In the dynamic world of enterprise IT, the choices companies make around infrastructure, platforms, and software partners can determine not only short-term agility but long-term success. Among the most dangerous traps a business can fall into is vendor lock-in — when the very platforms meant to enable growth end up stifling it through restrictive policies, lack of flexibility, and inflated costs.
A prime and timely example of this is playing out in real-time with VMware.
A Turning Point: Broadcom’s Acquisition of VMware
When Broadcom acquired VMware in late 2023, many in the industry hoped for a smooth transition that preserved VMware’s customer-centric legacy. Instead, what followed was a stark and aggressive shift in strategy. Broadcom wasted no time initiating a profit-maximization campaign, targeting the very customer base that had built VMware’s legacy.
According to reports, AT&T faced a staggering 1,050% price increase and even accused Broadcom of breaching their contract. This wasn’t an isolated event. Many customers saw their costs skyrocket by up to 10 times. Perpetual licenses were canceled, support and subscription renewals were upended, and in a truly unprecedented move, cease-and-desist letters were issued to organizations using previously valid perpetual licenses, like this one shared by Ars Technica.
These actions have delivered a stark warning to enterprises across the globe: trust is fragile, and no partnership is immune to collapse.
Platform9’s Open Letter: A Call to Action
In response to the growing frustration within the IT community, Platform9 released a public open letter to VMware customers, highlighting the severity of the situation and presenting a viable, strategic alternative.
The message was simple: enterprises deserve better.
Platform9’s leadership team, which includes former VMware insiders, expressed deep concern over Broadcom’s treatment of customers and laid out a path forward that emphasizes trust, transparency, and technology that works for you — not against you.
Why Vendor Lock-In Is So Dangerous
Vendor lock-in doesn’t just hurt financially. It restricts innovation. It delays digital transformation. And worst of all, it robs organizations of choice.
Many companies that built their virtualization infrastructure on VMware now find themselves scrambling for alternatives, faced with:
- Unexpected and excessive cost increases
- Inability to access updates or patches without new subscriptions
- Legal threats over using long-standing licenses
- Pressure to adopt hardware and software they neither need nor want
This type of behavior illustrates the dangers of relying too heavily on a single vendor for critical infrastructure. And it’s a reminder to every IT leader: resiliency comes not just from technology, but from the freedom to choose and change.
The iShift + Platform9 Partnership: Redefining Cloud Freedom
Enterprises need a modern solution that re-establishes control, lowers risk, and builds future-ready infrastructure. That’s where our synergy comes in.
Together, we offer a compelling response to VMware’s current instability, combining technical excellence with a deeply customer-centric approach:
Platform9: Private Cloud, Reimagined
Platform9’s Private Cloud Director (PCD) is a robust, intuitive solution that brings the power of cloud to on-premises infrastructure. Unlike VMware’s increasingly complex and restrictive licensing, PCD offers:
- A familiar, admin-friendly experience
- Full enterprise-grade virtualization and orchestration features
- Compatibility with existing storage and compute investments
- No forced refresh or expensive proprietary architecture
The platform is built by people who understand VMware — literally. The original creators of VMware’s vCloud Director are the minds behind Platform9, and they’ve taken the lessons of the past to build something better for the future.
iShift: Migration Without the Mayhem
We bring decades of VMware expertise and an outstanding track record in cloud and data migrations. Our services are tailored to reduce friction, de-risk transitions, and accelerate enterprise success.
With proven frameworks and hands-on support, at iShift we can ensure that:
- Dependencies are mapped and managed
- Critical data and workloads are protected
- Business continuity is maintained
- Migration is smooth, efficient, and on time
At iShift we focus on enabling companies to move forward with confidence.
Together, we simplify migrations with flexibility and speed
- Freedom from vendor lock-in
- Predictable, competitive pricing
- A modern private cloud experience that just works
- Expert-led migration services that de-risk every step
- Most importantly, we help organizations regain the one thing VMware’s current model is taking away: choice.
A Strategic Challenge for IT Leaders: The Moment is Now
The current VMware debacle is a wake-up call. Enterprises no longer have the luxury of ignoring the signs or hoping things will stabilize. Broadcom’s actions have made it clear: this is not a temporary.
For CIOs, CTOs, and infrastructure leaders, the time to act is now. It’s time to explore smarter, safer, and more future-proof alternatives.
We are ready to lead the way.
Whether you are just beginning to assess options or already planning your exit from VMware, our teams are here to support you with the expertise, technology, and care your enterprise deserves.
Don’t let your infrastructure strategy be dictated by a vendor who’s lost sight of customer value.
Break free. Take control. Shape the cloud your business demands.
Your benefits:
- We actually listen before offering solutions
- We help clear the mess — old systems, tech debt, all of it
- We speak human first, tech second
- We move fast, stay honest, and always keep it simple
What happens next?
1 We schedule a quick call — whenever it works for you
2 You tell us what’s not working — we listen
3 You get a plan that makes sense
