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IT proposes VMware consolidation to cut licensing costs; commissioners ask for revised numbers
Summary
IT told the court it can lower VMware licensing costs by merging environments and reducing processor counts, with an estimated annual licensing cost near $19,008 plus a one‑time memory upgrade; commissioners asked staff to return with a revised budget line.
County IT staff presented options July 7 to reduce an unexpectedly large VMware licensing renewal after Broadcom's acquisition of VMware increased costs. Staff recommended merging two VMware environments and removing one CPU per server while upgrading memory to keep performance stable.
"The best solution I have found is to merge the environments together," IT staff said, and estimated ongoing licensing costs reduced to roughly $19,008 per year, with a one‑time memory upgrade cost that could range from about $7,000 (refurbished memory) to $20,000 (new memory). Commissioners asked staff to prepare an updated budget worksheet reflecting the merger option and the preferred memory‑purchase approach.
The court discussed buy‑board procurement and agreed staff should present a revised fiscal table. IT emphasized the proposal would cut ongoing licensing exposure while using either project funds or one‑time money for the memory upgrade; commissioners indicated a preference for buying new memory if it maximizes long‑term savings and reliability.
