October 31 is coming: How Broadcom’s VMware changes will impact you
Understand how Broadcom’s VMware changes affect your organization ahead of the October 31 deadline. Learn about partner agreement changes, potential cost increases, and tips for reassessing your virtualization strategy to enable a smooth transition.
The virtualization world is at a crossroads. Broadcom’s overhaul of the VMware partner program is introducing significant changes for organizations that rely on VMware to power critical workloads. And while change has been unfolding for months, October 31, 2025, is the date everything comes to a head.
After that day, many existing VMware partner agreements will expire. Partners that Broadcom has not invited into its new program will lose the ability to renew contracts or sign new business. Customers tied to those partners face the prospect of higher costs, fewer options, and in some cases, urgent migrations.
What’s changing
- Fewer partners, more selectivity. Broadcom has dramatically reduced the number of VMware Cloud Service Providers (VCSPs), shifting to an invite-only model.
- White-label program sunsets. After October 31, partners in the white-label program cannot renew or onboard new customers.
Why some say staying still makes sense
Not every customer is planning an exit. As Flexential VP, Cloud Solutions, Chris Smith, recently discussed in “Unpopular Opinion: Staying with Broadcom VMware Might Be the Right Move” on LinkedIn, the reality is more nuanced:
- VMware remains the most mature, integrated virtualization ecosystem. Moving away often brings higher risk and hidden costs.
- Migration is disruptive and expensive: retraining teams, re-architecting workloads, rewriting runbooks.
- Broadcom’s consolidation could create a more stable partner landscape, where Pinnacle-tier providers deliver deeper expertise and support.
In short, the right answer isn’t always to move but doing nothing is not an option.
Why October 31 matters
This deadline is more than a policy change:
- New contracts and renewals stop. After October 31, non-invited partners cannot renew or expand their VMware agreements.
- Support risks rise. Losing a certified provider could jeopardize patches, upgrades, and compliance.
- Costs increase. Waiting may push you into less favorable terms or rushed migration projects.
- Time is short. Evaluating alternatives, negotiating contracts, and executing transitions takes months, not weeks.
What you should do now
Review our Virtualization Strategy Checklist for the full list!
In short:
- Confirm your partner status: Ensure your VMware provider is still authorized under Broadcom’s new model.
- Review licensing exposure: Check your VMware core usage and licensing to avoid overspending.
- Consider private cloud or dedicated infrastructure: Explore stable options for VMware workloads.
- Reevaluate your cloud strategy: Take this moment to update your roadmap for long-term resilience.
- Request a no-cost cloud assessment: Get clarity and an expert roadmap to guide next steps.
The bottom line
Broadcom’s VMware changes mark one of the biggest shifts in enterprise infrastructure in recent memory. Whether you ultimately stay or go, the clock is ticking. October 31, 2025, is your deadline to act.
Organizations that assess, plan, and engage now will avoid service disruptions and surprise costs and position themselves to move forward with confidence.
Ready for what’s next?
For customers: Schedule a consultation or request your no-cost Fast-Track Cloud Assessment.
For partners: Connect with us to explore Flexential Partner Solutions and strengthen your VMware portfolio, and protect your customers in the Broadcom landscape.
Kim Pike
Product Marketing Director
