Cloud 9 Advisers - News #VMware

More Broadcom Changes!

Thu, 09 Jan 2025 15:04:11 -0500

Navigating VMware Licensing & Price Changes

Options for Your Infrastructure

In the wake of VMware’s acquisition by Broadcom, many organizations are grappling with significant changes in licensing and pricing. Price changes are expected to continue (increase) throughout 2025. These shifts have led IT leaders to critically evaluate VMware’s role in their infrastructure and explore alternative strategies to ensure both performance and cost-efficiency. If you’re among those reconsidering your VMware licensing agreements, this article will walk you through the options available and help you make informed decisions for the future of your IT environment.

The Impact of VMware’s Licensing Changes

Following the Broadcom acquisition, VMware customers have reported dramatic price increases for licensing and support. For organizations that rely heavily on VMware for virtualization and infrastructure management, these price hikes could mean significant budgetary impacts. Beyond cost, there are concerns about how the acquisition may affect VMware’s innovation and customer support over time.

Such changes often serve as a catalyst for organizations to assess whether their reliance on VMware aligns with their long-term goals. As a result, many IT teams are exploring alternative solutions and platforms to reduce costs, enhance flexibility, and modernize their infrastructure. Cloud 9 Advisers can assist in evaluating these alternatives, leveraging our expertise and vendor-neutral resources to guide you through the decision-making process.

Exploring Alternatives to VMware

If you’re considering a shift away from VMware, there are several viable paths to explore. Each alternative offers unique benefits depending on your organization's specific needs, workloads, and strategic priorities. Cloud 9 can help you compare providers and identify the best fit for your requirements.

Hybrid Cloud Solutions
There's a notable trend towards hybrid cloud solutions, with organizations looking to balance their on-premises environments with public cloud services in response to rising VMware costs and the need for flexibility. Combining on-premise, private-cloud, and public or hyper-cloud environments, hybrid cloud strategies enable businesses to reduce their dependency on VMware while taking advantage of cloud scalability and cost-efficiency. Vendors like Expedient, Flexential, TierPoint, and Otava offer infrastructure-as-a-service models that integrate with existing environments.
Key benefits:
- Flexibility in workload placement
- OpEx-based pricing
- Enhanced disaster recovery and backup options
Embracing Containerization
Containerization offers a modern alternative to traditional virtualization, enabling you to package applications and their dependencies into lightweight, portable containers. Platforms like Kubernetes (or OpenShift) make it easier to orchestrate and manage these containers, allowing businesses to reduce reliance on traditional hypervisors.
Key benefits:
- Increased agility and scalability
- Reduced infrastructure overhead
- Ideal for modern DevOps workflows
Cloud 9’s neutral engineering resources can help you explore containerization and service provider options among other emerging technologies to transform your IT strategy.
Nutanix
Nutanix is a leading player in the hyper-converged infrastructure (HCI) market. Its software-defined approach simplifies IT operations by integrating compute, storage, and networking into a single platform. Nutanix offers robust virtualization capabilities with its built-in hypervisor, AHV, which eliminates the need for VMware licensing altogether.
Key benefits:
- Reduced licensing costs
- Simplified management
- Built-in support for hybrid and multi-cloud environments
Microsoft Azure
For organizations looking to embrace the public cloud (or hyper cloud as we like say), Microsoft Azure provides a compelling alternative. Azure’s vast array of services, combined with its seamless integration with Windows Server and Hyper-V, makes it an attractive option for businesses transitioning from VMware.
Key benefits:
Pay-as-you-go pricing model
Scalability to match changing workloads
Integration with existing Microsoft tools and ecosystems
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Google Cloud is another strong contender, particularly for organizations that prioritize advanced analytics, machine learning, and containerization. GCP’s focus on Kubernetes and open-source technologies provides a forward-looking approach to modern IT environments.
Key benefits:
- Cost-effective cloud infrastructure
- Strong emphasis on Kubernetes and containerized workloads
- Integration with Google’s AI and ML tools
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
AWS is the largest public cloud provider, offering a comprehensive suite of services for compute, storage, networking, and beyond. Many organizations migrating from VMware to AWS leverage VMware Cloud on AWS as a stepping stone, allowing them to retain familiarity while transitioning to a cloud-native architecture.
Key benefits:
Extensive service offerings
Global infrastructure
Smooth transition options for VMware customers
Proxmox VE
While not for everyone, some organizations may appreciate Proxmox VE. It is an open-source virtualization platform that combines support for both virtual machines and containers. It offers a cost-effective alternative to VMware, especially for organizations seeking to avoid licensing fees. However, Proxmox may present some risks for enterprise use or larger deployments due to it being open-source, reliance on community support, and potentially limited enterprise-grade features.
Key benefits:
- Free or low-cost licensing
- Integrated web interface for ease of management
- Support for both virtual machines and containers
While Proxmox is well-suited for small-to-medium businesses or non-critical workloads, organizations with more demanding enterprise needs should carefully evaluate its capabilities and potential limitations.

