Businesses are considering migration to Azure due to several challenges with their current IT infrastructure. These include fading trust in older technology, limited resources for managing on-premises workloads, and the need for modernization to enhance agility. Azure offers a seamless transition for VMware users, allowing them to leverage familiar tools while benefiting from cloud capabilities. Additionally, Microsoft provides free security updates for older Windows Server and SQL Server workloads, making Azure an attractive option for many organizations.

Organizations have multiple migration options when moving VMware workloads to Azure. They can choose to migrate directly to Azure VMware Solution for a quick transition while maintaining their existing VMware environment. Alternatively, they can migrate workloads to Azure Virtual Machines running on IaaS, or adopt a hybrid approach by using both Azure VMware Solution and Azure IaaS. Each option allows organizations to tailor their migration strategy based on their specific business and technical requirements.

To start migrating to Azure, companies should first conduct an inventory of their on-premises resources using tools like RVTools or Azure Migrate. Next, they should assess their resources by mapping them to Azure, considering factors such as costs, migration timelines, and business goals. Finally, they can initiate the migration process using Azure and VMware tools, while planning for potential downtime and validation to ensure a smooth transition.