VMware In Review: 5 Key Learnings To Help Your Business 

Origina’s VMware journey has continued to lead us to countless impactful insights about the software. See some of the standouts in our VMware in Review blog. 

Back in November 2023, Broadcom officially acquired VMware and began to introduce disruptive changes to how things were run. From expensive subscription models to long-term contracts, Broadcom’s VMware reign has been extremely controversial from the off.

However, it led to an opportunity for independent support to step in on the customers behalf. Since Origina took on the challenge of changing the way the industry saw VMware software, our offering has gone from strength to strength. Now a market-leading independent VMware support provider, we wanted to share some of the amazing learnings we’ve seen along our journey.

1. Broadcom Dropping the Ball

Many of the recent issues that users have faced around VMware support have come as a consequence of Broadcom’s acquisition of the virtualization software giant. Their insistence on migrating everyone over to core-based subscription models on mandatory bundles, such as VMware Cloud Foundation, has meant huge price hikes across the board but also requires additional training and resources invested in getting employees up to speed on the new model.

Worse yet, all this has come during a time when Broadcom’s support quality is visibly deteriorating. In essence, VMware customers are getting lower levels of service at a higher cost when choosing to stay with Broadcom. Increasingly, support priority is being given to strategic customers and many new, or ‘lower priority’, customers are being left by the wayside as support is often shipped to brand new partners with brand new engineers. Let’s not even mention Extended Support for older versions of software!

Along with all these issues, many customers are also facing slower response times with Broadcom support and denial of access to critical security patches in an effort to force customers onto newer versions and more expensive support models. The negatives for sticking with Broadcom support continue to stack heavily against the benefits.

2. Beware The First Broadcom Renewal

Despite the clear drawbacks with Broadcom’s new support model, there are many businesses who have been willing to eat the increased subscription costs rather than take a chance on support providers they may be less familiar with. However, there are also many hidden costs that have come with Broadcom’s support model after the initial renewals.

Initial subscription support cost increases have been well documented, with some reporting up to 800-1000% increases, but we have seen customers presented with an additional 300% subscription renewal cost increases year on year. Where does it stop?

Add forced migration to an inflexible subscription model, expanded hardware resource demands and costs associated with lower support quality; customers have often been left counting the true costs of support that doesn’t truly consider them. If you’re looking at renewing with Broadcom, be sure you have all the information about the price you will really be paying over the lifetime of the solution.

3. Keep Your Perpetual Licences

Another key learning we’ve come across is the importance of keeping hold of your perpetual VMware licences. By retaining your perpetual licences you can avoid the dramatic price hikes, bundling and expensive core-based subscriptions you’ll be forced into with Broadcom support. Keeping your trusted perpetual licences will also help you to maintain control over your IT roadmap and reduce your CapEx. Introducing independent software maintenance and support to your VMware environment can help you to achieve this and more.

The second-hand perpetual license market in the EEA offers some very interesting possibilities for VMware customers. Used perpetual licences can be bought at a significant discount to Broadcom’s current pricing, potentially up to 70% less, and can be maintained with Origina expert support. Acquiring or maintaining perpetual licences can not only save you huge amounts in the short-term by avoiding Broadcom’s subscription bundles, but can also help you to maintain predictable long-term budgeting with a trusted, fixed-cost solution that works for you.

4. One Size No Longer Fits All

Broadcom’s more rigid support model has had a huge impact on customers, in particular small or mid-sized businesses. Broadcom have foregone the previous flexible VMware licensing approach in favour of streamlined, subscription bundles that helps them to drive long-term spend from customers. Essentially, Broadcom’s approach to VMware support means they no longer are interested in tailored support for customers.

The new model has been more interested in customers ‘paying more to get more’. This has understandably led to dissatisfaction among many businesses relying on their VMware environments, particularly smaller businesses who feel they are being forced into costly licences that do not fit with their needs. This has led to many businesses looking to alternatives, such as independent support providers who can deliver tailored, cost saving support and maintenance that puts the customer’s needs first.

5. It’s Vital to Take Your Time

The current VMware support model from Broadcom has had a focus on forced upgrades and subscription models, which has meant customers pushed into rushed decisions. They even introduced a fee for ‘late renewals’ to help hammer this point home even more. Without the time taken to ensure that any change to your VMware environment is in your business’s best interests, risks are an inevitability. The tried and trusted VMware software you already have in place is often still best in class when compared to alternatives, so there is no reason to look at introducing needless changes just because Broadcom tell you it’s time.

Whether you’re looking to maintain momentum with the systems you trust, or looking to migrate away from them down the line, independent software support can help you by providing the support you need now for as long as you need it. You can avoid needless upgrades and rushed decisions with expert support that’s specifically tailored to your needs.

See What Origina Can Do For You

If you’re considering independent maintenance and support for your VMware needs, then Origina might be the answer you’ve been looking for. Learn more about what our VMware expertise looks like in practice and what it can do for your business with some of our case studies.

 Not fully satisfied with your current VMware support? Talk to Origina today.