Quit VMware and you’ll emerge with more complex and less capable infrastructure
Analyst says modernizing applications is probably a better use of your time than hypervisor migration
By The Register
VMware in response to rising licensing costs could end up with more complicated and less capable technology systems if migrations are not carefully planned, industry experts have warned.
The issue has become increasingly important since technology giant Broadcom completed its acquisition of VMware in 2023, triggering major changes to licensing, pricing and product structures across VMware’s enterprise software portfolio.
Many companies have since explored alternatives as they try to reduce costs and avoid long-term dependency on a single platform. However, analysts say replacing VMware is often far more difficult than simply switching software providers.
Why companies are considering leaving VMware
VMware has long been one of the dominant providers of virtualisation technology, which allows businesses to run multiple virtual systems and applications efficiently on shared hardware.
Its products are widely used by:
* Large enterprises * Data centres * Cloud providers * Government organisations * Financial institutions
Following Broadcom’s takeover, some customers reported concerns over:
* Higher licensing costs * Subscription-only pricing models * Product consolidation * Changes to support arrangements
As a result, businesses have started assessing alternatives including:
* Microsoft Hyper-V * Nutanix * Open-source virtualisation platforms * Public cloud services such as AWS and Microsoft Azure
Migration can create new challenges
Despite potential savings, analysts warn that replacing VMware can introduce significant technical complexity.
Industry publication The Register reported comments from Gartner analyst Paul Delory, who argued that organisations leaving VMware may end up operating “more complex and less capable infrastructure” if they replace integrated VMware systems with several disconnected products.
Many companies have built their IT operations around VMware over many years, meaning migration can affect:
* Security systems * Backup and recovery tools * Networking * Storage management * Disaster recovery processes * Internal business applications
In some cases, organisations may need to combine multiple vendors and platforms to recreate features previously managed within a single VMware environment.
Cost savings versus operational risk
For some businesses, moving away from VMware may still make financial sense, particularly where licensing costs have risen sharply.
However, technology specialists warn that migrations can become expensive if organisations underestimate:
* Staff retraining requirements * Downtime risks * Integration work * Long-term maintenance costs
Experts say companies considering major infrastructure changes should carry out detailed planning before moving critical systems.
Cloud and AI increasing pressure on infrastructure
The debate comes at a time when businesses are already under pressure to modernise infrastructure to support:
* Artificial intelligence workloads * Hybrid working * Cybersecurity requirements * Cloud computing growth
This has made reliable and scalable infrastructure increasingly important for organisations across multiple industries.
No simple one-size-fits-all answer
Analysts stress there is no universal answer for businesses considering leaving VMware.
Some organisations may benefit from switching platforms, particularly if they want greater flexibility or lower long-term licensing costs. Others may decide the operational stability and integrated tools provided by VMware outweigh the expense.
For many firms, the decision now comes down to balancing cost savings against complexity, risk and long-term IT strategy.