VSPP Program FAQ. VMware Service Providers Program (VSPP) VSPP Information Q: What is the VSPP?

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1 VSPP Program FAQ VMware Service Providers Program (VSPP) VSPP Information Q: What is the VSPP? A: The VMware Service Provider Program (VSPP) is a cornerstone of VMware s vcloud initiative. VSPP was designed to help ensure a successful partnership with VMware, through offering benefits such as support and tools through which partners can develop, promote, and sell their VMware-based products, services and solutions. The VMware Service Provider Program was created for IT partners providing Hosted IT services to End User Companies. Any partner that provides subscription or web services to third parties may be considered a Service Provider in this program. This program currently includes multiple partners who market themselves as Application Service Providers, Internet Service Providers, Co-location, Cloud Providers, DaaS Providers, Disaster Recovery, and Managed Service Providers. Hosted IT services include Web Services, File, Mail, Database, Application, Transaction, Disaster Recovery, Co-location, and other Managed Services. For this program, End User Companies are third parties that the partner has a relationship with, not departments, divisions or business groups within the partners themselves. Any service that the partner provides to the End User Company utilizing VMware technology is considered a Hosted IT service. This program does not encompass the reselling of VMware software to third parties. The partner must except responsibility for and maintain sole rights to the software. Q: What is the difference between the VSPP and the VMware vcloud Initiative? A: The VSPP is a partner program within the award-winning VMware Partner Network. It offers service provider partners the option to rent VMware software licenses on a monthly pay as you go basis, which in turn allows service providers to provide VMware products and create customized hosted infrastructures to customers in the same pay as you go manner. The program provides service provider partners with access to many of the same benefits as other members of the VMware Partner Network, including Free End User Demonstration licenses, marketing tools, training and competency programs, and access to Partner Central, VMware s online partner portal. The VMware vcloud initiative brings together leading virtualization solutions from VMware with a robust ecosystem of technology and cloud service providers. The initiative is designed to enable compatibility for all applications running in the cloud, whether on or off premise. VMware works with hundreds of hosting and cloud computing vendors to enable delivery on a common VMware platform. Q: Is the VSPP available worldwide? A: The VSPP is currently available in North America, Latin America, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) regions. Q: What is an Authorized VSPP Aggregator and what is their role? A: Authorized VSPP Aggregators are essentially Resellers or distributors who are contractually authorized to sell our VSPP products. Authorized VSPP aggregators have experience working with service providers and the unique requirements surrounding subscription-based models. Aggregators provide tailored tools and processes to help service providers centralize and aggregate the monthly reporting, billing and collection cycles associated with subscription-based service models. Q: Who can join the VSPP? A: Any partner who hosts their solution to end customers is eligible to join the VSPP at the Registered Level. There are prerequisites the partner must meet for each level above that. VMware, Inc Hillview Avenue Palo Alto CA USA Tel Fax VMware, Inc. All rights reserved. This product is protected by U.S. and international copyright and intellectual property laws. This product is covered by one or more patents listed at VMware is a registered trademark or trademark of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. If you are located in the United States, the VMware contracting entity for the service will be VMware, Inc., and if outside of the United States, the VMware contracting entity will be VMware International Limited.

