Case Study – Oracle Licensing Assessment – Circles Telco in Singapore– $4M Saved
Background
Circles is a telecommunications provider in Singapore with millions of subscribers. Its IT environment relies on Oracle Database for data and Oracle WebLogic for key middleware applications.
Circles also deployed Oracle Java SE across internal applications and endpoints. This mix of Oracle products underpins operations but introduces significant licensing complexity in a virtualized environment.
Challenges
The licensing review was triggered when Oracle’s License Management Services (LMS) initiated an inquiry. Circles faced the prospect of an Oracle audit just as it was expanding its VMware infrastructure.
Oracle raised concerns about “soft partitioning,” claiming Oracle Database instances on VMware required licensing of the entire cluster – a major Oracle virtualization risk.
At the same time, Oracle’s revised Java policy meant Circles’ widespread Java SE installations might suddenly require paid licenses. These combined pressures – an impending audit, WebLogic license compliance questions, and Java bundling issues – put Circles at risk of heavy compliance penalties and unplanned costs.
Oracle’s LMS inquiry hinted at a multi-million dollar gap, and Oracle sales teams aggressively pressed Circles to buy an Unlimited License Agreement or cloud subscriptions by stoking fear of audit penalties.
Circles realized it needed expert Oracle audit defense and an independent Oracle licensing assessment to validate Oracle’s claims and avoid unnecessary spending.
How Redress Compliance Helped
Circles engaged Redress Compliance for a comprehensive review and audit defense of their Oracle licenses. Redress began by performing a full Oracle licensing assessment of all databases, middleware, and Java deployments.
They gathered data on every Oracle Database instance (including those on VMware), every WebLogic Server installation, and each Java SE deployment enterprise-wide.
Redress experts reconciled this data with Circles’ Oracle entitlements. They found many Oracle Database features in use were already covered by existing licenses or could be reconfigured to avoid extra licensing.
They challenged Oracle’s virtualization claims by referencing contract terms and demonstrating that Circles properly partitioned its VMware servers. This dramatically reduced the scope of Oracle’s compliance claims.
For Java SE, Redress identified which installations required a subscription and which could remain under free rights. They guided Circles to remove or upgrade certain Java versions and license only essential installations, significantly lowering anticipated Java licensing fees.
Redress also acted as the Circle’s Oracle audit defense advisor throughout the engagement. They prepared detailed reports to correct Oracle’s assumptions and drastically cut the claimed shortfall.
Redress coached Circles in negotiations, countering Oracle’s pressure with hard data showing a much smaller compliance gap.
By modeling alternative scenarios – such as hardware reallocation and rightsizing of Oracle instances – they optimized Circles’ license position, reducing Oracle costs without sacrificing performance.
Outcome and Impact
Circles avoided the Oracle audit entirely after providing Redress’s analysis, eliminating the immediate compliance threat.
The assessment revealed approximately $4 million in potential exposure, which was mitigated to nearly zero through entitlement corrections and technical adjustments. In concrete terms, Circles achieved $4 million in cost avoidance – funds that would have been spent on unneeded Oracle licenses or penalties.
The company also preserved flexibility to continue using VMware for Oracle Database without signing a costly Unlimited License Agreement.
Beyond cost savings, Circles gained confidence in its Oracle compliance stance and negotiation position. Oracle’s sales pressure subsided once accurate licensing data was presented, giving the IT team breathing room to plan growth on its terms.
The organization now has a clear understanding of Oracle licensing rules for databases and Java, significantly reducing compliance risk in the future.
Client Testimonial
CIO, Circles: “Redress Compliance delivered exactly what we needed – an independent Oracle licensing review that saved us $4 million. Their expertise in Oracle audit defense and precise knowledge of Oracle’s policies gave us confidence.
We avoided a potentially devastating compliance bill and can now expand without fear of surprise Oracle costs. Working with Redress was like having Oracle insiders on our side, looking out for our interests.”
Call-to-Action
If your organization faces an Oracle audit or complex license challenges, contact Redress Compliance for an independent Oracle licensing assessment.
Our experts help you reduce compliance risk, strengthen your negotiation position, and save on Oracle costs.
Further:
- Read about other Oracle Licensing Assessment Case Studies.
- Read more about our Oracle License Management Services.
