VMware has long been a trusted platform for enterprises managing critical virtual workloads. But following Broadcom’s acquisition and the recent shift in licensing terms, many businesses are feeling the pressure of higher costs, reduced flexibility, and tighter subscription models. In this changing landscape, the smartest move is to migrate VMware on AWS Cloud—a solution that ensures both operational continuity and future-ready transformation.
Whether you’re responding to unexpected licensing renewals or planning to scale more cost-effectively, now is the time to revaluate your infrastructure strategy and embrace a more agile, cloud-based approach.
A Shifting VMware Landscape
Broadcom’s licensing overhaul has introduced subscription-only models that eliminate perpetual licenses and introduce bundled offerings with fewer customization options. As a result, IT leaders are facing higher total cost of ownership (TCO) and limited control over their VMware environments.
This licensing transformation has become more than a financial hurdle—it’s a strategic inflection point. Businesses that continue to delay may be forced into unfavorable renewals or inflexible support arrangements. That’s why enterprises of all sizes are accelerating their efforts to migrate VMware on AWS Cloud and escape the growing constraints of on-premises or inflexible licensing models.
Why Migrating VMware on AWS Makes Strategic Sense
Choosing to migrate VMware on AWS Cloud offers the perfect balance between familiarity and innovation. You can continue using the VMware stack—vSphere, vSAN, NSX—with no need for retooling or retraining, while benefiting from the elasticity and scalability of AWS.
When you migrate VMware workloads to AWS, you can:
- Reduce capital expenditure by eliminating underutilized on-prem hardware.
- Take advantage of elastic infrastructure and right-sizing opportunities.
- Access AWS-native services to enhance your workloads with AI, machine learning, and analytics.
- Operate within a secure, compliant, and globally available environment.
Whether you’re transitioning from an on-premises environment or running a hybrid cloud infrastructure, moving VMware on AWS allows you to modernize without disrupting business operations. With native integrations and a consistent operational model, organizations can improve operational efficiency, accelerate application modernization, and take full advantage of cloud-native services like AI, analytics, and serverless computing.
Financial Efficiency and Support
Cost optimization is one of the most compelling reasons to migrate VMware on AWS Cloud. Instead of overpaying for capacity you don’t use or locking into inflexible renewal contracts, AWS offers a scalable pricing model that grows with your needs.
Eligible customers—especially those with 50 or more VMware servers—can access AWS’s Migration Acceleration Program (MAP), which offers funding, technical guidance, and migration tooling to reduce your upfront investment and smooth the transition.
The ability to shift from CapEx to OpEx also means organizations gain predictable cloud spend and improved financial planning.
Simplified Migration, Minimal Disruption
One major concern for IT teams is how to execute the migration without affecting uptime. AWS and VMware have designed their cloud offering to make the process smooth, fast, and risk-free. With tools like VMware HCX, you can move live workloads with zero downtime and minimal risk.
To further reduce migration complexity, NorthBay Solutions, an AWS Premier Consulting Partner, brings end-to-end expertise to every engagement. Our strategic partnerships with RiverMeadow and MontyCloud offer added value:
- RiverMeadow provides automated, secure workload migration from any source to AWS.
- MontyCloud delivers post-migration cloud management with automation, governance, compliance, and cost control.
Together, these technologies streamline your entire migration lifecycle—from assessment to steady-state cloud operations.
Security and Compliance Built In
Security, governance, and compliance remain top priorities during any infrastructure migration. With VMware Cloud on AWS, you inherit the robust security capabilities of AWS, including encryption at rest and in transit, Identity and Access Management (IAM), security groups, and integrated logging.
The platform also meets key compliance requirements, including:
- HIPAA
- GDPR
- ISO/IEC certifications
- SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3
Organizations across regulated industries—such as finance, healthcare, and government—can confidently run workloads in AWS knowing they meet required standards.
Unlock Innovation After VMware to AWS Migration
The true value of choosing to migrate VMware on AWS Cloud goes beyond cost savings or avoiding licensing headaches. Once workloads are migrated, businesses gain access to the full breadth of AWS services, unlocking new possibilities for digital innovation.
Post-migration, you can:
- Implement AI/ML solutions to enhance business processes.
- Integrate with Amazon RDS, S3, and other AWS-native tools.
- Embrace containerization and DevOps workflows for faster application delivery.
