Thread regarding VMware layoffs

Ex CA PS employee.
At the time of the Broadcom acquisition of CA, we were told that BC had no interest in the PS business as it had very low profit margins and BC are always aiming for a 50% profit margin. So they sold almost the entire CA PS business to HCL. I think they had to keep a small portion of that business to serve US government customers.

I don't think there were many redundancies after the transfer, but there were more resignations than normal. In Europe, you transfer with all your previous terms and conditions of employment.

The same thing happened with Symantec PS

https://www.hcltech.com/press-releases/press-releases-business/hcl-technologies-and-broadcom-expand-their-global-preferred

No idea whether Broadcom's thinking around PS has changed since then.

with respect to the comment on euc. euc ps has been lacking accountability and failed to establish their value in terms of driving consumption. it's been fed for a long time, so it will take a long time to unfck. if given the chance, the euc bu will hire their own people or work with the 1 or 2 partners they trust rather than taking the spoiled and entitled technicians that call themselves consultants or architects...

Take it from a Broadcom guy....don't be stupid. Unless the division is making money you're fu---d. Do so at your own risk. Hock doesn't like people or businesses that aren't lean, sticky and drive margins.

Many VMW people here are clueless as to what's gonna hot them.

Bottom line...it's your call. If you wanna risk it, go for it but keep your resume and network updated as you may need to pivot fast.

I work in the PS team in the UK, This forum can be a little one sided so it’s easy to have your judgement clouded, but I really enjoy the job, I’m in the field and love working with different customers, the work is varied and interesting.

A lot (all) of the work is remote, hopefully it will stay this way, but time will tell, no one really knows what will happen long term but I feel like the skills of a PS consultant are very transferable, and VMware is a great name to have on the CV.

The management does seem a bit bloated and that’s what I would expect to see cut, but for the most part you can just ignore the internal politics and focus on delivering for your customers, I really feel like I’ve been given the tools to get my job done and the trust to just do it. Honestly for me, the best job I’ve ever had. Go for the interview, the experience at least is never a bad thing, and good luck!

Thank you - I am very grateful for the feedback! The noise I am hearing is that the PS team is doing well in the UK, however I fear that the person I am talking to has their head in the sand. Looks like there is trouble ahead with the BC takeover.

Don’t come here unless you have no other options.

Not correct. BC does have a small PS business mostly focused on US customers.

I worked in PS NEMEA for a couple of years and it was the worst job I had in VMware. Depending on your circumstances I’d reconsider. If you need to get into consulting and this would be your first job in that area - by all means, give it a shot but know that NO ONE knows what’s happening but there will be massive layoffs. So it’s up to you to decide whether you can live with the uncertainty and stay motivated.

If this is t your first job and you got mortgage and loans, I’d leave it.

In the UK you don’t even have statutory redundancy pay under a two year tenure.

So yea. Only you can decide your future really.

Nobody actually knows what will happen. If you are in need of a job right now I would say go for it. If you aren't comfortable with the buyout then don't take it.

Don’t take a job with VMware, the soul has left the body. Morale is all time low, drive and passion is gone. Work for a company who is excited for the future, not one waiting to die.

At this point nobody knows what will happen to PSO. As mentioned, BC does not have a PSO BU, but who would say no to a billion dollars? Particularly if they can keep more of that billion dollars.

It’s a double-wammy if you’re in EUC. If BC sells off EUC, it would makes sense that the EUC PSO team went with it.

Some likely scenarios:

• BC sells off PSO to another company. New company decides how to restructure what they have purchased. Severance might be affected if you are not taken on by the new company.
• BC keeps PSO, but there are heavy cuts. There is definitely a bloated management structure in my region so I would expect to see a lot of those positions go. PSE is a cost center so I would expect to see them go too. If you are a billable resource on an active engagement it would make sense to keep you.
• BC sells off EUC + EUC PSO. Not sure who would be a potential buyer but it would unlikely be a FANG company. New company would decide how to restructure.

If you’re interviewing for a customer facing, consulting position, I would think the position would be fairly stable no matter what happens. Worst case scenario you get 6 months of deep experience in VMware products and build up your network.

PS is a profitable business within VMware, however quite top heavy/bloated in some regions (not all) with management layers, 'program directors' etc...

Also there are two parts to PS. PS Engineering which focuses on creating deployment and design/architecture material and tools for PS Field teams who actually deploy, configure, etc... Then there is the CoE who are essentially groups of devs write custom workflows for customer requirements.

Saying this even though PS is profitable and a $1B business, BC traditionally do not do services and are known to sell off services groups.