By MM Desk
Publication Date: 2026-02-12 10:09:00
A new global study from HPE (NYSE: HPE) reveals that while most enterprises are planning significant changes to their virtualization strategies, only a small fraction feel fully prepared to execute. The research, based on a survey of nearly 400 IT decision-makers worldwide, highlights a widening readiness gap as organizations confront rising operational complexity, evolving licensing models, and the growing demands of artificial intelligence.
According to the findings, more than two-thirds of enterprises expect to make material changes to their virtualization environments within the next two years. However, just 5% report that they are fully ready for that transition. The data suggests that many organizations recognize the urgency of modernization but face structural and operational barriers that slow progress.
Cost remains a concern, but it is not the primary driver of change. In fact, only 4% of respondents cite licensing costs as the single biggest reason for reevaluating their virtualization approach. Instead, enterprises are responding to broader pressures, including the need to support AI workloads, manage hybrid environments more effectively, and ensure long-term operational resilience. Budget constraints were identified by 28% of respondents as a key barrier to progress, followed closely by technical complexity at 24%, migration risk at 21%, and internal skills gaps at 20%.
The study indicates that organizations are not simply looking to replace…
