If your business relies on VMware, recent changes may prompt you to reconsider your current setup. Whether you’re aiming to reduce costs, simplify systems, or gain more control, moving away from VMware isn’t as simple as dragging folders to a new server. It takes thoughtful planning to minimize disruption and unlock the full benefits of your next environment.
In this article, we’ll explore why businesses are transitioning out of VMware and the essential steps to ensure a smooth migration.
Why are businesses migrating away from VMware?
Since Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware in 2023, the platform has undergone significant changes, particularly in pricing, licensing, and support structures. For instance, minimum core purchases have surged from 16 to 72. These changes have left many businesses grappling with higher costs and reduced flexibility, compelling many to explore alternative hosting and cloud solutions.
If your business is among those rethinking its setup, ask yourself:
- Am I paying more for less flexibility?
- Is my IT team overwhelmed with managing outdated or overly complex infrastructure?
- Could I gain better control or resilience by moving to a different platform?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, it’s time to consider a change.
What to do before you migrate
There are several steps you need to take before moving to a new platform.
Assess your current environment
You can’t plan for the future without fully understanding your present. A successful migration starts with a thorough audit of your existing VMware setup to uncover risks, dependencies, and specific requirements.
Use this checklist to guide your assessment:
- Workloads and applications: Which applications are mission-critical? Which are older or less essential and could be easily migrated first?
- Dependencies: Which systems, tools, or processes depend on your VMware setup, making them more difficult or impossible to migrate?
- VMware-specific features: Take special note of VMware-specific features such as vMotion, DRS, or Site Recovery Manager, as you’ll need equivalent solutions in your new environment.
- Licensing and contracts: What are your current contractual commitments and renewal dates? Knowing these timelines will help you avoid waste and penalties when planning your move.
Define your migration goals
Before exploring alternative platforms, it’s important to understand your goals. When you’re clear on your goals, you can better align your new cloud environment with your business needs.
For example, if cost optimization is your top priority, you should focus on public cloud options, which offer flexible pricing and scalability. On the other hand, if data security is your primary concern, private cloud solutions may be a better fit with their enhanced privacy and robust cybersecurity controls.
Explore your alternatives and choose the right path
When selecting a virtual setup and provider, consider these key factors:
- Compatibility: Will your existing apps and systems work seamlessly in the new environment?
- Scalability: Can the platform evolve alongside your business, or will it introduce new challenges as you grow?
- Support and expertise: Is the provider experienced in overseeing complex migrations? Will they offer guidance and hands-on support to help you avoid costly missteps?
- Resilience and security: How robust is their data protection against downtime, disaster, and cyberthreats? Do their service level agreements guarantee reliable recovery times?
- Customizability: Does the provider offer customized solutions that address your specific needs, or are they limited to one-size-fits-all options?
Plan your migration timeline
Although the migration process can seem intimidating, breaking it down into manageable steps can make the transition much smoother:
- Identify and prioritize workloads to migrate
Begin by listing all systems and applications currently operating on VMware. Rank them by business impact, complexity, and readiness to help you determine the best order for migration.
- Run tests in a controlled environment
Before making any live changes, replicate key workloads in a staging or sandbox environment so you can identify compatibility issues early and adjust configurations without disrupting production systems.
- Migrate noncritical systems first
Begin with low-risk applications that your business can temporarily operate without. These early wins will help your team build confidence and refine the process before tackling more sensitive workloads.
- Shift mission-critical apps only when the new setup is fully validated
Once you’ve tested and optimized the new environment, move high-impact systems with care. Schedule these migrations during low-traffic periods and have a rollback plan ready in case anything doesn’t go as expected.
Transitioning from VMware can be a large-scale process, but with the right preparation and planning, it can result in a more resilient, cost-effective, and flexible IT infrastructure ready to support long-term growth.
If you need assistance with assessing your environment, exploring options, or preparing for migration, the experts at Liberty Center One are here to help. Contact us today to get started.