A few sources have asked The VAR Guy to take a closer look at VMware's (NYSE:VMW) vSOM — short for vSphere with Operations Management. Pundits like Taneja Group predict vSOM will "enable mid-size customers to more productivity manage a greater number of VMs while maintianing quality of service levels." So what's the potential upside for VMware channel partners?

The VAR Guy plans to ask Frank Rauch, VP of VMware's Americas Partner Organization, that question within the next few days. But in the meantime here are some educated guesses from our resident blogger.

vSOM is a bundle that includes vSphere and the vCenter Operations Management Suite. For channel partners think of it this way:

VMware CTO Kit Colbert describes the relative positioning in this blog. And you'll find more details about  the vCenter Operations Management Suite differences here.

But back to the original thesis of this blog: What does vSOM potentially mean to channel partners? The VAR Guy considers it a stepping stone to VMware's software-defined data center.

Ultimately, The VAR Guy thinks vSOM is about three things:

Sounds great. But does vSOM deliver on that promise? Moreover, is The VAR Guy's three-point thesis even correct? The VAR Guy will be sure to ask Rauch those very questions in the days ahead…