Accelerating VMware migrations with a factory model approach | MIT Technology Review

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Skip to ContentMIT Technology ReviewFeaturedTopicsNewslettersEventsAudioMIT Technology ReviewFeaturedTopicsNewslettersEventsAudioSponsoredComputingAccelerating VMware migrations with a factory model approachEnterprises are rethinking VMware migrations with a factory model that delivers faster, leaner, more predictable results.
By MIT Technology Review Insightsarchive pageDecember 3, 2025In partnership withPersistent In 1913, Henry Ford cut the time it took to build a Model T from 12 hours to just over 90 minutes. He accomplished this feat through a revolutionary breakthrough in process design: Instead of skilled craftsmen building a car from scratch by hand, Ford created an assembly line where standardized tasks happened in sequence, at scale. The IT industry is having a similar moment of reinvention. Across operations from software development to cloud migration, organizations are adopting an AI-infused factory model that replaces manual, one-off projects with templated, scalable systems designed for speed and cost-efficiency. DOWNLOAD THE ARTICLE Take VMware migrations as an example. For years, these projects resembled custom production jobs—bespoke efforts that often took many months or even years to complete. Fluctuating licensing costs added a layer of complexity, just as business leaders began pushing for faster modernization to make their organizations AI-ready. That urgency has become nearly universal: According to a recent IDC report, six in 10 organizations evaluating or using cloud services say their IT infrastructure requires major transformation, while 82% report their cloud environments need modernization. Download the full article. This content was produced by Insights, the custom content arm of MIT Technology Review. It was not written by MIT Technology Review’s editorial staff. This content was researched, designed, and written by human writers, editors, analysts, and illustrators. This includes the writing of surveys and collection of data for surveys. AI tools that may have been used were limited to secondary production processes that passed thorough human review. by MIT Technology Review InsightsShareShare story on linkedinShare story on facebookShare story on emailPopularWe’re learning more about what vitamin D does to our bodiesJessica HamzelouHow AGI became the most consequential conspiracy theory of our timeWill Douglas HeavenOpenAI’s new LLM exposes the secrets of how AI really worksWill Douglas HeavenMeet the man building a starter kit for civilizationTiffany NgKeep ReadingMost PopularWe’re learning more about what vitamin D does to our bodiesThe sunshine vitamin could affect your immune system and heart health.
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Accelerating VMware Migrations with a Factory Model Approach

This article, produced by MIT Technology Review Insights, outlines a shift in how enterprises are approaching VMware migrations, drawing an analogy to Henry Ford’s assembly line. The core argument is that traditional VMware migrations have been characterized by lengthy, bespoke projects, often plagued by fluctuating licensing costs and a lack of alignment with the urgent need for AI-ready infrastructure. According to IDC, a significant proportion of organizations (60%) recognize a major transformation of their IT infrastructure is required, and 82% identify a need for modernization within their cloud environments.

The proposed solution is the adoption of an “AI-infused factory model.” This involves replacing manual, project-based approaches with standardized, templated systems designed for scalable speed and cost efficiency. The article highlights VMware migrations as a prime example of this shift. Rather than creating unique solutions for each organization, a factory model would deliver pre-built, optimized systems. This move is driven by the growing demand for rapid modernization, particularly to support AI initiatives. The factory model seeks to mitigate the challenges associated with complex, bespoke migrations by creating a repeatable and predictable process. It directly addresses concerns about escalating project timelines and unpredictable expenses, enabling enterprises to respond more effectively to the demands of a rapidly evolving technological landscape. The article positions this approach as a necessary evolution in IT migration strategy, a move away from reactive, problem-solving activities toward proactive, scalable solutions aligned with contemporary technological priorities.