Oracle Software Asset Management Tools – In-Depth Review,” you will gain valuable insights into the world of Oracle Software Asset Management tools.
Here are the key takeaways:
- Understanding SAM Tooling and Its Role in Oracle License Management: The article delves into the limitations of Software Asset Management (SAM) tools. It emphasizes that even Oracle-verified tools may not provide 100% accuracy, particularly when measuring Oracle middleware or Oracle application licenses.
- Oracle Verification for SAM Tooling: The piece unravels the implications of Oracle’s verification for SAM tools, clarifying that this verification does not guarantee the tool’s ability to measure and create licensing positions for Oracle accurately.
- The Real Beneficiaries of Oracle-Verified SAM Tools: The article concludes by identifying the actual beneficiaries of Oracle-verified SAM tools, which include the SAM tool vendors, Oracle itself, and Oracle licensing experts.
Understanding SAM Tooling and Its Role in Oracle License Management
Successful and informed companies often approach Software Asset Management (SAM) tooling skeptically, especially when dealing with Oracle licensing. It’s critical to remember that these SAM tools are not infallible, with the accuracy of their measurements often falling short of perfection. In particular, these tools struggle when measuring Oracle middleware or Oracle application licenses, often failing to provide satisfactory levels of accuracy.
Even when using a third-party tool verified by Oracle, the best-case scenario for database accuracy is typically around 80%. Therefore, a prudent approach would be to understand the limitations of these tools and not rely on them as the sole means of managing Oracle licenses.
Oracle Verification for SAM Tooling: Unraveling the Implications
Being “verified by Oracle” might seem like a strong endorsement for a SAM tool. However, the reality is not as straightforward. This verification does not mean that the SAM tool can accurately measure and create licensing positions for Oracle. Oracle does not test the SAM tool’s ability to perform licensing measurements as part of its verification process.
The Oracle SAM Tooling Verification Process Unveiled
The Oracle SAM tooling verification process, in its simplest form, involves the following steps:
- Oracle provides a version of its Oracle License Management Services (LMS) scripts to the SAM tool vendor.
- The SAM tool vendor must demonstrate that their tool can run these LMS scripts and generate a raw output file acceptable to Oracle.
- Oracle also inquires if the SAM tool vendor can accurately measure the hardware specifications of the server running Oracle software. It’s worth noting that hardware inventory is rarely a challenge when ensuring Oracle software license compliance.
- The SAM tool vendor then submits the raw output file to Oracle for verification. This process closely mirrors what might happen during an Oracle License Audit.
- Upon successful verification, the SAM tool vendor’s marketing team typically announces their new Oracle-verified status, assuring customers that their Oracle license compliance is effectively managed with their tool.
However, it’s important to note that Oracle does not conduct any tests to verify if the SAM tool can accurately measure which Oracle licenses are installed, used, or required.
The Real Beneficiaries of Oracle-Verified SAM Tools
SAM tool vendors stand to gain significantly from the Oracle verification status, as it helps enhance their sales figures. However, it’s worth questioning if their marketing truly comprehends what being “verified by Oracle” entails.
Oracle also benefits as it can expedite its auditing process for its customers. Oracle customers who use a verified tool will find it harder to refuse running Oracle LMS scripts, given that a version is already operational in their data center. Conversely, Oracle customers who don’t use a verified tool can often argue against running Oracle LMS scripts in their data center.
Oracle licensing experts also benefit, as they can review the LMS script output from the SAM tool more quickly.
Garrick Brivkalns, program manager for Oracle Global Licensing and Advisory Services, perhaps best encapsulated the scope of Oracle’s verification when he stated that Oracle only verifies these tools’ accuracy regarding raw usage data. He clarified, “We’re not working to verify any other aspects that the tool might possess, such as entitlements tracking, matching entitlements, usage, and compliance position determinations.”
In conclusion, it’s essential to understand the limitations and implications of Oracle verification for SAM tools, ensuring that you manage your Oracle licenses effectively and accurately.
FAQs on Oracle Software Asset Management Tools
What is the Oracle Software Asset Management tool?
The Oracle Software Asset Management tool is a utility that aims to help businesses manage their Oracle software licenses. However, it’s important to remember that these tools might not always provide 100% accurate results, even when verified by Oracle.
What does it mean for a SAM tool to be verified by Oracle?
Oracle verification for a SAM tool doesn’t imply that the tool can accurately measure and create licensing positions for Oracle. Oracle doesn’t test the SAM tool’s ability to perform licensing measurements as part of its verification process.
Can SAM tools accurately measure Oracle middleware or Oracle application licenses?
Typically, SAM tools struggle to accurately measure Oracle middleware or Oracle application licenses to an acceptable degree.
What is the Oracle SAM tooling verification process?
The process involves Oracle providing a version of its License Management Services (LMS) scripts to the SAM tool vendor. The vendor then demonstrates that their tool can run these scripts and generate a raw output file sent to Oracle for verification.
Who benefits from a SAM tool being verified by Oracle?
SAM tool vendors, Oracle, and Oracle licensing experts benefit from the verification. Vendors can enhance their sales figures, Oracle can expedite its auditing process, and licensing experts can review the LMS script output from the SAM tool more quickly.
What does Oracle verify in the SAM tools?
According to Garrick Brivkalns, program manager for Oracle Global Licensing and Advisory Services, Oracle only confirms the accuracy of these tools in terms of raw usage data. They do not verify other aspects such as entitlements tracking, matching entitlements, usage, and compliance position determinations.
What are software asset management tools?
Software Asset Management (SAM) tools are applications designed to manage and optimize the purchase, deployment, maintenance, utilization, and disposal of software applications within an organization.
What is SAM in Oracle?
In the context of Oracle, SAM refers to the methods and tools used to manage Oracle software licenses. It involves tracking the use and ownership of Oracle software products to ensure compliance with licensing agreements.
Can you give an example of a software asset management tools?
Examples of Software Asset Management tools include ServiceNow SAM, Snow Software, Flexera’s FlexNet Manager, and Oracle’s own license management services.
Is CMDB an asset management tool?
A Configuration Management Database (CMDB) is not an asset management tool per se, but it plays a crucial role in IT Asset Management. It stores information about hardware and software assets (Configuration Items) and their relationships, which aids in managing and controlling IT infrastructure.
What is SAM, and how does it work?
SAM stands for Software Asset Management. It works by tracking and managing the software assets in an organization, ensuring compliance with licensing agreements, optimizing software usage, and preventing unauthorized software from being installed.
What are the types of asset management?
Asset management can be categorized into several types: Financial Asset Management, IT Asset Management, Digital Asset Management, Enterprise Asset Management, and Infrastructure Asset Management.
How do you manage software assets?
Software assets can be managed by implementing a SAM program that involves inventorying software assets, understanding the terms of software licenses, ensuring compliance with these terms, and optimizing the use of software across the organization.
Is asset management an IT service?
IT Asset Management (ITAM) is a service that helps organizations manage and control their IT assets, including hardware and software, to ensure optimal usage and compliance with various regulations and licenses.
What is the difference between CMDB and asset management?
While CMDB and Asset Management deal with IT resources, they have different focuses. Asset Management primarily focuses on the financial tracking of a company’s hardware and software, from acquisition to disposal. On the other hand, CMDB focuses on understanding the relationships and dependencies between these IT assets.
If you want to implement Oracle SAM into a Tool where to start?
Start by creating an inventory of all your existing Oracle licenses. Then match your tool capability with your licenses. Some products may be measured by the tool, other products you measure manually outside the tool.
