VMware Debate: Is it Time for Companies to Rethink?

Which strategies should IT decision-makers pursue considering the constant changes in the business landscape?

"The IT and data architecture must be proactively and comprehensively designed to maintain independence and ensure data sovereignty."

_It is essential that we not only react to short-term challenges but rather consider the IT and data architecture as a whole. This includes considering how to avoid long-term dependencies and maintain control over our data – one of the most valuable assets of a company. An example of this is the revision of the data storage infrastructure towards a modern and hybrid environment. Another situation involves expanding the application/service portfolio with various pillars for optimal placement of services. Therefore, the strategy should not necessarily be "cloud-first" but rather "service-optimized placement".

How can one design an IT infrastructure without falling into the trap of dependencies?

"Strive for a flexible IT infrastructure that combines efficient workload distribution with seamless data flow."

_A flexible infrastructure is the foundation of agile IT. By distributing workloads and optimizing resources, we create capacity, flexibility, and efficiency. At the same time, organizing the flow of data enables seamless information exchange between processes and systems. This not only increases the reuse of data but also prevents the formation of isolated information islands, known as data silos. Our goal is to achieve seamless integration and usability of data across all platforms and applications to optimize business processes and maximize value creation. This starts with a universal data management platform that supports hybrid scenarios and platforms and leads to comprehensive workload management environments. Following the principle of "PLAN-BUILD-RUN".

What is BNC's vision regarding the challenges posed by an acquisition like VMware's by Broadcom?

"We align business requirements, corporate strategy, optimization potential, as well as available resource and skills management."

_At BNC, we understand that a successful IT and data architecture should not only encompass technical aspects but must also be closely aligned with business goals and available resources. This includes merging business requirements with corporate strategy and identifying optimization potential to effectively utilize resources and maximize the company's capabilities. Additionally, modern IT architectures must be adaptive to dynamically manage data and facilitate its reuse (e.g., for analysis or predictions) – all with the aim of fostering responsive business development and preparing the organization for future challenges. At BNC, we comprehensively consider the needs of our customers in architecture decision-making and incorporate a variety of factors. This includes, among other things, the holistic consideration of a platform, including maintainability, management, and integration into existing or future ecosystems, not just the costs of licenses and subscriptions.

Cloud or On-Premises - what importance does this decision have today and what should a future-oriented IT and data infrastructure look like?

"The decision between cloud and on-premises solutions should not be considered in isolation."

_When choosing between cloud and on-premises solutions, it's important to adopt an integrated perspective. Hybrid solutions can often be a good choice as they combine the speed and scalability of cloud services with the robustness and security of on-premises systems. The challenge lies in designing an IT infrastructure that not only meets short-term needs but also ensures long-term strategic flexibility and scalability. This allows companies to remain innovative while retaining full control over their critical data and systems. To comprehensively consider workload placement options within the architecture discussion, we take indications of available resources and skills, as well as integration into existing and future ecosystems, into account.

Which alternatives to VMware vSphere should companies consider, and why?

"It is important to develop operating models that are future-proof and provide high flexibility and scalability, rather than simply exchanging systems due to increased costs."

_The choice of the appropriate virtualization technology is crucial for the future alignment of the IT infrastructure. Alternatives such as Microsoft Hyper-V, RedHat OpenShift Virtualization, Proxmox Virtual Environment, and KubeVirt represent different philosophies of virtualization and each offer their own benefits depending on specific use cases and company needs. A thoughtful selection of these technologies enables a tailored modernization of the IT landscape. Factors such as existing resources, already established cornerstones of the IT architecture (e.g., backup environment, monitoring environment, automation platform, etc.), or available expertise significantly influence this decision. Furthermore, companies often have core applications in use for which manufacturers certify certain platforms. All of these considerations and constraints influence the choice of virtualization technology. Additionally, the virtualization platform should be considered as a cornerstone of the workload placement strategy - other elements include cloud services, external partners, and application modernization platforms based on technologies such as Kubernetes.

The core idea should not only be the mere replacement of existing systems but a profound shift towards more efficient, scalable, and agile operating models. This means reworking traditional IT environments to incorporate the benefits of cloud agility, better automation capabilities, and more flexible data management solutions. This establishes a solid foundation for addressing future business requirements and quickly adapting to market changes.

Final advice to companies currently facing these challenges?

"We see uncertainties as an opportunity for holistic advancement."

_Our advice at BNC is to view the situation as an opportunity. Companies should use the current uncertainty as motivation to holistically develop their IT and data architecture. BNC supports decision-makers in identifying and implementing the right steps, ensuring that a company remains innovative and competitive in the future. Throughout the entire process, BNC can serve as a companion, supporter, and executor.