Embracing the Past: My Journey with VMware

Giving todays news that Broadcom will close the acquisition with VMware on the 22nd of November. It was time to publish this blog. I think at so many good moments I had during my time with and at VMware.
My professional journey has been deeply intertwined with VMware, starting from the early days of vSphere 3.0. When I was working at Tech Data and 2 years ago while I said goodbye to VMware to jump into the world of cloud and become the FinOps enthusiast I am today. It was even at VMware that the spark of interest in FinOps was generated. More on that here.

Back to VMware, the software giant's vision of "bridging the clouds" and its role as a neutral facilitator in the cloud space has been a cornerstone of my career. VMware's innovations in cloud infrastructure and solutions have not only shaped the industry but also defined my professional development. Their commitment to driving technological progress while remaining customer-centric has always resonated with me.

Navigating Change: Concerns Over Broadcom's Acquisition

The announcement of Broadcom's acquisition of VMware brings a mix of emotions, with concern at the forefront. Having been a part of VMware's journey, witnessing its ascent as a cloud technology leader, I am apprehensive about the future. The acquisition by a company like Broadcom, known more for its hardware prowess, raises questions about the potential dilution of VMware's core values and its innovative approach to software solutions. Given the fact that we can name Symantec and CA as unsuccessful acquisitions by Broadcom it spins up more concerns. This shift could signify a move away from the pioneering spirit that has been the hallmark of VMware. So might Broadcom be a company where big software houses go to die?

A Shift in Leadership: The Departure of Pat Gelsinger

In my view the departure of Pat Gelsinger was more than a mere change in leadership; it represented a shift in the company's soul. Gelsinger's vision was instrumental in steering VMware through various technological evolutions. His move to Intel marked the beginning of a new chapter for VMware. No longer being a Dell company and all of sudden being bought by Broadcom is in my view an orchestrated acquisition to maximise the outcome for the majority shareholders. Shifting away from the customer centricity that was always a high priority at VMware.

Talent and Innovation at Risk

The potential for layoffs post-acquisition is a significant concern. VMware had a pool of motivated and extremely talented people in product development, sales, marketing and management. VMware's strength lies in its talent pool the technology was just the outcome of the vision and motivation of all these people. The loss of this talent could lead to a decline in innovation, affecting the quality of VMware's product offerings and potentially impacting customer trust and loyalty.

Competitive Landscape: Standing Against Giants

In the current market, dominated by cloud giants like Microsoft Azure, AWS, and GCP, VMware faces a big challenge. These platforms are not just competitors; they are actively seeking to absorb VMware's customer base, aiming to transition legacy workloads to their ecosystems. VMware's strategy in this environment will be crucial. Historically, the company has faced challenges in effectively communicating its vision and value proposition to the market, a gap that will need urgent attention in this new phase. If not addressed I can only assume the worst outcome for VMware and its customers. Some competitors a firing up are starting to warm the fire to put VMware to a good roast. I can only hope they are ready for it.

Conclusion: A Future in Flux

As VMware enters this new phase under Broadcom's wing, its legacy of innovation and market leadership faces a test. The future is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the decisions made in the coming months will be crucial in determining whether VMware can retain its position and continue to be a leader in the cloud technology space. The tech world watches with bated breath, curious to see how this trailblazer adapts to its new environment.

If under the Broadcom wings, the outcome is not to die but to flourish.