Following Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware three months ago, significant changes have been implemented across VMware’s software licensing, product portfolio, and partner program, causing confusion and concern among customers and partners.
Broadcom’s VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) division aims to clarify its strategy in a recent blog post and media interviews. Notably, the company is transitioning entirely to a subscription model and consolidating standalone products into two bundled offerings.
Prashanth Shenoy, Vice President of Cloud Platform, Infrastructure, and Solutions Marketing for Broadcom’s VCF division, acknowledges the challenges in communication, stating, “This is a humongous change, and that has absolutely caused confusion in the market. We could have done a better job communicating.”
One significant change involves the consolidation of four business units responsible for VCF’s components into a single division. This move aims to streamline product integration and enhance the user experience, such as implementing a unified sign-on experience.
Broadcom’s decision to shift from perpetual licenses to a subscription model and streamline product SKUs has raised concerns among some customers. However, the company clarified that products are not being discontinued but rather bundled into packages.
Additionally, Broadcom faced criticism for initially discontinuing its partner program without providing sufficient details, leaving reseller partners uncertain about their future. However, Shenoy reassured that the Broadcom Advantage Partner program has since been launched, and all resellers who sold VMware products in the last two years have been invited back.
Despite challenges, Shenoy emphasizes that VMware’s partnership focus remains intact under Broadcom’s ownership. He acknowledges the need for clearer communication and expresses the company’s commitment to addressing concerns and maintaining strong relationships with customers and partners.
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