Demystify Oracle Licensing and Optimize Spend
Overspending with Oracle is easier than you think, thanks to the open access framework coupled with complexity of licensing.
- License keys are not needed with optional features accessible upon install. Conducting quarterly checks of the Oracle environment is critical because if products or features are installed, even if they are not actively in use, it constitutes use by Oracle and requires a license.
- Ambiguous license models and definitions abound: terminology and licensing rules can be vague, making it difficult to purchase licensing even with the best of intentions to keep compliant.
- Oracle has aggressively started to force new Oracle License and Service Agreements (OLSA) on customers that slightly modify language and remove pre-existing allowances to tilt the contract terms in Oracle's favor.
Our Advice
Critical Insight
- Focus on needs first. Conduct a thorough requirements assessment and document the results. Well-documented license needs will be your core asset in navigating Oracle licensing and negotiating your agreement.
- Communicate effectively. Be aware that Oracle will reach out to employees at your organization at various levels. Having your executives on the same page will help send a strong message.
- Manage the relationship. If Oracle is managing you, there is a high probability you are over paying or providing information that may result in an audit.
Impact and Result
- Conducting business with Oracle is not typical compared to other vendors. To emerge successfully from a commercial transaction with Oracle, customers must learn the "Oracle way" of conducting business, which includes a best-in-class sales structure, highly unique contracts and license use policies, and a hyper-aggressive compliance function.
- Map out the process of how to negotiate from a position of strength, examining terms and conditions, discount percentages, and agreement pitfalls.
- Develop a strategy that leverages and utilizes an experienced Oracle DBA to gather accurate information, and then optimizes it to mitigate and meet the top challenges.
Member Testimonials
After each Info-Tech experience, we ask our members to quantify the real-time savings, monetary impact, and project improvements our research helped them achieve. See our top member experiences for this blueprint and what our clients have to say.
9.7/10
Overall Impact
$85,332
Average $ Saved
15
Average Days Saved
Client
Experience
Impact
$ Saved
Days Saved
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Guided Implementation
9/10
$100K
20
Scott and Travis know their topic and we were able to discuss options and possible paths very organically.
Aipso
Guided Implementation
10/10
$32,499
5
Scott is always helpful, knowledgeable, and customer-focused!
Swagelok Company
Guided Implementation
10/10
$123K
20
The analyst was extremely knowledgeable and well prepared for our call. The information provided gave me the confidence to present the "bad news"... Read More
MCAP Service Corporation
Guided Implementation
10/10
$50,000
20
Excellent insights and advice on how to navigate through this space. Thank you very much.
Hastings Mutual Insurance Co
Guided Implementation
10/10
$123K
5
The knowledge shared and the speed at which it was received. Thank you very much.
Wisconsin Compensation Rating Bureau
Guided Implementation
10/10
$247K
5
Level of knowledge was very good and I appreciated the prompt follow-up to outstanding questions with additional information after the meeting.
California Department of Industrial Relations
Guided Implementation
10/10
N/A
N/A
ATI CORP
Guided Implementation
10/10
$120K
10
Scott was a well informed SME in regards to our discussion.... we stayed on subject and focused on critical matters.... very comfortable conversat... Read More
Trinidad and Tobago Unit Trust Corporation
Guided Implementation
9/10
N/A
N/A
The explanation provided on the Oracle Licenses Structure was very comprehensive and I am able to quantify potential savings. In addition, I will b... Read More
Government of Cayman Islands
Guided Implementation
8/10
N/A
5
Best part is the consultant was knowledgeable on the subject matter
London Health Sciences Centre and St. Joseph’s Health Care, London
Guided Implementation
10/10
$55,000
5
California Department of Industrial Relations
Guided Implementation
10/10
N/A
N/A
Oman LNG L.L.C.
Guided Implementation
10/10
N/A
N/A
Workshop: Demystify Oracle Licensing and Optimize Spend
Workshops offer an easy way to accelerate your project. If you are unable to do the project yourself, and a Guided Implementation isn't enough, we offer low-cost delivery of our project workshops. We take you through every phase of your project and ensure that you have a roadmap in place to complete your project successfully.
