Politics · Australia · 6 hrs ago
Defence is reducing its use of VMware amid higher licensing costs
Australia’s Defence department is reducing its use of VMware under a mandate that applies across parts of the department that use the software.
The mandate was reportedly issued around September, before a $178 million VMware licence renewal was revealed.
VMware costs have risen for long-time customers after Broadcom bought the company in late 2023 and changed its licensing model from perpetual licences to subscriptions.
Higher costs are one reason for the change, but sovereignty is also understood to be a concern.
VMware is deeply embedded in IT operations, so staff training and migration are challenges for Defence.
The department has not provided details on the mandate’s scope or progress, and the timeline for reducing VMware use is unclear.
Defence is reducing its use of VMware under a mandate that applies across parts of the department exposed to the VMware ecosystem.
The mandate was reportedly issued around September last year, before a $178 million VMware licence renewal was revealed.
The move comes as VMware licensing costs have risen following Broadcom’s acquisition of the company and a shift to subscription-based licensing.
Cost is one factor in the decision, while sovereignty is also understood to be a concern.
Defence has not commented on the mandate’s scope or implementation, directing iTnews to earlier comments about optimising its VMware requirements.
- Who
- Defence.
- What
- It is reducing its use of VMware under a mandate.
- When
- The mandate was reportedly issued around September last year.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Higher licensing costs are one factor, and sovereignty is also understood to be a concern.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Broadcom acquired VMware and changed its licensing model from perpetual to subscription-based.
Defence reportedly issued a mandate to reduce its use of VMware.
A $178 million VMware licence renewal was revealed.
- Mandate
- Applies to all parts of Defence with exposure to the VMware ecosystem
- Mandate timing
- Around September last year
- VMware renewal
- $178 million
- Licensing change
- Broadcom shifted VMware from perpetual to subscription-based licensing
1 source
What people are saying
been mandated to get off VMware, essentially
They’ve spent their entire careers with one style of design and we’ve now made them shift and it’s been quite a challenge
streamlined and optimised its VMware software requirements to ensure value for money, following changes to VMware’s licensing model.