HPE is offering free VM Essentials software licenses to 600 reseller partners for three years as part of its push against VMware. Partners can earn the licenses by achieving Private Cloud with Virtualization competency by year-end, though support costs still apply. The promotion targets customers exploring VMware alternatives amid widespread migration discussions.

HPE's EVP and CTO Fidelma Russo acknowledged migration challenges, noting customers face double expenses when transitioning virtualization platforms. Many VMware users plan to reduce or eliminate their usage over the next few years, but cost and time barriers often slow these efforts. Migration typically requires running two virtualization products simultaneously, creating financial strain for IT departments.

Dean Colpitts, CTO of Canadian MSP Members IT Group, remains skeptical despite calling the move 'a step in the correct direction.' He argues hardware constraints, particularly DRAM shortages and high prices, limit customers' ability to migrate. His clients operate on 3-4 year cycles and struggle to obtain new equipment for brownfield reimaging projects.

In contrast, Nth Generation co-president Dan Molina expects VM Essentials sales to quadruple, citing reduced migration risk from free licensing. However, Colpitts criticizes limiting the promotion to 600 partners as shortsighted, arguing broader distribution would accelerate adoption and attract more ISVs to the platform.