Based on the articles SDxCentral readers read last month — and what you’re reading so far in May —  all signs point towards a changing  (and perhaps even volatile) tech landscape, one where established vendors are challenged by new players, open-source continues to be a major influence, and innovation continues at a rapid pace in key areas like security, cloud and networking.

Based on the most popular article published last month, three overarching trends emerged — well, it may be more accurate to say continued to be top of mind among IT and service provider leaders:

The future of VMware under Broadcom

As we start to see the real-world impact of Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, the path forward to customers continues to be a hot — and, at times confusing — topic. As expected, the new owner is continuing to make significant changes to how VMware products are priced and distributed.

Topping our charts are these three articles discussing Broadcom's efforts to integrate VMware with Google Cloud, confusion among customers regarding the future direction and the CEO offering reassurances and concessions.

Is big tech out of touch?

Several of our top articles point toward a growing disconnect between major tech vendors like Google, Cisco, HPE and the evolving market needs, with Extreme Networks CEO directly criticizing these players' activity, with Cohesity securing $150 million in Series F funding backed by IBM and Nvidia, and the massive acquisition of HashiCorp by IBM for $6.4 billion raising questions about the future of the open-source Terraform product.

Innovation in security and cloud-native technologies

Fortinet's release of FortiOS 7.6 with a focus on secure access service edge (SASE) and AI highlights the ongoing advancements in cybersecurity solutions. Kubernetes 1.30 (aka Uwubernetes) is another example, showcasing the continued development of cloud-native technologies with a focus on improved networking.

Sneak peek into May

The top five stories published so far in May continue the theme of the crazy life of VMware customers post-acquisition, industry shifts and consolidation, cloud-based tech and the critical nature of enterprise security.

Companies you're tracking

Based on data captured by the SDxCentral Organization Directory, these are the companies you're keeping an eye on. And check out SDxCentral's CEO's recent Insights article for a listing of new data center and edge security companies added to our industry directory.

Company Market Sectors Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) 5G, Data Center, Edge, Networking, Quantum and Silicon Cisco 5G, 6G, Data Center, Edge, Multicloud, Multicloud Networking (MCNS), NaaS, Networking, Private Networks, Radio Access Networks (RAN), SASE, SDWAN, Security, SSE and Zero Trust VMware 5G, Multicloud, Multicloud Networking (MCNS), NaaS, Networking, Private Networks, Radio Access Networks (RAN), SASE, SDWAN, Security, Software and Zero Trust Broadcom Data Center, Networking, Security, Silicon and SSE Microsoft 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud, Hyperscale, NaaS, Networking, Private Networks, Quantum, Radio Access Networks (RAN), Security, Software and Zero Trust Amazon Web Services (AWS) 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud, Hyperscale, NaaS, Private Networks, Quantum and Radio Access Networks (RAN) Juniper Networks Multicloud, Multicloud Networking (MCNS), NaaS, Networking, Private Networks, Radio Access Networks (RAN), SASE, SDWAN, Security and Zero Trust Google Cloud Platform (GCP) 5G, 6G, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cloud, Data Center, Hyperscale, NaaS, Networking, Private Networks, Quantum, Radio Access Networks (RAN), Security and Telecom Canonical Networking Palo Alto Networks Cloud, Data Center, Edge, Multicloud, NaaS, Networking, SASE, SDWAN, Security, SSE, Telecom and Zero Trust IBM 5G, 6G, Cloud, Data Center, Edge, Hyperscale, Multicloud, Networking, Private Networks, Quantum, Radio Access Networks (RAN), Security, Silicon, Telecom, and Zero Trust Fortinet Networking, SASE, SDWAN, Security and Zero Trust AT&T Networking and Telecom Nvidia Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Center and Networking Verizon Networking and Telecom SoftBank Networking and Telecom Veritas Networking Extreme Networks Networking and SDWAN Nokia 5G, 6G, Data Center, Networking, Private Networks, Radio Access Networks (RAN), Security, and Telecom CrowdStrike Networking and Security