Oracle ULA – How to Avoid the Audit Nightmare in 2023

We’ve helped over 100 organizations manage their Oracle ULA.

And what did we find?

Not a single organization was compliant when we performed a licensing assessment.

The most common reason companies renew their Oracle ULA is that Oracle finds that they are non-compliant.

Oracle knows this, and as soon as you inform Oracle about your intentions to leave, they want to conduct a stealth audit of your Oracle licensing deployments and perform contract compliance.

Unfortunately, most customers we engage with have tried to leave their Oracle ULA in the past and failed and were forced to renew and pay millions more to Oracle for a new ULA.

A summary of this article

• Oracle ULA agreements can be complex and require specialized expertise to navigate.
• Negotiating a ULA contract for the first time requires strategic thinking about which products to include.
• One common mistake companies make is mistakenly deploying Oracle software that is not a part of their Oracle ULA.
• The certification process outlined in the agreement should be reviewed and understood to minimize financial risk.
• Support costs will not increase after exiting a ULA; Oracle customers should try to maximize Oracle ULA deployments as much as possible before the agreement ends.
• Public cloud deployments can now be included in ULA agreements, but proper planning and management are still necessary to avoid financial risk.
• Deploying Oracle on VMware is a recommended strategy for maximizing ULA usage and certification.
• Oracle may resist reporting high numbers of processor licenses at the end of the ULA, but it is essential to stand firm and declare all physical hosts in virtual environments.
• Do not rely on IT operations, Oracle DBAs, or a software asset management professional who is not an Oracle licensing expert. You need an Oracle ULA certification expert who has helped certify other Oracle ULAs.
• We have a blog post dealing with Oracle ULA Certification.

What is an Oracle ULA?

An Oracle ULA, short for Unlimited License Agreement, is a contractual agreement where a company pays a one-time fee to obtain unlimited licenses for a specific set of Oracle products for a fixed period, typically three years.

Explaining Oracle Unlimited License Agreements

Oracle ULA – How does it work?

• The agreement includes a one-time license fee that provides unlimited deployment rights for a subset of products for a specified period, typically three years, but can range from 1-5 years. There are no reporting requirements until the agreement expires.
  
• Renewal or Certification: Six months before the ULA expires, Oracle will ask if you want to renew, migrate to a PULA (Perpetual ULA), or certify the agreement. If you decide to certify, you must report deployment numbers to Oracle, similar to an Oracle license audit.
  
• Support costs: It is important to note that the support will not increase based on certification quantities; it will remain the same as during the agreement.
  
• Compliance: The number one mistake companies make is deploying non-ULA software, which leads to non-compliance during the certification process and often results in costly renewal of the ULA instead of exit.

Oracle ULA Pros and Cons

• Oracle ULA offers a fixed cost option for purchasing licenses, making it cost-effective for organizations with significant usage of Oracle software and a list price of over 2M USD.
• The flexibility to deploy on virtual environments, such as VMware, without worrying about license compliance.
• The opportunity to improve licensing terms for Oracle software investments by migrating old agreements into a new ULA agreement.
• Additional benefits for companies utilizing Oracle Cloud include bringing in existing licenses (BYOL) and receiving a 33% return on support bills through the Oracle support rewards program.
• The company will partially remove the right to terminate licenses and connected support when entering the ULA. “Unbreakable contract”
• Companies are often found to be non-compliant with the agreement if they lack Oracle licensing knowledge. This forces them to renew the agreement or purchase additional Oracle software licenses.
• Unlimited agreements are very restrictive on mergers & acquisitions. Review the licensing terms carefully before agreeing.
• If a company does not deploy software during the term, it will not realize the actual value of the agreement.

Understanding the terms of an Oracle ULA

Explanation of the key terms and clauses in an Oracle ULA

• Customer Definition: List all entities that will access and use any Oracle ULA software, typically included in an appendix of the standard Oracle Ordering document for volume purchase. Requesting an “all majority-owned subsidiaries” definition if contracting with a parent company.
  
• Territory: Defining where servers running Oracle ULA software can be physically deployed, with “worldwide usage” as the broadest possible option to avoid non-compliance if deployment location changes.
  
• ULA Certification Clause: Specifying the process for leaving the Oracle ULA agreement, including reporting deployment data to Oracle, cooperation and data sharing, and counting deployments in cloud environments like AWS or Azure.
  
• Technical Support: Oracle technical support increases by 4% Year on Year; it is essential to negotiate a cap on the rise for a maximum of 5 years.
  
