More on VMforce - Part Deux

I blogged about VMforce a couple of times back in April.  In August, VMware/SpringSource and SalesForce.com provided more details about this service in a couple of webinars to introduce Spring framework to Force.com developers, and Force.com & VMforce to Java developers:

VMForce–Cloud Computing for Java Developers

Basically, VMforce enables developers deploy JEE webapps on Force.com, and access Force.com database to persist data using standard JEE interfaces (JPA):

SpringSource offers the tooling (STS) to easily build and deploy Spring-based applications to VMforce. Force.com implements a JPA adapter to provide secure, multi-tenant access to Force.com database.

On the development/tooling side, it doesn’t seem the Force.com Eclipse Plug-in can be installed on STS (yet).  Once they work this out, both sets of developers can install one Eclipse to implement either JEE/Spring apps or Apex. 

I think the significance of VMforce is beyond merely extending Force.com with Java EE support or providing extensibility for Apex applications.  VMforce is significant, because it will support the most common approach to Cloud migration by customers.   Customers need a reliable service from a reputable, enterprise-ready service provider to move their existing applications to the cloud as is without much re-factoring.  This is going to be the trend for the next few years.  VMforce is a key strategy to meet that need. 

And, of course with Spring framework programming model (abstraction, dependency injection), there is a good story for platform lock-in and change management.

What is not completely clear so far is how VMforce will meet monitoring and on-premise integration requirements for customers.

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Side note:

As I am writing this, I can understand how Google and SalesForce have partnered with SpringSource today to enable implementation of Cloud apps using the framework (i.e. skills).  However, this framework is based on “legacy Java EE” development and deployment.  Java EE, as it exists today, does not cover Cloud distributed programming model and patterns, and I don’t know if it could be easily extended to support them.   The problem here is that customers may have to invest in migration in the future.

However, there is no practical alternative available today.  Until there is standardization around Cloud development, deployment, and interoperability, Spring-based development seems to be a logical approach.

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Thoughts/Comments?

More on VMForce

As expected, VMware and Salesforce unveiled more details on VMForce offering yesterday:

VMForce is a service that allows developers write any Java applications using SpringSource framework (AOP-based programming model and reflective abstraction, SpringSource Tool Suite, SpringSource TC Server), and deploy to a virtual environment using vCloud.  The deployed code runs on Force.com infrastructure and virtualized and managed using vSphere.
You can read the key announcements at the following:

• http://cloudblog.salesforce.com/
• http://blog.springsource.com/2010/04/27/vmforce-spring-cloud/

At first glance, the model looks very similar to SpringSource CloudFoundry offering which facilitates implementation and management of application on AWS.   There is a difference.  With CloudFoundry, VMware virtualization is not involved, as Amazon uses Xen. 
This is good for VMware and SpringSource.  With such moves, they are aggressively  moving to position SpringSource as a “common application stack”.  As enterprises increase the migration of their workloads to the Cloud, VMware/SpringSource can be a great enabler offering value-adds such as preventing vendor lock-in, code & skills portability, etc…
As I mentioned in my previous post, this is also good for Salesforce, because it enables them to host non-CRM related apps on their platform. 
The only question that I am struggling with is the revenue model/rev share.  Force.com pricing is clear and VMForce should help them increase subscribers. However, I am not sure how VMware will be able to make a sustainable business out of this, especially since SpringSource (open-source, cloud infrastructure, etc).   As far as I know, the CloudFoundry pricing is still unknown.  
How do you view in comparison to Azure and GAE?  Microsoft & Google own both the infrastructure and the application middleware.  It seems to me that application framework and tooling would not be the major revenue contributors. Thoughts/comments?

vmforce: Is Salesforce getting into IaaS?

VMware and SalesForce.com have scheduled a joint webcast on April 27th. Rumors are circulating that Salesforce is planning to offer IaaS based on VMware virtualization platform. 
If true, this would be a good move for Salesforce for the following reasons:

• Currently with Force.com, you can build and deploy only a limited set of applications (i.e. CRM centric, business process-based/case-management types of apps).   With IaaS, it will possible to deploy all sorts of applications on their platform. 
• Building on top of VMware virtualization stack (i.e. vSphere), Salesforce should be able to facilitate integration and management of hybrid computing environments for those enterprises that have already invested in VMware.   This would be a huge advantage over competitors such as Amazon & Azure.
• Azure already offers hosting (Windows).  In some cases, an IaaS from Salesforce may be viable alternative to MSFT.
• Obviously, an IaaS Cloud Service offering enables Salesforce to engage enterprise customers on multiple levels thereby increasing marketshare.

So, what about VMware?   How would this help them?
VMware wants to be the technology backbone for all IaaS providers.  This is evident in their vCloud initiatives, and investments in vCloud Express and Terremark.   Salesforce.com is a key player in Cloud computing.  Enabling Salesforce deliver an IaaS on top of their virtualization stack is a major deal for them.  If the model proves successful, it can become a big headache for Amazon, Azure, and GAE. 
VMware also sees itself as a platform for hybrid Cloud Computing:

At this point, this is all speculation.  We should find out more on April 27th. 
What are your thoughts about vmforce?  Do you think VMware would be able to strike a similar deal with Google, eBay or Yahoo to offer an IaaS?