Strategic Partnership gives AHEAD customers continuity, stability and a long-term VMware private cloud path

RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — RapidScale, a leading provider of enterprise managed and professional services for public, private and hybrid cloud environments, today announced it has been selected by AHEAD, a provider of cloud, security and advanced data center and AI infrastructure solutions, as its strategic VMware Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) partner, expanding RapidScale’s leadership in managed VMware environments and strengthening its private cloud services footprint.

The partnership unites RapidScale’s secure, scalable managed cloud platform and operational expertise with AHEAD’s infrastructure and transformation capabilities to deliver stability, continuity and a clear VMware roadmap for customers. In response to changes to Broadcom’s partner program for VMware CSPs, AHEAD is evolving its cloud strategy to ensure long-term stability as the partner ecosystem changes.

As part of this collaboration, AHEAD will continue as a VMware reseller while leveraging RapidScale’s VCSP capabilities to support customers’ private cloud needs. This approach means customers benefit from a stable, VCSP-backed path forward—supported by RapidScale’s managed services and delivery operations—without disruption to their existing environments. The partnership is designed to provide lasting continuity and proactively address any future constraints related to VCSP eligibility and timing.

“RapidScale is purpose-built to support customers running critical VMware environments with stability, security and operational excellence, especially as the market evolves,” said Duane Barnes, CEO, RapidScale. “At a time when organizations are navigating ongoing infrastructure pressures and the need for greater operational resilience, this partnership reinforces a reliable, long-term path forward that supports continuity in existing environments while giving customers flexibility for what comes next. That commitment is also reflected in our recognition earlier this year as the 2025 VMware Cloud Foundation as a Service Partner of the Year by Broadcom and in the trusted, scalable managed VMware solutions we deliver to customers.”

Together, AHEAD and RapidScale will execute a unified go-to-market strategy aimed at expanding joint capabilities and accelerating growth. With RapidScale as AHEAD’s sole VMware private cloud managed services partner, the partnership empowers AHEAD to deliver modern data center and transformation services, leveraging RapidScale’s robust managed VMware platform to ensure ongoing innovation and operational excellence for customers.

The partnership strengthens AHEAD’s ability to modernize data centers and extend transformation services by combining AHEAD’s deep infrastructure expertise with RapidScale’s managed services, cloud operations and VMware leadership. With RapidScale’s managed cloud foundation at the center of the partnership, customers gain expanded resources and a durable VMware services model, without disruption to their existing environments.

“Selecting RapidScale as our strategic VMware Cloud Service Provider partner represents a clear, long-term commitment to our VMware clients,” said Keith Odom, Executive Vice President, Services, AHEAD. “As a Broadcom Pinnacle Partner recently recognized with four 2025 Broadcom Partner Awards, we’re deeply aligned with Broadcom on the future of VMware. Partnering with RapidScale extends that strength with at-scale managed cloud operations, giving our clients a stable, VCSP-backed path forward while AHEAD focuses on modernizing data centers and delivering differentiated value on top of the Broadcom and VMware platforms.” 

“Broadcom is committed to strong, capable cloud service provider partnerships that ensure customer continuity and long-term value,” said Ricky Cooper, vice president of global cloud service providers, OEM and eOEM at Broadcom. “The collaboration between RapidScale and AHEAD demonstrates a thoughtful, customer-focused approach to delivering reliable, modern private cloud solutions as the VMware ecosystem continues to evolve.”

As part of the collaboration, AHEAD sellers will offer RapidScale’s portfolio of private cloud solutions, extending the reach of both organizations while maintaining continuity for customers and partners. In the near term, the partnership is focused on helping customers maintain stability and “run in place,” with future transition planning informed by customer needs and timelines.

About RapidScale

RapidScale empowers business innovation through secure, scalable cloud solutions, driven by exceptional talent. We deliver managed, professional and advisory services across private, public and hybrid environments, enabling mid-market and enterprise organizations to extend their technology reach, activate change and accelerate growth. Whether hosted, on-premises, or hybrid, our solutions are designed to meet the needs of our clients’ business outcomes—not just their infrastructure needs—ensuring each solution is bespoke, unbiased and precisely aligned with client goals. 

As an Elite VCSP Partner with Broadcom VMware, AWS Premier Partner, Microsoft Azure Expert MSP, and certified Google Cloud Partner, RapidScale transforms complexity into agility. Our services span the full cloud lifecycle, from strategy to execution, with embedded cyber resiliency and AI-powered data insights that protect today’s operations and enable tomorrow’s competitive edge. 

RapidScale is part of Spectrum Business. Spectrum Business provides a broad commercial solutions portfolio, including advanced cloud, managed IT and fiber-based network solutions that create connected environments, enhance hospitality experiences, and support business applications nationwide.

About AHEAD  
AHEAD accelerates strategy into execution by engineering integrated solutions across infrastructure, applications, data, and security. The company builds and manages digital platforms that power transformation for leading enterprises, modernizing platforms and workflows and applying AI to unlock the full impact of people and technology—building what others only blueprint. For more information on AHEAD, please visit our website at https://www.ahead.com/, or follow us on LinkedIn. 

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SOURCE RapidScale