VMware Licensing Services

Independent support for VMware renewals, renegotiations, migration decisions and audits under Broadcom.

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OUR CONTRACT SUPPORT

VMware licensing support under Broadcom

Since Broadcom acquired VMware in 2023, the basis most VMware agreements were negotiated on has changed. Perpetual licenses are no longer sold, the product range has been consolidated and renewal quotes are calculated differently. Historical pricing and discounts are no longer a reliable benchmark for a new proposal.

Whether you plan to renew, reduce your footprint or move some workloads elsewhere, the decision depends on knowing what you hold, what you use and what your agreements commit you to. Our consultants work independently of Broadcom and every alternative platform vendor, so our advice follows your numbers.

Every VMware estate is different. If your situation doesn’t fit the services below, get in touch and we’ll talk it through.

What has changed with VMware licensing

  • Subscription only: New perpetual licenses are no longer available. New purchases are subscriptions.
  • Consolidated bundles: The portfolio now centers on VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) and VMware vSphere Foundation (VVF), so a renewal may include capabilities you don’t use.
  • Core-based capacity: VCF and VVF subscriptions are counted on physical CPU cores across every licensed ESXi host, with a minimum of 16 cores per CPU. A host with two 8-core CPUs is licensed as 32 cores, so your hardware configuration directly affects cost.
  • Compliance reporting every 180 days: Broadcom’s program documentation for version 9.0 and later requires customers to submit a compliance report every 180 days. Missed reports can affect support and access to updates.
  • License files replace keys: VCF 9.0 and VVF 9.0 use centrally managed subscription license files instead of 25-character license keys.
HOW WE HELP

VMware Licensing Services

Before you can judge a renewal quote or a migration case, you need an accurate baseline. We review your contracts, Broadcom Support Portal data and Install Base Report (IBR) alongside your infrastructure data to give you:

  • One baseline of entitlements, support levels and legacy licenses
  • Core counts by host, measured against the 16-core-per-CPU minimum
  • Products deployed compared with the capabilities you actually use
  • Compliance risks assessed in line with Broadcom’s audit approach
  • A repeatable process for producing your 180-day compliance reports

A renewal proposal can change products, quantities and terms at the same time, which makes it hard to see what you are paying for. We assess the proposal against your validated position and support you in negotiating on:

  • Subscription scope and quantities compared with what you run and plan to run
  • Product packaging, including whether VCF or VVF fits your requirements
  • Contract length, renewal provisions and future flexibility
  • Support: what is included, what remains under existing agreements and whether alternatives are contractually viable

Results depend on your agreement and Broadcom’s policies. Going in with validated numbers and defined requirements gives you a firmer basis for the conversation.

A lower subscription price on another platform does not automatically mean a lower total cost. Moving workloads off VMware also may not reduce your license requirement in proportion, because cost follows licensed hosts and cores. We model the licensing and commercial side of the decision:

  • The cost of staying on VMware compared with reducing your footprint or moving selected workloads, over your planning period
  • Existing commitments, subscription end dates and exit timing
  • Licensing for software that runs on the new infrastructure, such as Oracle, Microsoft and IBM
  • The licensing impact of running a mixed VMware and non-VMware estate

We work alongside your infrastructure team or implementation partner, who lead the technical evaluation.

Whether you have received a formal audit notice or Broadcom has questioned your license position, the data requests can be broad and hard to scope. We help you through the process by:

  • Verifying any findings and claims Broadcom makes
  • Clarifying each request and the key data points, so you share data with confidence and at your own pace
  • Making sure only the mandatory data points are shared, since requests often extend beyond the agreed scope
WhAT YOU GET

Key benefits of our VMware licensing service

Independent expertise, market intelligence, and a focus on agreements that protect you well beyond the signing date.

Independent of Broadcom and alternative platforms

We don’t resell VMware or any competing platform. Our recommendation follows your costs and requirements, whether that means renewing, renegotiating or moving workloads.

Licensing across your whole stack

VMware decisions affect how you license the Oracle, Microsoft and IBM software running on it. We advise on those publishers too, so one team sees the full cost of each option.

A validated position before you commit

You go into renewal discussions or audit requests knowing your actual entitlements, usage and core counts, instead of relying on Broadcom’s figures.

REAL WORLD INSIGHT

VMware Licensing in 2026: Renew, Renegotiate or Migrate?

How Broadcom’s changes affect renewal costs, and what to establish before you renew, renegotiate or move workloads.

Learn more →
GET IN TOUCH

Expert VMware support

Book a call with one of our experts today. Fill out the form and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours.

  • +44 (0) 3302 050 215
  • info@itaa.com

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