Nutanix targets VMware escapees with multitenant cloud push

Nutanix has introduced platform and partner programme changes for service providers in its Elevate Service Provider Program, focused on multitenant cloud services and migration support for providers moving away from VMware.

The update includes a new Service Provider Central offering, a verification scheme for services built on Nutanix software, and an onboarding incentive tied to VMware replacement projects. It is aimed at service providers that want to run shared infrastructure for multiple customers while maintaining separate operational environments for each tenant.

Service Provider Central is designed to work with the Nutanix Cloud Platform, giving providers a central management layer for multitenant infrastructure. It is due to become available in the second half of 2026.

Under the proposed design, service providers would manage multiple tenants through Nutanix Central, while customers would receive their own private cloud environment. Each tenant would use Nutanix Prism to manage compute, storage, networking, identity and authorisation, while the provider would retain central operational oversight and governance.

The move comes as infrastructure providers continue to reassess their platform choices after changes in the virtualisation market. Nutanix is directly targeting cloud service providers displaced from the VMware ecosystem and looking for another way to continue selling infrastructure services to end customers.

Tarkan Maner, President and Chief Commercial Officer at Nutanix, said the changes reflect customer demand for cloud operating models and the role of service providers in delivering them.

"Service providers are at the heart of helping customers modernise and adopt cloud operating models on their terms," said Maner. "With the Nutanix Cloud Platform and our Elevate Service Provider Program, we will deliver multitenant capabilities, flexible licensing, and the go-to-market support partners need to build differentiated offerings that drive growth and long-term customer value."

Verification scheme

Nutanix is also adding a service verification layer for partners through a programme called Powered by Nutanix: Verified Solutions. The scheme is aimed at providers whose services meet Nutanix architectural standards and operating practices, giving them formal verification.

Initially, the programme will cover private cloud services, with badges available for infrastructure as a service, including sovereign infrastructure as a service, and disaster recovery as a service.

Nutanix expects to extend the approach to other service categories, including desktop as a service and cloud-native offerings. For service providers, the scheme provides a branding and qualification mechanism at a time when many are trying to distinguish between similar hosted and managed cloud products.

Migration incentive

The third element of the announcement is a pricing incentive for service providers moving customer environments from VMware to Nutanix. Eligible providers will be able to use Nutanix software on what the company described as a nominal monthly commitment during an initial promotional period, provided they sign new consumption subscriptions lasting three years or more and linked to VMware replacement work.

During migration projects, providers often face a period in which they must fund both the outgoing and incoming platforms at the same time, compressing margins and slowing customer transitions. Nutanix said the offer is intended to reduce that overlap.

Nutanix also cited several service provider executives as backing the approach, including contributors involved in the development or planned use of Service Provider Central.

Edward O'Connor of Continent 8 Technologies said his company had worked with Nutanix to shape the platform around the needs of providers serving regulated sectors.

"Strong partnerships are built on trust, shared expertise and a clear understanding of real operational challenges. By working closely with Nutanix on the development of Service Provider Central, we've brought our experience as a global service provider to highly secure and regulated industries to help shape the platform in a way that reflects how service providers operate today. Our collaboration has resulted in a solution that allows service providers to deliver scalable, secure, multitenant cloud services while making adoption simple for customers operating in complex environments," said Edward O'Connor, Chief Technology Officer at Continent 8 Technologies.

Brad Alexander of DartPoints said the platform aligns with changing customer demand and that its multitenant features would expand how his company delivers cloud services.

"As customer needs continue to shift, we wanted a platform that could support where the market is going, not where it has been. Nutanix has been a strong fit for that vision, and SP Central adds meaningful multitenant capabilities that help us expand how we deliver cloud services. For DartPoints, that means more flexibility in how we serve customers and more room to grow on the platform," said Alexander.

Anthony Jackman of Expedient said customer expectations for cloud operations make simpler service delivery increasingly important for providers.

"Enterprise IT leaders want reliable cloud options without operational headaches. Nutanix is directly answering that demand with this multitenant platform. Nutanix SP Central makes it significantly easier for service providers to deliver the performance, security and control that customers expect from a modern cloud operating model," said Jackman.

Thierry Del Monte of ITS Integra said his company is considering using the new platform as part of its next generation of multitenant services.

"Delivering next-generation services demands a scalable, flexible platform capable of efficiently supporting both legacy and cloud-native workloads while empowering end-users to handle common tasks such as provisioning, VM lifecycle management, and backup and recovery. ITS Integra is looking forward to expanding its technical and go-to-market collaboration with Nutanix, including exploring the use of Nutanix SP Central to build our next-generation secure and scalable multitenant services and better address our clients' evolving needs," said Del Monte.