2 Q: Is there a fee to join the VSPP? A: No. There is no program fee. Q: What are the VSPP Levels? Registered Professional Enterprise Premier Q: What are the pre-requisites to be a Registered VSPP? A: Join Partner Central and complete the VSPP click through agreement. The VMware Partner Operations Team will verify eligibility as a Service Provider and add the VSPP Registered level to the company in Partner Central. Q: What are the pre-requisites to move from Registered to Professional VSPP? A: Have 1 VMware Certified Professional (VCP) associated with the company in Partner Central. Rent a minimum of 360 points per month on the subscription program. Q: What are the pre-requisites to move from Professional to Enterprise VSPP? A: Have 2 VMware Certified Professional (VCP) 1 for developing countries - associated with the company in Partner Central. Rent a minimum of 3,600 points per month on the subscription program. Q: What are the pre-requisites to move from Enterprise to Premier VSPP? A: Have 4 VMware Certified Professional (VCP) 2 for developing countries- associated with the company in Partner Central. Rent a minimum of 18,000 points per month on the subscription program. Q: Is there a difference for developing countries? A: Yes. Developing countries have a reduced number of VCP requirements at the Enterprise and Premier Levels. The Registered and Professional Levels are the same. Details are available in the VMware Service Provider Program Guide. Q: What is the VSPP points model? The VSPP offers a monthly subscription (rental) model as opposed to an outright purchased model. The monthly subscription model is a points based system. Service Providers purchase a number of points per month in order to rent the products. Q: How does the monthly subscription (points) model work? A: Partners can rent VMware products on a monthly basis. Each product costs a different number of points. Partners choose which products they would like to use, and then multiply the number of points for that product by how many are in use. This allows partners to easily mix and match which products they want to use based on customer demand to create customized virtual infrastructure solutions, and they pay only for what they use, making it easy to grow their virtualization practices while keeping startup costs low. There are three main parts Service Providers purchase a minimum number of points per month

3 Each product that is offered on the rental program has a corresponding points value Service Providers report on their usage each month and pay only for what they use Q: I am a Service Provider who has already purchased VMware licenses can I join the VSPP? A: Yes. All Service Providers must join the VSPP in order to add additional licenses, get EULA amendment and receive the VSPP benefits in Partner Central. Q: What are the VSPP Level Benefits and where can I find more information? A: Information on all of the VSPP Level Benefits can be found at: See the VSPP Program Guide for detailed information on the program. For Service Providers who are not yet partners see the general program information at vmware.com/go/vspp Partners should go to the Service Provider Landing Page in Partner Central. Q: Can I host VMware based services for multiple third party companies if I am not a member of the VSPP? A: No. The VMware ESX/ ESXi EULA expressly prohibits hosting. VSPP offers an amendment to the hosting EULA as part of the subscription model benefit within the program. Service Providers are not allowed to host VMware software when purchasing via distribution, VAR channel, OEMs or CRs. Q: Can I add to my existing perpetual licenses to use in a hosting environment? A: No. VMware licensing for a hosted environment is offered through the VMware Service Provider Program subscription model.

4 Partner Central Q: What is Partner Central? A: Partner Central is an area with information specifically geared to the VMware partner community. All VMware partners are able to access information on their specific program, connect to Partner University, see sales and marketing tools and browse product information. Q: How do I join the VSPP program in Partner Central if I am new to Partner Central? Complete an on-line application and click thru agreement at Partner Central Click on Apply Now Sign the click through agreement Partner Operations validates partner s eligibility into the requested program and adds partner into program Q: How do I join the VSPP program in Partner Central if I am already a member of another program? Log into Partner Central Browse to Program Forms from the top navigation bar Partner Clicks on the Service Provider Cross-Enrollment Form link to begin the enrollment application process. The partner will complete the enrollment form and digitally sign the click through agreement online. Once submitted the application will be reviewed for approval by VMware, following standard approval review processes for enrollment Q: What do I use Partner Central for as a VSPP member? Adding new users Checking VCP accreditations for your company Seeing the Click Through agreement Adding new company addresses for the company Getting information on VSPP program benefits specific to your level in the program Q: Why would I want to add new company addresses for my company? A: Partner Central has a search mechanism called Partner Locator. A listing in Partner Locator is a benefit for VSPP Professional, Enterprise and Premier Members. Potential customers for your services are able to search on company name, country, zip code, etc. to find your information. By adding more company addresses to your Partner Central profile you increase the likelihood of customers finding you in a search.

