Since the global tech giant Broadcom acquired Vmware in 2023, legions of VMware users — from small- and mid-sized organizations to behemoths like AT&T — have railed against changes made to the virtualization software company’s delivery and offerings.
Chief among the complaints: VMware’s shift from a perpetual-license model to a subscription-based model and narrowed service tiers that combine features rather than allowing users to choose and pay for only the features they want.
Initially, new customers bore the brunt of Broadcom’s changes. But as legacy customers’ support and subscription contracts have expired, more and more have joined the great “VMware shift,” migrating away from VMware to other options like public clouds and open-source solutions.
If your organization is considering a migration from VMware, there are three key factors to consider. Read on to learn what you need to know.
What is VMware?
VMware is productivity software that lets you create numerous virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical computer. It allows users to run multiple operating systems, like Microsoft Windows, macOS, or Linux, simultaneously but separately, so if one VM crashes, the others remain unimpacted.
VMware enables you to develop and test apps, networks, security, and more without affecting your main setup, helping you save space and cost while making your IT more flexible and efficient.
Should you consider a VMware shift?
If you’re thinking about moving away from VMware technologies, there are a few things to consider:
Does Migrating From VMware Make Financial Sense?
The main reason most organizations move away from VMware is the dramatic uptick in fees that followed Broadcom’s new ownership. But it’s important to weigh the real costs of migration.
Some questions to ask:
- How do the new solution’s costs compare to my current system?
- Can I afford to invest in the new licenses and hardware that may be required?
- Will a new platform create bigger expenses down the road?
Can You Afford the Investment of Time?
In addition to potential hidden financial costs, transitioning from VMware can eat up time your organization needs to spend on core business activities. Many smaller and mid-sized organizations might not have the extra hours or manpower required to facilitate such a big change.
Does Your IT Team Have the Required Expertise?
The talent resources required for a successful migration can be considerable. Do you have the level of internal expertise to ensure a smooth transition, or will you need to hire outside consultants to help? The answer to this question may bring you right back to whether this makes financial sense.
Our Knowledgeable Team Can Help You Decide
While quantifying these considerations can be overwhelming, you don’t have to tackle them alone. The knowledgeable and experienced technology solutions consultants at Rehmann can help you assess your current setup and your options to ensure you’re making informed decisions that align with your organizational goals.
Contact us today to get started and move forward with confidence.
Sources:
https://tech.rochester.edu/software/vmware/
https://news.broadcom.com/cloud/vmware-by-broadcom-business-transformation?ref=thestack.technology
https://www.ciodive.com/news/att-sues-broadcom-vmware-software-support-licensing/726232/
https://cybernews.com/security/broadcom-defends-big-vmware-bills-small-firms-disagree/