Navigating the New Era of VMware Licensing

Tech is an industry where change is the only constant, but VMware’s recent licensing overhaul marks a significant shift for end users. With Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, a new era of licensing begins – one focused on subscription-based models, moving away from the traditional perpetual licenses.

You may or may not have seen the announcement from Broadcom in December that they pledge to simplify the licensing model, and have now culled perpetual licensing and changed to subscription only. 

• Understanding the Change: VMware has now transitioned its entire product portfolio to a subscription-only model. This strategic move is intended to simplify the product lineup and align with current market trends towards subscription services.

• The Impact: While this shift reflects a broader industry trend, it understandably raises concerns among long-standing VMware customers accustomed to perpetual licenses, and reluctant to move to subscription. Recognising this, VMware offers incentives to “trade in now” existing perpetual licenses for new subscription services at a discounted rate.

• The Opportunity: Broadcom say that this transition is not just a change; it’s an opportunity. The new subscription model promises continuous innovation, enhanced flexibility, and more straightforward licensing options. Additionally, VMware has slashed the subscription list price for its VMware Cloud Foundation by half, further sweetening the deal!

• Your Next Steps: The change from perpetual to subscription has happened.  Perpetual licensing with VMware is no more.  As experts in the field, Trustco understand the intricacies of this transition and are here to guide you. If you’re navigating these changes or considering the “trade in” option, reach out to us. We’re equipped to provide personalised advice, helping you make the most of VMware’s new licensing landscape. 

• Other Options: VMware are not the only hypervisor in town, and we can offer advice on alternative solutions, depending on the technology you require. KVM, Nutanix, Hyper-V, Azure, and Amazon WorkSpaces are all different available and established options, should you  feel inclined to move aware from the VMware stack.

[Read more about VMware’s Licensing Changes](https://news.vmware.com/company/vmware-by-broadcom-business-transformation)