Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware in November 2023 has led to significant changes and challenges for those relying on the solutions. Due to modifications to the licensing, like a subscription-only model and bundled features, most businesses are trying to factor in the increased Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and the added functionalities that could be unnecessary. This transition has led many users, such as yourselves, to scramble towards new alternatives that work better within a budget and operational needs.
This is where the Google Cloud VMWare Engine (GCVE) steps in to provide a seamless, affordable, and scalable solution designed specifically to manage these challenges. Through GCVE, you can migrate your workloads to the cloud, use your familiar VMware tools, increase operational efficiency, and reduce costs.
You also get end-to-end support and unique features like ARIA Suites, which ensure a smooth transition with enhanced cloud management. It offers a platform for future-proofing your operations with new-age tools like Vertex AI and BigQuery.
The Current Landscape for VMware Users
Originally known and trusted for its flexibility and competitive pricing, VMware’s licensing framework has been transformed, creating both opportunities and challenges for its users. Since Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, the licensing landscape has undergone major changes like the following:
- Shift to Subscription Models: Perpetual licenses have been removed and replaced with subscription-based models which leads to recurring expenses for businesses.
- SKU Consolidation: Software licenses have been merged into just two options—VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and vSphere Foundation. This often forces together additional features that enterprises may not need, further reducing flexibility.
- Increased Costs: The consolidation of the solutions offered has significantly increased the licensing costs with the renewal being 3-10 times higher. This increase has further led to a 30% rise in overall TCO for many enterprises.
Impact on Enterprises
Changes can be challenging to adapt to, and the new licensing for VMWare set by Broadcom is no different. This approach can often force businesses like yours to pay for features that you may never use, which can further burden your finances. The tools include features like distributed firewalls and automation tools that may not align with your business needs but are bundled into the solutions.
Gartner’s customer polls reveal that 67% of respondents are actively exploring alternatives, with Forrester predicting that 20% of VMware customers will switch platforms by 2025.
If your enterprise is looking at hardware refreshes too, the added licensing costs make it even more important to look at cloud solutions like GCVE. This combination of an increased TCO and unused bundled features has forced the hands of many organizations to opt out of on-premises setups and choose modern cloud solutions.
What is Google Cloud VMware Engine (GCVE)?
When it seems like your entire business setup may need a rehaul, considering cloud-first solutions could save you a lot of resources and expenses. If you’re looking at making sure you still get the same features, benefits, and comfort of VMWare solutions at a manageable cost, Google Cloud VMware Engine (GCVE) is the perfect choice.
GCVE is a fully managed service enabling you to run VMware workloads natively on Google Cloud. This solution allows you to get the familiarity of VMware tools and processes while benefiting from Google’s robust cloud infrastructure. GCVE overcomes the challenges of increasing costs and operational complexities faced by VMware users, providing a seamless way to transition to the cloud without sacrificing performance or compatibility.
Key Features
- Compatibility with VMware Tools: GCVE is compatible with tools like vSphere, NSX-T, and vSAN, which ensures a smooth transition from on-premises environments. You can continue using the same tools and workflows you are familiar with, facilitating an easy adoption of the platform.
- ARIA Suites: You can simplify and optimize cloud management with GCVE’s key capabilities like cost optimization, automation, operational insights, and trust metrics, all of which enhance efficiency and streamline cloud operations.
- Licensing Portability: GCVE allows you to bring existing Broadcom-certified VMware licenses to the platform. This flexibility reduces costs and ensures a smoother transition to the cloud while maintaining the value of your current investments.
- Comprehensive Support: You get end-to-end support throughout the migration and integration process, making it easier for you to move to the cloud and integrate your systems seamlessly.
- Trial Options: GCVE offers two types of trials: a three-node trial for 30 days, which is production-ready, and a one-node trial for 60 days, ideal for testing and development. These trial options allow you to first understand GCVE’s features and capabilities before making a full commitment.
The GCVE Advantage
If you’re a VMWare user looking to cut down on the high renewal costs of the current solutions, Google Cloud VMware Engine (GCVE) is an excellent solution for you. Whether you’re planning a cloud migration or a hardware refresh, GCVE can ensure that you’re not spending beyond your means or business plans.
GCVE offers seamless support for Broadcom’s VCF licenses, including ARIA Suites, and also ensures portability for existing licenses that meet Broadcom’s updated compliance standards. By migrating to GCVE, you can ensure TCO savings and drastically reduce migration timelines compared to traditional on-premise environments or other cloud options. Additionally, you will also get unparalleled scalability and tight integration with the broader Google Cloud ecosystem, enabling you to unlock new levels of performance and efficiency.
| BENEFIT | DETAILS |
| Cost Savings | Over three years, you can save up to 38% in TCO compared to other cloud or on-premises solutions. The pricing is further optimized with committed usage discounts, making it a highly cost-effective option.
You will no longer need to pay for bundled features that you do not use, providing greater control over operational expenses. |
| Faster Migrations | You can migrate 100 virtual machines (VMs) in just 4–8 weeks, compared to traditional migration timelines that can exceed a year. The process includes automated assessments and minimal downtime.
Familiarity with VMware tools ensures that your IT teams can adapt quickly without extensive reskilling, reducing labor costs significantly. |
| Seamless Scalability | Utilize tools like Vertex AI, BigQuery, and other generative AI services to drive innovation and optimize operations, so you can also enhance your decision-making and business transformation.
Scale workloads effortlessly while exploring advanced cloud-native services. GCVE’s flexibility ensures that businesses are prepared for both current and future needs. |
| Training and Resources | To ease the transition and adoption of GCVE, Google Cloud offers comprehensive training resources, including Skills Boost programs.
These programs provide sandbox environments and learning labs for IT teams to familiarize themselves with GCVE and its features. Such initiatives significantly reduce the learning curve and enhance operational readiness. |
To sum it up, if you’re looking for a cost-effective, scalable, and advanced cloud migration platform that brings you the same benefits and comfort as your well-known VMWare solution, Google Cloud VMware Engine is perfect for you. GCVE addresses all the pressing challenges you face with VMware post the Broadcom acquisition.
GCVE also gives you unmatched support and access to Google Cloud’s cutting-edge technologies, empowering your enterprise to spend more time innovating and thriving amongst your competitors. GCVE’s flexibility, comprehensive trial options, and training programs make it a practical choice for you no matter what stage of the cloud journey you’re currently on.
If you’re ready to transform your cloud strategy, contact us today to explore the advantages of GCVE.