- Automate operations and reduce manual overhead using tools like AWS Systems Manager or MontyCloud.
This is not just an infrastructure upgrade—it’s a strategic move toward long-term business transformation.
Don’t Wait Until Costs Force Your Hand
If you wait for your VMware renewal deadline to take action, you may find yourself without enough time to plan, migrate, and test effectively. Taking a proactive approach allows you to manage risk, secure funding through AWS programs, and make decisions that support your business strategy.
The longer you delay, the higher the costs—and the fewer options—you may have. By choosing to migrate VMware on AWS Cloud today, you protect your agility and set your business up for scalable, secure success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why should I move VMware on AWS instead of upgrading my existing VMware environment?
Upgrading your existing VMware environment under the new licensing model often leads to higher costs and limited flexibility. By choosing VMware on AWS, you retain your familiar VMware tools while gaining the cost-efficiency, scalability, and innovation capabilities of the AWS Cloud.
2. Will I need to refactor or rewrite my applications when I migrate VMware on AWS?
No. One of the biggest advantages of VMware Cloud on AWS is that it allows for a lift-and-shift approach. You can move your applications without changing their architecture, minimizing disruption and reducing migration costs.
3. Is moving VMware on AWS secure and compliant with industry standards?
Yes. VMware Cloud on AWS is built with enterprise-grade security, including encryption, network segmentation, and identity access controls. It also complies with major industry standards such as HIPAA, GDPR, ISO, and SOC, making it a reliable option for regulated industries.
4. How complex is the migration process to VMware Cloud on AWS?
Migration is simplified through tools like VMware HCX, CloudEndure, and AWS Migration Hub. In addition, AWS partners like NorthBay Solutions provide end-to-end migration services to ensure minimal downtime and operational risk.
5. What kind of cost savings can I expect if I migrate VMware on AWS Cloud?
You can reduce capital expenses by moving from a hardware-based model to a pay-as-you-go cloud model. Additionally, eligible organizations may qualify for AWS funding through the Migration Acceleration Program (MAP), which helps cover migration costs and maximize ROI.
6. Can I integrate my existing on-prem VMware environment with VMware Cloud on AWS?
Yes. VMware Cloud on AWS supports hybrid cloud environments, allowing you to extend your data center into AWS while maintaining consistent operations across both environments.
7. How does moving VMware on AWS help with future innovation?
Once your workloads are in AWS, you can easily tap into services for AI/ML, data analytics, IoT, and automation. This accelerates digital transformation and enables your teams to build smarter, more responsive applications.
8. Who can help me plan and execute a VMware to AWS migration?
AWS Premier Consulting Partners like NorthBay Solutions specialize in cloud migration and can guide you through assessment, funding qualification, and the full transition process to migrate VMware on AWS efficiently and securely.
NorthBay Solutions: Your Trusted Migration Partner
At NorthBay Solutions, we specialize in helping enterprises seamlessly migrate VMware workloads to AWS with minimal risk and maximum return. As an AWS Premier Consulting Partner, we bring deep experience in cloud transformation, automation, and cost optimization.
Through our strong partnerships with RiverMeadow and MontyCloud, we ensure you not only migrate successfully but also thrive post-migration with intelligent cloud operations, cost governance, and compliance at scale.
Ready to get started?
Contact us for a free cloud readiness assessment, learn about AWS MAP funding, and take the first confident step toward moving VMware on AWS.
About NorthBay Solutions
NorthBay Solutions is a leading provider of cutting-edge technology solutions, specializing in Generative AI, Cloud Migration, ML/AI, Data Lakes and Analytics, and Managed Services. As an AWS Premier Partner, we leverage the power of the cloud to deliver innovative and scalable solutions to clients across various industries, including Healthcare, Fintech, Logistics, Manufacturing, Retail, and Education.
Our commitment to AWS extends to our partnerships with industry-leading companies like CloudRail-IIOT, RiverMeadow, and Snowflake. These collaborations enable us to offer comprehensive and tailored solutions that seamlessly integrate with AWS services, providing our clients with the best possible value and flexibility.
With a global footprint spanning the NAMER (US & Canada), MEA (Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, KSA & Africa), Turkey, APAC (including Indonesia, Singapore, and Hong Kong), NorthBay Solutions is committed to providing exceptional service and support to businesses worldwide.
