What Will VMware Customers Do Next? A Field Day Roundtable

VMware is in a transition right now, with the company being acquired by Broadcom and many customers questioning what they will do next. In this Field Day delegate roundtable discussion, we will consider how enterprise IT architecture might change once the direction of VMware changes, both as a company and as a product. And what about security, Kubernetes, and other advanced features? Should customers invest in the VMware solutions or look to other providers?

In this Tech Field Day roundtable discussion, the delegates explored the future of VMware customers in light of its acquisition by Broadcom. The conversation highlighted VMware’s pivotal role in enterprise IT, particularly with its vSphere and ESXi products, which are seen as the bedrock of data centers. Despite the acquisition, delegates agreed that customers are unlikely to abandon VMware in the short term due to the complexity and cost of switching platforms. However, concerns were raised about VMware’s ability to stay relevant in the evolving landscape of cloud-native applications and Kubernetes, where competitors like OpenShift and cloud providers are gaining traction. The discussion also touched on the potential impact on SMBs, who might reconsider their strategies if VMware’s focus shifts more towards larger enterprises. The delegates emphasized the need for VMware to simplify its offerings and possibly deliver them as managed services to maintain its value proposition. Overall, while the immediate future of VMware seems stable, its long-term success will depend on how it adapts to new technologies and customer needs under Broadcom’s ownership.