As part of VMblog's live VMworld 2014 coverage coming up next month, we're getting our schedule ready to learn as much as we can, as quickly as we can.  The event is always jam packed with information coming in from every which way, so it is important to come up with a good game plan to try and follow as best you can throughout the event.  And part of our game plan will be to walk the exhibitor show floor and meet with as many vendors as possible.  And one of those must see vendors on my list is HotLink.

HotLink:  HotLink is a Bronze sponsor with a 10x10 BRIGHT ORANGE corner booth #2147 near the New Innovator Pavilion.  You can look for the large HotLink logo and "Transform IT" on a very clean, but noticeable, booth design. This year we will have an orange and white prize wheel in the front that will, no doubt, be making noise from constant spinning.

VMblog:  If an attendee likes what they see and hear at your booth, what message about your products can you send them back with to sell their boss on your technology?

HotLink:  HotLink's award-winning technologies transform VMware vCenter for hybrid IT, so all the existing VMware administration and management infrastructure can be utilized for Amazon, Hyper-V, XenServer and KVM - absolutely no other consoles are required!

VMblog:  With so many booths at VMworld, and so little time, why should an attendee put you on their MUST SEE list?

HotLink:  According to analysts, 74% of enterprises are pursuing a hybrid IT roadmap.  Every year HotLink wins multiple VMworld awards for its transformation technologies for hybrid IT because of our tight integration to VMware vCenter, simplicity of deployment, intuitive use model, and breadth of capability across all the major platforms, both on- and off-premise. 

VMblog:  Can you give VMblog readers a sneak peek as to what you will be showing off at your booth this year? 

HotLink:  HotLink will be launching major new capabilities to its hybrid IT products shortly before VMworld, and readers will be able to see demos and learn more about all the latest news at our booth.  From VMware disaster recovery & business continuity in Amazon to multi-hypervisor on-premise to easy cloud-bursting, HotLink will showcase the most seamless and scalable hybrid IT solutions available.

VMblog:  Sounds great!  Can you explain a bit more about how unique your solution is for those who don't know?

HotLink:  Only HotLink natively extends VMware vCenter cross-platform, so you can easily incorporate other on- and off-premise platform into your existing VMware management ecosystem, out-of-the-box.  Unlike cloud automation solutions, all of the vCenter administration, deployment and management capabilities are extended to Amazon, Hyper-V, XenServer and KVM for easy interoperability and portability using all your existing management and tools.  Examples include integrated and automated cross-platform cloning, snapshots, workload conversion, migration and provisioning from existing VMware templates.  Best of all, everything is managed alongside vSphere using identical techniques and tools with no additional consoles required.

VMblog:  Most VMworld attendees enjoy a good giveaway or trade show tchotchke.  Are you guys doing anything special?  

HotLink:  Every day we will be giving away a $200 Amazon gift card.  I mentioned earlier that we will have a large orange and white prize wheel at the front of the booth.  Spin the wheel and increase your odds of winning substantially!  You will even be able to spin multiple times a day.

VMblog:  You guys have sponsored VMworld a few times now.  What keeps you coming back for more?

HotLink:  This is HotLink's 3rd year as a VMworld sponsor, and it's clearly THE show for all things virtualization and cloud.  With our tight integration into VMware vCenter, if we only attended one show a year, it would be this one -- hands down.

VMblog:  And do you remember your first VMworld?  What can you tell us about it?

HotLink:  In our first year, we had a small space in the New Innovator Pavilion.  Our giveaway was light-up orange devil horns.  Throughout the show, local hotels, on the streets, and even in restaurants, people were wearing these devil horns at all hours.  It was quite a site!

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HotLink has been one of my must see booths every year since I first found them in the New Innovator area.  And each year, I learn something new from these guys.  I invite you to add HotLink to your list of must see booths during VMworld 2014 as well.  Remember, they are the bright orange corner booth (#2147) near the New Innovator Pavilion.