Making another big stride, VMware has acquired Sliderocket, a cloud-based online presentation application that produces slide shows that rivals PowerPoint.  While the terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, this deal is going to be an advantage for both parties.

Recently, SlideRocket also raised a funding of $7 million and has over 20,000 customers and 300,000 users in its kitty. It also supports web-based conferencing that allows users on different computers to view the same presentation simultaneously and includes a marketplace, an “iTunes For Presentations,” that allows users to purchase assets for their projects.

“VMware is at the forefront of building the core cloud computing infrastructure and enables users to gain ever greater value from cloud-based solutions. SlideRocket’s cloud-based architecture, innovative design, and strong integration with other cloud applications and services have transformed a decades-old business productivity software and redefined the way we consume and communicate information,” said Brian Byun, VP and general manager at VMware.

With this acquisition, VMware will offer presentations-as-a-service in a  cloud-style. Quite interesting! Especially as this will add value to its service portfolio and help compete with IBM, HP, Cisco and any other supplier offering similar services.

But this is not the only development we’ve seen from VMware recently, as we heard several updated from the cloud company in the last few days. Just yesterday, it released a report on Global cloud adoption trends that furnishes some interesting information about firms and organizations in UK.  The study shows that most small businesses in Britain are much slower in adopting internet-based software, storage and communication services as compared to other European companies. The survey was conducted by VMware on 1,600 companies by VMware finding that on average 60pc of SMEs had adopted some internet-based IT compared to only 48pc in the UK. The study also suggests that an average of 60 per cent of smaller companies in Europe use cloud computing where possible, while just 48 per cent of British firms have embraced the new technology.

We also heard VMware experiencing remarkable growth after it announced its earnings call for Q1, 2011.  The company’s revenues in Q1, 2011 added up to an impressive $844 million, beating its own and analysts’ exceptions expectations with a 33% year-over-year increase.

Its market success is also due to VMware’s acquisition streak, which includes a recent deal with Mozy, the online data backup provider. The financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed, but keeping things under the same umbrella typically makes for a smooth transition overall. We also experienced some really hot acquisitions in cloud industry as a whole, including CenturyLink agreeing to buy Savvis for $40 a share which puts the deal valued at $2.5 billion. Read our exclusive coverage on the deal here.