VMware transforms: choose guidance from Combell/team.blue as a Pinnacle Partner

VMware’s transformation is accelerating. New rules, a different partner landscape, and an updated licensing model mean many partners now need to rethink how they continue to serve their customers. As part of team.blue (a recognized VMware Pinnacle Partner), Combell helps you find the right path forward. In other words: without competing with you or negatively impacting your customers.

team.blue (and therefore Combell) has been designated as a VMware Pinnacle Partner: read the latest updates on this news right away.

"We help you move forward - as a partner, not a competitor"

Combell is part of team.blue, a European group with more than 60 brands across 22 countries. Within this ecosystem, we are recognized as a VMware Cloud Service Provider (VCSP) Pinnacle Partner, the highest partner status.

What does this mean in practice for you?

and most importantly:

With Combell backing you, the VMware shift should not impact your customers.

Simon Van der Heyden, Sales Director at Combell

But most importantly: we are here for you, so you can continue supporting your customers.

“We want to find a solution for each of our partners. That way, they can keep serving their customers, with us as an extension in the background,” says Combell Sales Director Simon Van der Heyden.

What is changing at VMware?

VMware has been a trusted name in data centers and cloud environments for years. Chances are it is running somewhere within your customers’ environments as well.

Since the Broadcom acquisition in 2023, a lot has changed and these changes have now become very concrete.

As Simon Van der Heyden, Sales Director at Combell, puts it:

“We’re currently speaking with many partners who suddenly see their position within the VMware ecosystem change. That has a major operational and commercial impact. That’s why it’s important to work together to find the best solution.”

Fewer products, more bundles

Where you previously combined individual products, VMware now primarily works with bundles:

Many standalone products have disappeared or are now part of larger packages.

For you, this means:

Fewer partners

Perhaps the biggest impact: the partner program.

Simon Van der Heyden explains: “The partner program has been redesigned into an invite-only ecosystem, with a limited number of tiers, including Pinnacle as the highest level.

team.blue is part of this. Supporting our partners remains our top priority.”

Many partners:

Can CAPEX naar OPEX

The licensing model has completely changed. Where you previously worked with perpetual licenses (a one-time investment), everything now runs on subscriptions.

This means:

For some customers, this is manageable. For others, it represents a significant increase.

From socket to core

The way costs are calculated has also changed:

As a result, even smaller environments may turn out more expensive than expected.

With Combell as your partner, you limit the impact on your customers

Since the Broadcom acquisition, the VMware partner landscape has changed significantly:

• Fewer partners
• Invite-only model
• Stronger focus on strategic collaboration

For many partners, this raises questions:

Through team.blue, Combell is a VMware Pinnacle Partner (the highest level). With us as a strong foundation, we look for an approach for every partner that works both short- and long-term, technically and commercially.

Simon Van der Heyden, Sales Director at Combell

With team.blue and Combell as Pinnacle Partners, you have a stable foundation. Get professional guidance.

Your biggest concern? That your customers will notice

That doesn’t have to be the case.

With Combell and team.blue, we ensure a smooth transition:

We operate in the background, so you maintain your customer relationship.

European scale, local approach

With team.blue, you get the best of both worlds:

You benefit from broad expertise, always with a local touch.

Let's explore what works for you

Every partner is different. That’s why we don’t start from a standard solution.

Together, we look at:

“For every partner, we look for an approach that works both in the short and long term, technically and commercially,” emphasizes Simon Van der Heyden.

Our goal?

To make sure you can continue without hassle. As part of team.blue and a recognized VMware Pinnacle Partner, Combell helps you find the right path forward. “With Combell backing you, this shift should have no impact on your customers,” Simon concludes.

Let's talk about VMware

Do you have questions about VMware? Or would you simply like to discuss your options?

Get in touch with your account manager and discover how we can support you as a partner.