NTT SmartConnect has launched a new service: “VMware Cloud Drift.” This service helps with migration for the SmartConnect Cloud Platform (Type-S) private cloud. The new menu makes it easier to move virtual machines (VMs) from on-premises setups to SmartConnect’s private cloud. This helps organizations accelerate digital transformation and makes it easier to adopt cloud technology.
SmartConnect’s Type-S offers private cloud services. It provides dedicated VMware virtualization. This setup gives you more flexibility, scalability, and control than traditional on-premise systems. Migrating existing VM workloads to the cloud needs a lot of skill and manual work. This can be a hurdle for many businesses. NTT SmartConnect now offers VMware Cloud Drift. This ready-to-use migration environment simplifies the process and speeds up deployment.
What Is VMware Cloud Drift?
VMware Cloud Drift uses VMware HCX technology. This suite helps with smooth VM migrations and reduces downtime. It integrates these features directly into SmartConnect’s SCP Type-S private cloud platform. Under this approach:
- Organizations get a ready-to-use migration environment from NTT SmartConnect.
- Administrators can pick from three options: live migration, warm migration, or cold migration. Their choice depends on how much downtime they can handle and their performance needs.
- Live migration options, like HCX vMotion and HCX Replication Assisted vMotion, let you move VMs without stopping workloads.
- Warm migration minimizes downtime by transferring most information while the VM remains operational.
- Cold migration fully shuts down the VM before moving it, which may be preferable for certain workloads.
NTT SmartConnect makes cloud migrations easier by adding these options to SmartConnect’s services. This removes technical issues, especially for companies with complicated old systems.
Also Read: Hitachi Enables Faster Manufacturing Digitalization with Cloud-Based MES Templates on ComiComiCloud
Why This Matters for Japan’s Tech Industry
Lowering Barriers to Cloud Adoption
Cloud migration is a must for Japanese companies. It helps them be more agile, save costs, and stay competitive. Many organizations, especially mid-sized firms, struggle with migration. This is often due to limited resources and not enough in-house expertise. Industry analysts say that fear of service disruption and complexity are key reasons why on-premises workloads remain, even in cloud-ready settings.
NTT SmartConnect’s VMware Cloud Drift fills this gap. It offers a managed migration path. Businesses can use it without needing custom tools or hiring special consultants. This capability can expand cloud use in Japan’s industries. It helps sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics, which have lagged in cloud growth.
Supporting Hybrid and Private Cloud Strategies
Not all workloads are suitable for public cloud environments. Many businesses choose private or hybrid cloud setups. They do this for reasons like regulations, security, or performance. SCP Type-S supports host-dedicated VMware environments. This gives companies control while also benefiting from off-premise infrastructure.
NTT SmartConnect boosts private and hybrid cloud strategies with VMware Cloud Drift. Organizations can now move easily from old on-premise systems to private cloud setups. They won’t lose control or security. Plus, they can still use the VMware tools and processes they know well.
Accelerating Digital Transformation Across Industries
Manufacturing and Industrial Firms
Manufacturers are using cloud technologies more often. They modernize production systems, connect IoT data, and enable AI-driven analytics. Migrating legacy ERP, supply chain, and shop-floor systems can be complex. This often slows down progress. VMware Cloud Drift helps firms shift core workloads to private clouds faster. This speeds up modernization and supports data-driven operations on a larger scale.
Financial and Professional Services
In financial services and regulated industries, data governance and security are paramount. Private cloud infrastructures, such as SCP Type-S, offer a way to gain value from cloud technologies. They also offer migration support services. This helps you stay compliant. This can speed up modernization in areas where digital change is essential for competition and regulatory compliance.
Healthcare and Public Sector
Healthcare providers and government agencies often use complex applications. These apps are mission-critical and can’t be easily disrupted. VMware Cloud Drift helps organizations move to the cloud with live and warm migration. This means less downtime during transitions. System reliability improves, which helps patient or citizen services over time.
Implications for Japan’s Cloud Ecosystem
Boosting Managed Cloud Services
The trend toward managed cloud and platform services reflects a shift in how Japanese enterprises approach IT modernization. Instead of creating custom migration tools, companies are turning to cloud providers. They want full support, from planning to execution. VMware Cloud Drift boosts the benefits of managed cloud platforms. It also shows that Japan’s cloud services industry is becoming more mature.
Stimulating Partner and Integration Markets
NTT SmartConnect’s initiative creates chances for ecosystem partners. Systems integrators, VMware specialists, and cloud consultants can access the new migration menu. It helps them offer extra services, such as workload assessment, optimization, and hybrid cloud management. This support offers a more complete solution for Japanese businesses.
Enabling Future Cloud-Native Innovation
After lowering migration barriers, organizations can shift to more valuable tasks. These include application modernization, automation, and AI integration. Migrating workloads to private or hybrid clouds allows for rearchitecting. Over time, this leads to cloud-native patterns. As a result, you gain performance and scalability benefits.
Conclusion
NTT SmartConnect has launched VMware Cloud Drift for its SCP Type-S private cloud. This marks a big step for Japanese companies moving from on-premise systems to modern cloud setups. The service helps industries by streamlining migration. It offers managed options that reduce operational disruption. This support boosts broader digital transformation efforts.
This development boosts the Japanese tech ecosystem. It shows a shift to hybrid and private cloud strategies. It also highlights the need to simplify cloud migration. More organizations are confidently adopting cloud architectures. This change will enhance Japan’s edge in digital innovation, operational efficiency, and IT infrastructure starting in 2026.

