The end of VMUG Advantage is the end of VMware

On November 5th, 2024, Broadcom announced that #VMUG Advantage would be forever changed. Starting November 30th, VMUG Advantage, a much loved and crucial component to the VMUG community, will be stripped of its most valuable feature: access to VMware software for personal use. This video walks you through the changes happening, what they mean for you, and why I think this change sparks the beginning of the end of #VMware.

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The end of VMUG Advantage marks a significant shift in VMware’s trajectory, and it could signal deeper issues for the company. While it may not be the absolute “end” of VMware as a whole, it does highlight a concerning pattern of changes that could ultimately weaken the company’s standing in the IT industry.

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Understanding VMUG Advantage and Its Importance

The VMware User Group (VMUG) Advantage programme has been a staple of the VMware ecosystem, offering IT professionals, enthusiasts, and organisations access to:

• Deep discounts on VMware products and training.
• EVALExperience, which allowed users to run VMware software in lab environments affordably.
• Exclusive training and certification resources to upskill IT professionals.
• Community-driven knowledge sharing through VMUG events and forums.

For many IT professionals, VMUG Advantage was an affordable gateway into VMware products, allowing them to test, learn, and master VMware solutions before deploying them in enterprise settings.

Why Ending VMUG Advantage is a Major Issue

1. VMware is Losing Its Community Edge

VMware’s success was built on a strong community of IT professionals who grew their careers using VMware tools. By cutting VMUG Advantage, VMware is alienating its own user base, many of whom have advocated for VMware for years. This move discourages newcomers from adopting VMware, making alternatives like Proxmox, Nutanix, and even Microsoft Hyper-V more appealing.

2. Broadcom’s Influence is Changing VMware’s DNA

After Broadcom acquired VMware, many feared it would prioritise revenue over community engagement and affordability. This decision to end VMUG Advantage aligns with Broadcom’s typical strategy:

• Raising prices significantly.
• Cutting community-driven programmes.
• Focusing only on large enterprises.

This shift might generate short-term profit but could diminish VMware’s long-term adoption as smaller organisations and independent professionals move away.

3. The Rise of Open-Source and Cloud Alternatives

The virtualisation landscape is evolving, and VMware faces growing competition from open-source alternatives like Proxmox and cloud-based solutions like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Many companies are already transitioning to cloud-native environments, reducing reliance on VMware.

With VMUG Advantage gone, independent users and small businesses will have fewer reasons to stay loyal. Instead, they will likely explore:

• Proxmox VE, which offers free and open-source virtualisation.
• Nutanix AHV, an enterprise-grade alternative with simpler licensing.
• Microsoft Hyper-V, already bundled with Windows Server.
• Cloud-native services, which eliminate the need for on-prem virtualisation.

4. Harder Learning Curve for Future IT Professionals

Many IT professionals learned VMware through affordable access to its products via VMUG Advantage. Without this, the barrier to entry is higher, making it less likely for new IT professionals to specialise in VMware.

This means:

• Fewer new VMware-certified engineers.
• Less grassroots adoption of VMware products.
• Organisations may struggle to find VMware-skilled staff in the future.

This benefits competitors like Microsoft, Red Hat, and Proxmox, whose solutions remain more accessible to learners and small businesses.

What This Means for VMware’s Future

The removal of VMUG Advantage isn’t the absolute end of VMware, but it is a warning sign of its declining influence. If Broadcom continues to push aggressive licensing changes and ignore community feedback, VMware could face:

• A loss of independent advocates and professionals.
• A shrinking market share as competitors gain traction.
• A gradual decline, similar to what happened with Citrix after its own acquisition.

Final Thoughts

The end of VMUG Advantage is a short-sighted decision that hurts VMware’s long-term ecosystem. It sends a clear message that Broadcom is prioritising enterprise customers over IT professionals, learners, and small businesses. This will likely accelerate the shift towards open-source and alternative virtualisation platforms, potentially putting VMware in a slow but steady decline.

For IT professionals, now is the time to explore alternatives like Proxmox, Nutanix, and cloud-native solutions, as VMware’s future under Broadcom looks increasingly uncertain.