VMware Explore I have been a regular attendee of VMware’s annual conference since 2007, and this year’s event had a unique twist to it.
In the past, the theme of the conferences typically revolved around the idea of “taming the datacenter and making it more manageable,” often presented in lengthy keynotes featuring VMware executives trying out their talk-show host personas.
At this year’s conference, VMware by Broadcom continued the tradition with a concise one-hour keynote that introduced a refreshing change: an acknowledgment that VMware has not completely fulfilled its promises.
During the event, executives openly admitted that the lack of single sign-on integration across VMware’s flagship Cloud Foundation (VCF) suite symbolizes the company’s failure to deliver a highly manageable private cloud stack as promised. They also highlighted the presence of multiple SDKs and APIs, as well as the necessity for various management consoles dedicated to different functions within the datacenter, as areas where improvements are needed.
The changes introduced to VMware by Broadcom CEO Hock Tan, including organizational, licensing, and channel modifications, were described as “brave” steps towards helping VMware reach its full potential. The focus on private cloud over hybrid multi-cloud was also seen as a wise strategic shift.
Despite these efforts, the belief that VMware has conquered datacenter complexity still lingers, even though challenges persist. The recent release of VCF 5.2 in July was heralded as a significant step towards fulfilling Broadcom’s reform vision by streamlining lifecycle management, enabling component integration into a unified VCF instance, and introducing non-disruptive hypervisor patching.
Despite the strides made with VCF 5.2, concerns were raised about the licensing changes that have resulted in increased costs for users transitioning from perpetual licenses to mandatory subscriptions. VMware’s pitch for the upcoming VCF 9 as the ultimate realization of its vision left many eager for more concrete details and timelines to aid in their planning.
While some attendees voiced optimism about VMware’s direction, others expressed discontent with the lack of clarity and the perceived decline in VMware’s customer-centric approach following Broadcom’s integration. The rise of alternatives like Nutanix among dissatisfied VMware users served as a wake-up call for the company to address concerns regarding costs, support, and product development.
As VMware faces the challenges of adaptation and competition, the road ahead remains uncertain. The recent shifts in the industry landscape suggest that VMware must evolve and respond effectively to the changing needs and expectations of its customers to stay relevant and competitive.
Nutanix Roars
During VMware Explore, Nutanix, VMware’s direct competitor, announced impressive quarterly results that garnered positive attention from investors. Nutanix’s focus on offering alternatives to VMware’s user base has proven successful, with a significant increase in revenue and customer acquisition. The company’s emphasis on cost-effective storage solutions has resonated with customers seeking value and innovation.
As the industry dynamics continue to shift and competition heats up, VMware must navigate these challenges with agility and foresight to maintain its position as a leader in the virtualization market.
