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PEX2013

As written in a previous post there are several reasons to attend (at least one time) to a VMware Partner Exchange because is slightly different from a VMworld. Now that I’ve attend at the 2013 edition and also at both VMworld 2012, I can give some impressions and comments at the event.

First to all the events and the party (yes… it’s primary a networking opportunity so they are important): with only few days is difficult have a lot of events (like at VMworld) but I’ve appreciate the Veeam & HP event on Monday (I was landed just in time to join at the event), the Partner Network Award dinner, the final party, and most of all the VCDX/vExpert party. Actually there is not enough time to make two different events for vExpert and VCDX (but considering the growing number of VCDX a dedicated event, like at last VMworld US, could be still valuable). For some picture from this event see:

The Solution Exchange exhibition was smaller compared to VMworld events, but was bigger that the PEX 2010 edition. I like the idea to have breaks and lunch in the same room, but for breakfast was quite silly walk around to the exhibition to reach the table.

The general sessions were almost good with with a big limit (IMHO): nothing new, and all quite similar with the same 3 missions of VMware (Software Defined DataCenter, Hybrid Cloud and End User Computing). A different speaker’s order and different contents would be probably reach a better result.

For the other sessions there is no story… I really like them and was a pity that some where overlapped. The people that I’ve followed where really smart with good technical and interactive sessions and those was a great value for the conference. Maybe the only critique was that the number of NDA and roadmap oriented sessions where really few.

Other considerations about the Hands-On-Lab: great contents and lab (with scenario well designed), but they are exactly the same on-line version (on hol.vmware.com). So what’s the big difference to attend during the event? IMHO some lab on beta version (like in the PEX 2010) and/or some courses/introduction sessions during the lab where probably a good added value.

Finally Las Vegas… ok… no comment… crazy and strange city but you have to visit it (at least one time). San Francisco (IMHO) is better, but not sure if could be nice also on February.

Other opinions

What next?

Next year VMware PEX will be at San Francisco (like the VMworld US), as already written in a previous post. But there will be also a Partner Exchange On Tour in a city near you and of course the VMware Forum, both focused for VMware partners.

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Virtualization, Cloud and Storage Architect. Tech Field delegate. VMUG IT Co-Founder and board member. VMware VMTN Moderator and vExpert 2010-20 and vExpert Pro. Dell TechCenter Rockstar 2014-15. Microsoft MVP 2014-16. Veeam Vanguard 2015-19. Nutanix NTC 2014-20. Several certifications including: VCDX-DCV, VCP-DCV/DT/Cloud, VCAP-DCA/DCD/CIA/CID/DTA/DTD, MCSA, MCSE, MCITP, CCA, NPP.