VMware Earnings: New CEO’s Virtualization, Cloud Vision?

When VMware (NYSE: VMW) announces Q2 financial results on July 23, it’s a prime opportunity for the virtualization company to discuss its forthcoming CEO shift, and key priorities (virtualization, cloud computing,etc.) as VMworld 2012 approaches in August. The big question: Is VMware still in hyper-growth mode or is Microsoft Hyper-V starting to gain ground in the virtualization market? Hmmm…

First, let’s stick with the facts: VMware last week confirmed that the CEO post will shift from Paul Maritz (pictured, left) to Pat Gelsinger (right), effective September  1, 2012. Maritz will move to a technology strategist role at EMC (essentially VMware’s parent). Gelsinger will jump from an EMC post to VMware.

Some early speculation about the VMware CEO change suggested that perhaps the company was struggling a bit to maintain growth rates. VMware’s stock faced some pressure early last week, but VMW shares rallied once the company confirmed a smooth CEO transition plan rather than a knee-jerk move that ousted Maritz.

VMware pre-announced some financial results last week as part of the CEO discussion. But the company has not disclosed deferred revenue and bookings, noted Cowen & Co. Once those financial inflection points arise July 23, investors will get a better feel for VMware’s overall business. And there may be some more clues about Gelsinger’s vision for the business — though VMware’s grander statements will surface at VMworld 2012 in August.

For channel partners, VMware’s business and customer base certainly continue to grow. But Microsoft claims Windows Server 2012 — slated for release in September 2012 — will feature Hyper-V enhancements that close the gap with VMware and vSphere. Judging the state of the virtualization market will get a lot easier when VMware quarterly results emerge July 23, and when VMworld 2012 arrives in late August.

The VAR Guy will offer updated thoughts once VMware posts earnings.