In a keynote speech today at the U.S. Department of Defense's (DoD) Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Customer and Industry Forum, VMware CEO Paul Maritz outlined the implications of Cloud Computing on the next generation of IT. DISA's annual Customer and Industry Forum conference brings together decision makers and subject matter experts from the military services, combatant commands, industry and academia to share information and ideas that are critical to helping the U.S. Department of Defense achieve mission success.

"Cloud computing represents the next major era of computing -- and it offers major opportunities to simplify and enhance IT," Maritz said. "Now is the time to harness the benefits of cloud computing to enhance IT's ability to support mission goals and enable government to do more with less. And by beginning the cloud journey with virtualization, agencies can drive significant cost, agility and security benefits."

VMware is deployed throughout the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of the U.S. Federal Government, including the Department of Defense and all branches of military and joint commands, all Cabinet-level agencies, and many quasi-governmental agencies and NGOs. The VMware vision for cloud computing in the federal government focuses on enabling agencies to adopt cloud while preserving existing investments. With virtualization as the foundation, agencies can build cloud architectures that are flexible enough to support a unified private and hybrid cloud model.

For more information on VMware's powerful, proven solutions for state and local governments, federal government agencies, and military installations please visit: http://www.vmware.com/industry/government