Unlocking Efficiency: A Guide to VMware to Microsoft Migration

Many organizations are always looking for ways to optimize their IT Infrastructure costs. After changes in licensing, perhaps new partners, or product changes, changing solutions may be more on the table than ever. Looking specifically at virtualization technologies, Microsoft offers two main flavors: virtualization running in their cloud datacenters in Azure and their modern hyperconverged virtualization offering for on-premises known as Azure Stack HCI.  

There are benefits to migrating to Microsoft products! 

-Lower licensing costs 

Microsoft offerings are frequently less expensive than competitors’ products, especially if you have an existing Microsoft licensing agreement. With Enterprise Agreements in place, discounts can apply to your overall Azure Cloud spend, or on premises Azure Stack HCI infrastructure. Azure supports Hybrid use Benefit which enables you to leverage your existing on-premises licenses with Software Assurance (SA) or other subscriptions. 

-Integration with the Microsoft ecosystem 

For anyone that has worked in IT for a while, you know how Microsoft products integrate with each other. From Office 365, to Active Directory, to SQL server and of course Azure. This integration simplifies management, compliance and security across your environment.  

-Innovation and scalability 

Microsoft products are updated with new capabilities and features all the time that can help improve reliability, performance, and security. Azure offers a vast number of solutions for computing needs such as VMs, IoT, DevOps and AI. Widows Server and Azure Stack HCI have features that also help bridge the gap between on-premises to support Hybrid environments.  

Infrastructure Virtualization/Modernization 

Azure Cloud 

Azure is a worldwide mature cloud platform that provides more than 200 features and services, including containerized app building, AI, computing and DevOps tools. It is ideal for companies that need scalability and versatility, as well as access to innovative technologies and integrations. Azure owns its own data centers and resources and supports multi-cloud environments. Migrate your aging on-premises datacenter hardware running your Virtual Machines to modern Intel and AMD (+ Arm) CPUs, scalable fast storage solutions and worldwide low latency Azure network. 

Azure Stack HCI 

Azure Stack HCI is a hybrid cloud infrastructure solution that lets you run virtualized workloads on-premises with direct access and deep integrations to Azure services such as Azure Monitor, Azure Backup and Azure Security Center. If Azure Arc management is configured, the on-premises Windows and Linux VMs can be managed with Azure Cloud tools (RBAC security, ARM template infrastructure deployments, etc.).  Replace a too costly to maintain or out of support hypervisor solution with Microsoft supported Stack HCI to continue running your workloads on-premises.  

Desktop Virtualization/Modernization 

Azure Virtual Desktop 

Azure Virtual Desktop is a cloud service (an on-premises offering with Azure Stack HCI is Generally Available from early 2024 as well) that allows you to run Windows desktops and apps on any device. You can use it to create a secure and scalable virtual desktop infrastructure for your organization. Azure Virtual Desktop offers benefits such as cost savings, flexibility, security, and compliance. Replace an aging Remote Desktop Services environment or too costly VDI solution and modernize to a Cloud-managed and scalable Azure Virtual Desktop service.  

Windows 365 Cloud PC 

Windows 365 Cloud PC is a managed end user computing solution that is simpler to implement and easy to scale with minimal internal IT resources. It is designed for productivity and security allowing users to stream their Windows experience from Azure to any device (MacOS, iPads, or Windows Computers). Positioned for more general-purpose workloads, Windows 365 offers predictable cost models compared to other end user computer solutions or laptop acquisitions.  

Microsoft Dev Box 

Microsoft Dev Box is a cloud service that provides development teams self-service and ready-to-code cloud workstations preconfigured with all the tools allowing developers to be productive immediately. This allows developer onboarding to go from multiple days to minutes while also taking full advantage of existing security, compliance, and governance (Intune, Azure Policy, etc.) solutions. Dev Box can be a great solution for contract or temporary workers to quickly onboard new team members and get them productive on day one.