5 Q: How do I add VCP certifications to a user in Partner Central? A: When a user passes the exam for VMware Certified Professional they will be automatically entered in the system. There is a natural lag time between the achievement of the VCP and reflection of it on the partner record due to the manual reconciliation. Some issues that may occur are: The user was not a member of Partner Central when the partner operations team tried to add their credential There was an incorrect matching of the information on the user s exam to the information in partner central (mis-spelling, company name different, etc.) If a user believes they have achieved their VCP and it is not reflected on their record in Partner Central, the user can contact VMware Partner Operations via the web form on Partner Central. To reduce the likelihood of an error be sure to register in Partner Central prior to the exam and list your company name and address on the exam. Q: What are the pre-requisites for signing a rental agreement with a VSPP Authorized Aggregator? A: In order to obtain VSPP products from an Aggregator a Service Provider must: 1. Register on Partner Central as a VSPP either through the link on or, if they are already a VMware Partner, by using the cross registration link in Partner Central 2. Accept the terms of the VSPP Click Through Agreement during registration 3. Be approved as a Service Provider by the VMware Program Operations team. This usually takes 2-4 days to check the Service Provider website and verify that hosted services are offered by the Service Provider 4. Service Provider will be placed at the Registered level of the VSPP Program 5. Enter into an agreement with the Service Provider s selected, VMware authorized VSPP Aggregator Q: What contract types are available for VSPP? A: Currently, the VSPP Program has two pricing models in use: 1. Virtual Machine Pricing Model. This is applicable to all contracts between Service Providers and Aggregators where vsphere products are priced per Virtual Machine (VM). 2. Virtual RAM Pricing Model. This is applicable to all contracts between Service Providers and Aggregators where vcloud Service Provider Bundles are priced per allocated Virtual RAM (vram). As of April 1, 2011 all contracts signed between Service Providers and Aggregators will be under the Virtual RAM Pricing Model. Q: Does a VSPP partner have to move to the new Virtual RAM Pricing Model, or can they stay on the per Virtual Machine Pricing Model? Can they renew their current Virtual Machine Pricing Contract? A: Service Providers holding a Virtual Machine Pricing Model contract may continue to use those contracts until March 31, By that time, all contracts must be changed to a Virtual RAM Pricing Model contract or cancelled under the terms of the VMware Service Provider Program, unless otherwise approved as an exception in writing by VMware. See the VM Model to vram Model Transition March 2011 External document for additional information. Q: Can a VSPP partner use both models?

6 A: If the VSPP partner currently has a contract with the Virtual Machine Pricing Model, they would be allowed to sign a new contract with an authorized VSPP Aggregator using the Virtual RAM Pricing Model. However, the VSPP Partner will NOT be allowed to mix and match between the two models, nor will they be allowed to aggregate their volume and combine into a single VSPP Point SKU. For instance, if a Service Providers has a service offering utilizing the Virtual Machine Pricing Model and want to launch a new incremental cloud service utilizing the Virtual RAM Pricing Model, they would need to sign a new Virtual RAM Pricing Model contract. Monthly reporting to the aggregator would then be separated between the Virtual Machine Pricing Model contract and the Virtual RAM Pricing Model contract. VSPP Product Information for VSPP Contracts with vcloud per virtual RAM model Q: What products are available on the VSPP vcloud per virtual RAM subscription model and what is the price for each product? A: The products available upon signing a new contract and the points per product are listed in the VSPP Product Usage Guide available on Partner Central. Note: VSPP Partner is responsible for verifying that they are in compliance with all license limitations from non-vmware companies that may impact use of the VMware software Q: How can I rent these new products? A: These products will be procured through a VSPP contract with an Authorized VSPP Aggregator. Q: Do I need to buy ESX licenses, Chargeback or vcenter Server on top of the per virtual RAM rental cost for the VMware vcloud Premier Service Provider Bundle? A: No. The per virtual RAM cost for the VMware vcloud Premier Service Provider Bundle encompasses the ESX licenses, Chargeback and vcenter Server that are used. Q: Do I need to buy ESX licenses, Chargeback or vcenter Server on top of the per virtual RAM rental cost for the VMware vcloud Standard Service Provider Bundle? A: No. The per virtual RAM cost for the VMware vcloud Premier Service Provider Bundle encompasses the ESX licenses, Chargeback and vcenter Server that are used. Q: How much does a point cost? A: One point is equivalent to one US dollar. Speak with your account manager or aggregator for local currency conversion. Q: Are there discounts available? A: Aggregators are empowered to offer discounts for higher volumes in the rental program. Discount amounts are negotiated directly between the service provider and the aggregator. Q: Will you be adding more products to the VSPP? A: The VSPP is constantly expanding the available product list. Check back often for information on new products added to the subscription program. Be sure to let your account manager or aggregator know if there are existing VMware products that would be especially useful in your environment. Q: Can VSPP partner join the vcloud Express program?

