Hewlett Packard Enterprise Japan (HPE) has announced the launch of two new products tailored for the Japanese market: “HPE VM Essentials,” a virtualization platform for transitioning from VMware environments, and “HPE Private Cloud AI,” a hybrid AI platform. HPE VM Essentials will begin shipping at the end of February, while HPE Private Cloud AI will be available starting in April. These products were first introduced at the company’s annual “HPE Discover 2024” event.
Addressing the delay in their availability in Japan, Satoshi Yoshioka, Executive Officer and General Manager of the Hybrid Solutions Business Division, explained that HPE VM Essentials serves as the core engine for HPE Private Cloud AI. Therefore, both products were strategically aligned for a synchronized launch in Japan. He emphasized HPE’s longstanding commitment to hybrid IT infrastructure and highlighted AI as an area inherently suited to hybrid deployment models.
Responding to VMware Licensing Changes
Following Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, several legacy virtualization products were consolidated under “VMware Cloud Foundation,” resulting in significant licensing changes. This shift has prompted many organizations to explore alternative solutions. Yoshioka stated that HPE aims to address this demand by offering HPE VM Essentials alongside HPE Private Cloud AI, providing businesses with a seamless transition option for virtualization infrastructure and AI deployment in hybrid environments.
Addressing Data Security Concerns in AI Infrastructure
Yoshioka also noted the growing concern among enterprises about unintentional data transfers when relying on cloud hyperscalers for AI infrastructure. Citing global survey results, he predicted that over half of companies will adopt a hybrid approach—leveraging cloud for AI utilization while keeping sensitive data on-premise or within private clouds. This trend is expected to accelerate.
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HPE VM Essentials: A Flexible Virtualization Solution
HPE VM Essentials incorporates technology from Morpheus, acquired by HPE in August 2024, enabling integrated management of both the KVM-based “HPE VM Essentials Hypervisor” and “VMware vSphere.” The product lineup consists of:
- HPE VM Essentials Standalone: A software-only version.
- HPE VM Essentials Embedded HPE Private Cloud Business Edition: A pre-validated model combining the standalone version with HPE hardware (servers, storage, etc.).
- HPE VM Essentials Embedded HPE Private Cloud Enterprise Edition: A comprehensive package including cloud service management and fully managed services.
The embedded versions will be available globally from spring 2025.
Daichi Ogawa, Business Development Manager at GreenLake Solutions Business Division, confirmed that HPE VM Essentials will be competitively priced for Japanese customers. He stated that HPE VM Essentials Standalone would have similar pricing and features to the “VMware vSphere Standard” license previously sold in Japan, which was purchased by approximately 80% of customers. While pricing will vary by sales channel and configuration, estimates suggest:
- HPE VM Essentials Standalone: Around 100,000 yen.
- HPE VM Essentials Embedded HPE Private Cloud Business Edition: Several million yen.
- HPE VM Essentials Embedded HPE Private Cloud Enterprise Edition: Tens of millions of yen.
The software will also include a free tool for migrating VMware environments to HPE VM Essentials Hypervisor, though it requires system downtime. For organizations needing uninterrupted migration, HPE will offer the paid “HPE Zetro.” Additionally, future updates will include Morpheus-based cloud cost management features.
HPE Private Cloud AI: A High-Performance AI Solution
Developed in collaboration with NVIDIA, HPE Private Cloud AI integrates HPE and NVIDIA servers, GPUs, networking, and storage hardware, along with “NVIDIA AI Enterprise” and “HPE AI Essentials” software. The solution is designed to support all AI lifecycle stages, including data preparation, model training, inference, data engineering, analysis, and visualization.
Takahiro Terakura, Senior Category Manager at GreenLake Solutions Business Division, emphasized that “HPE Private Cloud AI is a production-ready solution, not just a proof of concept (PoC).” He highlighted its ability to combine cloud convenience with on-premise control, catering to different user needs across infrastructure management, AI resource management, and AI development.
Expanding AI Ecosystem and Cost Flexibility
HPE is also expanding its AI ecosystem by fostering partnerships and talent development while optimizing mid- to long-term costs. In November 2024, the company announced a collaboration with SCSK in Japan and introduced the “Unleash AI Partner Program” to help users develop diverse AI use cases. To offer cost flexibility, businesses can leverage pay-as-you-go options through “HPE GreenLake” and “HPE Financial Services.”
