Today at its VMworld Europe event, VMware announced new features for VMware Go Pro, an entirely cloud based IT management system. Go Pro will soon be able to scan and inventory customers IT infrastructure, including both physical and virtual systems. These features will take it into direct competition with Spiceworks, which offers a free client for IT systems scanning and monitoring along with other features such as its hosted help desk and asset management system.

Unlike Spiceworks, VMware Go Pro isn’t free – it will cost $12 a year per system monitoring (a buck a month for each system). But it’s an entirely cloud based system, unlike Spiceworks which requires a download and runs on-premise to use its monitoring tools.

VMware launched the Go Pro SaaS in January with asset management, patch management and help desk features. The patch management system is getting an upgrade as well, and VMware also announced a new version of its on-premise security suite for SMBs: VMware vCenter Protect Essentials, formerly known as Shavlik NetChk Protect. VMware acquired Shavlik in May. It features patch management and agentless end-point protection. New features include scripting and a remote desktop feature.

Services Angle

I’ve been talking about IT monitoring services a lot lately, particularly cloud based and analytics driven services. Spiceworks has gained solid traction in the SMB market, but many users are turned off by the idea of using a free, ad supported monitoring tool. Many are going to feel more comfortable ponying up the cash for VMware’s solution – that is, if they’re comfortable putting all their monitoring data in the cloud.