Building a Strategic Transition Plan

Switching away from VMware is not a decision to be taken lightly. A successful transition requires careful planning and execution to minimize disruption and maximize ROI. Here are some steps to consider:

Assess Your Current Environment: Identify which workloads and applications rely on VMware and evaluate their compatibility with alternative platforms.
Evaluate Costs: Compare the licensing, support, and operational costs of VMware versus potential alternatives.
Consider Long-Term Goals: Align your IT strategy with broader business objectives, such as adopting hybrid cloud, enhancing disaster recovery, or modernizing applications.
Engage Stakeholders: Involve key decision-makers and IT teams early in the evaluation process to ensure alignment and buy-in.
Pilot and Test: Conduct proof-of-concept tests with alternative platforms to identify potential challenges and validate performance.

Cloud 9 and our team of experienced, vendor-neutral engineers is uniquely positioned to support your organization throughout this journey, ensuring you find the most effective and efficient solutions for your infrastructure needs.

To sum up

The changes in VMware’s licensing structure present both challenges and opportunities for organizations. While navigating these changes may seem daunting, they also provide a chance to reevaluate your infrastructure and adopt innovative solutions that better align with your goals. Whether you choose to stay with VMware, shift to a competitor like Nutanix, or move entirely to the cloud with Azure, GCP, or AWS, the key lies in careful planning and strategic execution.

Ready to explore your options? Contact Cloud 9 Advisers today to discuss how we can help you navigate these changes and implement a solution tailored to your unique needs.

About Cloud 9 Advisers

Cloud 9 Advisers is a trusted IT agency dedicated to helping organizations discover, evaluate, and implement the right technology solutions. Our team of experts combines deep industry knowledge with a vendor-neutral, engineering-driven approach to guide you through complex decisions. With access to an extensive portfolio of providers and solutions, we deliver tailored strategies that align with your business goals. Let us help you navigate change and achieve success.

Learn More. Get Started. Contact Us.

Change often brings challenges

Fri, 03 May 2024 08:51:00 -0500

Changes bring Challenges and Opportunities

Broadcom & VMware

In the wake of recent developments surrounding Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, I understand the potential concerns about how this significant change might impact our work and projects. It's important to me that you feel supported and confident about the future, and I want to assure you of our steadfast commitment to your success throughout this transition period.

I'm thrilled to share some exciting news that underscores our dedication and capability in navigating these changes together. Six of our supplier portfolio members have been awarded the prestigious VMware Pinnacle Cloud Service Provider status within the Broadcom Advantage Partner Program. This is a remarkable achievement, especially considering only 12 partners in the U.S. will be recognized at this highest tier. This exclusive status highlights:

Deep-rooted expertise and long-standing commitment to VMware technologies, supported by a robust team of in-house certified experts
Their unwavering commitment to delivering and supporting VMware’s subscription services, ensuring you have access to the latest innovations and solutions
A proven track record of tackling complex technological challenges with a blend of collaboration, expertise, and excellence, all aimed at driving your success

VMware Help

Should you have any questions or need guidance regarding the implications of this acquisition, evaluating your current technological setup, or strategic planning for the future, please know that Cloud 9 is here to assist and find you the right solution provider. We would be delighted to connect you with our top-tier experts and all six of our VMware Pinnacle providers. Each is well-equipped to provide the support and insights you need during this transition.

Change often brings challenges, but it also opens the door to new opportunities and possibilities. With Cloud 9 experts and our distinguished VMware and cloud providers, we are confident in our collective ability to navigate these changes smoothly, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional value and service to you.

Thank you for your ongoing trust and partnership. We look forward to embarking on this new chapter together and building an even stronger future.

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VMware impact on CSPs

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 06:39:00 -0500

Impact on VMware Cloud Service Providers

Broadcom + VMware BIG Partner changes

The acquisition of VMware by Broadcom has left many scratching their heads and customers very concerned for many reasons. Not to worry Cloud 9 has you covered. Our experts and Supplier Portfolio are ready to help.

One of the many changes have led to tension within the VMware partner community, with reports of numerous terminated reseller and cloud service provider agreements.

VMware’s cloud service provider program is being reduced from approx. 4500 service providers globally to about 400 on May 1, 2024. There will be two Partner/CSP tiers going forward under the new program:

Pinnacle – 100 globally partners and only 12 in the US

6 of the 12 providers are currently in our portfolio

Premier – 400 globally, approx. 135 in the U.S.

Numerous suppliers already portfolio members

VMware Resources

Why Our Resources Are a Game-Changer for You

Comprehensive Coverage: Our resources provide an all-encompassing look at VMware’s latest changes - from subscription models to the new VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF).

Expert Insights: Get insights from industry experts and thought leaders on what these changes mean for your business and how to leverage them effectively.

Actionable Strategies: We don’t just inform; we equip you with actionable strategies to turn these changes into opportunities for growth and innovation.

