We start with a detailed assessment of how each system runs today. Then we move those workloads to AWS using the right migration or modernization approach per application. Some workloads move as-is to stabilize timelines and avoid high VMware licensing costs. Others are replatformed or refactored only when the operational or financial case is clear.
As an AWS Advanced Partner, Nova supports VMware workload modernization with AWS-certified engineers, proven migration tooling, and production-grade observability. This allows teams to migrate and modernize VMware environments on AWS with cost visibility, performance monitoring, and operational controls in place from day one.
Assessment-First Decisions: Each VMware workload is analyzed for dependencies, performance requirements, and licensing exposure before choosing whether to rehost, replatform, or refactor on AWS.
AWS-Native Services, Where They Reduce Overhead: Containers, managed databases, or serverless components are introduced only when they replace VMware-specific tooling or lower long-term operating costs.
Operational Continuity During Migration: Cutovers, validation steps, and rollback plans are defined upfront so modernization does not interrupt day-to-day business operations.
Group VMware workloads, define migration sequences, and select rehost, replatform, or refactor paths with timelines, risk controls, and rollback planning.
Why Nova
AWS-Certified Engineers with Migration Experience: Nova’s team includes AWS-certified engineers who have executed production migrations and modernization projects.
Operational Ownership Beyond Cutover: Support continues after workloads move to AWS through FinOps, observability, and managed services, so your teams are supported after migration.
Our Services
Increase efficiency, scalability, and security with AWS cloud solutions tailored to your business.
Gain a competitive advantage and leverage emerging technology to transform your business.
Our DevOps experts help you stay agile and launch new products, optimizing delivery pipelines.
We monitor, optimize, and secure your tech stack while keeping costs in check and performance high.
Streamline your operations and drive innovation with new integrations and software capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get clear answers to common questions about VMware workload modernization on AWS. Whether you’re planning a migration or evaluating modernization options, we're here to help.
Lift-and-shift focuses on moving existing virtual machines from on-prem VMware environments to AWS with minimal changes. The operating system, application structure, and configuration remain mostly the same. This approach is usually used when timelines are tight or when the priority is exiting VMware contracts quickly.
VMware workload modernization starts with VMware migration, but it does not stop there. After workloads run on AWS, you review which components should remain as-is and which should change.
Some applications continue running on AWS infrastructure without modification. Others are adjusted to use managed cloud services, which reduces operational effort and long-term cost.
Renewal deadlines typically force decisions before teams understand cost, risk, or technical tradeoffs. Nova separates continuity from planning, so you are not pushed into long-term commitments prematurely.
Bridge Support keeps VMware environments running while migration and cost analysis work continue. At the same time, our team runs assessments and planning activities that include dependency mapping, cost modeling, and sequencing. This approach gives you time to evaluate options instead of committing under pressure.
With us, you move forward only after understanding timelines, AWS costs, and operational changes.
AWS services are selected based on workload type and migration goals rather than a fixed template. For many migrations, Amazon EC2 is used to host workloads that require minimal change. This supports server migration scenarios where speed and stability matter.
Other services are introduced only when workloads benefit from managed infrastructure, scalability, or reduced operational effort. The exact service mix is defined during planning and validated before execution.
Each workload is reviewed independently. Rehosting is usually selected when applications are stable, tightly coupled, or expensive to refactor. Modernization is considered when changes reduce operational effort or ongoing cost.
Modernization decisions are tied to easier scaling, simpler deployments, or lower database management overhead. The goal is not to modernize everything, but to apply changes where they support business agility without creating unnecessary risk.
Cloud migration focuses on moving workloads from on-prem environments to AWS. Modernization focuses on changing how those workloads run after the move.
Migration stabilizes infrastructure and removes data center dependency. Modernization improves how applications use AWS capabilities over time. Both are part of a single cloud transformation journey, but they happen at different stages.
Nova treats migration as the first step and modernization as a controlled follow-up.
After workloads run on AWS, attention shifts to operations, cost control, and reliability. Nova supports post-migration activities that include performance tuning, cost tracking, and operational reviews.
This phase includes disaster recovery planning, security checks, and ongoing optimization to support production workloads. The goal is to keep systems predictable and manageable as VMware environments are retired.
Yes, within the defined scope. Visibility and cost control are handled through AWS-native tooling and platform-level monitoring.
Nova maintains Datadog plugins for specific platforms, such as MuleSoft, but does not provide Datadog observability services. Visibility for integration layers focuses on MuleSoft Anypoint and AWS tooling. Cost control is addressed through structured reviews and optimization work aligned with the assessment findings.
The services used depend on workload classification and modernization goals. Our team may use these AWS services:
Services are selected per workload to support a modern AWS environment rather than enforcing a single architecture pattern.
Many enterprise organizations operate mixed environments that include on-prem systems, AWS, and other platforms. VMware workload modernization usually supports hybrid cloud operations during transition periods.
Nova plans migrations that respect existing systems, including legacy systems, compliance requirements, and regulatory demands. Workloads running on platforms such as VMware Cloud Foundation are assessed for compatibility, risk, and migration sequencing as part of an exit strategy.
This approach also applies to specialized cases such as mainframe modernization, where integration and gradual transition are required.
VMware workload modernization supports teams adopting cloud-first strategies who need predictable migration paths without disrupting operations. It is designed for organizations that require specialized AWS expertise and controlled execution rather than a general program.
Modernization work also considers performance factors such as storage performance, application latency, and integration reliability to support production systems throughout the transition.
Nova’s services are designed to support migration, modernization, and ongoing operations as a single lifecycle. Migration moves workloads, but modernization adjusts how they run. Ongoing support keeps systems reliable as VMware environments are phased out.
