a BEEELLION on VCE ... But it's NOT what it seems|website = [[The Register]]}}</ref> Other press highlighted VCE as a source of innovation and financial performance for investors.<ref>[https://archive.today/20140401155400/http://www.eweek.com/storage/why-vces-newest-vblock-systems-demonstrate-innovation.html Unknown]</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.itbusinessedge.com/blogs/unfiltered-opinion/vce-stars-in-emc-financial-results.html|title = VCE Stars in EMC Financial Results|date = 13 February 2014}}</ref> Total VCE for 2013 has been reported at over $1B with over a 50% year-over-year growth rate.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://wikibon.org/wiki/v/VCE_Drives_Simplification_Past_$1B | title=VCE Drives Simplification Past $1B - Wikibon }}</ref>
In October 2014, EMC announced that it had acquired majority control of the VCE venture, with Cisco maintaining a 10% stake.<ref name=nworld-emcvce/>
In January 2016, EMC announced that VCE had become the Converged Platform Division of EMC with Chad Sakac as President.<ref name="cpd">{{Cite web
|url = https://www.emc.com/about/news/press/2016/20160106-01.htm |date = 2016-01-06
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171215084514/https://www.emc.com/about/news/press/2016/20160106-01.htm
|archive-date = 2017-12-15
|access-date = 2022-04-28
|url-status = unfit
}}</ref>
▲On September 7, 2016, EMC was acquired by Dell.<ref name="dellsale">{{Cite web|title=$67 billion Dell-EMC deal closes today|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/09/07/67-billion-dell-emc-deal-becomes-official-today/|date=2016-09-07|access-date=2022-04-28|website=TechCrunch|language=en-US}}</ref> The Converged Platform Division of EMC is currently known as the Converged Platform and Solutions Division of Dell EMC.
By February 2018, Dell EMC announced VxBlock System 1000<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/dell-emc-unveils-new-vxblock-system-1000/ | title=Dell EMC unveils new VxBlock System 1000 | website=[[ZDNet]] }}</ref> as a perpetual architecture<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.dell.com/en-us/dt/converged-infrastructure/converged-systems.htm#tab0=0&tab1=0 | title=VxBlock Converged Infrastructure Systems }}</ref> and the Dell Technologies converged systems business achieved $6.51B USD of market sales during 2020 according to [[International Data Group]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dell.com/en-us/dt/converged-infrastructure/converged-systems.htm|title=VxBlock Converged Infrastructure Systems|website=www.dell.com}}</ref>
==Products and services==
VCE marketed [[converged infrastructure]] servers known as {{Proper name|vBlocks}}, which combine [[VMware vSphere]] software running on [[Cisco Unified Computing System]]s (UCS) connected with [[Cisco Nexus switches]], attached to [[EMC Symmetrix]] storage. Despite the "block" in the name, the storage can be accessed as either a [[block device]] or a [[file server]].▼
▲VCE marketed [[converged infrastructure]] servers known as vBlocks, which combine [[VMware vSphere]] software running on [[Cisco Unified Computing System]]s (UCS) connected with [[Cisco Nexus switches]], attached to [[EMC Symmetrix]] storage. Despite the "block" in the name, the storage can be accessed as either a [[block device]] or a [[file server]].
Vblock Systems are marketed for large-scale [[datacenter]]s which run software applications such as [[Microsoft Exchange Server]], [[Microsoft SharePoint]] or [[SAP ERP]].
They are delivered in standard [[19-inch rack]] units to aid in planning for cooling and power requirements.<ref name="bets"/><ref name="hana">{{Cite news |title= VCE Intros Entry-level Vblocks, Unveils Pre-Configured SAP HANA Appliances |author= Joseph F. Kovar |date= February 21, 2013 |work= CRN |url= http://www.crn.com/news/storage/240148969/vce-intros-entry-level-vblocks-unveils-pre-configured-sap-hana-appliances.htm |
▲The company initially manufactured converged [[datacenter]] units known as [[Vblock]], which incorporate Cisco [[server computer|servers]] and networking hardware, EMC storage systems, and VMware for [[virtualization]].<ref name="bets">{{Cite news |title= Converged Infrastructure Bets Are In: Where Are They Paying Off? |author= Joseph F. Kovar |date= May 27, 2013 |work= CRN |url= http://www.crn.com/news/data-center/240155540/converged-infrastructure-bets-are-in-where-are-they-paying-off.htm |
===Original systems===
In 2009, the Virtual Computing Environment coalition announced three models of Vblock Infrastructure Packages. Vblock 2, intended for high-end data centers, was designed to support 3,000 to 6,000 [[virtual machine]]s using Cisco UCS, Cisco Nexus 1000v and multilayer director switches (MDS), as well as EMC Symmetrix VMAX storage and VMware vSphere software. Vblock 1, intended for the midmarket, was designed for 800 to 3,000 virtual machines and had had a similar configuration to the Vblock 2, but with EMC [[Clariion]] storage rather than EMC Symmetrix VMAX. Vblock 0, the intended low-end configuration, was projected for release in 2010 to support 300 to 800 virtual machines and use a similar configuration, but with EMC Celerrastorage.<ref>{{Cite web |title= Virtual Computing Environment Coalition |date= November 5, 2009 |author= Joerg Hallbauer |work= Gestalt IT |url= http://gestaltit.com/all/tech/storage/joerg/virtual-computing-environment-coalition/ |access-date= August 9, 2013 }}</ref> The term "infrastructure package" was later changed to "infrastructure platform" and then just "Vblock System".
