IT infrastructure virtualization has proven to be an essential pillar for companies seeking to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Although container adoption has gained prominence in recent years, virtual machines (VMs) remain one of the backbones of modern computing for critical applications. Projections indicate that this market is expected to jump from the $38.7 billion recorded in 2020 to $189.4 billion by 2027.
The notable growth is driven by several factors. Technological advancements, such as the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) for automated resource management and predictive maintenance, along with the widespread adoption of cloud computing, have fueled the demand for virtualization. The growing need for robust cybersecurity measures, data protection solutions, and resilient IT systems that can support distributed workforces have also highlighted the importance of virtualization in ensuring business continuity and flexibility.
Recent market movements, however, have challenged companies’ virtualization strategies. Faced with growing uncertainties and costs, many organizations are now seeking simplified options to manage virtual machines that reduce complexity and offer scale, performance, and security. “It is in this context that open source virtualization solutions emerge. Agile, flexible, and with excellent cost-benefit, they provide the necessary simplification of infrastructure management without sacrificing scalability and security,” explains Thiago Araki, Senior Technology Director for Latin America at Red Hat.
‘Revirtualization’ Curve
Open source emerges as an alternative at a time when companies seem to be moving toward what Gartner calls ‘revirtualization,’ or virtual-to-virtual migrations. According to the consultancy, in light of recent market movements, between 5% and 20% of organizations have already advanced on this journey, which involves replacing current virtualization solutions with a new hypervisor, usually developed in open source.
“With access to innovation from a stable community, open standards to increase compatibility, and open application programming interfaces (APIs) for flexible integration, open source technologies can help companies build efficient virtual environments in data centers and cloud infrastructures,” says Boris Kuszka, Director of Architects at Red Hat for Latin America.
In simplified terms, virtualization is the process that enables the creation of virtual versions of servers, storage, or network resources. These virtual machines can be easily copied, replicated, and restored, allowing for business continuity even in the event of hardware failure. Other advantages include reducing the number of physical servers, lower energy consumption, better performance, and the ability to ensure business continuity through disaster recovery solutions.
Virtualization also simplifies and optimizes IT resource management by centralizing control and providing comprehensive monitoring and automation tools. This level of control helps IT departments respond quickly to changes in business requirements, develop and deploy applications faster, and improve the reliability and overall performance of the entire IT infrastructure. “Open source development models enrich this ecosystem by fostering continuous collaboration and innovation, driven by upstream communities, which allow for the rapid introduction of new and advanced virtualization technologies into the market,” says Alexandre Duarte, Vice President of Services for Latin America at Red Hat.
Competitive Solution
Another benefit of open source platforms is their cost-effectiveness. A recent survey revealed that 45% of organizations consider cost a decisive factor for migrating from proprietary solutions to open source platforms. Solutions like Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization, for example, are among the most mentioned by the organizations surveyed (48%).
Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization helps companies accelerate the migration of traditional virtual machines to a modern, scalable infrastructure platform using a fast, risk-reducing approach. Available on Red Hat OpenShift, it allows running virtual machine workloads with a consistent management experience and a set of tools and processes that increase operational efficiency and flexibility.
Sectors such as education and healthcare, where reducing operational costs is a priority, have already benefited from the platform. By adopting Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization, Finis Terrae University, based in Santiago, Chile, was able to implement and run effective solutions for demanding academic and administrative processes, improving its operations without needing major hardware investments. The solution’s flexibility allowed the institution to migrate to virtual environments without interrupting essential activities, such as enrolling 10,000 students, while ensuring the security of sensitive data amid growing digital threats.
The University’s experience, which can be replicated by organizations of all sectors and sizes, reinforces the importance of open source virtualization solutions, which are expected to continue playing a central role in the evolution of IT infrastructures in 2025. Whether for flexibility, cost reduction, or integration with emerging technologies like AI, the future of virtualization seems increasingly focused on open source, driving innovation and growth for companies worldwide.
