Ingram Micro has earned global distribution rights to sell VMware pay-as-you-go licensing. The goal, say both vendor and distributor, is aimed at simplifying sales and streamlining costs for better partner margins.

At the VMware Partner Exchange in Las Vegas, vendors across all technology segments are craning to showcase how their hardware and software support or enhance VMware’s virtualization tools. The goal is acceleration and expansion of channel programs and penetration of existing accounts.

F5 Networks has over the last year grown its revenue and expanded its partner support programs. Now with VDI poised for primetime, F5 is also expanding its BIG-IP support for Citrix XenDesktop, VMware View and Microsoft Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

Quest Software is looking to grab more market share in the burgeoning virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) segment with vWorkspace 7.5, which boasts easier management and lower costs. It’s part of an ongoing market trend that will see greater adoption of what’s often called “the other virtualization.”

A new report suggests Dell’s key weapon in its battle plan for war with Cisco in the data center is low pricing and attached sales. The idea: Attack with servers and drag low-cost networking gear to undercut Cisco’s premium advantage. This battle will have significant cost implications for solution providers, too.