MSPs
VMWARE MIGRATION PRESSURE MOUNTS
Rising costs, licensing shifts and platform uncertainty are making VMware-to- alternative migrations increasingly difficult for UK SMBs, writes Scott Mann, SVP Global Sales at StorMagic.
T
he implications of Broadcom’s 2023 acquisition of VMware continue to be felt. It was a significant source of
concern across the channel at the time, and events since have kept the subject front of mind for just about everyone with a stake in the VMware ecosystem. In particular, the change in ownership
accelerated VMware’s shiſt from perpetual licences to subscription-based offerings. VMware simplified its product portfolio, reducing the number of products available for separate purchase. Tis meant that some customers had to assess broader bundled offerings that included capabilities beyond their immediate requirements. Te issue affected organisations of all sizes
from the outset. However, it is becoming increasingly important for SMBs as they approach renewal periods and must decide whether to stay with VMware or explore alternatives. It also raises practical questions for customers, such as whether a new platform will work with existing backup and security tools, and whether migration will require them to replace hardware that is still fit for purpose. MSPs, in particular, have also been affected by reductions in the partner programme, alongside increased prices for their customers.
32 | September/October 2026
The lay of the land Te extent to which these changes will affect SMBs depends on their current VMware usage and requirements, and on whether the changes to licensing arrangements and products materially impact the suitability and cost of their current VMware environment. Making a judgment depends on a thorough
understanding of how VMware is used today and how those requirements align with the products and subscription terms currently available. Tis means identifying which capabilities are needed and whether their existing hardware is suitable both now and moving forward. Potentially, that’s quite a complex
undertaking, particularly for SMBs with lean IT teams and limited capacity for that kind of work. Part of the challenge is deciding what to do next and whether to seek an alternative to VMware, which involves quite a bit more than simply comparing the costs of different platforms. For example, virtualisation is one of those
IT functions where a change in vendor could affect everything from hardware and applications to support and even the tools used to monitor and protect the environment. In the case of hardware, rising costs can make
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