One out of every four server workloads will be run from a virtual machine by the end of the year, and more than 80 percent of enterprises have a virtualization program or project, says Gartner. However, companies should consider their virtualization plans carefully, due to potential licensing issues arising from virtual solutions. 

Calling it "major stumbling block to widespread adoption," Gartner highlighted how vendors are adapting different strategies toward licensing their solutions for virtual use, which could lead to a substantial increase in costs. Ultimately, virtualization is no magic bullet, and Gartner does have a word of caution on that front, noting that "As virtualization matures, the next 'big thing' will be automating the composition and management of the virtualized resources."

For more on this story:
- check out this article at Network World
- check out this article at Channel Insider