{"id":14104,"date":"2026-05-05T14:38:04","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T12:38:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/?p=14104"},"modified":"2026-05-05T15:01:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T13:01:57","slug":"vmware-transforms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.combell.com\/en\/blog\/vmware-transforms\/","title":{"rendered":"VMware transforms: choose guidance from Combell\/team.blue as a Pinnacle Partner"},"content":{"rendered":"

VMware\u2019s 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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TL;DR<\/p>\n

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Broadcom has significantly reshaped VMware. The broad portfolio has been reduced to a number of bundles centered around VMware Cloud Foundation, and traditional licenses are being replaced by subscriptions per physical core. At the same time, the partner network has been significantly reduced. As a result, many partners can no longer offer or renew VMware licenses. Thanks to team.blue (designated by VMware as a Pinnacle Partner), Combell stands by your side to guide you through this entire transformation process.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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team.blue (and therefore Combell) has been designated as a VMware Pinnacle Partner<\/strong>: read the latest updates on this news right away.<\/p>\n

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\"We help you move forward - as a partner, not a competitor\"<\/h2>\n

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.<\/p>\n

What does this mean in practice for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Access to the full VMware Cloud Foundation portfolio<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Direct lines with Broadcom<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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and most importantly:<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>The ability to continue supporting you as a partner<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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With Combell backing you, the VMware shift should not impact your customers.<\/p>\n

Simon Van der Heyden, Sales Director at Combell<\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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But most importantly: we are here for you, so you can continue supporting your customers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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,\u201d says Combell Sales Director Simon Van der Heyden.<\/p>\n

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What is changing at VMware?<\/h2>\n

VMware has been a trusted name in data centers and cloud environments for years. Chances are it is running somewhere within your customers\u2019 environments as well.<\/p>\n

Since the Broadcom acquisition in 2023, a lot has changed and these changes have now become very concrete.<\/p>\n

As Simon Van der Heyden, Sales Director at Combell, puts it:<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re currently speaking with many partners who suddenly see their position within the VMware ecosystem change. That has a major operational and commercial impact. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to work together to find the best solution.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Fewer products, more bundles<\/h3>\n

Where you previously combined individual products, VMware now primarily works with bundles:<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) as an integrated cloud stack<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Additional bundles for specific use cases<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Many standalone products have disappeared or are now part of larger packages.<\/p>\n

For you, this means:<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Less flexibility in configuration<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Working with fixed bundles<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Sometimes paying for functionalities you do not actually need<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Fewer partners<\/h3>\n

Perhaps the biggest impact: the partner program.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Simon Van der Heyden explains: \u201cThe partner program has been redesigned into an invite-only ecosystem, with a limited number of tiers, including Pinnacle as the highest level.<\/p>\n

team.blue is part of this. Supporting our partners remains our top priority.\u201d<\/p>\n

Many partners:<\/p>\n

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<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Can no longer offer new licenses<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Can no longer renew contracts<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n
<\/path><\/svg><\/span>Must find new ways to continue serving their customers<\/strong><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Can CAPEX naar OPEX<\/h3>\n

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

This means:<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Predictable costs (OPEX)<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>But also: recurring structural expenses<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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For some customers, this is manageable. For others, it represents a significant increase.<\/p>\n

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From socket to core<\/h3>\n

The way costs are calculated has also changed:<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Licensing per physical core<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Modern CPUs with many cores = higher cost<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Minimum thresholds also apply<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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As a result, even smaller environments may turn out more expensive than expected.<\/p>\n

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With Combell as your partner, you limit the impact on your customers<\/h2>\n

Since the Broadcom acquisition, the VMware partner landscape has changed significantly:<\/p>\n

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<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Fewer partners<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Invite-only model<\/span><\/div>\n
<\/a><\/path><\/svg><\/span>Stronger focus on strategic collaboration<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n