The Low-Risk Approach to Moving VMware Workloads to the Cloud

VMware remains the foundation of many enterprise IT environments. But with increasing pressure to optimize costs, modernize infrastructure, and respond to licensing changes under Broadcom, IT leaders are reassessing their cloud strategy.

This isn’t just a pricing story — it’s a transformation moment. The decision to move VMware workloads to the cloud now centers on how to do it in a way that preserves business continuity, maintains compliance, and sets the stage for future innovation.

Whether you’re seeking flexibility, scalability, or better alignment with new licensing terms, Azure VMware Solution (AVS) offers a familiar, lower-risk way to extend VMware environments into the cloud — no refactoring required.

Why IT leaders are migrating VMware to the cloud

Cloud platforms offer elasticity, resilience, and native access to modern services. But for VMware environments specifically, the value of cloud adoption lies in:

• Cost predictability, with reserved instances and Bring Your Own License (BYOL) options
• Operational efficiency, eliminating hardware refreshes and freeing teams to focus on innovation
• Future-readiness, enabling phased modernization over time
• Licensing compliance, especially under Broadcom’s new VMware terms

What is Azure VMware Solution (AVS)?

AVS is a Microsoft Azure service that allows enterprises to run VMware workloads natively on Azure infrastructure — with no need to re-architect, replatform, or rewrite applications.

AVS provides:

• Full alignment with Broadcom licensing: AVS supports VMware Cloud Foundation BYOL, simplifying compliance under the new model
• Operational offload: Azure manages host provisioning, patching, and lifecycle updates across the VMware stack
• Modernization on your terms: You can keep existing workloads as-is or incrementally modernize to Azure-native services like SQL, file storage, or Azure Virtual Desktop
• Predictable pricing: Reserved instances, usage-based billing, and BYOL all help right-size spend and avoid over-licensing

What can go wrong with VMware cloud migrations?

Even with a robust platform like AVS, there are still risks to plan for, including:

• Licensing complexity, especially during contract renewals or multi-year commitments
• Underestimated network and security dependencies
• Skills gaps in managing day-two operations like patching, backups, and monitoring
• Uncontrolled spend, if workloads aren’t right-sized or governed properly

Having a thoughtful migration strategy — and the right operational support — can help avoid missteps that stall progress or inflate costs.

How managed services reduce risk and accelerate AVS adoption

As organizations navigate the shift to AVS, many are finding that managed services provide a smoother path forward. With the right support, you can:

• Migrate workloads with minimal disruption using familiar VMware tools (vSphere, vCenter, vSAN, NSX)
• Maintain 24×7 operations, including patching, monitoring, and guest OS support
• Incrementally modernize application environments as your business is ready
• Align licensing and cloud costs with real usage to avoid stranded resources

Microsoft funding to accelerate migration

As an Azure Expert MSP, Ensono can help clients access Microsoft funding programs that reduce the cost of migration and improve ROI. These incentives make it easier to get started with AVS and build momentum toward long-term modernization.