When Broadcom acquired VMware for $69 billion in November, it was expected that changes would occur. However, the extent of Broadcom’s changes has left partners and customers questioning their loyalty to VMware.
While I have never been a fan of VMware, many IT professionals have relied on its wide range of products. However, recent developments have caused uncertainty among its users.
Even before the acquisition, VMware customers were skeptical. Forrester Research estimated that up to 20% of VMware’s enterprise customers would quickly switch to a new virtual machine vendor.
Forrester analysts cited significant price hikes, degrading support, and mandatory subscription to software bundles as reasons for customer dissatisfaction. Concerns were also raised about the future of VMware’s products and services under Broadcom’s ownership.
These concerns have been validated as Broadcom has discontinued over 56 VMware products and platforms, including popular offerings such as VMware vSphere+, VMware Aria Suite, and VMware NSX. Additionally, VMware’s “end-user” computing unit, which includes Workspace ONE and Horizon offerings, will be eliminated.
Furthermore, Broadcom has quietly terminated VMware’s Free ESXi hypervisor, impacting many users who relied on it for testing and development purposes.
Even users with perpetual licenses are affected, as VMware is ending perpetual license sales and transitioning to subscription-based licensing.
Broadcom claims that these changes are aimed at delivering faster innovation and more value to customers. However, customers and partners are expressing disagreement with these decisions.
Meanwhile, VMware’s rivals, including Nutanix, Scale Computing, and Virtuozzo, are capitalizing on the uncertainty. Larger companies like Microsoft and Red Hat are also poised to benefit from VMware’s challenges.
2024-02-29 09:00:03
Original from www.computerworld.com