Broadcom Cracks Down on VMware Perpetual License Users

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Broadcom has taken a hardline stance on VMware licensing, sending cease-and-desist letters to organisations still running VMware software without active subscriptions. 

This aggressive move signals a fundamental shift in how the software giant expects customers to engage with them: through high-cost, non-negotiable subscription models. 

However, this presents a budgetary challenge for thousands of organisations worldwide and a long-term strategic risk. 

The Growing Pressure on VMware Users

Broadcom’s letters have made one thing clear: perpetual licenses, once a staple of long-term IT planning, are no longer welcome. Organisations that previously made significant investments in VMware infrastructure under perpetual licensing agreements are now being pushed towards a subscription-only model, often at dramatically increased costs and with little warning. 

This sudden shift leaves organisations with three options: 

  1. Capitulate and pay significantly more under Broadcom’s new subscription plans 
  1. Rip and replace their VMware stack with a new virtualisation solution 
  1. Partner with a third-party support provider to continue using their existing VMware infrastructure legally and securely 

The Long-Term Implications of Staying with Broadcom

If an organisation decides to remain with Broadcom’s support model, they can expect: 

  • Steep and ongoing subscription costs, often 2–3x what they paid under perpetual models 
  • Loss of control over upgrade cycles, with Broadcom phasing out support for older versions on aggressive timelines 
  • Vendor lock-in, reducing flexibility in IT strategy and long-term budget planning 
  • Operational risk, if budget constraints lead to delayed upgrades or unsupported systems 

These issues are particularly severe for public sector institutions, educational bodies, and mid-sized businesses that can’t absorb such sudden cost increases. 

A Lifeline for VMware Users

Support Revolution offers a long-term alternative for organisations relying on VMware systems. With Support Revolution as their trusted third-party support provider, organisations can: 

  • Continue using existing VMware infrastructure for as long as needed, with full support 
  • Save between 50% and 90% on annual support bills 
  • Avoid forced upgrades, aligning support with business needs rather than vendor deadlines 
  • Access 24/7, global support delivered by highly experienced VMware specialists

Mark Smith, CEO of Support Revolution, said:

“Broadcom’s heavy-handed tactics are forcing organisations into a corner — and for many, that corner is unaffordable. Third-party support offers a stable, cost-effective way forward. At Support Revolution, we’ve helped global organisations break free from vendor-imposed pressure, extend the life of their systems, and take back control of their IT strategy.”

Time to Act

The writing is on the wall. Broadcom’s aggressive enforcement of its new model is only the beginning. For organisations still holding onto their perpetual VMware licenses or hesitating to move, the cost of inaction is rapidly increasing, and the window for proactive decision-making is narrowing. 

Support Revolution provides a legal, reliable, and financially sensible pathway forward. 

By partnering with Support Revolution, businesses can maintain continuity, reduce IT costs, and regain control over their support strategy, without compromising performance or security. 

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