AWS for VMware migrations: Successes, roadmaps, & strategies (MAM104)

Key Takeaways from the VMware Migration Journeys

Tribune Publishing

• Started cloud migration journey in 2017 to address DR environment
• Migrated 300 VMs to a different cloud provider, but faced challenges with Microsoft licensing costs
• Decided to explore native AWS migration, leveraging AWS services like Amazon EC2 and Amazon EVS
• Projected 5-year cost savings of $1.3 million by moving to AWS
• Migrated 250 VMs within 2 months using the AWS MGN service, with plans to migrate 400 more VMs by August 2023

Stericycle

• Started cloud migration analysis in 2019, aiming to consolidate 22 data centers down to 12
• Initially planned to move to VMware Cloud on AWS, but had to change plans when VMware changed its Cloud Flex Storage offering
• Leveraged the AWS EBA (Expertise Accelerator) program to quickly migrate 450 VMs from their colocation facility to AWS in just 4 weeks
• Estimated annual cost savings of $2.2 million by moving from the managed colocation to AWS

Heron Consulting Group

• Had a 2-year timeline to migrate 3,000 VMs off their on-premises data centers
• Chose to initially move to VMware Cloud on AWS to leverage their existing VMware expertise
• After 2 years, migrated the corporate IT resources from VMware Cloud on AWS to native AWS EC2, seeing a 20% cost reduction
• Heavily utilized the AWS MGN tool to rapidly migrate 300 VMs per month from VMware Cloud on AWS to EC2

Key Lessons Learned

• Assess your environment and reduce infrastructure where possible before migration
• Understand the differences between managing VMware on-premises vs. in the cloud (networking, storage, cost allocation, etc.)
• Leverage all the migration tools and services provided by AWS, not just MGN
• Build strong relationships with your AWS account team and leverage their expertise
• Consider bringing your own Microsoft licenses to reduce costs
• Plan for modernization and a path to native AWS services as part of your migration strategy

Getting Started

1. Assess your VMware environment with an Optimization and Licensing Assessment (OLA)
2. Leverage the AWS Partner Network for migration support
3. Decide on your migration approach (phased or "all-in")
4. Explore AWS migration services, tools, and incentive programs like the VMA program
5. Attend the AWS reinvent sessions on the new Amazon Elastic VMware Service (EVS)