Five Companies That Came To Win This Week

VMware Adds To Big Data Portfolio With Log Insight Purchase

VMware added to its big data portfolio by purchasing Log Insight, an analytics and log management product developed by little-known Mountain View, Calif.-based vendor Pattern Insight.

Spiros Xanthos, CEO and co-founder of Pattern Insight, said Log Insight can identify performance issues that arise in virtual and cloud environments.

"Log Insight combines technology and has the ability to analyze vast amounts of machine-generated data in realtime and lead administrators to the root cause of problems very quickly," Xanthos said in a blog post announcing the deal. "Furthermore, it can provide insights on emerging trends and hidden patterns revealing issues before they even manifest."

Rackspace Revenue, Profit Jumps In Sizzling Q2

Cloud computing is driving an explosion of demand for specialized service providers. This trend, combined with a growing customer base and the rollout of its OpenStack public cloud platform, bodes well for Rackspace, which posted strong second-quarter financials this week.

San Antonio-based Rackspace posted revenue of $319 million, up 29 percent from $247.2 million for the same period a year ago. For the quarter ending June 30, net income reached $25 million, up 43 percent from $17.6 million in the year-ago quarter. Rackspace also added more than 10,000 new customers during the quarter, bringing its total to 190,958.

Lenovo Shows Enterprise Savvy With ThinkPad Tablet 2

Lenovo isn't talking about price yet, but its unveiling of the ThinkPad Tablet 2 shows it understands what businesses are looking for in the coming wave of Windows 8 tablets.

The ThinkPad Tablet 2 includes enterprise-ready security features, including an optional Fingerprint Reader and biometrically stored passwords. A full-sized USB port for users to attach to other in-office devices like monitors or printers is also part of the package.

IT managers can also set up VPN access to the ThinkPad Tablet 2 and use existing Windows 7 PC management tools to manage application deployments and block users from installing unauthorized apps.

Dell Steps Up Cloud Game With Key Channel Certification

Dell unveiled a key component of its partner certification program, called Cloud Services Enabler, which partners can use to integrate and operate cloud services. It’s the final of three cloud certifications Dell is offering to members of its PartnerDirect program.

"The Cloud Services Enabler program provides cloud services that bring cloud solutions together, such as application integration, apps development or ISVs," Bob Skelley, executive director, Dell global certified partner program and channel, told CRN. "It works as an aggregator to bring all these services together. Now, we have a full suite of offerings, and we have solutions providers of all types to engage with Dell in that cloud."

Wall Street Optimism Swells Around Cisco

Things are looking up for Cisco after Wall Street analysts from Piper Jaffray and Goldman Sachs raised their ratings on the networking giant's stock. In addition to positive vibes about Cisco's cost-cutting measures, analyst also see the company as well-positioned to take advantage of an expected uptick in networking equipment spending related to cloud buildouts. After a long and rocky road, the future looks a little bit brighter for Cisco.