**Disclaimer:** I am not affiliated with VMware nor have I received any sponsorship. These are my honest reflections as a customer.

Attending this year’s VMware Explore provided me with deeper insights into the future of a product many of us have grown to love—VMware. Compared to last year, this event had fewer attendees, a smaller expo (noticeably missing EUC vendors), and a smaller hub. However, the food was improved, and the sessions were as informative as ever. If you’re planning to attend next year, stay tuned—I’ll be posting another update on must-see speakers once the lineup is announced.

This was my fourth VMware Explore, and I’m incredibly grateful to my current and former employers for allowing me to attend. Each year, I look forward to making new connections, meeting VMware employees I usually interact with only on Zoom, talking to experts at the Experts Bar, and networking with VMUG leaders, vExperts, and Tanzu Vanguards. I always leave the conference with a wealth of new knowledge and connections.

Another highlight of this event for me was meeting Hock Tan and Chris Wolf in person. They both attended the combined community leaders (VMUG, vExpert, Tanzu Vanguard) happy hour. I managed to speak with Hock for 12-15 seconds, and he gave me the straightforward answer I was looking for—he’s a straight shooter and doesn’t indulge in any nonsense. Chris Wolf also spent a lot of time with the group I was with, which was a fantastic experience.

My Thoughts on the Future of VMware

Initially, I wasn’t sure I’d be attending this year. We faced significant challenges renewing our Enterprise License Agreement (ELA)—our account executive left, and other team members were either let go or reassigned, leaving us without a new team until a few months ago. As a customer, this was frustrating. I’ve always loved VMware for its technology, its dedicated employees, and its supportive customer community. But since the Broadcom acquisition, things have undeniably changed. There’s been a lot of concern, with some predicting that Broadcom’s acquisition strategy, which has disrupted other companies, might do the same to VMware.

Every acquisition brings change, and VMware is a much larger entity than previous companies acquired by Broadcom. I’ll admit, this year I didn’t invest as much time in training and certifications as I normally do. The acquisition has upset many customers, including myself, particularly regarding higher pricing—some say it’s increased by 7-10 times—and more difficult negotiations. From my own research and discussions within my local community, it seems negotiations are now much tougher, with little room for flexibility. You’re often forced to choose between an all-encompassing package (VCF) or another option (VVF). For a more in-depth analysis, I recommend reading William Lam’s blog on this topic. The frustration among customers is palpable.

Further discussions at the event shed light on a key concern: many customers had previously enjoyed significant discounts, making the transition to paying full retail prices particularly challenging, especially for budgeting departments. Although I’m not directly involved in budgeting, this issue was a frequent topic at community events. Before the Broadcom acquisition, VMware was known for its strong commitment to its customers, always going the extra mile to work closely with them and ensure their needs were met.

Another concern that has surfaced is the issue of delayed responses during negotiations, something we experienced firsthand. I’ve heard that these delays may be due to Hock Tan personally reviewing quotes, which, if true, could lead to significant backlogs, considering the volume of customers. VMware employees are in a difficult position, and as customers, it’s understandable that we feel frustrated. Broadcom’s communication with customers has been lacking in this transition, and this is an area where they could greatly improve. A transparent announcement addressing the reasons behind these delays might have alleviated some of the concerns.

Despite these challenges, the VMware community at this year’s Explore was open and candid, demonstrating a clear desire to improve communication and maintain the company’s long-standing customer-focused approach.

Shifting Focus: From “Cloud First” to On-Prem

In previous years, VMware emphasized a “Cloud First” approach. This year, the focus shifted to building your own private cloud. I won’t delve into the details, as every company has its own needs, but during the General Session, it was noted that 83% of organizations are trying to move back to on-prem. I’m not sure where this statistic came from, but based on conversations on LinkedIn and Reddit, it might be accurate. One highlight of the General Session was the simplification of VMware’s product line. How many times has Aria been renamed in recent years? Remember vRops? I still do! Finally, they’ve unified it under “VCF Operations,” integrating all the vRealize products into one. This is a true single pane of glass. While some management packs will no longer be supported, you can now create your own as long as you can make an API call. That’s a pretty cool feature, in my opinion. There are also rumors about simplifying alerts from vSphere and VCF Operations, and the self-service portal for Devs and Server Teams is a valuable addition. If you utilize the full suite, it could be the solution you’re looking for, offering provisioning, dashboards, reporting, cost analysis, and more—all in one place. Is there another hypervisor product that can offer this level of integration?

Looking Forward: A Bright Future?

In summary, the future of VMware holds significant promise, with ongoing developments and immense potential. It’s important to let the dust settle and take a step back to assess the situation. I completely understand if you’re considering alternatives—I’ve been in the same boat. But before making any decisions, take a moment to look at the big picture. Ask yourself and your team: Are we truly evaluating all aspects, or are we reacting out of frustration and making a rushed decision?

Engage with your VMware representatives and discuss your concerns openly. It’s crucial to hash out any issues directly and seek clarity on how they plan to support your organization moving forward. Additionally, I strongly recommend attending VMUG town halls, where licensing and strategy are frequently discussed. These sessions offer valuable insights on how to navigate the changes and make the most of your VMware investment.

While it’s clear that Broadcom’s approach to communication differs from VMware’s, it’s essential to give this transition a chance. By voicing our concerns and staying engaged within the community, we can influence how these changes unfold. Remember, it’s a long battle, but the future is bright for those who stay informed and involved.