VMware

Support From the Virtualization Experts

VMware offers access to the world's largest virtualization support organization with the most experience supporting critical applications in a virtualized environment. VMware Global Support Services offers three support and subscription programs (Platinum, Gold and Silver) on an annual or multi-year subscription basis that include VMware support along with access to periodic fixes and enhancements to our products. Business Critical Support complements Platinum Support by providing your centralized data center team with personalized technical support delivered by a designated team of experts.

Support can also be purchased as needed through Per Incident Support or for your entire site through Desktop Standard Support. Complimentary Support via email is also available for selected products.

Feature Platinum Gold Silver Complimentary Per Incident Desktop Standard
Hours of Operation 24 Hrs/Day**
7 Days/Wk
365 Days/Yr
12 Hrs/Day
Mon–Fri 
12 Hrs/Day
Mon–Fri 
12 Hrs/Day
Mon–Fri* 
12 Hrs/Day
Mon–Fri* 
12 Hrs/Day
Mon–Fri 
Length of Service 1, 2 or 3
Years
1, 2 or 3 Years 1, 2 or 3 Years Workstation and Fusion 1.x & 2.x - 30 days;
Fusion 3.x - 18 months
Valid for one year after purchase of the incidents 1, 2 or 3 Years
Product Updates Yes Yes Yes Yes Not Available Yes
Product Upgrades Yes Yes Yes Not Available Not Available Yes
Products Supported All Products
(excluding VMware Fusion and Player)
All Products
(excluding VMware Fusion and Player)
VMware Workstation Only VMware Workstation and Fusion Only VMware Workstation, Fusion, ESXi,
VirtualCenter for VMware Server (Version 1.4), ACE Starter Kit, and vCenter Converter Standalone
VMware Fusion Only
Method of Access Telephone/
Web
Telephone/
Web
Web Only Telephone/Web Telephone/
Web
Telephone/
Web
Response Method Telephone/
Email
Telephone/
Email
Email Only Email Only Telephone/
Email
Telephone/
Email
Remote Support Yes Yes Not
Available
Not
Available
Not
Available
Yes
Access to VMware Web site Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Access to VMware Discussion Forums and Knowledge Base Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Max Number of Support Admins per Contract 6 4 2 Not
Applicable
Not
Applicable
4
Number of Support Requests Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited Unlimited 1, 3, or 5 Incidents Unlimited
Onsite Support for Exceptional Escalations Yes Not
Available
Not
Available
Not
Available
Not
Available
Not
Available

*Hours of operations for Fusion are from 6 am to 6 pm (PST/PDT) globally
**For customer of Business Critical Support (which is a supplement to Platinum Support), direct access to assigned team members is provided during local business hours. Off hours support is provided through a service queue which is staffed by senior technical support engineers.

Business Hours by Location*
NASA
North America and Latin America
Alaska, Hawaii
South America

Mon–Fri, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Local Time Zone)
Mon–Fri, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Pacific Time)
Mon–Fri, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Eastern Time)
EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) Mon–Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Greenwich Mean Time)
APJ (Asia, Pacific Rim, Japan)
Australia/New Zealand
Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (Singapore Time)
Mon-Fri, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Australian Eastern Time)

*Hours of operations for Fusion are from 6 am to 6 pm (PST/PDT) globally

Additional Information

Purchase information can be found by dialing one of VMware's toll free numbers and choosing the Sales Option or contacting one of our resellers. Additional information about our support policies and offerings can be found in our Technical Support Guide.