VMWARE TO AWS MIGRATION SERVICE

AWS VMware Migration Services

With VMware's new licensing model driving up costs, now is the perfect time to migrate to the cloud.

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VMWARE TO AWS MIGRATION SERVICE

Migrate Your VMware Workloads to AWS for Cost reduction and Flexibility

With VMware's new licensing model driving up costs, now is the perfect time to migrate to the cloud.

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Let's Explore The VMware Alternatives

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VMware has been the go-to platform for many businesses to manage virtual environments. However, recent changes to VMware's licensing model have led to significant cost increases, pushing organizations to explore alternative options.

Migrating VMware workloads to Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the most effective ways to:

Reduce costs

  • Avoid the new subscription-based pricing model from VMware, which has significantly increased total cost of ownership (TCO)
  • Pay only for the compute and storage resources you use on AWS with flexible pricing models such as Reserved Instances and Savings Plans
  • Eliminate on-premises hardware maintenance and data center overhead

Increase flexibility

  • Scale infrastructure up or down dynamically based on demand, with no need for capacity planning or overprovisioning
  • Deploy applications globally using AWS’s 100+ Availability Zones across 30+ regions
  • Run legacy VMware workloads in a hybrid model using VMware Cloud on AWS, or replatform for greater agility with EC2, ECS, or EKS

Explore the full potential of cloud computing

  • Integrate seamlessly with over 200 AWS services, including AI/ML, analytics, and serverless options
  • Modernize applications using containers, microservices, and event-driven architectures
  • Leverage AWS-native monitoring, automation, and DevOps tools to accelerate innovation

By transitioning to AWS, businesses can take advantage of scalable infrastructure, a broad suite of cloud-native services, and enhanced security — all while avoiding the rising prices associated with traditional VMware environments.

Here’s why now is the ideal time to migrate to the cloud, the benefits of AWS migration, and how Metal Toad can support your business at every step of the journey.

Strategic VMWare Consultation

5 Key Reasons to Migrate VMware Workloads to AWS:

The recent changes in VMware's licensing model and costs might now be the tipping point, considering all the factors involved, to favor a move to cloud migration.

Key Reasons to Migrate VMware Workloads to AWS:

The recent changes in VMware's licensing model and costs might now be the tipping point, considering all the factors involved, to favor a move to cloud migration.

vmware replacement - cost efficiency

1. Cost Efficiency

AWS offers a more cost-effective alternative than VMware's new licensing model. Enabling businesses to pay only for the resources they use. Additionally, migrating to AWS allows for cost-saving measures like rightsizing, automated scaling, and optimized storage solutions, significantly reducing overall infrastructure expenses.

vmware replacement - Scalability

2. Flexibility and Scalability

Unlike traditional VMware environments, AWS allows you to quickly adjust resources based on your needs. This flexibility enables you to respond faster to market changes, improve application performance, and manage workloads efficiently without being locked into restrictive licensing agreements.

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3. Access to Advanced Cloud Services

By migrating to AWS, you gain access to a broad suite of cloud-native services that extend far beyond basic virtual machine hosting. AWS offers advanced tools for data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and serverless computing. These services can help you innovate faster, streamline operations, and create more value for your customers.

vmware replacement - Security

4. Strengthened Security and Compliance

AWS has a comprehensive set of security services and compliance certifications, ensuring your workloads remain protected and meet industry standards. Migrating from VMware to AWS means leveraging AWS’s built-in security measures, such as identity and access management, encryption, and continuous monitoring, giving you peace of mind while reducing the burden of managing security in-house.

vmware replacement - Incentives

5. Incentives and Support for Migration

AWS, in partnership with experts like Metal Toad, provides a range of incentives to make the migration process smoother and more cost-effective. Programs like the AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) and VMware Migration Accelerator (VMA) offer funding, tools, and expert guidance to help you through every phase of your migration journey.

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Incentives and Funding for AWS VMware Migration

Migrating from VMware to AWS can be a significant investment, both in terms of time and resources. However, AWS offers a variety of incentives and funding programs to help offset these costs and accelerate the migration process. By leveraging these programs, organizations can minimize expenses while maximizing the benefits of cloud migration. Here’s a breakdown of some key funding options available and how Metal Toad can assist your business in taking full advantage of them.

 

AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP)

The AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) is designed to help businesses migrate to AWS efficiently and cost-effectively. It provides tools, training, and financial assistance tailored to different stages of the migration journey. MAP consists of three phases—Assess, Mobilize, and Migrate/Modernize—each offering funding options to support the process. Here’s how it works:

      • Assess: In this phase, AWS offers funding to support an initial assessment of your current VMware environment. This includes using the Optimization and Licensing Assessment (OLA) to create a migration plan that identifies cost-saving opportunities.

      • Mobilize: AWS provides additional funding during the mobilization phase to help with planning, preparation, and the setup of a secure landing zone in AWS.

      • Migrate/Modernize: After the migration is complete, you can receive incentives based on the percentage of workloads successfully transitioned to AWS, which can be reinvested into ongoing modernization efforts.

 

VMware Migration Accelerator (VMA)

For those specifically looking to migrate VMware workloads, the VMware Migration Accelerator (VMA) program offers an additional set of financial incentives:

      • Cash and Credits: VMA provides up to $400 per migrated virtual machine (VM) in the form of AWS credits. This can significantly reduce the cost of the migration itself and make the move to AWS more financially viable.

      • Stackable Incentives: VMA credits can be combined with other AWS programs like the Enterprise Discount Program (EDP) and the AWS Partner Funding programs, creating even more cost-saving opportunities.

