EMC had a couple of big updates this week, including the launch of a storage product first unveiled in May, and an update from VMware that could have a big impact on the virtualization subsidiary’s relations with the channel.

First things first, the storage giant announced the general availability of the VNXe3150 unified storage system, an entry-level solution for SMBs that can support up to 50 virtualized servers.

VNXe3150 is a  VSPEX Proven Infrastructure configuration that is integrated with not only vSphere but also rivaling hypervisors from Microsoft and Citrix. EMC says that it delivers up to 50 percent more performance and capacity per rack for an initial price tag of less than $10,000.

EMC’s focus on enhancing the VNXe entry-level storage platform is a commitment to continue driving value to its channel partners,” said Joe Burke, who is the vice president at Arrow Electronics. “The added power in the VNXe3150 directly results in better performance, higher efficiencies and lower operating costs, at affordable pricing levels — just what customers need in today’s entry-level storage environments.”

The second, most important update pertains to VMware. Citing multiple sources within the channel, CERN reports that VMware will unveil plans to integrate EMC’s Avamar data protection software with vSphere 5.1 at this month’s VMworld.

The newest release of the hypervisor will ship with Avamar Virtual Edition, according to the reports, which is optimized to run in VMs. Customers will be able to back up a maximum of two terabytes for free before having to upgrade to the full version.

This development follows the announcement that VMware will not mandate its vRAM-based pricing model to the upcoming version of vSphere, and it’s big because it’s going to put a hurt on the ecosystem. Veem and Symantec are two examples of partners who offer software that directly competes with Avamar.