• Merger & Acquisitions: Restrictions on adding acquisitions or mergers of subsidiaries into the Oracle ULA, with the possibility of adding entities with a maximum of 10% of the employee base or revenue. Careful negotiation is needed to obtain the right model for the company and request additional contract terms.

Different types of Oracle ULAs are available.

• An Oracle ULA (Unlimited License Agreement) is a licensing agreement offered by Oracle Corporation for its software products. The agreement allows organizations to purchase a set number of licenses for a specific period, typically 3 to 5 years, at a discounted rate. It provides a cost-effective and predictable licensing model for organizations that use many Oracle software products.
  
• An Oracle PULA (Perpetual) is a type of ULA with no expiry date.
  
• A Capped Oracle ULA is a type of Oracle ULA in which a cap is set on the number of licenses used during the agreement term. This means an organization cannot use more licenses than the agreed-upon cap, even if they have purchased more licenses under the ULA. This is very similar to making a volume purchase of licenses. This is sometimes referred to as an Oracle ELA.

How much does an Oracle ULA cost?

1. Cost of an Unlimited license: A ULA agreement can range from 1M USD to 50M USD. The final price will depend on factors such as the number of Oracle products included, the length of the contract, and the outcome of negotiations, including the consideration of competitive alternatives.
   
2. It is important to note that Oracle does not provide a price list for unlimited license agreements.
   
3. Pricing is not determined based on your number of employees, how much you spend on Oracle, or your previous Oracle investment. The Oracle sales rep makes up pricing. End customers should design a negotiation strategy to aim for a price of 1-3m $

What happens when the Oracle ULA ends?

• Notification to Oracle: You must notify Oracle if you intend to renew or certify the ULA.
  
• Renewal: If you choose to renew the agreement, the payment, term, and included Oracle products will be determined through new negotiation.
  
• Certification: If you decide to certify the agreement, you must complete the ULA certification process, including an Oracle audit.
  
• Migration of licenses: At the end of the agreement, the deployed licenses will be migrated into perpetual Oracle licenses based on the quantities deployed during the term.
  
• Technical support fee: It’s important to note that technical support fees will not increase if you over-deploy in your Unlimited agreement.

How do you leave the Oracle ULA?

The Oracle ULA certification process is when a customer has notified Oracle they intend to leave the Oracle ULA.

The certification process includes an Oracle license deployment report which involves counting and calculating the number of Oracle licenses deployed at the end of the ULA, similar to an Oracle license audit because the Oracle audit team will verify your deployments.

In 9 out of 10 Oracle ULA certifications, Oracle finds the customer non-compliant for millions of dollars.

Challenges in the Certification Process

• Certifying Oracle deployments in public cloud platforms such as AWS and Azure, with special rules for counting Oracle licenses and restrictions in the contract.
• Calculating Oracle licensing in virtual deployments, understanding Oracle partitioning policy, and applying the correct licensing counts.
• Identifying all the products installed and used, Oracle LMS scripts can detect both active and historical usage. If Oracle discovers non-compliant usage, it can lead to an unwanted renewal.

Oracle ULA Limitations

• Only unlimited for certain products – Unlimited agreement is limited to your included products.
  
• Legal entity and territory limitations – The ULA contract restricts which legal entities can use and access the Oracle software and which geographical areas you can deploy servers running Oracle.
  
• Oracle ULA to Cloud – Oracle has had an uneasy relationship with the public cloud for years. Oracle ULAs restrict how many licenses you can gain from deploying in AWS or Azure. Notably, Google Cloud is not a public cloud vendor by Oracle’s definition.

Oracle ULA Planning for License Compliance, Maximization and Cost reduction

Three Oracle ULA Challenges when certifying.

• The first challenge is certifying Oracle deployments in a public cloud like AWS and Azure. Oracle has designated these two cloud platforms as authorized cloud environments. AWS and Azure have been given special rules for counting Oracle licenses. Remember that there are restrictions on your contract, what and how much you can count for any deployments in the cloud.

• The second challenge is how to calculate Oracle licensing in virtual deployments. Oracle licensing policies are vague on how to license Oracle on VMware. Oracle deployed on VMware outside of a ULA can be risky; however, in an Unlimited agreement – Oracle on VMware is a positive as it will help you maximize your software licenses. You must fully understand the Oracle partitioning policy document to apply the correct licensing counts.

