Tesco Plans Migration from VMware to Proxmox Across Edge Estate

Tesco is recruiting a Head of Software Engineering for its Edge Platform, and the job advertisement reveals a plan to move the retailer's in-store edge virtualisation estate from VMware to Proxmox, while its contract lawsuit against VMware over a 175 percent price increase continues in court.

Job advertisement outlines migration plan

A job advertisement for a Head of Software Engineering Edge Platform role states the position involves leading two major priorities: modernising Tesco's edge virtualisation estate through migration from VMware to Proxmox and building a scalable software-driven Edge Management Platform to provision, manage, monitor and maintain the retail edge estate throughout its lifecycle.

The advertisement notes that the Edge Platform provides the underlying computing environment and software capabilities that enable applications to run across stores. Store technology must remain dependable despite connectivity disruptions, constrained local resources and the complexity of managing software and infrastructure changes across thousands of locations. A key performance indicator includes safe and predictable migration from VMware to Proxmox, successful validation of required store configurations, reduced legacy dependencies and effective operational handover. The role is based in Bengaluru, India.

Proxmox gains attention as VMware alternative

Proxmox is an open-source virtualization platform offered by an Austrian company. It has gained considerable interest as a VMware alternative for edge, hyperconverged and basic server virtualization scenarios. Independent analyst Michael Warrilow rates Proxmox as technically strong but warns that users will need to find a support partner because until recently the company only offered support during business hours in Austria. That changed in September when Proxmox announced 24/7 support for enterprise customers.

Warrilow said modernisation is the key to reducing dependence on VMware by reducing legacy while adding incremental value to a new initiative. He added that supermarkets and general merchandise are ripe for this, more so given they are a location where VMware had more competition and less differentiation. The Tesco job specification contains many ingredients for a next-generation, cloud-inspired in-store experience with API-driven programmable infrastructure that allows rapid deployment and a better experience for customers.

Legal disputes accompany the transition

Tesco is making the move after suing VMware over a contract dispute. The retailer claims VMware is bound to support software it acquired under a perpetual license and to upgrade some software. VMware responded that it no longer makes the software Tesco wants to upgrade to. Tesco says that during negotiations VMware made an offer representing a 175 percent price increase. The matter remains before the courts with hearings likely in 2027.

VMware's dispute with several Siemens companies also continues. In that case VMware alleged Siemens abused copyright by using more software than its licenses permitted. Siemens AG appears to have recently exited the case, an important change as it is Germany-based and the case is being heard in the USA. The remaining defendants last week filed a defence denying VMware's claims. In better news for VMware, it last week announced a ten-year agreement with Japanese carrier NTT Docomo and a continued engagement at transport giant FedEx. Both companies will use VMware's flagship Cloud Foundation private cloud bundle to power their operations.

Sources: The Register