27. March 2026
A powerful alternative to VMware: compute, storage, networking and security in a cost‑efficient platform.
Since Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware in November 2023, many system integrators have been searching for alternatives for their mid‑market customers. Consulting around virtualisation no longer focuses solely on technical infrastructure – it also directly affects budget planning, licensing costs and long‑term IT strategy.
How all these elements fit together, and what attractive opportunities this creates for partners, is explained by Melanie Achten, Managing Director at MRM Distribution.
Rethinking virtualisation after VMware
Anyone reassessing existing virtualisation environments from a commercial perspective should also consider developments in adjacent areas: SAP, Microsoft, AWS and other hyperscalers have been increasing platform costs for years. This puts pressure on overall IT budgets and, in turn, on a company’s ability to innovate. VMware has also implemented above‑average price increases recently.
As a result, customers now expect clearly predictable costs and vendor independence when evaluating alternatives.
An alternative for server and desktop virtualisation
MRM Distribution positions itself in this environment with a high‑performance virtualisation solution that matches VMware environments feature for feature. The platform combines server and desktop virtualisation with integrated storage and networking functions, as well as centralised management.
“We provide our partners with a practical alternative that is being very well received,” says Melanie Achten.
The reason is clear: significantly reduced licensing and operating costs through consolidation rather than multiple individual solutions. The system can be deployed flexibly on standard hardware or as a complete turnkey solution.
“The days of dependency on a single vendor are over,” explains the software expert, highlighting further advantages: “High availability and disaster recovery are already included, and existing VMware environments can be migrated easily.”
Day‑to‑day operations are also simplified. Centralised management, fast provisioning and features such as live migration, snapshots and automated load balancing reduce administrative effort and maintenance complexity. These aspects are becoming increasingly important as requirements for availability, security and scalability continue to grow.
Predictable costs instead of complex licensing models
Melanie Achten explains how MRM is able to offer such extensive virtualisation functionality at prices far below VMware: “Traditional enterprise platforms often rely on deliberately complex licensing models – something many people know from Microsoft,” she says. “Modern alternatives, by contrast, focus on transparent and predictable pricing.”
This gives system integrators new opportunities to calculate virtualisation projects cost‑effectively and support customers over the long term with sustainable solutions.
Virtualisation as a starting point for IT optimisation
Once optimisation begins, MRM Distribution offers alternatives across large parts of the IT landscape. Rising cloud costs are not inevitable, even with Microsoft licensing: MRM specialises in used Microsoft software and combines it with M365 services to create highly efficient, functional licensing packages that reduce IT budgets while delivering attractive margins.
In addition, the distributor’s portfolio includes solutions for document management, hyperautomation and private AI. This enables system integrators to support customers not only with infrastructure modernisation, but also with cost‑efficient process automation and the secure use of AI applications.
For the channel, this results in a consulting approach that goes beyond individual technologies. Virtualisation often forms the foundation on which further IT optimisations are built – from more efficient software models to automated processes. In this context, MRM acts as a long‑term strategic partner.
Learn more about the virtualisation alternative
Published on ChannelObserver (DE).
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