VMware (NYSE: VMW) reported earnings on Jan. 23. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), VMware beat slightly on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue improved significantly, and earnings per share increased significantly.

Margins increased across the board.

Revenue details
VMware reported revenue of $1.1 billion. The 35 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ anticipated revenue of $1 billion. Sales were 27% higher than the prior-year quarter's $836 million.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.62. The 38 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.60 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.46 for Q4 were 65% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.28 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 84.3%, 120 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 20.2%, 500 basis points better than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 18.9%, 460 basis points better than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $1 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.56.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $4.5 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.51.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a three-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 2,079 members out of 2,261 rating the stock outperform, and 183 members rating it underperform. Among 561 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 516 give VMware a green thumbs-up, and 45 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on VMware is outperform, with an average price target of $106.23.

Software and computerized services are being consumed in radically different ways, on new and increasingly mobile devices. Many old leaders will be left behind. Whether or not VMware makes the coming cut, you should check out the company that Motley Fool analysts expect to lead the pack in "The Next Trillion-Dollar Revolution." Click here for instant access to this free report.