Case Study – Java Advisory Services – Aegean Airlines – $2M Claim Resolved at Zero Cost
Background
Aegean Airlines is a leading aviation company operating throughout Europe. The airline relies on complex IT systems for flight operations, reservations, maintenance scheduling, and many other functions.
Java underpins several of these systems – from internal web services used by operations staff to third-party software integrated into scheduling and booking platforms. In the highly regulated and safety-conscious aviation industry, system reliability is paramount, and any software changes are approached cautiously.
Challenges
Oracle notified Aegean of an alleged Java SE licensing shortfall, claiming approximately $2 million in unlicensed usage across servers and workstations.
Oracle urged the airline to quickly purchase Java SE subscriptions, warning that delays could risk support or future updates.
This demand came as a surprise – Aegean had not budgeted for Java licenses, and many flagged instances were part of vendor-supplied systems or older Java versions that were believed to be free.
Under pressure to resolve a multi-million-dollar compliance issue without disrupting flight operations, Aegean Airlines engaged Redress Compliance.
How Redress Compliance Helped
Redress Compliance guided Aegean Airlines through a structured approach to tackle the Java licensing claim:
- Comprehensive Usage Analysis: Redress carried out a thorough analysis of where and how Java was used within Aegean’s infrastructure. They inventoried Java installations on data center servers, virtual machines, and employee devices. This analysis distinguished Oracle’s Java installations from open-source Java instances and noted which ones were part of third-party applications.
- License Position Review: The team reviewed Oracle’s claims in light of Aegean’s contracts and Java’s licensing rules. They found several Java instances were older versions (pre-2019) that didn’t require subscriptions. Also, some Java was embedded in vendor-provided systems (like maintenance software) where the vendor’s licenses covered the Java runtime. These findings showed that Oracle’s $2M claim was an overcount of actual non-compliant use.
- Risk Mitigation Actions: Implement recommended short-term actions to enhance compliance without compromising operations. This included uninstalling Oracle Java from machines that didn’t need it or swapping them to OpenJDK, and limiting Java use on non-production systems. These steps immediately reduced Aegean’s exposure and demonstrated proactive efforts to Oracle.
- Negotiation & Outcome: Armed with a clarified licensing position and evidence of risk mitigation, Redress entered negotiations with Oracle on Aegean’s behalf. They presented a report showing Aegean’s true exposure was negligible after accounting for older versions and vendor-licensed instances. Redress pushed back against Oracle’s assertions and timeline pressures. Ultimately, Oracle agreed to drop the $2 million claim entirely. Aegean did not have to pay for any Java licenses, and Oracle confirmed the airline’s Java usage complied.
Outcome and Impact
Aegean Airlines avoided $2 million in licensing expenses, achieving a truly zero-cost resolution to the Java compliance issue.
Instead of diverting budget to unexpected fees, the airline avoided any financial impact and disruption to its critical systems. All compliance measures were handled behind the scenes, with no effect on flight operations.
The engagement gave Aegean’s IT team a clearer understanding of Oracle Java licensing nuances. The airline also strengthened its software asset management practices, instituting formal tracking of Java installations and shifting toward open-source Java where feasible.
Aegean’s leadership came away confident that they could handle future licensing challenges without unnecessary cost or drama.
Client Testimonial
“Oracle hit us with a surprise $2 million compliance claim. We were concerned not only about the money but also about keeping our systems stable. Redress Compliance took charge of the situation and made it go away. They showed Oracle and us that most of our Java use was either already allowed or easily fixed. In the end we paid nothing, and we learned how to stay compliant without risking our operations. It was the best outcome we could have hoped for.”
– CIO, European Airline
Call-to-Action
Facing a sudden Oracle Java licensing claim or audit threat? Don’t let it throw your organization off course. Redress Compliance has the expertise to navigate Java license complexities and negotiate effectively with Oracle.
Contact us today for a Java licensing consultation and audit defense. We help companies like yours avoid unnecessary costs, stay compliant, and keep critical systems running safely and smoothly.
