Why Many Organizations Are Renewing VMware for Just One Year

Since Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, many organizations have chosen to renew their VMware licenses for just one year instead of locking into long-term contracts. This trend is driven by uncertainty about VMware’s future and the need to explore VMware alternatives before making a long-term commitment.

A one-year renewal gives IT teams time to evaluate other virtualization platforms and make an informed decision about whether to stay with VMware or migrate to a more efficient alternative. However, the reality is that a year goes by fast—especially for busy IT departments managing day-to-day operations. To make the most of this period, it’s essential to start evaluating VMware alternatives early. Waiting until the last minute can lead to rushed decisions or, worse, another forced renewal due to time constraints. Starting early ensures that IT teams make the best decision for their organization.

Hands-On Labs: The Best Way to Evaluate VMware Alternatives Early

Hands-on labs, like those offered by VergeIO provide IT professionals a practical, risk-free way to evaluate VMware alternatives. These labs simulate real-world environments, allowing IT teams to test key features like VM migration, data protection, and workload management without needing additional hardware or complex setups. By starting hands-on labs early in the one-year renewal period, IT professionals can:

• Gain hands-on experience with new platforms: Test features like VM migration and disaster recovery in a controlled, real-world environment.
• Identify platform strengths and weaknesses: Hands-on labs provide a clear understanding of which features best meet the organization’s needs and where challenges may arise.
• Build confidence in the right choice: Hands-on experience helps IT teams make informed recommendations to leadership, increasing confidence in choosing the best VMware alternative.

By leveraging hands-on labs, IT professionals can make a confident, data-driven decision before the renewal deadline, avoiding rushed choices as time runs out.

The Value of Hands-On Labs for VMware Alternatives

1. Interactive, Controlled Learning Environment
   Hands-on labs go beyond demos, allowing IT professionals to actively test and explore VMware alternative platforms. They provide an interactive space to understand the key features, workflows, and configurations of a new platform by simulating real-world IT scenarios.
2. Risk-Free Exploration
   Migrating away from VMware brings concerns about downtime, system failures, or operational disruptions. Hands-on labs let IT professionals test migrations, data recovery processes, and multi-tenant setups without impacting live environments, ensuring a risk-free exploration.
3. No Hardware Required
   One of the biggest obstacles to testing new platforms is the need for additional hardware. Hands-on labs eliminate this barrier by offering cloud-based environments that replicate real-world setups, allowing IT teams to evaluate VMware alternatives without the need for extra infrastructure.
4. Time-Efficient Evaluation
   IT professionals often have packed schedules. Hands-on labs are designed to fit into tight timelines, with modules or scenarios that take just 15 to 30 minutes to complete. This makes it easier for teams to assess key platform features without interrupting critical tasks.
5. Real-World Scenario Testing
   Hands-on labs simulate real-world use cases such as migrating virtual machines, configuring data protection, and creating virtual data centers for optimal workload management. This practical testing provides IT professionals with a deeper understanding of how a platform will perform when deployed in their environment.

How Hands-On Labs Help in the Decision-Making Process

Hands-on labs allow IT professionals to make informed decisions when considering VMware alternatives by providing real-world experience with new platforms. Instead of relying on product documentation or vendor demos, hands-on labs give IT teams the opportunity to explore how a platform will function in their organization.

• Build Confidence Early: Starting with hands-on labs early in the evaluation process helps teams identify platform strengths and weaknesses, ensuring a confident decision later.
• Reduce Risk: Labs offer a safe space to test migration strategies and configurations without impacting existing infrastructure, minimizing the risk associated with moving away from VMware.
• Speed Up the Evaluation Cycle: Hands-on labs are time-efficient and accessible, allowing IT teams to quickly gather the data they need to make decisions about VMware alternatives.

Conclusion

As more organizations opt to renew VMware for just one year, they are buying time to explore other virtualization platforms. However, that time passes quickly, and waiting until the last minute can lead to poor decisions or another forced VMware renewal. By starting early with hands-on labs, IT teams can gain practical experience, reduce risk, and build confidence in the right platform for their organization.

VergeIO’s hands-on labs are an excellent example of how IT teams can explore VMware alternatives without the need for additional hardware or disruptive testing. VergeIO’s labs allow professionals to test migration processes, data protection, and virtual data center configurations in just 15-20 minutes—offering a quick and practical way to evaluate a new platform. With these hands-on labs, IT teams can ensure they are fully prepared to make the right decision when their VMware renewal period comes to an end.