When vendor support ends, IBM begins with a smarter path for VMware and Oracle customers
Enterprise IT landscapes are becoming increasingly complex. This drives a greater need for reliable, cost-effective support, especially for organisations running mission-critical workloads on VMware or Oracle. With traditional vendor approaches becoming increasingly unsustainable due to end-of-life policies and rising costs, IBM multivendor support services provide a service-led approach that offers stability, flexibility, and strategic value.
Discover how IBM multivendor support services and Northdoor deliver cost-effective solutions for VMware and Oracle environments, helping enterprises reduce risk, avoid vendor lock-in, and future-proof their IT infrastructure through expert third-party IBM maintenance solutions.
When support ends, IBM begins, offering a more agile path for VMware and Oracle customers to regain control, reduce risk, and future-proof their IT infrastructure. Share on X
The VMware licensing shake-up and its impact
Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, caused major changes in how organisations access and pay for virtualisation technology. Historically, VMware offered both perpetual and subscription licensing models, giving customers the flexibility to choose the approach that best suited their operational and financial needs.
Under Broadcom’s new direction, however, VMware has transitioned to a subscription-only model, dramatically altering the licensing landscape. Key changes include the consolidation of 168 individual products into just four main bundles, a move from socket-based to per-core licensing, the introduction of a minimum order requirement of 72 cores, and a 20% penalty for late renewals. These changes have left many organisations facing increased costs, reduced flexibility, and mounting pressure to reassess their virtualisation strategies.
VMware vSphere 7 and 8 will reach end-of-support in October 2025 and October 2027 respectively. Running unsupported infrastructure increases risks such as security vulnerabilities and compliance issues. This is where multivendor support becomes essential for maintaining operational continuity.
Oracle support challenges and customer dissatisfaction
Similarly, many customers are expressing growing dissatisfaction with Oracle support. They’re facing high costs, limited flexibility, and a development roadmap that often forces upgrades to newer generations before organisations are ready. This can hinder innovation, strain budgets, and leave IT teams feeling locked into a rigid support model that doesn’t align with their strategic goals. Modern vendor IT strategies require more flexible approaches to avoid these constraints.
The diagram below illustrates the journey from vendor lock-in and rising costs to regaining control and achieving agile support through IBM Multivendor Support Services. It highlights the key stages of risk reduction, infrastructure extension, and strategic empowerment.
IBM Multivendor Support Services: the strategic alternative
IBM multivendor support services provide a compelling alternative. They deliver premium-grade support for VMware and Oracle workloads, matching expected responsiveness and quality, but at a more predictable and competitive price.
With deep technical expertise, global reach, and a proactive service delivery model, IBM third-party support ensures seamless operations and rapid issue resolution, especially for businesses running high-stakes applications.
“Global coverage, 30-minute response times for critical issues, and comprehensive support and services across 140 countries.”
Oracle support on VMware through IBM services
In partnership with Northdoor, IBM third-party support offers a more personalised and responsive experience for both standard and custom Oracle environments, including specialised Oracle on VMware support. With global coverage, 30-minute response times for critical issues, and comprehensive services, including break/fix, regulatory updates, security features, and interoperability support, IBM third party maintenance services empower customers to maintain continuity, reduce risk, and make better decisions about their future infrastructure.
IBM multivendor support services replace the limitations of Oracle’s self-service portal with high-touch, accountable service. Lower costs allow customers to redirect IT budgets toward strategic initiatives, while avoiding vendor lock-in. Customers benefit from working with experienced engineers who understand Oracle environments, and from a single vendor who can support their entire IT infrastructure, software and hardware alike. With a presence in 140 countries, IBM third party maintenance provides support for over 22,000 IBM and third-party hardware and software products, including Oracle.
VMware infrastructure through IBM multivendor support
IBM multivendor support services offer a robust and flexible solution that helps organisations maintain and extend the value of their virtualised environments. The service includes usage and configuration support across all eligible products, CVE analysis, configuration workarounds, and compensation controls to address vulnerabilities proactively.
Customers benefit from unlimited support tickets and flexible contract terms ranging from three months to over three years, with the option to review and extend as needed. A 30-day transition period before service begins ensures smooth onboarding and alignment of resources. This multivendor support helps organisations unlock the full value of their perpetual licenses, extend lifecycle management, and avoid unnecessary migrations.
IBM multivendor support services empower decision-makers to:
- Maintain support continuity while evaluating future deployment options
- Reduce risk and regain control over licensing and infrastructure
- Avoid rushed migrations and preserve existing investments
- Access expert troubleshooting, incident management, and configuration guidance
Why IBM multivendor support services lead the market
In today’s rapidly evolving IT landscape, where vendor models are shifting and traditional support structures are falling short, organisations need more than a stopgap. They need a strategic partner. IBM multivendor support services, delivered in collaboration with Northdoor, offer exactly that: a more agile alternative for VMware and Oracle customers facing rising costs, inflexible contracts, and looming end-of-support deadlines.
The shift toward multivendor support reflects the growing need for flexible, cost-effective IT infrastructure management. Organisations evaluating IBM multivendor support services discover not only immediate cost savings but also long-term strategic advantages. With comprehensive Oracle on VMware support capabilities and extensive third-party maintenance and IBM expertise, enterprises can confidently navigate the complex landscape of modern vendor IT requirements while maintaining the highest levels of service quality and reliability.
By combining deep technical expertise, global reach, and tailored service delivery, IBM third-party support and Northdoor empower enterprises to maintain continuity, maximise existing investments, and make informed decisions about future infrastructure. Whether you’re looking to extend the life of your virtualised environments, reduce vendor lock-in, or gain breathing space to plan your next move, IBM third-party maintenance and Northdoor provide the confidence and capability to move forward with clarity.
When vendor support ends, IBM multivendor support services begin. With Northdoor by your side, the path ahead is smoother and built for resilience.
Ready to take control of your VMware or Oracle environment? Book a strategic support review with Northdoor today.