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Tesco moving 40k server workloads off VMware amid Broadcom's abusive conduct

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191–200 of 297 posts

Re: Tesco moving 40k server workloads off VMware amid Broadcom's abusive conduct

#191
post #151

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Someone really needs to build an "Evil Companies" list with flowcharts showing the date/time of demonic possession.

I started building one some years ago, until a friend pointed out that I’d be unemployable and probably targeted.

I guess one of the people who made their millions and retired should do it

Re: Tesco moving 40k server workloads off VMware amid Broadcom's abusive conduct

#192
post #163
post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Meal deals are in every supermarket in the UK. Petrol stations even do them. Also, as a foreigner who lives over there, I think they are... sad? I'm surprised they got a positive reception from your coworkers. For me they are a backup and a failure to do something more interesting.

What people don't realise is the startups here in the UK run on miserable sandwiches, tasteless crisps and energy drinks. Middle management lives on slightly more expensive platters from Pret.

Unless you live in bumfuck nowhere theres zero reason to be subjecting yourself to a supermarket meal deal, we've got an overabundance of independent food places in towns in the uk.

Re: Tesco moving 40k server workloads off VMware amid Broadcom's abusive conduct

#193

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do you imagine cash registers work these days? With 5,000 stores worldwide, 40k servers is 8 computers per store, which doesn't seem excessive to me.

5000 stores, let's say 10 checkout lines per store, just to overprovision, so at worst 50000 simultaneous transactions going on, but probably way less. You can do that with a single server, but you'd want some redundancy and spare capacity. I worked with a Danish retailer with +3000 store in ~50 countries, and even adding their webshop on top and they were closer to 200 (maybe 300) servers (most VMs). Then you need t…

I'd assume most of the big supermarkets have a 4-5 host cluster with the small local stores having a 2-3 host cluster. You've got the software to run the tills sure, but also the loyalty card system (which seems to have a local cache at each site based on how quickly it returns your first name), VoIP, Door Access systems, BMS, Digital Signage, Scan as you shop systems, CCTV, Stock management systems..

I can see how you hit 40k pretty quickly.

Re: Tesco moving 40k server workloads off VMware amid Broadcom's abusive conduct

#194
post #106
post #97

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You can get court transcripts but (just like the USA) you have to pay for them. Things could be improved, but in no way are normal UK court cases secret as you claimed. You can also visit the courts and watch cases from the public gallery. You're basically wrong and doubling down on it, for what reason I cannot say.

My friend, please don’t act like an expert when you happen to be talking to one… Magistrates court trials are not recorded so no transcripts. So a malicious prosecution is easy to pursue. When one files for a transcript in courts that are recorded, the transcript is first sent to the Judge and the judge is allowed to change anything they like, with no transparency. They can also refuse a transcript if they feel like…

Mags courts are for petty offences, nothing like this. Contract law and Torts will be heard at the High Court, and transcripts are available via EX107.

The only exceptions are when the judge imposes reporting restrictions or anonymisation (unlikely in a non-criminal case as it's meant to protect the identities of complainants or sensitive witnesses) or for ex parte actions (which are very limited, eg. to cover an emergency injunction to prevent imminent destruction of evidence).

Re: Tesco moving 40k server workloads off VMware amid Broadcom's abusive conduct

#195
post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And it has no US comparison. The tesco meal deal concept, the literal wall of choices, just doesnt exist in north america. I did a big work trip to the UK a couple years back with over 100 people. I tried to explain meal deals and nobody believed me. Then our people basically stripped the meal deal shelves of the tesco express beside our hotel.

Meal deals are in every supermarket in the UK. Petrol stations even do them. Also, as a foreigner who lives over there, I think they are... sad? I'm surprised they got a positive reception from your coworkers. For me they are a backup and a failure to do something more interesting.

This is one of those things that varies by cultural cachet rather than actual quality. It's not that different from people living off Japanese konbini, but those are perceived as much cooler.

Most cities will have local sandwich options as well near major office districts, but they might not be as cheap.

Re: Tesco moving 40k server workloads off VMware amid Broadcom's abusive conduct

#196
post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What's so unbelievable about meal deals? It seems like a really straightforward bundle purchase.

A sandwich, bag of crisps and a drink for £5 is an actual deal. Sandwich alone in U.S. would be $10 and the “$15 Meal Deal” just doesn’t have the same ring to it.

There's a lot to complain about in the UK, but food price/quality is actually pretty good. Not the absolute best, but far from the worst and certainly not Scandinavian prices.

Re: Tesco moving 40k server workloads off VMware amid Broadcom's abusive conduct

#197

Why a retailer needs 40k servers? What are they serving? To whom? What is wrong with system designers these days? Are they designing or just selling?

Online ordering. Backend logistics (like icebergs, most of a supermarket is invisible). Stocktaking. Financials. They've probably got several role-isolated servers per store, each with a backup.

Re: Tesco moving 40k server workloads off VMware amid Broadcom's abusive conduct

#198
post #168

Why a retailer needs 40k servers? What are they serving? To whom? What is wrong with system designers these days? Are they designing or just selling?

Is it that hard to imagine? They do 100B USD / yr revenue as a supermarket chain with 330k employees and a massive logistics operation. The software supporting the whole shebang is not gonna run on a spare macbook pro in a cupboard.

And their Dunnhumby division is a huge data consultancy in its own right, and likely the largest user of compute within the wider Tesco org.

Re: Tesco moving 40k server workloads off VMware amid Broadcom's abusive conduct

#199
post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This in turn introduces a lot of economic inefficiency, for no good reason. I think regulation would be useful here.

> I think regulation would be useful here. Or vendors just abiding by contracts they've already signed!

Contrast one regulation vs. thousands of litigations by companies who don't always have the expertise or budget to pursue complex legal procedures.

Re: Tesco moving 40k server workloads off VMware amid Broadcom's abusive conduct

#200
post #157

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Meal deal = main + snack/side + drink The "main" has expanded to Huel, salads, wraps, sushi, even hot food The "snack" can be more than crisps: small bags of fresh chicken, 2 boiled eggs, small sushi pack, gyozas etc The "drink" includes quality smoothies, acceptable vending machine coffee etc Meal deal value maximizing is the whole game lol. There are also lots of healthier options if you choose carefully In certain…

£3.85 in my nearest central-London Tesco, it even includes some premium energy drinks like Tenzing that alone would get close to the cost of the deal.

Ah thanks I haven't been paying close enough attention. That's good
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