7 A: The vcloud Express program is currently closed to new partners at this time. The program may re-open and expand in the future. The vcloud Express team will alert VMware partners when future opportunities may arise to participate in the program. Q: Can VSPP partner join the vcloud Datacenter program? A: The vcloud Datacenter program is currently closed to new partners at this time. The program may re-open and expand in the future. The vcloud Datacenter team will alert VMware partners when future opportunities may arise to participate in the program. Q Can I upgrade my VSPP subscription licenses from VI3 or existing VSPP per VM licenses to vcloud? A: No. To get the vcloud licenses you need to sign a new VSPP contract under the Virtual RAM Pricing Model. There is no ability to mix and match Virtual Machine Pricing Model and Virtual RAM Pricing model point levels. Reporting Q: When will the billing start for my contract? A: VSPP Service Providers will be liable for contract billing from the day they receive the VSPP software licenses from VMware. Q: What information does a Service Provider need to report each month? A: VSPP members need to self-report to their Aggregator on a monthly basis. Information includes usage for each product used. Only the VMware vcloud Service Provider Bundles are measured by the VMware Usage Meter. See Usage Meter Guide for more details. Full reporting includes: Total usage Usage by product Usage by End User End User Name, Zip code for any End User whose usage is over 1,000 points per month Full reporting requirements can be found in the VSPP Program Guide on Partner Central. VSPP Program Information Q: What happens when an order is placed by the Aggregator? A: The Service Provider will receive s when the order is placed. These s will confirm the order and send information on where the license keys can be downloaded. s for the Zimbra product licenses will be sent separately from the general VMware license. All s will go to the listed contact on the order. Q: When and how do I get the licenses I purchased? A: The licenses will be sent directly from VMware. Look for an from VMware Order Management Team similar to the following example. From: VMware Order Management Team <WFAdmin@vmware.com> Date: July 27, :58:54 AM CDT To: VSPP Partner <John.Smith@partnername.com> Subject: VMware Support and Subscription Confirmation - Order# Reply-To: WFAdmin@vmware.com

8 VMware Service Activation/Renewal Confirmation ** Please do not reply to this ** Dear John Smith, Thank you for your order from the VMware Store. Your Purchase Order# has been received and VMware Order # has been processed. Please see your Support and Subscription information located below the billing detail. This is a confirmation of your order for your records. Please use the VMware Order # for tracking purposes. PLEASE REFERENCE VMWARE ORDER # IN ALL COMMUNICATIONS. If you want to get started with the product before receiving it, we recommend you get an evaluation version from our website at You will be able to easily upgrade to the purchased version without losing any work. If you have not done so already, you can download the product binaries at If you have any questions about this order confirmation, please contact customer_service@vmware.com. For questions about payment please contact invoice@vmware.com. Thank you for shopping at the VMware store! Regards, The VMware Team Links to a translated template of this support and subscription (with links to localized downloads): Japanese Chinese German VMware Order #: Customer: PARTNERNAME Phone: PO #: This order is subject to the terms and conditions specified in the applicable signed agreement between VMware and Customer, or, if none, to the appropriate then current, standard VMware agreement for the products or services quoted.

