Over the past three years, Microsoft and VMware have worked together to deliver Azure VMware Solution (AVS) to customers in more than 30 Azure regions around the globe. AVS offers a VMware environment within Microsoft Azure that’s fully managed by Microsoft, making it easier for customers to seamlessly migrate or extend VMware workloads to the cloud.
For decades, customers have been running their on-premises servers and building their businesses on VMware virtualization technologies. But due to Broadcom’s recent changes to VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) licensing, customers who depend on VMware for their mission-critical workloads and applications are reevaluating their options. And according to Microsoft internal data, 75% of on-premises Windows Servers and SQL Servers are running on VMware.
Now, Microsoft partners have a significant opportunity to help customers optimize their VMware environments, migrate to the cloud, and set their businesses up for long-term success and innovation—starting with AVS.
The AVS difference
By choosing AVS, organizations can migrate their VMware workloads with little or no refactoring required and build upon their existing VMware skills—all while freeing up their teams to modernize on their terms and explore new ways to innovate with over 200 Azure services. This offers customers one of the fastest and most efficient paths to the cloud, combining the familiarity of the VMware environment and tech stack they already know with the scalability, security, and global reach of Azure.
Read on to learn how you can drive more cloud migrations and innovation for VMware customers with offers, resources, and support from Microsoft at every stage of the sales process.
Start the conversation
First, connect with your customers about their plans for their VMware workloads. With ready-to-go pitch decks and sales resources from our AVS Go Big initiative, you can highlight the key benefits of migrating to AVS. That includes price protection: customers can lock in pricing for one, three, or five years and get a 20% AVS discount when they purchase a new one-year Reserved Instance before June 30, 2025.
Once customers are ready to modernize within Azure, they can also access a one-time Azure credit of up to $120,000* when they purchase a Reserved Instance for one, three, or five years before June 30, 2025.
To make migrations easier, we also offer ways for customers to make the most of their existing licenses. Azure Hybrid Benefit is an Azure offer that customers can use to run cloud versions of Windows Server and SQL Server licenses—without additional licensing costs. Customers can also get free extended security updates for older versions, like 2012 and 2014.
For our comprehensive set of licensing benefits and offers, check out the VMware Rapid Migration Plan.
Support a seamless migration from start to finish
Cloud migrations are no small feat, and customers should feel confident in the cloud provider they choose. That’s why partners like you are pivotal to their success—and we have the offerings to help.
AVS Express TCO Analysis: Work with customers to assess the business impact of a migration to AVS with a detailed proposal. For unmanaged accounts, fill out the request form for support in generating an analysis. For managed accounts, contact your customer’s Microsoft account team to request an analysis.
30-day pilot for partner-led projects: If you have the Microsoft Azure VMware Solution specialization or are an Azure Expert Managed Services Provider (MSP), you can give customers the opportunity to try AVS at no cost (three nodes) for 30 days. Submit the request form to get started.
CSU Migration Factory: The Microsoft Customer Success Unit (CSU) Migration Factory takes care of common rehost execution so you can accelerate projects to build customer confidence. With this offering, you can also augment delivery with Microsoft-funded capacity and drive more Azure consumption with guided implementation—and realize higher margins with less risk. Contact AzurePartnerOffering@microsoft.com with the Claim ID of the engagement after you’ve secured customer consent. Once the project is approved, request access to CSU Migration Factory by emailing MFPartnerDesk@microsoft.com.
Grow your migration practice with partner-led offerings and funding from Microsoft
As customers start the cloud migration process, they’ll be searching for highly qualified partners with proven skills. That’s where Solutions Partner designations and specializations come in: to differentiate your business so customers can easily validate your expertise.
Plus, when you earn the Microsoft Azure VMware Solution specialization, you unlock comprehensive resources, expert help, and funding for AVS migrations through Azure Migrate and Modernize. Together with the foundational guidance of Azure Essentials, this offering simplifies Azure adoption so you can accelerate customer engagements, increase deal velocity, and reduce time to value—all within Partner Center. Learn more and nominate your project.
While you continue to grow your migration practice and support more customers, we’re here to support you with the tools and resources to do just that:
Finally, partners who are an Azure Expert MSP or have earned the specializations for Microsoft Azure VMware Solution or Infra and Database Migration to Microsoft Azure can connect with other partners and keep up with the latest news in our Azure Migrate and Modernize: Infra Partner Forum.
Successful cloud migrations start with you
Whether your customers are searching for cost savings, improved agility and security, or a better hybrid cloud experience, AVS can help them meet their goals. And with your guidance and expertise as a Microsoft partner, you can help pave their path not just to the cloud, but to innovation and beyond.
To learn more about how you can capture this unique opportunity with AVS, check out the on-demand Microsoft Ignite session.
* Azure Credit eligibility requirements: For a limited time, net new customer migrations to AZURE VMWARE SOLUTION on One-year, Three-year, and Five-year Reserved Instances may be eligible to receive a one-time Azure Credit Offer incentive of up to USD $120,000 based on the size of the deployments. Azure credits awarded are applicable to any Azure service. Consult with your Microsoft account executive for specific offer details.