The Best of VMware and Azure? Yes, You Can Have Both

“We want to move to Azure, but we have years of VMware investments and expertise.” If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Azure VMware Solution (AVS) is Microsoft’s answer to bringing VMware’s trusted virtualization platform to the Azure cloud. Don’t just think of the “compatibility layer” — AVS is a full VMware environment running natively on Azure’s infrastructure, complete with vSphere, vSAN, and NSX-T. This means organizations can run, manage, and secure applications across both VMware and Azure environments without having to rebuild their infrastructure or retrain their teams.

At TeraSky, we’ve helped more than 30 enterprises with hybrid cloud implementations — that’s six times more than any of our competitors. If you’re considering making this move to Microsoft Azure, here’s what you need to know.

AVS: Cost Savings and Flexibility
First, forget the idea that cloud migration means saying goodbye to VMware. AVS lets you run your VMware workloads directly on Azure. Your team keeps using the tools they know while you get all the advantages of Azure’s cloud. It’s that simple. Plus, most organizations don’t realize they can bring their existing VMware licenses to Azure. This alone can dramatically cut costs. Add Azure’s hybrid benefits, and the savings only improve. Our clients typically reduce their cloud spending by 20-30% compared to traditional migration approaches.

But here’s the thing about AVS success: It’s not just about technical know-how. Every one of those 30+ migrations taught us something new. Some clients needed to get out of their data centers fast, while others wanted to modernize gradually. Understanding these differences is crucial because no two organizations have identical needs or goals.

Enhanced Security and Long-term Support

Security and compliance teams particularly appreciate AVS because it lets them keep their VMware security controls and add Azure’s protection on top. Instead of compromising security, they end up strengthening it.
Here’s another point worth noting: Microsoft and VMware aren’t just partners on paper. They’re constantly improving AVS, adding new regions, and deepening Azure integration. For organizations making long-term plans, this commitment matters.

Planning Your AVS Journey

Thinking about AVS for your organization? Start by asking yourself these questions:

• What’s actually running in your VMware environment right now?
• Which licenses could you bring with you?
• What does success look like for your team?

We’re seeing more organizations use AVS as part of a broader hybrid cloud strategy. The platform’s ability to maintain operational consistency while enabling cloud innovation makes it particularly valuable for organizations taking a measured approach to cloud adoption.
The key takeaway from our experience is clear: AVS success depends on having the right expertise and understanding of both VMware and Azure ecosystems. The technology is solid, and the savings are real. The key is having someone who’s been there before to help you navigate the journey.