By Chris Cowdry, Head of Cloud Services, Trust
For many organisations, cloud strategy has been something that evolves gradually over time.
Infrastructure is reviewed periodically. Contracts come up for renewal. Technology decisions are made as part of a long-term roadmap.
However, recent developments in the VMware ecosystem have changed that dynamic significantly.
Today, many organisations are finding themselves in a position where decisions that were once considered future concerns now require immediate attention.
The reality is simple: Doing nothing is not an option.
The VMware Landscape has Fundamentally Changed
For more than two decades, VMware sat at the heart of enterprise virtualisation and private cloud infrastructure.
It became a trusted foundation for organisations of all sizes, powering everything from internal data centres to managed service provider platforms.
That stability is now being challenged.
Following Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, organisations have experienced significant changes across licensing, partner programmes, and commercial models. Many businesses are now facing difficult questions around future viability, support, and cost.
For some organisations, it’s a pricing issue.
For others, it’s an operational issue.
For many, it’s both.
The result is a growing need to assess alternative options and develop a strategy for what comes next.
Waiting Carries Risk
One of the most common responses to uncertainty is delay.
It’s understandable.
Technology transitions can feel disruptive, particularly when existing platforms continue to function.
However, waiting for clarity can often create additional challenges.
The organisations that are best positioned to navigate change are typically those that begin exploring their options early, rather than waiting until circumstances force a decision.
The VMware market is evolving quickly, and businesses that leave planning until the final moment may find themselves with fewer options available to them.
The goal is not to rush into a replacement platform.
The goal is to prepare.
Why Sovereignty is Becoming Part of the Conversation
At the same time, organisations are facing increasing scrutiny around where their data resides and how it is governed.
Data sovereignty has moved from being a niche compliance discussion to becoming a core component of cloud strategy.
More organisations are asking questions such as:
- Where is our data physically located?
- Who has jurisdiction over that data?
- Are we meeting current and future regulatory requirements?
- How much visibility and control do we actually have?
As regulations continue to evolve, these questions are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
For many organisations, infrastructure decisions are no longer being driven solely by technology or cost.
They’re being influenced by governance, risk, and compliance requirements as well.
Hybrid Cloud is Often Misunderstood
One of the most persistent misconceptions I encounter is the definition of hybrid cloud.
Many people assume hybrid cloud simply means running workloads across multiple environments and connecting them together.
The reality is more complex.
A true hybrid cloud environment requires integrated governance, security controls, operational processes, and workload mobility across platforms.
That level of integration can deliver enormous benefits.
However, it also introduces additional complexity and operational overhead.
For organisations reassessing their infrastructure strategy, it’s important to understand what hybrid cloud actually requires before deciding whether it’s the right model.
Strategy Before Technology
When organisations begin exploring alternatives, there is often a temptation to focus immediately on technology.
What platform should we move to?
Which hypervisor should we adopt?
Where should we host workloads?
While these are important questions, they’re not the most important questions.
The first priority should always be strategy.
Organisations need to understand:
- What outcomes are they trying to achieve?
- What level of control is required?
- What compliance obligations must be met?
- How important is sovereignty?
- What does long-term sustainability look like?
Only once those answers are clear should conversations around technology begin.
Navigating a Changing Market
It’s understandable that many organisations feel uncertain.
The cloud marketplace is currently experiencing significant disruption.
Platform choices are evolving.
Commercial models are changing.
Regulatory requirements continue to grow.
The challenge is not simply selecting a replacement for VMware.
It’s understanding how to build a cloud strategy that remains resilient as the market continues to change.
That requires planning, expertise, and a clear understanding of the options available.
Looking Ahead
Over the next few years, cloud strategy is likely to become even more closely linked to sovereignty, governance, resilience, and cost control.
The organisations that succeed will not necessarily be those that move fastest.
They will be the organisations that take the time to understand their requirements, evaluate their options, and create a deliberate plan for the future.
The VMware disruption is forcing many organisations to reassess their direction.
While that creates challenges, it also creates an opportunity to build a strategy that is better aligned to the needs of the business.
Because ultimately, standing still is no longer a strategy.
Doing nothing is not an option.
About the Author:
Chris Cowdry
Head of Cloud Services, Trust
Chris leads the Cloud Services practice at Trust, helping organisations navigate cloud strategy, platform modernisation, and infrastructure transformation. With extensive experience across cloud infrastructure, managed services, sovereignty, and security, Chris works closely with customers to build resilient, commercially sustainable cloud environments for the future.
Watch the Full Discussion
This article is based on insights shared during Episode 4 of Trust Cloud Talks.