VMware Migration Readiness (Google Sheets Tool) vs Alternative Platform Migration Utilities

Stage-0 baseline (vCenter + backup CSVs, local) and platform-specific migration utilities: how they fit together.

TL;DR

  • Purpose: Stage-0 = fast, local readiness baseline; alternative platform utilities = conversion, data sync/replication, and cutover into their own stacks.

  • Inputs: Stage-0 uses vCenter + backup CSVs; utilities connect to vSphere exports/targets and handle conversion + move.

  • Outputs: Stage-0 delivers per-VM readiness with reasons + exec rollups; utilities deliver conversion readiness checks, sync progress, and cutover status.

(Examples in this class include utilities offered by Platform9 and Scale Computing for moves into their platforms.)

Looking for the page where you can download the VMware Migration Readiness (Google Sheets Tool) — Stage-0 readiness baseline? Click here.

What each does

Stage-0 Readiness Baseline (this tool)

  • Inputs: vCenter inventory CSV + backup job inventory CSV.

  • Runs locally: Google Sheets (and Excel) — no agents, no SaaS ingest.

  • Normalization: deduped VM names, OS family, any-tag production/critical/compliance, uptime class.

  • Backup posture: missing/stale, short retention, irregular frequency, no offsite.

  • Output: Per-VM readiness with reasons and exec-ready rollups by Cluster / OS family / Uptime / Backup posture.

  • Why first: quickly separates move-sooner vs stabilize/leave-for-now cohorts and flags rebuild candidates before you run conversions.

Alternative platform migration utilities (class)

  • Goal: automate conversion/import, data synchronization, and cutover from VMware to a specific alternative platform.

  • How: accept VMware exports or connect to vSphere; perform format conversion, delta sync, and orchestrated cutover into the target; may provide pre-checks and runbooks.

  • Output: Conversion checks, sync status, test/cutover success, and target-side validation specific to the platform.

When to use each

  • Use Stage-0 when you need a vendor-neutral triage baseline in hours—no connectors—to brief stakeholders and decide what moves vs what stabilizes/rebuilds.

  • Use platform utilities when you have chosen a specific non-VMware platform and are ready to convert/sync/cut over the shortlisted workloads.

How they work together (handoff 1-2-3)

  1. Stage-0 shortlist: Identify cohorts by cluster/OS/role with readiness + reasons, backup posture, uptime class, and rebuild/leave-for-now anchors.

  2. Focused utility runs: Feed only the shortlisted cohorts into the platform utility; run conversion checks, data sync, and test cutovers without onboarding the entire estate.

  3. Wave planning: Use utility results to finalize waves and runbooks; keep Stage-0 flags as the audit trail for scope and deferrals.

What carries forward from Stage-0 (not throwaway)

  1. Deduped VM inventory with normalized names & OS family.

  2. Any-tag normalization for production / critical (DB/AD/DNS) / compliance.

  3. Backup posture flags informing RPO/RTO readiness and test depth.

  4. Uptime class to plan change windows and rehearsal coverage.

  5. Cohort shortlist (move-sooner / stabilize / rebuild / leave-for-now) to limit utility scope.

  6. Assumptions register (thresholds) and readiness rules for governance.

  7. Optional CSV bundle (inventory + flags + cohorts) to align teams and reduce re-keying.

Can we continue guiding beyond Stage-0?

Yes. If an alternative platform is the right next step, we’ll help scope pilots, ensure Stage-0 artifacts are reused with utility runs, and keep assumptions consistent from baseline through cutover. Vendor-neutral.

What this page is not

A vendor review or endorsement. “Alternative platform migration utilities” refers to platform-specific tools that handle conversion, sync, and cutover into their stacks.

Micro-FAQ

  • No. Stage-0 provides a readiness baseline and shortlists cohorts; utilities perform conversion, sync, and cutover into a chosen platform.

  • Deduped counts, OS/role mix, backup posture, uptime class, and cohort selection—plus thresholds/rules—guide which workloads to convert and when.

  • Lower friction and faster signal; you avoid broad trial-and-error and focus effort on workloads that will actually move.

Legal & attribution

This page compares a Stage-0 readiness baseline with a class of alternative platform migration utilities. Product names mentioned as examples (e.g., Platform9, Scale Computing) are trademarks of their respective owners. We are not affiliated with, endorsed, or sponsored by those vendors. Descriptions of third-party capabilities are based on publicly available information and typical deployments as of September 2025 and may change without notice.

Nothing here is legal, financial, or professional advice. Use of third-party products is governed by those vendors’ terms and privacy policies. Our tool runs locally in your Google Drive.

Last reviewed: September 8, 2025.