<p>VMware Partner Exchange 2013, one The VAR Guy's Top 100 Channel Partner Events of 2013, runs this week in Las Vegas. Software-defined datacenters will be the big term. But that's not all. Here are five questions VMware (NYSE: VMW) partners should be asking as they converge on Las Vegas for the conference.</p><p>1. Friends Today, Foes Tomorrow?: VCE the joint company from VMware, EMC and Cisco Systems unveiled numerous product launchesand upgrades last week. Channel Chief D. Martin said VCE remains "fairly selective" when working with data center partners, but partners now drive the bult of VCE's sales. VCE's annual revenue run rate is now $1 billion a very impressive figure. But skeptics still wonder if competing approaches to software-defined networking and software-defined data centers will strain how Cisco works with VMware and EMC. The VAR Guy's guess: Winning solves everything. As long as VCE continues to grow, then Cisco will find common ground with VMware and EMC.</p><p>2. What Stays, What Goes?: VMware is cutting about 900 positions and scaling back some businesses even as the virtualization company moves into new areas. Pundits wonder if VMware will remain committed to Zimbra, the open source email platform. The VAR Guy hears Zimbra will host at least two sessions at VMware Partner Exchange, a good sign for partners and customers running the collaboration software.</p><p>3. Mobile Applications Done Right?: Keep an eye on VMware's Horizon Suite for mobile applications management and BYOD. It has three components:Horizon Workspace: For iPhone, iPad and Android, combines data, applications and desktops into a single aggregated workspace that can be securely delivered on any device.Horizon View: Newly simplified access to remote desktops using any HTML 5-capable browser.Horizon Mirage: A layered image management solution that separates the PC into logical layers owned and managed by either IT or the end user.</p><p><a href="http://www.thevarguy.com/2013/02/25/vmware-partner-exchange-2013-five-questions-worth-asking/">Keep reading...</a></p>