Evaluating Your Virtualization Options: Is It Time to Move Away from VMware?

With recent VMware pricing increases following Broadcom’s acquisition, many organizations are taking a step back to evaluate their virtualization strategy. The reality is that renewal costs have risen sharply, and IT leaders are asking the same question:

Where are our dollars best spent?

At DMC Technology Group, we’re helping clients understand their options, including whether a move from VMware to Microsoft Hyper-V makes sense based on their infrastructure, budget, and timing.

Understanding Your Options

When considering a shift away from VMware, the right approach depends largely on one key factor: the age and lifecycle of your existing hardware.

We’ve outlined four common scenarios that help determine the best migration path.

Option 1: New Hardware — The Simplest Transition

Best for: Organizations already planning a hardware refresh.
Complexity: Low
Risk: Low

If it’s time to replace aging hardware, this is the smoothest path forward.
We can work with you to:

• Deploy your new Hyper-V environment
• Recreate or convert existing virtual machines
• Transition workloads to the new infrastructure

Results: By project completion, all virtual machines are running in the new Hyper-V environment, modernized, cleanly deployed, and optimized for your next hardware cycle.

Option 2: Mid-Lifecycle Hardware — Gradual Migration Using New Storage

Best for: Companies not ready to replace servers but investing in new storage.
Complexity: Moderate
Risk: Medium

In this case, we can introduce new storage and migrate virtual machines one at a time while repurposing existing servers as Hyper-V hosts.
This phased approach:

• Leverages your new storage for Hyper-V virtual machines
• Gradually shifts workloads off VMware storage
• Minimizes disruption during the migration

Results: A cost-effective, step-by-step transition that extends the life of your hardware while reducing VMware dependency.

Option 3: Early Hardware Lifecycle — Complex, High-Risk Migration

Best for: Organizations with newer hardware but unable to absorb VMware’s new licensing costs.
Complexity: High
Risk: High

This is the most technically challenging scenario because no new hardware is being added.
We must:

• Repurpose one physical server at a time as a Hyper-V host
• Use existing storage for both VMware and Hyper-V environments during migration
• De-allocate VMware storage while expanding Hyper-V space in parallel

It’s a delicate balance. It’s possible, but not recommended unless other options aren’t feasible.
In this case, careful planning and downtime management are critical.

Option 4: Two-Server Replication Setup — A Practical Edge Case

Best for: Businesses running two VMware servers with local storage and replication.
Complexity: Low to Moderate
Risk: Low

If your setup includes two VMware servers replicating data between each other, migration can be surprisingly straightforward.

Here’s how:

• Repurpose the secondary server as your first Hyper-V host
• Migrate virtual machines from the primary VMware server to the new Hyper-V server
• Then repurpose the original VMware server as your second Hyper-V host
• Enable Hyper-V’s built-in replication to replace your third-party backup solution

Results: A simplified, cost-effective migration using existing hardware — no third-party dependency required.

Planning Ahead Is Critical

The biggest takeaway: don’t wait until your VMware renewal is due. There’s no buffer period under the new licensing model, and transitions take time, anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on environment complexity and hardware readiness.

Before you renew, take the time to:

• Evaluate your VMware agreement
• Understand your hardware lifecycle
• Assess whether Hyper-V is a better long-term investment

Let’s Find the Right Path for You

Every organization’s situation is unique, but there is a viable path forward for everyone. At DMC Technology Group, we’ve successfully helped clients navigate each of these migration scenarios.

If you’re unsure which lane you fit into, or how to get started, now is the time to have that conversation.

Contact DMC Technology Group today to evaluate your VMware renewal options and explore a smoother, smarter path to virtualization stability.

Jason Hood

President, DMC Technology Group

Jason Hood brings over 30 years of IT leadership to DMC, having successfully guided companies through transformative business initiatives across a range of industries.