===Vblock===
'''Vblock''' is the brand name VCE uses for racks containing the components of its data center products. Prepackaging, called [[converged infrastructure]], allows customers to select preconfigured and integrated solutions, with predictable units of power, weight, cooling, and geometry for data center planning purposes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/12/21/vce_acadia_ramp/|title=Vblock clouds moisten the data center|website=[[The Register]]}}</ref>
[[File:EMC Vblock 300 FX.jpg|thumb|alt=A Vblock 300 FX at CA World|Vblock 300 FX at VCE (company) booth during CA World 2011.]] Vblock systems consist of storage and provisioning from [[EMC Corporation|EMC]], switches and servers from [[Cisco]], and [[VMware]] virtualization software running on the servers. In addition, Vblock system customers' support calls are handled by VCE.
Vblock had two series based on the following compositional elements:<ref name="bare_url_b">{{cite web| url=http://vmackem.co.uk/?p=553 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208004416/http://vmackem.co.uk/?p=553 | archive-date=2016-12-08 | title=VCE Vblock Update}}</ref><ref name="lightreading">{{Cite web|url=http://www.lightreading.com/video.asp?doc_id=216883|title=Recent videos | page 1 of 69 | Light Reading}}</ref>
* EMC provides storage and provisioning
** VNX
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** with [[Multipath I/O|MPIO]] provided via EMC PowerPath/VE
Vblock brand naming changed since its inception.<ref name="bare_url_c">{{Cite web|url=http://siliconangle.com/blog/2011/08/17/is-vce-a-flailing-startup-a-study-of-snark-in-new-media/|title=Is VCE a Flailing Startup? A Study of Snark in New Media|date=17 August 2011}}</ref> In 2009, the term Vblock Infrastructure Packages was announced by then [[Acadia (technical partnership)]], the [[Virtual Computing Environment coalition]], as well as their primary investors. In late 2010 and continuing through 2011, the term ''Packages'' was replaced with ''Platforms''. By mid-2012, the term, ''Infrastructure Platforms'' was replaced with ''Systems'' in wider circulation to arrive at, simply, ''Vblock™ Systems''.<ref name="bare_url_e">{{Cite web|url=http://vdi-virtual-desktop-infrastructure.tmcnet.com/articles/295096-vce-fastpath-platform-simplifies-vdi-vblock-systems.htm|title = VCE FastPath Platform Simplifies VDI on Vblock Systems}}</ref> Meanwhile, constituent elements and technology included upgrades to the product lines from Cisco, EMC, and VMware.<ref name="telegram">{{Cite web|url=http://www.telegram.com/article/20111211/NEWS/112119983/1002/business|title=Cloud computing allows companies to outsource IT services}}</ref>
====Infrastructure Packages====
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==== Customers ====
No confirmed numbers were announced publicly by VCE or its investors until 2013 <ref name="crn">{{Cite web|url=http://www.crn.com/news/networking/240004002/vce-taps-cisco-veteran-as-new-ceo.htm|title = VCE Taps Cisco Veteran as New CEO|date = 19 July 2012}}</ref> but when it was disclosed the numbers were provided conservatively as being over 800 customers in almost 60 countries with nearly 2000 VCE manufactured Vblock Systems sold.<ref name="vce">{{Cite web|url=http://www.vce.com/about/media/news?id=tcm:20-18846|title=Converged Infrastructure (CI)}}</ref><ref>
===Enterprise-level systems===
In May 2011, the Vblock System Series 300 was announced with models EX, FX, GX and HX (smallest to largest). The Vblock 2 was renamed the 700 series.<ref>{{Cite web |title= VCE Vblock Update |date= May 9, 2011 |author= David Owen |work= vMackem |url= http://vmackem.co.uk/?p=553 |
The Vblock System 700 LX was announced at the EMC World May 2012 trade show, as the most expensive Vblock System, supporting thousands of virtual machines. VCE introduced the inclusion of EMC software for backup, recovery, replication, business continuity and data mobility for virtualized environments. Applications included EMC Avamar, [[Data Domain (corporation)|EMC Data Domain]], and EMC RecoverPoint. The Vblock System 700 included [[VPLEX|EMC VPLEX]] workload mobility and business continuity software, as well as support for new features in EMC Unified Infrastructure Manager, improved VMware integration, and centralized monitoring of multiple Vblock Systems.<ref>{{Cite news |title= VCE Intros Entry-level Vblocks, Unveils Pre-Configured SAP HANA Appliances |author= Joseph F. Kovar |date= May 22, 2012 |work= CRN |url= http://www.crn.com/news/storage/240000838/vce-intros-new-higher-end-vblock-integrates-emc-data-protection.htm |
In February 2013, VCE announced Vblock 300 and Vblock 700 models with increased performance and data throughput, using upgraded server and storage components.<ref name="hana" />
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===Software===
[[Desktop virtualization]] management software that uses [[VMware View]] called FastPath was announced in August 2011, and upgraded in June 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title= VCE's FastPath Desktop Virtualization Platform is Here |author= Aaron Delp |work= Blog |date= August 29, 2011 |url= http://www.aarondelp.com/2011/08/vces-fastpath-desktop-virtualization.html |
In February 2013, VCE announced the management software application Vision Intelligent Operations Software.<ref name="bets" />
VCE Vision software
==Services==
VCE provides services through partners to plan, design, and deploy Vblock Systems.<ref>{{Cite news |title= Partners Welcome Appointment Of EMC Veteran As VCE President |author= Joseph F. Kovar |date= March 31, 2011 |work= CRN |url= http://www.crn.com/news/storage/229400695/partners-welcome-appointment-of-emc-veteran-as-vce-president.htm |
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{EMC}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:VCE}}
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[[Category:2014 mergers and acquisitions]]
[[Category:Computer companies established in 2009]]
[[Category:Cloud computing providers]]
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[[Category:Defunct computer hardware companies]]
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[[Category:Software companies established in 2009]]
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