Oracle Java Licensing Challenges
- Since January 2019, Oracle halted its free maintenance for Oracle Java to commercial users, now requiring a paid subscription
- As of January 2023, Oracle announced all of an organization’s employees need to be licensed, under their new “Per Employee” metric
- Based on these developments, every desktop, server, and employee uses Java in Oracle’s view
- Oracle is now focusing on Java audits and this could translate into hundreds of thousands of dollars in non-compliance penalties
- Like Oracle’s software licensing, Oracle Java software licensing rules are complex, nuanced, and change frequently due to technological and non-technical developments
- Conducting enterprise wide Java license review projects can be costly in both time and resources for internal resources
- Internal IT, Procurement and Executives have many responsibilities within the organization and limited ability to their expertise in Oracle Java Licensing rules and policies
NOTE: “Per Employee” metric
Under Oracle’s new “Per Employee” metric, Oracle defines an employee as:
“i) all of Your full-time, part-time, temporary employees, and (ii) all of the full-time employees, part-time employees and temporary employees of Your agents, contractors, outsourcers, and consultants that support Your internal business operations.”
This definition means that even if your employee doesn’t use Java or a computer at all, Oracle still defines them as an employee.
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Oracle Java Licensing Opportunities
- Engaging specialized Java experts to oversee the organization’s software assets greatly reduces the risk of non-compliance and associated unbudgeted expenditures
- Significant cost savings are possible through Java license optimizations, Java reductions, and Java migrations
- Internal resources can make better and faster decisions with the help of trusted advisors who are subject matter experts in all aspects of software asset management
Miro’s 3 Step Approach to Oracle Java License Reviews
Miro’s proven 3-Step Approach is designed to help organizations prepare for and defend against Java software license audits and produces strategies and information that organizations can use to make the best decisions for their businesses.
This process will proactively guide your team through a comprehensive review of the Java deployments, gathering and analysis of usage data across hardware and software configurations. The data is then validated against your existing entitlements to ensure compliance with Oracle’s rules and regulations before identifying cost containment options and finally assisting in the execution of recommended strategies.
1. Oracle Java License & Subscription Assessment
Miro does a Java license assessment (friendly audit) of the organization for comparison to its entitlements, to establish a Java baseline compliance position, through a review that parallels the vendor’s own license compliance assessment.
Java Licensing Baseline
Java license reviews establish the baseline required for building or resetting a software asset management (SAM) program. Inventory (i.e., entitlements) is compared with the deployments, applying the appropriate Java licensing rules for the edition and version of each product as it pertains to the boundaries set within the organization’s Java contracts and Java subscriptions.
Point-in-Time Java Assessment
An Oracle Java License Assessment is a point-in-time review of an organization’s Java software license estate, with a detailed strategic report that outlines various options to mitigate Java shortfalls, Java surpluses, and future Java changes. After the initial assessment, Miro’s Managed Services (link) is available as a long term option for organization’s to stay compliant on an ongoing and continual basis.
Java Compliance Issues
While many organizations have active Java software management programs, their teams often interpret the vendor’s policies and rules differently than the software vendor itself. This leads to situations where the organization believes it’s fully compliant when it’s actually not. Miro bridges the gap between these interpretations and helps organizations understand where they may have significant Java compliance issues.
Asset Repository
Proof of ownership is vital for establishing a defendable position. An asset repository in the form of Java software licensing agreements (SLAs), Java subscriptions, Java invoices, and other Java renewal or Java procurement documents establishes proof of ownership, as well as includes information regarding terms of use. Miro helps organize and interpret these documents.
2. Java Cost Containment & Java License Optimization
Miro provides various options to optimize an enterprise’s Java software deployment, Java subscriptions and Java procurement based on the organization’s needs and future planning.
Modification Impact
Miro will provide a detailed impact analysis report showing how the suggested changes will affect the organization’s Java licensing estate.
Examples:
- Addressing and/or changing virtualized Java license deployments (ex: VMware)
- Preparing for Server Platform changes
- Preparing for a shift to or from a Public Cloud
- Transitioning into or Renewing a new type of Java contract with Oracle
- Planning for a Java licensing downsizing
Java Deployment Strategies
Miro can recommend advanced deployment strategies for an organization to use the Java licenses and Java subscriptions it already has instead of purchasing new Java licenses and Java subscriptions to cover its requirements. This includes both advanced strategies on Java configuration and Java license allocation.
3. Strategy Execution
The organization can choose from the presented strategies based on which is most suitable for their needs. Miro can assist in executing strategies that may include Java license procurement, Java contract negotiations, Java license migrations, Java license upgrades, and what-if Java licensing scenarios based on recommendations around changes to server allocations and environment redesigns. Any of these may be required to keep the organization in compliance, or to execute its future strategy.
Negotiation Strategies
This deliverable reveals shortfalls and/or surpluses, and recommends strategies for addressing them. Miro works with the organization to design a strategic plan based on precedent and profile, with an established primary negotiation position and acceptable secondary or tertiary positions. This is used in preparation for and during the course of negotiations with the vendor. Miro Java licensing experts can participate either directly or indirectly in the negotiation sessions.
Oracle Java License Procurement Strategies
These are recommendations made to the organization on strategic ways to procure the Java licenses and Java subscriptions required for their business needs that achieve the best possible price, terms and conditions.
Present & Future Planning
Numerous events and scenarios that may impact the organization will be considered, including past, present and future projected changes such as implementations, data centers, acquisitions, divestitures, consolidations, virtualizations and similar. The organization will receive a detailed plan with the recommendations and several options on how to optimize Oracle Java software licensing.