But that popularity is now waning, as the demands of IT organizations evolve. Unsupported tools such as MAP Toolkit are not able to provide the insights and dependability needed to migrate to the cloud or drive IT modernization.

What is MAP Toolkit?

The MAP Toolkit is a free utility that allows IT professionals to inventory devices, software, users, and infrastructure without the need for installed agents. It is an agentless, automated, multi-product planning and assessment tool for desktop, server and cloud migrations. MAP provides readiness assessment reports with detailed hardware and software information, and recommendations to help organizations accelerate their IT infrastructure planning process, and gather more detail on assets that reside within their current environment.

Set up is straight forward. A server isn’t required, and the wizard-based install means that potentially any end-user with the right credentials to scan their network could have it up and running in less than an hour.

The end of MAP Toolkit support and development

In July 2019, Microsoft announced to their Partner Network that MAP will receive no further updates. At the time, they recommended that partners and end users use alternatives to conduct the following assessments and services:

• Server assessment and migration from on-premises to Azure
• Database assessment and migration from on-premises to Azure
• Web application migration from on-premises to Azure
• Migration of on-premises Windows VDI estates to Windows Virtual Desktop in Azure

As time goes on, the Toolkit is becoming less useful, even for legacy use cases. For example, it cannot recognize newer versions of SQL Server. Add to that the fact that there is no support line to call for help, and it’s easy to see why partners are looking for an alternative.

Block 64: A MAP Toolkit Alternative with Enhanced Features

Block 64’s Insights & Analytics platform is a cutting edge MAP toolkit alternative, trusted by a number of the world’s largest IT consultants and Value Added Resellers. As with MAP, Block 64 also offers best-in-class agentless discovery tools and wizard-based set up in just a few minutes. But it’s what happens next and our commitments to constant innovation and support that set us apart.

A feature-by-feature comparison illustrates Block 64’s clear edge over the MAP Toolkit:

• Deployment & Support: Block 64 reduces deployment bottlenecks with its fast deployment process and provides hands-on global support, unlike the now unsupported MAP Toolkit.
• Data Collection & Analysis: With capabilities extending to ITAM, cloud resource consumption, SaaS, and security insights, Block 64 surpasses the basic ITAM information collected by the MAP Toolkit.
• Partner Features: Block 64 empowers IT solutions providers and consultants with customizable templates and branded portals for enhanced customer interactions, a feature the MAP Toolkit does not provide.
• Updates & Scalability: Block 64 promises regular updates, new features and fixes — a clear advantage over the MAP Toolkit which no longer receives updates. We are also deployed in environments of all sizes, from 100 endpoints to tens of thousands.
• Reporting & Recommendations: Block 64 offers customizable templates and executive summaries, enabling tailored reporting and strategic decision-making. With MAP Toolkit, you are on your own when it comes to packaging and presenting your findings in a tangible, action-oriented way.

The added value of Block 64

Block 64 not only matches the capabilities of MAP Toolkit but goes above and beyond, providing comprehensive features and support that streamline the IT assessment process.

Instead of manual reports and disparate third-party tools, Block 64 customers use automated reports and comprehensive insights to centralize data collection, enhancing their ITAM, cybersecurity, and Microsoft 365 solutions practices. This not only reduces workload but also results in faster engagements, increased field margins, and a substantial uptick in vendor diversity.

For organizations looking to future-proof their IT assessments in the wake of the MAP Toolkit’s dwindling support, Block 64 stands out as a robust and innovative alternative. To witness first-hand how Block 64 can transform your IT infrastructure assessment and planning, reach out to our team for a demo.

The post MAP Toolkit Alternatives: Why Block 64 is Better first appeared on Block 64.

In this article, we’ll go through all the latest changes with VMware licenses, the impacts your customers could see, and how you can help them move forward with an assessment-led approach.

What’s Changed with How VMware Licensing?

This latest wave of pricing updates comes after Broadcom acquired VMware for $69 billion last November – making it one of the most substantial technology deals to date. Broadcom has decided to streamline product offerings significantly at VMware, one of the leading providers of virtualization and cloud computing software.

Major changes to how VMware solutions are packaged and sold include:

• End of Perpetual Licenses: The sale of new perpetual licenses has ceased and now VMware software will be exclusively purchased through subscription models. Customers can continue to use their perpetual licenses and the related support service included in the contractual terms. But they can no longer renew Support and Subscription (SNS) contracts for perpetual licenses.
• Offerings Consolidated into Two Basic Bundles: VMware will now be available in two primary offers, these include:
  • VMware Cloud Foundation: This is VMware’s enterprise-class hybrid cloud solution for customers looking to capture the value of full-stack infrastructure. This platform offers vSphere, vSAN and NSX with the full Aria management and orchestration suite.
  • VMware vSphere Foundation: This solution aims to provide a more simplified workload platform for smaller to mid-sized customers. This is VMware’s solution for data center optimization in traditional vSphere environments. vSphere Foundation includes Tanzu Kubernetes Grid in addition to Aria Operations and Aria Operations for Logs.
• Stopping the Sale of Individual Products: Many VMware solutions will no longer be available for standalone purchase, these include products like Aria Suite, NSX Networking, and vSAN. Some of these solutions are now available only to purchase as part of a bundle. While other tools have been discontinued, like the free ESI hypervisor. The full list of standalone and replacement products can be found here.
• Major Changes to the Partner Network: Broadcom has ended partner agreements with VMware resellers and service providers and the partner program and sales incentives. Existing partners must reapply for their roles, which could change how customers negotiate their licenses.

