Guests: Jimmy McArthur | Ken Crandall
Organizations: OpenInfra Foundation | Rackspace
Show: The Source
Topic: Cloud Native

As VMware’s future remains uncertain, enterprises are accelerating their search for open alternatives. At the OpenInfra Summit in Paris, leaders from the OpenInfra Foundation and Rackspace explained why OpenStack is emerging as the most compelling choice for the next generation of virtualization and cloud modernization.

The enterprise infrastructure landscape is undergoing a major shift. Following the Broadcom acquisition of VMware, companies worldwide are rethinking their reliance on proprietary platforms. In this interview, Jimmy McArthur, Director of Business Development at the OpenInfra Foundation, and Ken Crandall, Senior Strategic Project Manager for OpenStack and Kubernetes at Rackspace, share why OpenStack is leading the open infrastructure movement and how it offers a real alternative to vendor lock-in.

The conversation opens with a demo presented live at the OpenInfra Summit, showcasing how a VMware-based virtual machine can be migrated seamlessly to OpenStack. The demonstration underscored how far the technology has matured in stability, scale, and ecosystem support. Ken emphasized how OpenStack now delivers the same reliability and visibility that enterprises expect from commercial solutions — but with the freedom of open source.

Both guests discussed how organizations are rediscovering the value of open collaboration. Jimmy cited new research showing that open source solutions have become the top alternative for enterprises migrating away from VMware. Gartner projects VMware’s market share will drop sharply by 2029, a trend that Rackspace and the OpenInfra Foundation see as an opportunity for open ecosystems to thrive.

The discussion went beyond cost or technology. It was about freedom, choice, and sovereignty. Ken highlighted that many customers, especially in Europe, want full control over where their data resides. OpenStack allows them to deploy in their own data centers or with trusted local providers while still maintaining interoperability across vendors. This flexibility is crucial in a world increasingly shaped by digital sovereignty laws and shifting geopolitics.

The pair also touched on vendor leverage. Ken explained how “vendor lock-in” isn’t just about technology — it’s about losing strategic leverage. With open source, organizations retain ownership of their infrastructure and can switch providers without starting over. Rackspace builds its value by offering expertise, not by trapping customers.

Finally, Jimmy pointed out how open ecosystems foster innovation rather than restrict it. Instead of cutting off partner networks, open infrastructure encourages collaboration among competitors, ensuring resilience and progress. Both guests agreed: open source is not anti-capitalist — it’s the purest form of the free market, enabling fair competition and innovation at scale.

Here is the edited Q&A of the interview:

Swapnil Bhartiya: You both shared a demo with the Summit community earlier today. Please tell us about it.
Ken Crandall: I did the demo showing a migration of a virtual machine running in a VMware infrastructure to OpenStack. It was a VMware setup in a data center moving to our OpenStack public cloud called OpenStack Flex, running five states away.

Swapnil Bhartiya: Many organizations are exploring open alternatives after the Broadcom acquisition. What kind of trends are you noticing in these conversations?
Jimmy McArthur: We learned from Forrester that organizations running VMware workloads now list open source solutions as their top alternative. That’s why we’re focusing on VMware migration to OpenStack. Gartner predicts VMware could lose 30% of its market share by 2029. Companies like Rackspace are well positioned to help lead that change.

Swapnil Bhartiya: What makes OpenStack attractive to those exploring VMware alternatives?
Ken Crandall: Customers appreciate control and visibility. OpenStack offers that — whether in their own data center or a trusted partner’s. The platform has matured immensely, with easier upgrades, strong community support, and real operational stability.

Swapnil Bhartiya: Migrating itself can be expensive and time-consuming. How does open source help?
Jimmy McArthur: Open source gives you freedom. With OpenStack, if one vendor changes terms, you can easily move your workloads elsewhere. You’re future-proofing your infrastructure while reducing long-term costs.

Swapnil Bhartiya: What makes the OpenStack ecosystem different from VMware’s shrinking partner network?
Ken Crandall: Open infrastructure is built on collaboration. Partners aren’t locked out — they’re encouraged to contribute. Everyone benefits from shared innovation. It’s the opposite of proprietary gatekeeping.

Swapnil Bhartiya: Any advice for organizations just starting their VMware migration journey?
Jimmy McArthur: Look at your internal expertise and identify the right partners who understand open source. Choose a multi-vendor ecosystem. Avoid repeating the same mistakes that led to lock-in. OpenStack offers freedom and community — both essential for long-term resilience.

Ken Crandall: Exactly. Avoid single points of failure — not just in hardware, but in your vendor relationships. Open source lets you design your own path forward.