At VMware Explore 2024 in Las Vegas, Broadcom Inc. (NASDAQ: AVGO) unveiled VMware Cloud Foundation (VCF) 9, the latest version of its innovative private cloud platform that promises to transform the management and operation of cloud infrastructures. This advancement is designed to simplify the implementation, consumption, and operations of a secure and cost-effective private cloud, marking a milestone in the modernization of enterprise technology infrastructures.
A Unified Platform for Private Cloud
VMware Cloud Foundation 9 is presented as a comprehensive solution that aims to eliminate technological silos and reduce the cost and risk associated with private cloud infrastructures. The new version promises a more agile and efficient cloud experience, combining the scalability of public cloud with the security and performance of private cloud.
According to an IDC study, organizations that have adopted VCF have seen a 34% reduction in infrastructure costs and over 50% efficiencies in infrastructure and security teams, resulting in an overall 42% decrease in operational costs. Additionally, the platform has accelerated the deployment time of new virtual machines by 61%, reducing the time needed to deploy network and storage capacity by 50% and 32%, respectively.
Key Innovations in VMware Cloud Foundation 9
Unified Operations and Automation: VCF 9 introduces a self-service portal for service provisioning, consolidating management into a single panel for operations and automation. This will enable a smoother transition between tasks and more proactive management through new analysis and reporting capabilities.
Expanded VCF Import: With the new import capability, VCF 9 will facilitate the transition to a modern and unified infrastructure, reducing the complexity and downtime associated with manual migrations. Customers will be able to integrate VMware NSX, VMware vDefend, VMware Avi Load Balancer, and more complex storage topologies into existing VCF environments.
Advanced Memory with NVMe: The integration of tiered memory technology with NVMe will significantly improve the performance of data-intensive applications, such as artificial intelligence and real-time analytics, by reducing latency and speeding up data processing.
Native VPC and Multi-Tenancy Deployment: VCF 9 will allow the native deployment of virtual private networks (VPC) and multi-tenancy capabilities, simplifying network connectivity and management while supporting multiple development teams and workgroups on a shared infrastructure.
Success Stories with VMware Cloud Foundation
Jeremy Mayfield, Senior Solutions Architect at GCI Communication, highlighted how the implementation of VMware Cloud Foundation has transformed the way the company provides services in Alaska, reducing deployment times from months to days and improving responsiveness to the needs of remote communities.
Mark Fournier, Chief Information Officer at the U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union, emphasized the value of VMware Private AI in their private cloud environment, emphasizing the importance of maintaining innovation in customer service through artificial intelligence solutions.
We spoke to David Carrero, co-founder of Stackscale (Aire Group), who commented that Broadcom aims to regain lost ground with the acquisition of VMware, the discontinuation of free hypervisor VMware ESXi, and the change in pricing models. However, they may be late with the number of companies migrating from VMware to Proxmox for months.
Preparing for the Future: Advanced Capabilities and Modernization Programs
Broadcom has also introduced the VMware Cloud Foundation Advanced Services catalog, which offers ready-to-implement solutions that enable companies to accelerate innovation in their private cloud environments. Additionally, the company is investing in private cloud modernization programs, such as the Private Cloud Maturity Model and the Jumpstart Program, to guide organizations through their journey to a more efficient and modern cloud infrastructure.
In summary, VMware Cloud Foundation 9 is shaping up to be a transformative tool in private cloud infrastructure management, offering a unified platform that simplifies operations, reduces costs, and enhances performance. With innovations spanning from automation to the integration of advanced capabilities, VCF 9 is designed to help organizations stay ahead in a constantly evolving technological environment. For more information on the latest from VMware Explore 2024, interested parties can visit the event’s media kit.