Gartner Study Reveals Long and Costly Journey of Migrating Away from VMware
According to experts, the process of moving away from VMware is proving to be expensive and risky for dissatisfied customers seeking alternative solutions. Changes implemented by Broadcom since acquiring the virtualization company have resulted in higher costs for many customers due to new bundled products and discontinued services. Despite potential cost savings, transitioning away from VMware presents its own set of challenges and uncertainties.
Challenges in Migration Process
A recent report titled ‘Estimating a Large-Scale VMware Migration’ by Gartner highlights that migration projects for large organizations with over 2,000 employees and 100+ servers could take anywhere between 18-48 months. The cost of transitioning each virtual machine could range from $300 to $3,000. Additionally, the initial scoping process alone may require seven to 10 staff members for up to a month. The complexity arises from disentangling various VMware services such as networking, storage, management tools, security, and disaster recovery solutions, which may not be easily replaceable by other providers.
Preparation for the Future
Despite the intentions of many VMware customers to switch providers, a significant number have not yet begun planning their migrations due to the scale and intricacy of the task. While security and support remain concerns for those considering migration, Gartner recommends proactive planning to avoid potential price increases in the future. It is advised to start preparations sooner rather than later in order to manage the transition effectively and minimize disruptions.
In conclusion, navigating the process of moving away from VMware poses considerable challenges, but with careful planning and consideration of alternatives, organizations can successfully navigate this transition to meet their evolving virtualization needs.