Customers Looking for Alternatives to VMware

The move to a subscription-based model is increasingly being adopted by software companies but has been met with disappointment among VMware customers. While VMware announced a 50 percent reduction in prices for Cloud Foundation, these new bundles will likely increase costs for existing vSphere Foundation customers. Many customers are already seeing price hikes of 100%.

Additionally, customers are frustrated by which products will be included in which bundles. For example, the free ESXI hypervisor has been discontinued which allowed customers to test projects with a free version before moving into production.

Forrester Research predicted that 1 in 5 VMware customers will leave this year, saying that Broadcom has “cast a shadow on an already beleaguered VMware customer base.” The principal analysts at Forrester say on their website that “many are exhausted by significant price hikes, degrading support, and mandatory subscription to software bundles in which some modules such as NSX and Aria Suite/vRealize Suite end up as shelfware.”

Despite VMware’s dominance, many customers are now looking at alternatives at lower costs with the same performance. Alternatives include vendors such as Nutanix, Scale Computing, and Vittozzo, plus larger solutions like Microsoft’s Hyper-V/Azure Stack and Red Hat’s OpenShift Virtualization. Switching vendors is not an easy task though, as new systems will have to be implemented and then verified.

Recommendations: What should you do now?

With all these changes, you’ll likely be asked by your customers what their next moves should be. These are our recommendations for best practices moving forward with VMware:

Conduct an Assessment: Now is the time for customers to evaluate their VMware estate and assess for potential risks. Customers will need to audit the inventory of perpetual and other current licenses and make note of renewal dates and refresh cycles. They’ll need to evaluate how the shift from perpetual to subscription models will impact operations and budgets going forward. As part of this audit, look for any gaps in licensing that need to be addressed.

Create a Transition Roadmap: Once customers have audited their licenses, they’ll need to decide their way forward with VMware or alternatives. VMware customers will need to plan for the transition from perpetual to subscription licenses while considering factors like expiration dates, budget cycles, and operational requirements. Customers will need to assess whether new support contracts are needed and what future business requirements look like.

Explore Financial Incentives: Broadcom is offering incentives to try to ease VMware customers into this new licensing model. Customers can trade-in their perpetual products for new subscriptions with a special license trade-in program, for example. There will also be a cost-benefit analysis needed of the benefits of transitioning earlier than required, while aligning with long-term strategies and business goals.

Stay Updated: Stay informed on regular updates from VMware, including their website releases, webinars, and workshops. Seek expert advice for assistance with navigating these changes and making sound operational and financial decisions – or reach out to Block 64 for quick and professional advice.

How Block 64 Can Help

Times like these require clear understanding and actionable advice. What should your customers do? Where should they begin?

Block 64 is designed to answer these questions, and so much more, with automated IT inventory and assessments.

Our IT Discovery and Insights platform gives clear visibility into IT environments and makes planning your cloud and virtualization roadmap simpler. Business leaders can assess their use of VMware products and complete audits effortless inventory tools and automated reporting and executive summaries.

Contact Block 64 to learn about how our solutions can help you navigate changes to VMware licenses and plan your best way forward.

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The post VMware Licensing: How do you plan for what comes next? first appeared on Block 64.

(Currently, Block 64 supports integrations with Microsoft’s Entra ID. Support for other SSO platforms such as Google and Okta is planned for subsequent releases.)

From Active Directory to Comprehensive Cloud Visibility

Traditionally, Active Directory served as the backbone of enterprise discovery processes, enabling IT teams to catalog and manage on-premises devices and user accounts. However, as organizations increasingly adopt cloud services, gaps have emerged in discovery capabilities. Easy to procure but hard to track, cloud services prove difficult to for IT teams to govern, leading to incomplete IT Asset Management and potential security vulnerabilities.

Recognizing this shift, Block 64 developed Saas Management to inventory the broad spectrum of enterprise IT assets.

By aggregating authentication logs from SSO and Oauth providers, organizations can identify which products are being used in their environment, which users are leveraging them, and when the products are being leveraged. This data is essential for managing SaaS products and addresses the critical need for a holistic view of both cloud and on-premises resources, ensuring no asset goes undiscovered.

Deep Dive into SaaS Management: Setup, Functionality, and Benefits

SaaS Management is designed for flexibility and ease of use, supporting both simple and custom deployment options to meet diverse IT infrastructure needs. By incorporating SSO and OAuth data, SaaS Management enables enterprises to:

• Identify and catalog which third-party SaaS applications are in use, who is using them, and how frequently
• Enhance security posture by identifying unknown or malicious products that are being accessed in your environment
• Simplify the user experience by offering a unified platform for discovering and managing IT assets across all environments

Setting up SaaS Management is simple, and can be customized to meet your organization’s needs. For a more technical look at what’s involved, please read our support article, here.

Stay Ahead in the SSO Era with Block 64

SaaS Management by Block 64 marks a significant step forward in our commitment to evolving alongside the IT landscape, ensuring enterprises have the tools they need to manage IT assets effectively. By embracing the shift to cloud-based SSO technologies, organizations can enjoy enhanced visibility, security, and management of their digital environments.

Ready to Experience the Future of IT Discovery?

Uncover the full story of your IT environment (or your customers’) with Block 64 SaaS Management. Set up a demo or contact our sales team today to learn more about how Block 64 can transform your IT asset discovery and management strategies.

The post Introducing SaaS Management: Bridging the Discovery Gap with Block 64 first appeared on Block 64.