Summary
Transition to Azure Local Cuts Costs and Downtime in IT Infrastructure Overhaul
As businesses navigate the complexities of IT infrastructure, many are turning to hybrid solutions that meld the control of on-premises systems with the scalability of cloud technology. Claire Thompson, IT Infrastructure Manager at a mid-sized firm, recently shared her organisation’s successful transition from VMware to Microsoft Azure Local using Veeam Migration. This strategic move, driven by escalating VMware costs post-Broadcom acquisition, not only curtailed expenses but also significantly reduced system downtime.
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Broadcom Acquisition Spurs Change
The decision to shift from VMware was initiated by Broadcom’s acquisition, which resulted in a steep rise in licensing costs for many users. Claire Thompson’s team was among those affected, sparking a reevaluation of their IT infrastructure needs. “The price hikes were a real wake-up call for us,” she explained. “We knew we had to explore alternatives that wouldn’t just be cost-effective but also future-proof.”
Microsoft Azure Local, formerly known as Azure Stack HCI, emerged as a viable option. Offering the robustness of on-premises infrastructure with cloud capabilities, it presented a compelling hybrid solution. Powered by Azure Arc, Azure Local allowed Thompson’s team to embrace a scalable and flexible infrastructure while mitigating hypervisor costs.
Seamless Migration with Veeam
The transition, while promising, was initially daunting. “The thought of moving our entire virtual environment was overwhelming,” Thompson admitted. However, Veeam’s Instant Recovery feature facilitated a smooth migration process. Through Veeam Backup & Replication, her team migrated virtual machines from VMware vSphere directly to Azure Local with minimal downtime. “It was almost too good to be true,” Thompson remarked.
She elaborated on the process, noting how Veeam’s Instant Recovery enabled them to restore virtual machines from backups into the Azure Local infrastructure. Although running VMs off the backup storage was slower than the production environment, it was a necessary compromise for continuity.
Completing the migration involved transferring data from VMware to Hyper-V, the format used by Azure Local. Thompson praised Veeam’s user-friendly interface, which guided her team through the process seamlessly.
Cost Efficiency and Management Benefits
A key advantage of the transition was the notable reduction in hypervisor expenses. By moving to Azure Local, Thompson’s organisation avoided VMware’s inflated licensing costs. Additionally, leveraging existing Veeam installations negated the need for additional software investments, further enhancing cost efficiency.
Thompson also highlighted the management ease post-migration. The Windows Admin Center provided a centralised management interface, enabling her team to efficiently monitor performance and manage storage. “It’s like having a control centre at your fingertips,” she described.
Integration with the Azure portal, powered by Azure Arc, extended their on-premises infrastructure into the cloud, creating a genuine hybrid environment. This integration allowed them to deploy Azure services directly from their data centre and manage multiple HCI clusters across locations, ensuring consistency and streamlined operations.
A Strategic Leap Forward
Reflecting on the transition, Thompson affirmed, “Transitioning from VMware to Azure Local was a big step, but it was the right one for us.” The combination of Veeam’s robust migration capabilities and DataON’s comprehensive Azure Local solution has modernised their data centre, aligning with their hybrid cloud objectives.
For organisations contemplating a similar shift, Thompson advised, “Don’t shy away from change. Embrace the tools and technologies that can propel your organisation forward. With the right partners and solutions, the transition can be smooth and incredibly rewarding.”
Detailed Analysis
The shift towards hybrid cloud solutions reflects broader trends in IT infrastructure, as businesses seek to balance cost management with technological advancement. The Broadcom acquisition and its financial implications have accelerated this transition for many organisations, highlighting the need for adaptable solutions like Azure Local that offer both cost savings and enhanced capabilities.
The use of Veeam Migration underscores the growing importance of seamless data transition technologies in mitigating downtime risks. As businesses continue to digitise, the ability to manage infrastructure changes with minimal disruption becomes increasingly critical.
Further Development
As more organisations evaluate their IT strategies in light of rising costs and evolving technology landscapes, the trend towards hybrid cloud solutions is expected to gain momentum. Future developments in cloud integration tools, such as enhanced features from Veeam and Azure Local, will likely play a pivotal role in facilitating these transitions.
Readers are encouraged to follow our ongoing coverage, which will explore additional case studies and expert insights into the evolving world of IT infrastructure. Stay tuned for updates on how these technological shifts are shaping the future of business operations globally.