 

Windows Migration Accelerator (WMA)

If your VMware environment includes Windows-based servers, the Windows Migration Accelerator (WMA) program provides up to $250 in service credits for each Windows server migrated to AWS. This incentive can be stacked on top of other agreed-upon pre-sales incentives, further reducing migration costs.

 

How Metal Toad Helps You Maximize Incentives

Navigating the various AWS funding options can be complex, especially when trying to determine eligibility and how to best apply these incentives to your unique situation. This is where Metal Toad steps in:

  1. Assessment and Strategy: Metal Toad works with you to perform a thorough assessment of your current VMware environment and cloud readiness. We identify the right AWS funding programs and build a migration strategy tailored to your business needs.

  2. Securing Funding: Our team guides you through the application process for AWS funding programs, ensuring all necessary documentation and requirements are in place to qualify for maximum incentives.

  3. Ongoing Support: We continue to work alongside you throughout the migration journey, helping to track the migration's progress and meet the requirements needed to claim incentives, such as the 720-hour minimum run time for migrated VMs on AWS.

  4. Post-Migration Optimization: Metal Toad helps you leverage the post-migration credits and incentives offered through AWS, reinvesting them into optimizing your cloud environment for performance, security, and further cost savings.

By leveraging Metal Toad’s expertise, you can take full advantage of AWS's funding programs, ensuring a smooth and cost-effective transition from VMware to AWS. This approach not only reduces the upfront cost of migration but also positions your business to maximize the long-term benefits of moving to the cloud.

HOW CAN METAL TOAD HELP?

The AWS VMware Migration Journey with Metal Toad

Migrating VMware workloads to AWS can seem like a complex and daunting process. However, with the right partner to guide you, it becomes a strategic transformation that positions your business for greater agility, cost efficiency, and innovation. Metal Toad, an experienced AWS migration partner, utilizes the AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP) to deliver a structured, end-to-end migration journey. This journey consists of three key phases: Assess, Mobilize, and Migrate/Modernize.

 

1. Assess: Building the Foundation for a Successful Migration

      • Initial Assessment: Metal Toad begins by conducting a comprehensive evaluation of your current VMware environment. We use tools such as the Optimization and Licensing Assessment (OLA) to analyze compute, storage, and licensing needs. This assessment helps us identify potential cost savings and the most effective migration pathway for your workloads.

      • Building the Business Case: During this phase, Metal Toad collaborates with your team to develop a detailed business case for migration. This includes a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis, showing potential cost reductions by moving to AWS.

      • Maximizing Funding: We also identify the various AWS funding programs you qualify for, such as incentives from the MAP or VMware Migration Accelerator (VMA). By aligning with these programs, Metal Toad can help you access up to $60,000 in assessment funding to kickstart your migration.

2. Mobilize: Planning and Preparing for Migration

      • Creating a Detailed Migration Plan: In the Mobilize phase, we take the insights from the assessment and build a tailored migration plan. This plan includes designing the AWS environment (landing zone), defining security and governance models, and setting up the necessary tools for a seamless transition.

      • Setting Up Your AWS Environment: Metal Toad helps you establish a robust and secure foundation on AWS. This includes creating a landing zone that meets best practices for security, compliance, and scalability. By leveraging AWS’s cloud-native services, we ensure your new environment is optimized for both current and future needs.

      • Addressing Skills Gaps: Lack of AWS expertise is a common blocker for businesses. To address this, Metal Toad provides training and enablement for your IT teams, helping them gain the skills needed to manage and operate the AWS environment effectively. We also assist in building a Center of Excellence (CoE) within your organization to support ongoing cloud operations.

      • Accessing Additional Funding: During the Mobilize phase, Metal Toad works to secure additional AWS funding to cover planning, training, and setup activities, further reducing the financial impact of the migration.

3. Migrate/Modernize: Execution of Migration

      • Migration Execution: Once the preparation is complete, Metal Toad transitions your VMware workloads to AWS using the migration pathway identified during the assessment. Whether it's rehosting (lift-and-shift), replatforming, or refactoring to AWS-native services, we use proven methodologies and tools to ensure a smooth migration with minimal disruption.

      • Utilizing Migration Tools: Metal Toad leverages AWS's suite of migration tools, such as AWS Migration Hub, AWS Application Migration Service (MGN), and AWS Database Migration Service (DMS), to facilitate a seamless transfer of workloads, applications, and databases.

      • Ongoing Optimization: Post-migration, we optimize your workloads to take full advantage of AWS’s cost-saving features, such as auto-scaling, right-sizing, and reserved instances. This phase may also involve modernizing applications to use AWS's advanced services, like containers or serverless computing, to further enhance performance and reduce costs.

      • Claiming Migration Incentives: Metal Toad assists you in claiming additional funding available through the AWS Migration Acceleration Program (MAP), such as up to 40% of post-migration Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) in partner cash incentives, making the transition even more cost-effective.

Why Choose Metal Toad for Your Migration?

  • End-to-End Support: From the initial assessment to post-migration optimization, Metal Toad offers comprehensive support at every stage of the journey. We handle the technical complexities, so your team can focus on driving business outcomes.

  • Maximizing Funding and Incentives: Our expertise in AWS funding programs ensures you receive the maximum possible financial support, reducing the overall cost of migration.

  • Tailored Solutions: We recognize that every business is unique. Metal Toad crafts a migration strategy tailored to your specific needs, whether it involves rehosting, replatforming, or refactoring your applications for AWS.

Learn more about VMware Migration on our blog