As VMware Inc. prepares to showcase its latest innovations in cloud computing during VMware Explore in Las Vegas, customer conversations and research data point toward a positive development for parent company Broadcom Inc. There are signs that VMware’s narrowed focus and cost discipline are enabling Broadcom to integrate the cloud virtualization pioneer into its highly successful business.

VMware Explore will offer an opportunity to see how this integration is progressing and how Broadcom is delivering a customer roadmap that recognizes the ascendancy of private cloud.

Evidence for this can be seen in recent enhancements for VMware Cloud Foundation. The latest updates, announced in June for VCF 9.0, reflect customer interest in a more modular, programmable private cloud model. This fits neatly with Broadcom’s strategy and, as Paul Nashawaty, Principal Analyst for theCUBE Research has noted, it supports enterprise interest in hybrid platforms.

“Enterprises are embracing VMware Cloud Foundation not just as a platform upgrade, but as a strategic pivot toward hybrid infrastructure consistency,” Nashawaty said. “Our research shows that organizations adopting VCF report a 61% improvement in workload deployment speed and 34% reduction in infrastructure costs, making it a cornerstone for private cloud modernization.”

Nashawaty and his colleagues from theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s livestreaming studio, will be on the ground in Las Vegas, Aug. 25-27 providing live coverage of VMware Explore 2025. Tune in for on-site reporting and exclusive interviews with VMware executives, cloud platform experts, systems leaders, analysts and investors to discuss cloud computing, VMware’s AI, edge, security and app modernization strategies. (* Disclosure below.)

Focus on AI cloud computing and Tanzu

In addition to VCF, industry observers will be looking for signals on VMware’s AI strategy. One of the core elements in the firm’s approach involves Tanzu, VMware’s private cloud as-a-service platform for building, running and managing modern applications.

Broadcom and VMware have outlined a future for Tanzu based on deep integration and AI-native alignment. In April, VMware announced general availability of new generative AI capabilities for its Tanzu platform. The enhancements included support for Model Context Protocol or MCP, a standardized way for large language models to access external data, along with integrated observability and utilities for AI model evaluation.

Tanzu has historically been associated with Kubernetes, the orchestration tool for software containers. Going forward, VMware will take advantage of the runtime and infrastructure management components for Kubernetes that are embedded into VMware Cloud Foundation as part of its cloud computing model.

“The future of Tanzu is tied to its convergence with VCF and the emerging AI-native developer ecosystem,” Nashawaty said. “Enterprises no longer want fragmented platform services—they need a consistent, automated, and Kubernetes-native experience baked into infrastructure. Tanzu’s integration path is essential for modern application agility.”

Shift in partner strategy

Another area of interest at VMware Explore this month involves the company’s partner ecosystem. VMware’s partner strategy has experienced a noticeable evolution since the firm’s acquisition by Broadcom.

An example of this transition can be seen in VMware’s relationships with major cloud players. In the past, the company has formed alliances with key hyperscalers, most notably Amazon Web Services Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

However, Broadcom has turned the wheel towards going direct with VCF instead of making VMware available on other cloud service platforms. Instead of “sharing the wealth,” Broadcom is adapting VMware to a new reality that could lead the company’s operating margins to approach those of traditional SaaS companies, according to theCUBE Research team.

This is leading VMware’s partners to reassess the best path towards delivery of value-based, outcome-oriented services. VMware Explore is expected to provide a clearer picture of how its partner ecosystem will adapt to Broadcom’s refocusing of the company.

“VMware’s partner ecosystem is at an inflection point,” Nashawaty noted. “Our research indicates that over 47% of partners are reevaluating their go-to-market strategies in light of Broadcom’s restructuring. The winners will be those who shift from reselling licenses to driving value through automation, migration, and AI-enabled services.”

TheCUBE event livestream

Don’t miss theCUBE’s coverage of VMware Explore from Aug. 25-27. Plus, you can watch theCUBE’s event coverage on-demand after the live event.

How to watch theCUBE interviews

We offer you various ways to watch theCUBE’s coverage of VMware Explore, including theCUBE’s dedicated website and YouTube channel. You can also get all the coverage from this year’s events on SiliconANGLE.

TheCUBE Insights podcast

SiliconANGLE also has podcasts available of archived interview sessions, available on iTunes, Stitcher and Spotify, which you can enjoy while on the go.

SiliconANGLE also has analyst deep dives in our Breaking Analysis podcast, available on iTunes, Stitcher and Spotify.

Guests

During VMware Explore, theCUBE will talk with industry experts about how Broadcom is guiding VMware’s shift from cloud pioneer to AI catalyst, spotlighting private AI strategies, VMware Cloud Foundation 9.0, license portability and edge innovations — all aimed at strengthening security and modernizing applications.

Guests expected to appear on theCUBE include Broadcom’s Krish Prasad, SVP and GM of the VMware Cloud Foundation Division; Purnima Padmanabhan, GM of the Tanzu Division; Ahmar Mohammad, VP of partners and managed services and solutions; Chris Wolf, global head of AI and advanced services, VMware Cloud Foundation Division; Umesh Mahajan, VP and GM of the Application Networking and Security Division; Tara Fine, Americas channel chief; Shobhit Bhutani, principal product marketing manager; and Vijay Ramachandran, head of product management and core infrastructure, VCF Division.

Other industry experts to talk with theCUBE include Keith Woolley, chief digital information officer of University of Bristol; Mark Fournier, CIO of the U.S. Senate Federal Credit Union; Michael Watkinson, chief revenue officer of Future Tech Enterprise; and Adam Little, director of IT operations at New Belgium Brewing Company Inc.

Stay tuned for theCUBE’s complete guest list.

(* Disclosure: TheCUBE is a paid media partner for VMware Explore. The sponsors of theCUBE’s event coverage do not have editorial control over content on theCUBE or SiliconANGLE.)

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