Joint Ventures	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Joint Ventures	Joint Venture We make investments in joint ventures. For each joint venture investment we consider the facts and circumstances in order to determine whether it qualifies for cost accounting, equity accounting, fair value method accounting or whether it should be consolidated. In 2009, Cisco and EMC formed VCE Company LLC (“VCE”), with investments from VMware and Intel. VCE, through Vblock infrastructure platforms, delivers an integrated IT offering that combines network, computing, storage, management, security and virtualization technologies for converged infrastructures and cloud based computing models. As of December 31, 2014, we had contributed $1,555 million in funding and $17 million in stock-based compensation to VCE since inception. In December 2014, EMC acquired the controlling interest in VCE. Prior to the acquisition of the controlling interest in VCE, we considered VCE a variable interest entity. Authoritative guidance related to variable interest entities states that the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity must have both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly will impact the entity’s economic performance; and (b) the obligation to absorb losses that could be potentially significant to the variable interest entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity. Since the power to direct the activities of VCE which most significantly impact its economic performance was determined by its board of directors, which was comprised of equal representation of EMC and Cisco, and all significant decisions required the approval of the minority shareholders, we determined that prior to acquiring the controlling interest, we were not the primary beneficiary, and as such we accounted for the investment under the equity method. Since the date of acquiring the controlling interest in VCE, we have consolidated VCE’s financial results as part of EMC's consolidated financial statements. Prior to the date of acquisition and the consolidation of VCE, our portion of VCE’s gains and losses were recognized in other expense, net, in the consolidated income statements. Our consolidated share of VCE’s losses, based upon our portion of the overall funding, was approximately 64% for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 63% for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. As of December 31, 2014, we had recorded net accumulated losses from VCE of $1,153 million since inception, of which $357 million, $298 million and $245 million were recorded in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. We recognized $803 million, $439 million and $286 million in revenue from sales of product and services to VCE during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In addition, we performed certain administrative services, pursuant to an administrative services agreement, on behalf of VCE and we paid certain operating expenses on behalf of VCE.

Joint Venture

We make investments in joint ventures. For each joint venture investment we consider the facts and circumstances in order to determine whether it qualifies for cost accounting, equity accounting, fair value method accounting or whether it should be consolidated.

In 2009, Cisco and EMC formed VCE Company LLC (“VCE”), with investments from VMware and Intel. VCE, through Vblock infrastructure platforms, delivers an integrated IT offering that combines network, computing, storage, management, security and virtualization technologies for converged infrastructures and cloud based computing models. As of December 31, 2014, we had contributed $1,555 million in funding and $17 million in stock-based compensation to VCE since inception.

In December 2014, EMC acquired the controlling interest in VCE. Prior to the acquisition of the controlling interest in VCE, we considered VCE a variable interest entity. Authoritative guidance related to variable interest entities states that the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity must have both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly will impact the entity’s economic performance; and (b) the obligation to absorb losses that could be potentially significant to the variable interest entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity. Since the power to direct the activities of VCE which most significantly impact its economic performance was determined by its board of directors, which was comprised of equal representation of EMC and Cisco, and all significant decisions required the approval of the minority shareholders, we determined that prior to acquiring the controlling interest, we were not the primary beneficiary, and as such we accounted for the investment under the equity method. Since the date of acquiring the controlling interest in VCE, we have consolidated VCE’s financial results as part of EMC's consolidated financial statements.

Prior to the date of acquisition and the consolidation of VCE, our portion of VCE’s gains and losses were recognized in other expense, net, in the consolidated income statements. Our consolidated share of VCE’s losses, based upon our portion of the overall funding, was approximately 64% for the year ended December 31, 2014 and 63% for each of the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. As of December 31, 2014, we had recorded net accumulated losses from VCE of $1,153 million since inception, of which $357 million, $298 million and $245 million were recorded in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

We recognized $803 million, $439 million and $286 million in revenue from sales of product and services to VCE during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. In addition, we performed certain administrative services, pursuant to an administrative services agreement, on behalf of VCE and we paid certain operating expenses on behalf of VCE.