6 Reasons why VMware ESX/VI will beat out Microsoft Hyper-V

Clabby Analytics published a whitepaper titled Six Reasons Why Microsoft's Hyper-V Will Overtake VMware to Become the Major Player in the x86 Server Virtualization Marketplace. In this whitepaper, they detail that Microsoft's Hyper-V will overtake VMware in the virtualization marketplace because of the following 6 reasons:

1. Price
2. Packaging
3. Depth
4. Reach
5. Control/integration
6. Installed base

While this report offers some compelling information that cannot summerarily be dismissed, I contend that much of this is sheer opinion and will end up being incorrect in the long run.

In response to this whitepaper, I offer the following 6 reasons by VMware's virtualization options will beat out Microsoft's virtualization offerings (or will maintain their majority lead), in no particular order:

1. Head Start - VMware was founded in 1998 and began offering virtualization solutions in 1999. When did Microsoft begin offering virtualization solutions? 2005? The headstart is the reason that many of the other points on this list are here. (see VMware Milestones for reference)
2. More Complete Virtualization offering - Look at VMware's VDC-OS DataCenter solution overview and you will see how all-encompassing VMware's virtualization solution is. Microsoft may be able to try to fill two or three of these boxes but cannot begin to fill the rest.
3. Install base - Clabby Research pointed out that Microsoft will use their huge install base as an advantage. I agree that Microsoft's "in's" with major corporations will aide them but let's not forget VMware's existing install base for their virtualization solution. Microsoft's install base is for applications like Office, Vista, and Windows 2008. Trust me, being a Microsoft enterprise customer myself, just because Windows 2008 is my choice for a server OS doesn't mean I am going to automatically choose Hyper-V. VMware is already used by 120,000+ organizations of all sizes across all industries including all of the Fortune 100, 95% of the Fortune 1,000 and small and medium businesses. (see VMware Fast Facts for reference)
4. Partnerships - VMware already has 800 technology partners related to virtualization alone. It is the relationship with partners that really help to make products successful. How successful was "Vista Ready"? VMware's solutions have been very open and they have fostered 3rd party development from the start. (see VMware Fast Facts for reference)
5. Experience - in the end, VMware just has more virtualization experience and now they have a CEO who is a former Microsoft exec. Moritz knows how Microsoft thinks and is prepared to make the VDC-OS a reality. I have seen the next version of VMware ESX/VI (still in beta) and it is very impressive!
6. Grass Roots Support - How many people attended VMworld this year? About 14,000 in the USA and about the same in Europe? How many VMware Certified Professionals are there? About 15K or something? How many books, training videos, and websites are there that support and educate on VMware's virtualization solution? Too many to count. If you look at these same types of comparisons for Hyper-V they just aren't there. It is support from "the masses" that makes a product popular, not just the cheapest or best name brand.

Sorry Microsoft, you will gain some marketshare out of curiosity but I predict that VMware will stay on the top of the virtualization marketplace.

from: http://blogs.virtualizationadmin.com/davis/2008/12/31/6-reasons-why-vmware-esxvi-will-beat-out-microsoft-hyper-v/