VMware, Inc. is a leader in the cloud technology space, and it also has strong partners to back its vision. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. (HPE) has been a key partner, using its collaboration to give customers a better hybrid cloud experience, even after Dell’s acquisition of VMware parent company EMC.

Chuck Smith, VP and GM of the Americas Server Business Unit at HPE, and Don Jones, VP of ISV Strategic Alliances at HPE, talked with John Furrier (@furrier), host of theCUBE, from the SiliconANGLE Media team, during this week’s VMworld conference about HPE and its goal to remain a leader in data management.

Dependable DNA

As EMC’s merger with Dell Technologies, Inc. reaches its final stages, questions loom regarding its impact on VMware partners. According to Smith and Jones, VMware’s isn’t going to be swallowed up by Dell’s merger with EMC; in fact, it’s quite the opposite. VMware will remain an independent partner and keep most of its freedom and flexibility. So what the VMware/HPE partnership really means moving forward is a more agile HPE.

HPE handles acquisitions and partnerships well because “the DNA of HP is partnerships,” said Smith. They’re able to build companies and products without completely erasing the history and culture of the acquired or partnering company, all while adding value for the customer.

Strategy, strategy, strategy

HPE has taken the mission of VMware and incorporated it into its business strategy. The company is not only focusing on joint innovation, but also launching a cloud stack and a few other new goals. HPE has been at every VMworld since its inception, and it has created a strategy that focuses on hybridization.

“Our strategy is to deliver hybridized solutions,” said Smith, and partnering with VMware will help the company do just that.

Managing the cloud is difficult, but VMware’s expertise in cloud storage will give them an advantage in operationalizing cloud use, according to Jones.

Give ’em what they want

Customers want a product that’s easy to use and easy to manage. They want software with capability to manage and edit from a multitude of platforms. HPE and VMware hope to deliver programming that can be “managed and changed with the click of a tool,” said Smith.

As the relationship evolves, both HPE and VMware will continue to create a service that can be deployed across multiple environments.

Watch the complete video interview below, and be sure to check out more of SiliconANGLE and theCUBE’s coverage of the VMworld 2016.

Photo by SiliconANGLE