Module 1: Establish Licensing Requirements
The Purpose
- Assess current state and align goals; review business feedback
- Interview key stakeholders to define business objectives and drivers
Key Benefits Achieved
- Have a baseline for requirements
- Assess the current state
- Determine licensing position
- Examine cloud options
Activities
Outputs
Gather software licensing data
- Copy of your Oracle License Statement
Conduct a software inventory
- Software inventory report from software asset management (SAM) tool
Perform manual checks
Reconcile licenses
- Oracle Database Inventory Tool
Create your Oracle licensing team
- RASCI Chart
Meet with stakeholders to discuss the licensing position, cloud offerings, and budget allocation
- Oracle Licensing Effective License Position (ELP) Template
- Oracle Licensing Purchase Reference Guide
Module 2: Evaluate Licensing Options
The Purpose
- Review licensing options
- Review licensing rules
Key Benefits Achieved
- Understand how licensing works
- Determine if you need software assurance
- Discuss licensing rules, application to current environment.
- Examine cloud licensing
- Understand the importance of documenting changes
- Meet with desktop product owners to determine product strategies
Activities
Outputs
Review full, limited, restricted, and AST use licenses
Calculate license costs
- Oracle TCO Calculator
Determine which database platform to use
Evaluate moving to the cloud
Examine disaster recovery strategies
Understand purchasing support
Meet with stakeholders to discuss the licensing position, cloud offerings, and budget allocation
- Oracle Licensing Purchase Reference Guide
Module 3: Evaluate Agreement Options
The Purpose
- Review contract option types
- Review vendors
Key Benefits Achieved
- Understand why a type of contract is best for you
- Determine if ULA or term agreement is best
- The benefits of other types and when you should change
Activities
Outputs
Prepare to sign or renew your ULA
Decide on an agreement type that nets the maximum benefit
- Type of contract to be used
- Oracle TCO Calculator
- Oracle Licensing Purchase Reference Guide
Module 4: Purchase and Manage Licenses
The Purpose
- Finalize the contract
- Prepare negotiation points
- Discuss license management
- Evaluate and develop a roadmap for future licensing
Key Benefits Achieved
- Negotiation strategies
- Licensing management
- Introduction of SAM
- Leverage the work done on Oracle licensing to get started on SAM
Activities
Outputs
Control the flow of communication terms and conditions
- Controlled Vendor Communications Letter
- Vendor Communication Management Plan
Use Info-Tech’s readiness assessment in preparation for the audit
- Oracle Terms & Conditions Evaluation Tool
Assign the right people to manage the environment
- RASCI Chart
Meet with stakeholders to discuss the licensing position, cloud offerings, and budget allocation
- Oracle Licensing Purchase Reference Guide
About Info-Tech
Info-Tech Research Group is the world’s fastest-growing information technology research and advisory company, proudly serving over 30,000 IT professionals.
We produce unbiased and highly relevant research to help CIOs and IT leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. We partner closely with IT teams to provide everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.
What Is a Blueprint?
A blueprint is designed to be a roadmap, containing a methodology and the tools and templates you need to solve your IT problems.
Each blueprint can be accompanied by a Guided Implementation that provides you access to our world-class analysts to help you get through the project.
Need Extra Help?
Speak With An Analyst
Get the help you need in this 4-phase advisory process. You'll receive 11 touchpoints with our researchers, all included in your membership.
Guided Implementation 1: Establish licensing requirements
- Call 1: Engage in a scoping call
- Call 2: Assess the current state
- Call 3: Determine licensing position
Guided Implementation 2: Evaluate licensing options
- Call 1: Review product options
- Call 2: Review licensing rules
Guided Implementation 3: Evaluate agreement options
- Call 1: Review contract option types
- Call 2: Review vendors
Guided Implementation 4: Purchase and manage licenses
- Call 1: Determine negotiation points
- Call 2: Finalize the contract
- Call 3: Discuss license management
- Call 4: Evaluate and develop a roadmap for future licensing
Contributors
- Imran Shaikh, Program Director – IT at Vista Equity Partners
- Richard Spithoven, Partner at b.lay
- Max Ablimit, Tarim Consulting, LLC
- Eric Chiu, Director at Fisher IT Asset Consulting
Microsoft Dynamics 365: Understand the Transition to the Cloud
Make Prudent Decisions When Increasing Your Salesforce Footprint
Demystify Oracle Licensing and Optimize Spend
Prepare and Defend Against a Software Audit
Modernize Your Microsoft Licensing for the Cloud Era
Master the Secrets of VMware Licensing to Maximize Your Investment
Master the Secrets of Adobe’s Creative Cloud Contracts to Right-Size Your Adobe Spend
Explore the Secrets of SAP Software Contracts to Optimize Spend and Reduce Compliance Risk
Explore the Secrets of IBM Software Contracts to Optimize Spend and Reduce Compliance Risk
Explore the Secrets of Oracle Cloud Licensing
Explore the Secrets of SAP Digital Access Licensing
Explore the Secrets of Workday Licensing
Understand Cisco's Enterprise Agreement for Software