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Category: software license

6 Key Questions for Buying Oracle Cloud Credits

Introduced in September 2017, Oracle’s Universal Cloud Credits represent a flexible model for buying and consuming Oracle Cloud Services. Oracle’s Universal Cloud Credits or “UCC” apply to the Platform-as-a-Service (“PaaS”) and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (“IaaS”) offerings from Oracle. Each of these has eligible services, including Analytics (data visualization), Database Integration (GoldenGate), and Data Management (Database) services for PaaS, and Compute (various types of bare metal offerings and load balancing) and Network (FastConnect) services for IaaS. While Oracle’s Cloud Infrastructure (“OCI”) offers many […]

Oracle Virtualization Compliance

Any mention of virtualization causes many people to immediately think of VMware, as they remain to be a main player among virtualization technologies. The challenge of keeping up with Oracle’s evolving licensing requirements of virtualization platforms can be a daunting endeavor for many IT departments and Oracle database administrators. Any technological advancement made by VMware, specifically relating to any abilities to easily move server sessions around the virtualized environment, prompts a new possible interpretation of licensing requirements by Oracle on […]

5 Unusual Ways to Save on Microsoft Licenses & Subscriptions

You know the basics, but do you know these advanced strategies for saving on your Microsoft spend? Your organization could save hundreds of thousands of dollars by taking advantage of these special techniques and Microsoft programs, but only if you know what to ask for. 1. Independent Contract Review When your contract is up for renewal, many organizations simply assume that there’s no need to review the details more than in the past. Unfortunately, a lack of diligence and oversight […]

5 Ways Your Hosting Provider Can Put You Out of Compliance

Your Third-Party Hosting Provider may be putting you out of compliance. Unfortunately, your organization is liable if they do. Most providers have clauses in their contracts which absolve them of all responsibility. Is your hosting provider jeopardizing your compliance? Read more to find out. 1. Virtualized Environment Do you know if your Third-Party Hosting Provider is running your software in a virtualized environment? We find that Oracle can and will require licensing outside of their client’s own non-dedicated use for […]

7 Signs of an IBM Audit

Do you recognize the signs of an IBM audit? These 7 Signs of an IBM audit are red flags that you should recognize. You Get a Letter Introducing KPMG or Deloitte These are two of the “Big 4” accounting firms that manage the actual software license audit process on behalf of IBM.  IBM refers to them as, “third party independent auditors”.  Keep in mind that when it comes to their “independence,” these firms are paid by IBM for their services. […]

MEGABYTE Act – New Federal Software Licensing Requirements

CIOs will be required to implement a comprehensive licensing policy to manage software inventories The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued guidance in June on agencies inefficient use of software licensing as well as what it saw as excessive spending.  Now the White House is involved.  President Obama signed the Making Electronic Government Accountable by Yielding Tangible Efficiencies Act (MEGABYTE Act) on July 29, 2016.  It will require agency CIOs to more accurately track their software and applications licenses.  You […]

Windows Server “Per Core” Licensing

Microsoft Window Server Per Core licensing here we come! With the general release of Version 2016 expected in the second half of 2016, Windows Server will switch from “Per Processor” licensing to “Per Core”. As might be expected, there are caveats to this. Microsoft architected a transition for SQL Server 2008 R2 in the “Per Processor” metric to SQL Server 2012 in the “Per Core” metric. And Microsoft will adopt a similar process for Windows Server. First off, customers with […]

Microsoft Audits – What is worth fighting for?

Most common questions we get during a Microsoft Audit: What are the primary points to negotiate with the supplier or their agent when an audit notice is received? What are the points to fight for? What are the points that are most important?   There are many, many moving parts involved in a Microsoft audit because of the many and varied products, license metrics, volume license programs, and Software Assurance considerations. There is a central set of principles in responding to […]

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