The changes at VMware have created significant confusion for existing VMware customers. Reach out to us for our guidebook to learn more. We'll help create a clear path forward and to increase your success and value to your own customers.

VMware: New Core Offerings

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 15:35:00 -0500

New Core Offerings and Changes from VMware

VMware's new core offerings, as part of their transition to a subscription-based model, are the VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF). VCF is designed for customers seeking a full-stack infrastructure platform, integrating solutions like vSphere, vSAN, and NSX with the Aria management suite. On the other hand, VVF is tailored for data center optimization in traditional vSphere environments, including Tanzu Kubernetes Grid and Aria Operations as standard features. These offerings represent VMware's shift towards streamlined, subscription-only solutions, enhancing customer value and innovation delivery.

End of Availability (EOA) Products

VMware has announced EOA for several of its products, transitioning them to a more streamlined portfolio focused on VCF and VVF. This change means numerous standalone VMware products are now integrated into these core offerings or have been replaced by them. Notably, VMware vSphere Enterprise Plus, vSAN, and other key products are available within the VCF or VVF structure. This shift aims to simplify VMware's offerings and focus on subscription-based solutions, enhancing customer value and enabling a more straightforward approach to selecting VMware products.

End of Availability (EOA) items, effective May 6, 2024:

350M/750M/5G bandwidth tiers (for services SD-WAN, Enhanced Firewall Service, and Regional add-ons)
SD-WAN Software Orchestrator-Only deployment options
SD-WAN Work From Home subscriptions
VMware Edge Intelligence Hardware (Crawler and SFP)
Hardware Rental Program
Customer and Partner Success services (CPS)
Support:

VMware SASE Basic/Production/Premier support tiers
VMware SASE Carrier Grade Support
VMware SD-WAN Hardware Replacement Services

Cloud 9: your VMware Resource

The changes at VMware have created a lot of confusion for existing VMware customers. Reach out to us to get the guidebook and know that a relationship with us is in place will help create a clear path forward and to increase your success and value to your own customers.

VMware journey

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 15:27:00 -0500

VMware: Change is inevitable

Broadcom + VMware get the guide

Exciting news! Contact us to get the guidebook and everything you need to know to manage the quickly changing Broadcom VMware landscape. Building on the invaluable insights shared in our comprehensive VMware guidebook, we have now developed a customer-facing version that you can personalize. This tailored guidebook is crafted to spark impactful discussions with stakeholders and open new avenues for your IT operations.

We are your authority in the VMware ecosystem.

Get equipped with essential knowledge on:

Latest VMware Innovations: An exploration of new core offerings and how they can revolutionize your IT environment
Adjustments in Products, Support, and Services: Key updates that could influence your IT operations and strategies for adaptation.
Insights for Cloud Service Providers: How the latest VMware developments impact cloud solutions and advice on leveraging these changes for growth.
Guidance on Migrating Off VMware: Expert tips for a seamless transition, ensuring a smooth experience

VMware Resources

Why Our Resources Are a Game-Changer for You

Comprehensive Coverage: Our resources provide an all-encompassing look at VMware’s latest changes - from subscription models to the new VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF).

Expert Insights: Get insights from industry experts and thought leaders on what these changes mean for your business and how to leverage them effectively.

Actionable Strategies: We don’t just inform; we equip you with actionable strategies to turn these changes into opportunities for growth and innovation.

VMware changes

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 15:02:53 -0500

VMware’s Transition to Subscription-Based

Overview of VMware’s Transition to Subscription-Based Models

Recently, VMware announced significant changes to its product portfolio and licensing models related to Broadcom’s acquisition. The company has transitioned to a subscription model, introducing VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF) as its core offerings. This shift means many VMware solutions will only be available as part of VCF or VVF, rather than as standalone products. Add-on services enhance these offerings covering storage, security, disaster recovery, and other specific needs.

Additionally, VMware is planning a "Bring Your Own License" option, allowing flexible deployment of subscriptions. This change aims to simplify the portfolio, enhance customer value, and accelerate innovation delivery. For those using products now at End of Availability (EOA), VMware will continue support until the end of existing subscription terms, after which customers will need to transition to the new models. The update includes a comprehensive list of products affected by these changes, indicating their replacement or integration within the new structure.

On the horizon from Broadcom / VMware:

New Core Offerings and Changes
Series of products End of Availability (EOA)
Purchasing & Licensing Changes
Customer and Partner Success
Support Program Changes
"Bring Your Own License” Options
Impact on Cloud Service Providers

Get Expert VMware help - Cloud 9 Advisers Supplier community

Resources

Why Our Resources Are a Game-Changer for You

Comprehensive Coverage: Our resources provide an all-encompassing look at VMware’s latest changes - from subscription models to the new VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF).

Expert Insights: Get insights from industry experts and thought leaders on what these changes mean for your business and how to leverage them effectively.

Actionable Strategies: We don’t just inform; we equip you with actionable strategies to turn these changes into opportunities for growth and innovation.