VMware exit strategies following Broadcom price increases

Following Broadcom’s price increases for VMware, many companies are considering an exit from the platform. However, licensing consultancy ProLicense suggests that migrating is a major project that may not always be the most cost-effective solution.

An exit is considered beneficial when companies face high renewal costs without negotiation leverage, are planning a hardware refresh, have low dependency on specific VMware features, or face Oracle licensing risks on VMware. In these scenarios, alternatives like Nutanix may offer a better five-year cost profile.

Conversely, staying with VMware may be more prudent for organizations deeply integrated into its specific functions, those with ongoing critical projects, or those without an upcoming hardware refresh. A third option involves maintaining perpetual licenses while utilizing third-party support and managing additional needs through used licenses to reduce costs without a full migration.