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Is Broadcom’s New VMware Partner Program Hurting Small Providers? The Real Impact Explained
VMware by Broadcom told partners that their old partner program is ending. The new program only lets some companies join if Broadcom invites them. This means small and medium partners might not get to join and could lose important business.
What’s Changing?
- Old Partner Program Ends: The Broadcom Advantage Partner Program for VMware ends on October 31, 2025.
- Invitation-Only Access: The new program, starting November 1, 2025, is only for partners chosen by Broadcom.
- Fewer Partners: Many current partners, especially small and medium ones, did not get an invitation. They got a notice saying their partnership would not be renewed.
Timeline
Now until October 31, 2025: Current partners can keep working like before.
After October 31, 2025: If not invited, partners can only finish work on existing contracts. They can’t take new orders or renew deals.
What This Means
Smaller Partners Lose Out
Many hosting companies and IT providers that use VMware products will no longer be partners. They must work through larger, approved partners.
White Label Program Ends
The way some partners could sell VMware under their own brand name is also ending.
Customer Impact
Customers may have to find new service providers. They might pay higher prices or get less choice for support.
What Customers Should Do
- Check if your current partner is staying with VMware.
- Look at your contract and make sure you know when it ends.
- Plan for possible changes in your provider or support costs.
- You may need to switch to a new, approved partner for renewals or additional services.
Why Is Broadcom Doing This?
Broadcom wants to focus on fewer, bigger partners who can provide cloud services at a large scale. They want most customers to buy managed cloud solutions instead of smaller, custom deals.
Possible Outcomes
More Work: Customers and small partners will have to spend time finding new partners or learning new processes.
More Expensive: With fewer choices, prices might rise.
Uncertainty: Customers may not know who to trust for support or future upgrades.
Key Points to Remember
- The change mostly hurts small and medium businesses that used to be VMware partners.
- Customers who want to renew their software or get support may need to switch to a bigger provider.
- Planning ahead is important. Know when your current contract ends and have a backup plan.
This move by Broadcom removes many small partners and puts extra pressure on customers and providers to find new solutions. The result is less choice and more stress for smaller companies. If you rely on VMware, start planning now to make sure you don’t lose access or support when the changes take effect.