9 These agreements, copies of which shall be made available upon request, are: * Software - VMware's EULA for the applicable software product * Support and Subscription Services - VMware's Standard Support Programs and Subscription Services Terms and Conditions * Consulting Services - VMware's Standard Consulting Services Terms * VMware's Purchase Orders Standard Terms & Conditions Accordingly, the software and services are offered under these standard terms and conditions, and this invoice is expressly conditional on acceptance of such terms and conditions. No additional or conflicting terms and conditions will apply without VMware's prior, express written consent, and any such additional or conflicting terms and conditions on customer's purchase order, acknowledgement or other business form are hereby rejected by VMware. SUPPORT AND SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS Contract Service Covered Item Qty Start Date Platinum Support and Subscription for VSPP 360 pt Plan for 12 Months Platinum Support and Subscription for VSPP 360 pt Plan for 12 Months Platinum Support and Subscription for VSPP 360 pt Plan for 12 Months Platinum Support and Subscription for VSPP 360 pt Plan for 12 Months Platinum Support and Subscription for VSPP 360 pt Plan for 12 Months VSPP 360 pt Plan, 12 month commitment VMware vsphere 4 Standard for 1 processor (Max 6 cores per processor) VMware vsphere 4 Advanced for 1 processor (Max 12 cores per processor) VMware vsphere 4 Enterprise Plus for 1 processor (Max 12 cores per processor) VMware vcenter Server 4 Standard for vsphere (Includes Orchestrator and Linked Mode) 1 2-JUL JUL JUL JUL JUL End Date 1-JUL JUL JUL JUL JUL Upgrade Purchase: If you purchased an eligible software license upgrade, you may have received credit for any unused portion of your Original License SnS in the form of additional days on your Replacement License SnS. Please visit support site to view your updated contract start and end dates. Please note the many support resources available for your use. Visit our support website for complete information on our support offerings, policies and resources. From our Support home page, you can search the Knowledge Base, join VMware communities, view existing Support Requests, find contact information for our Support teams, download product updates, patches, and tools and more. Our Customer Technical Support Guide details best practices for meeting your support needs, defines the role of system and license administrators, offers self-help tools, explains how to submit, escalate and/or close Support Requests, and includes a complete listing of all support policies and offerings. From our log in screen, you can create support requests, view entitlements and review all support requests previously submitted. Q: As a VSPP partner where do I go to get support? A: VSPP contracts include Production Support for most products. Zimbra products include support per the Zimbra support portals. Information on support at VMware is available at: Q: What information do I need to give the support team when I call?

10 A: The support team will want to have the address where licenses were originally sent, and the SnS contract number. All of this information is available on the original s sent from VMware Order Management Team (see example above), or Zimbra. It is also available on your license portals. Q: Do VSPP members get Internal Use Licenses (IUL)? A: Yes. Enterprise and Premier level members are entitled to IUL. This is for their own system use only. IUL is NOT to be used for backend systems such as management of platform, DNS, billing and provisioning platforms etc. IUL will be sent to the License Administrator listed in Partner Central. See Partner Central for documentation on IUL. Q: Do VSPP members get Not For Resale Licenses (NFR)? A: Yes. Professional, Enterprise and Premier level members are entitled to the full VMware product line NFR. NFR will be sent to the License Administrator listed in Partner Central. See Partner Central for documentation on NFR. Q: What other types of licenses do VSPP members receive? A: VSPP members who are using VMware software under the subscription model have the right to use some of the delivered licenses as Free End User Demonstration licenses. A set amount of vcloud Premier Service Provider Bundle is available for use by Service Providers to assist with selling to an End User. These licenses must be set up on a separate vcenter to avoid being monitored by the Usage Meter. At the end of the 60 days reporting on these machines must begin to be in compliance with the VSPP agreement. Free End User Demonstration licenses can be used in each region where the Service Provider is authorized to use licenses. Professional = Ten (10) GB virtual RAM vcloud Premier Service Provider Bundle concurrent at any time Enterprise = Twenty (20) GB virtual RAM vcloud Premier Service Provider Bundle concurrent at any time Premier= Forty (40) GB virtual RAM vcloud Premier Service Provider Bundle concurrent at any time Q: Where do I get more information about the vcloud Usage Meter? A: For more information on the vcloud Usage Meter see the vcloud Usage Meter Users Guide or FAQ. All documentation on vcloud Usage Meter is available on the Download site at