I’ve been at VMware since August occupying a relative new role within the Cloud Infrastructure business unit as the Senior Cloud Infrastructure Evangelist. Yes, I know I sometimes wince at the job title myself. Over here in the UK/Europe “evangelism” has these religious connotations that make some of us feel uneasy (or even quesy). I’ve been thinking that if anyone asks me what my job title means – I will say that involves staring off into the middle-distance as drone on about how you need get VMware into your life, like I’ve just drunk the Kool-Aid. 
What many people don’t know is what team I’m in here at VMware. It might surprise you. I’m actually in the “Competition Team” at VMware. Most organizations the size of VMware have team of folks who’s job is help customers, partners, the field to counter the Great Wall of FUD that emanates from companies fighting for the same customers. In my team is Eric Gray (@eric_gray) who is the dude behind the vCritical blog, and my colleagues are the people behind such things as the “Virtual Reality” blog and the Get The Facts portal. Given my previous life as trusted independent I’ve askewed using this blog to openly make competitive style statements. It’s my personal belief that you (my loyal and lovely followers) would find that a turn off. Rightly so.
For the record I believe competition to be a good thing – its keeps us lean, mean and efficient – and stops any company from becoming a loose, baggy and complacent – assuming it has the right to your business and your money. Competition clarifies, cuts through, and captures the essence of the evolutionary spirit – to misquote Gordon Gekko from Wall Street. Competition is good for customers and its good for the industry generally.
In the last couple of months I’ve intermittently contacted by member of the vCommunity for help on competitive matters. For example there was this partner who had meeting where the “Oracle DBA Guys” thought that Oracle DB/RAC should run on Oracle VMM. I helped him out with the reasons why that might not be smartest move in the book. Anyway, what I want to say is if there is anyone internally (a VMware employee) or externally (VMware Partner) who wants to use me informally as conduit for getting the right information – I’m here for you. Sadly, I can’t extend this informal offer to customers. Why? Well, a lot of that information is business sensitive and contains IP, and in the wrong hands could leak out to our competition – and when you in competition the first rule is not give the ball to the opposing team…
If you think I can help you, feel free to contact me via twitter or by “community email” – mike AT mikelaverick DOT com and I will do my best….