VMware Rapid Migration Plan: Some Benefits for Commitment

Note: In Dec. 2024, Microsoft extended the deadline to the VMware Rapid Migration Plan to June 30, 2025. This brief has been updated to reflect that change.

The VMware Rapid Migration Plan, announced by Microsoft on May 1, 2024, could help organizations facing increased VMware licensing costs after Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, but requires migration to Microsoft’s hosted Azure VMware Solution (AVS) and a one- to five-year commitment. The Migration Plan includes an additional 20% discount for new AVS customers willing to commit to a one-year Reserved Instance (on top of the standard Reserved Instance discount). A five-year AVS Reserved Instance option allows customers to lock in pricing long term and shows that Microsoft has confidence in its ongoing relationship with Broadcom. Finally, large net-new customer migrations to AVS could be eligible for up to US$120,000 in one-time Azure credit. However, these promotions are available only through Dec. 31, 2024 June 30, 2025. Other benefits promoted by the plan, such as access to free Extended Security Updates and the ability to run Windows Server and SQL Server in AVS with no additional licensing costs, are either already standard to Azure VMs or part of the Azure Hybrid Benefit. The VMware Rapid Migration Plan is discussed on the Directions Blog at https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog/microsofts-vmware-rapid-migration-plan-not-as-shiny-as-it-looks.