infoTECH Feature

October 14, 2010

VMware Giving Enterprises More Control Over SaaS Applications

Aiming to give IT departments more control over software-as-a-service (SaaS (News - Alert)) applications, VMware recently acquired cloud service vendor TriCipher. As a result, it is developing products that will give enterprises more control over SaaS applications, including how users are authenticated, according to IDG News Service report, which is based on an interview given by VMware CTO Steve Herrod to reporter Mikael Ricknäs.

In this interview, Herrod described TriCipher as a switchboard service in the sky that manages authentication for SaaS applications. Furthermore, as per the IDG News report, 

TriCipher's technology takes credentials stored in active directory or other internal directory services and translates them into a form of authentication that SaaS applications can understand. Consequently, stated Herrod to the reporter, “This will allow the IT department to control who gets access, and also easily remove credentials from users that leave the company.”

Aside from authentication, the technology will also enable IT departments to automatically provision SaaS applications to their users, who then can pick the services they need from a menu in their browser, Herrod said.

According to VMware, the first products to result from TriCipher acquisition will be released in the first half of next year. However, it has given no indication whether TriCipher's technology will be integrated into an existing product or be turned into a stand-alone solution. Plus, the company has not disclosed the cost structure for this product.

Further talking about the proliferation of SaaS applications, Herrod said that it will affect every layer of Vmware’s (News - Alert) software stack. And will result in service provider partners hosting the services.

The report also talked about VMware’s interest in building applications on its cloud application platform vFabric, which was launched in August.


Ashok Bindra is a veteran writer and editor with more than 25 years of editorial experience covering RF/wireless technologies, semiconductors and power electronics. To read more of his articles, please visit his columnist page.

Edited by Tammy Wolf
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