Oracle license management tool – A strategy that delivers

How to configure your Oracle license management tool – A strategy that delivers value to your organization.

As an Oracle licensing expert, I have guided countless organizations through the labyrinth of Oracle licensing and Software Asset Management (SAM) tool configurations.

Drawing from my wealth of experience, I’ll provide a strategic 5-step plan to help you maximize your SAM tool’s effectiveness.

Step 1: Define Your SAM Tool Scope

Primarily, your SAM tool should manage Oracle Database deployments. For other Oracle products, it’s advisable to establish a manual process for determining your compliance position. This can be achieved using Oracle License Management Services (LMS) scripts, or similar tools, to attain a licensing position. These scripts are obtainable from Oracle or various consulting firms. Oracle also has a verification program for software asset management tools.

Step 2: Understand Your Contracts and License Metrics

Oracle contracts are known for their complex stipulations and customizations. Some of these are so specific that it’s impossible for a SAM tool to measure them. If such limitations exist, you must devise a process outside your SAM tool to manage these licenses and agreements.

Step 3: Implement and Validate Your SAM Tool

If you haven’t already, implement your SAM tool and upload only the relevant license entitlements. Once the tool is fully operational, generate an Oracle license report. Keep this copy, but avoid rushing to purchase any software that the tool reports as missing. This is because SAM tools often report false licensing requirements.

Step 4: Leverage Oracle LMS Scripts or Expert Consultancy

Utilize Oracle LMS scripts or engage a consultancy firm with their version. Run the scripts on the same servers that your SAM tool is monitoring. This secondary measurement validates your SAM tool’s conclusions, helps you understand the tool’s limitations, and guides the creation of processes to navigate these gaps.

Step 5: Consult Expert Analysis and Strategy Development

Provide the script output to the consultancy firm for analysis. You can compare the findings and formulate a strategy to make your SAM tool work for you instead of doubting its conclusions.

Common Findings and Implications

You may discover that your SAM tool does not detect all licensable features, giving you a false sense of compliance. You might also find that your SAM tool suggests you need to license certain Oracle Software, indicating significant license gaps.

This could lead to many hours spent investigating whether you need a license. However, armed with the script result, you can quickly compare the SAM tool results and the script results, saving time and facilitating better-informed decisions.

Final Thoughts

It’s essential to understand that SAM tools are not flawless; even the vendors themselves would admit to that. Their shortcomings are rarely disclosed, which I urge SAM vendors to address. By understanding your tool’s limitations, you can take measures to review usage outside of the tool and make your SAM tool more effective.

Experience has shown that SAM tools may report false positives or fail to report necessary licenses, often achieving only 70-80% accuracy. To create an effective license position, you must find other ways to measure your Oracle deployments.

The most accurate method is using Oracle LMS scripts (or similar scripts) to verify the findings of your SAM tool and learn where the tool may be wrong.

In conclusion, while SAM tools provide a good starting point, achieving a high-accuracy licensing position requires more. It involves the usage of both your SAM tool and Oracle LMS scripts (or similar) and the skills of an experienced consultant.

This approach will increase the accuracy of your licensing position, improve your SAM function, and save you money on Oracle licensing.

A step-by-step guide to streamline the decision-making process

Step 1: Review License Entitlements

The first step in qualifying Oracle products for SAM tool management is reviewing your license entitlements. Be aware that any non-standard license metric may limit the ability of your SAM tool to manage them effectively.

Checklist:

•  Compile a list of your license entitlements.
•  Identify non-standard license metrics within your entitlements.

Step 2: Identify Owned Oracle Products

Next, identify which Oracle products you own. While most SAM tools can effectively manage Oracle Database, many other Oracle software products may not be reliably managed by any tool. You’ll need to qualify or disqualify which products can be controlled by your SAM tool.

Checklist:

•  Compile a list of all Oracle products your organization owns.
•  Segregate them based on the feasibility of SAM tool management.

Step 3: Implement SAM Tool for Qualified Products

Once you’ve determined which products your SAM tool can manage, implement the tool for those products. This means setting up the tool to track those products’ usage, updates, and compliance.

Checklist:

•  Set up your SAM tool to manage the qualified Oracle products.
•  Test the tool to ensure it’s tracking and managing these products effectively.

Step 4: Establish an Ad-hoc Process for Remaining Products

For products that your SAM tool cannot manage, you’ll need to establish an ad-hoc process. This might involve manual tracking or working with a consultant specializing in those products.

Checklist:

•  Identify products not managed by your SAM tool.
•  Establish a process for managing these products, such as manual tracking or consulting services.

By following these steps, you can ensure that you’re effectively managing your Oracle products, whether covered by your SAM tool or requiring an alternate management process. The key is understanding your software landscape and applying the right tool or technique for each product.

Oracle SAM Tool Assistance Service

• License Entitlements Review:
  • Detailed analysis of your Oracle license entitlements.
  • Identification and explanation of non-standard license metrics.
    
• Oracle Products Audit:
  • A comprehensive inventory of owned Oracle products.
  • Evaluation of each product’s compatibility with SAM tool management.
    
• SAM Tool Implementation for Qualified Products:
  • Configuration of your SAM tool to manage qualified Oracle products.
  • Testing and validation to ensure effective tracking and management.
    
• Ad-hoc Process Establishment for Remaining Products:
  • Identification of Oracle products is not manageable by your SAM tool.
  • Development of customized ad-hoc processes for managing these products.
  • Option for manual tracking or collaboration with specialized consultants.
    
• Ongoing SAM Tool Management:
  • Regular monitoring of the SAM tool’s performance and accuracy.
  • Continuous improvements based on monitoring results.
    
• Compliance Assurance:
  • Regular compliance checks for all managed Oracle products.
  • Timely resolution of any identified compliance issues.
    
• Consultancy and Expert Guidance:
  • Access to expert advice on Oracle licensing and SAM tool operation.
  • Tailored guidance based on your organization’s specific needs and challenges.