VMware: costs are prompting organizations to explore alternatives, survey finds

A survey published by Rimini Street and presented by Ars Technica describes the trade-offs facing organizations using VMware. Conducted by Unisphere Research, it covers 300 organizations worldwide. Among participants, 90 % say they are exploring alternatives because of rising licensing costs.

This intention does not mean that a migration has begun or been completed. The obstacles cited include operational complexity, mentioned by 40 % of respondents, and difficulties managing multiple suppliers, raised by 38 %. Securing an expanded attack surface and the skills teams need are also among the barriers identified.

The survey indicates that 60 % of the organizations surveyed are considering a strategy using multiple hypervisors. A cautious interpretation is that organizations may seek diversification while remaining subject to continuity and operational constraints. However, the responses do not allow the savings actually achieved through these choices to be measured.

The study's provenance matters when interpreting it. Rimini Street sells third-party support for VMware and other software: Ars Technica notes its commercial interest in highlighting customers' difficulties. Having Unisphere conduct the survey brings in a separate party, without turning this sample into a universal finding about all VMware users.