• The third challenge with the ULA is identifying what products you have installed and/or are using; Oracle LMS scripts can detect active and historical usage. Every Oracle customer has deployed products that are not part of their Oracle. If Oracle discovers this, they will probably send you a renewal, often against your preferences.

Oracle ULA to Public Cloud

• Oracle ULA agreements may not work well with public cloud deployments. Studying your Oracle ULA agreement to understand what rules apply to your company during certification for the public cloud is important. It is recommended to assume that you do not have the right to certify deployments in the public cloud unless otherwise stated in your contract.

• Deployment rights during ULA: During the ULA, you have the right to deploy Oracle ULA software in AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud, and other public cloud providers, but you need to pay attention to the territory deployment rights in your agreement.

• ULA certification for the public cloud: The “gotcha” for Oracle ULA customers is during the Oracle ULA certification process, where it is necessary to determine if you have the right to “claim” licenses for any deployments in a public cloud. You may face financial risks when your ULA ends if you do not have the right to claim licenses in a public cloud.

• Financial Risk: Many Oracle customers have been forced to renew their Oracle ULA because they did not have licenses for public cloud deployments at the end of the ULA. For example, suppose you have an Oracle ULA that does not allow you to certify cloud deployments, and you have deployed 250 processor licenses of Oracle Database Enterprise Edition worth $11,875,000 in AWS or Azure. In that case, you must purchase licenses for those environments the day your Oracle ULA ends.

Oracle ULA and Public Cloud – 365 days average.

Later versions of Oracle ULA agreements have a contractual text allowing you to count deployments in public cloud platforms. However, this is an average number in the Oracle ULA over the last 365 days. We have seen a three or 6-month average.

If you deploy more Oracle ULA software in the last 3-6 months, you may be out of compliance with your ULA because you need to consider the full 12 months.

Oracle ULA Problems and Solutions

Navigating through Oracle ULA can be challenging. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

1. Deploying Oracle Software Not Included in Your ULA Contract
   Problem: Compliance issues often arise from deploying products not included in the ULA. These deployments are discovered when the Oracle ULA customer certifies their Oracle ULA.
   Recommendation: Run Oracle LMS scripts and have an independent Oracle licensing expert review the results before sharing data with Oracle.
2. Running Software on Servers in Countries Not Included in Your Territory Contract
   Problem: If you are running servers in a country not included in your territory rights, you must buy those licenses separately.
   Recommendation: Ask for worldwide territory rights when you enter the Oracle ULA.
3. Subsidiaries Not Included in Your Customer Definition
   Problem: All Oracle ULAs include a list of subsidiaries in your customer definition. You can’t use Oracle ULA software if you are not on the list.
   Recommendation: Negotiate the terms and conditions and the right to add to the list of subsidiaries during the Oracle ULA agreement lifecycle.
4. Oracle Audit at the End of ULA
   Problem: Your Oracle ULA will end in an Oracle license audit. Oracle will use the same people (auditors), the same tools (Oracle license audit scripts), and Oracle license audit processes.
   Recommendation: Conduct your internal audit as part of the certification planning, run Oracle audit scripts, and have an independent Oracle license expert analyze the results before sharing the data with Oracle.
5. Including Products You Do Not Use
   Problem: If you add products you don’t use, you will lock yourself in without possibly changing the cost of support on those products.
   Recommendation: Perform an internal Oracle licensing review without involving Oracle auditors.
6. Mergers and Acquisitions
   Problem: Oracle ULAs are often bought by large companies that constantly change with new companies being bought or leaving the company group.
   Recommendation: If you, during the ULA, make any changes to who is using the ULA software, then it needs to be listed in the ULA contract.

When should you start planning for the Oracle ULA exit?

The earlier you begin to review your Oracle licensing deployments and ULA agreement terms, the more success you will have. Best practices are to begin the Oracle licensing assessment minimum of 6 months before the ULA end.

If you speak to Gartner, Gartner will advise you to perform an independent licensing assessment to enable an exit of the Oracle unlimited license agreement.

Oracle ULA Renewal

Renewing your ULA can be beneficial as it allows you to renegotiate your existing Oracle licensing agreements. Many companies use this opportunity to update their old contracts and reduce contractual risk.

When renewing your ULA, it’s important to analyze your current agreement thoroughly. Consider what can be improved and identify potential risks in your original contract.

Oracle ULA Renewal Options

When renewing your Unlimited License Agreement (ULA), there are several options you can consider:

• Addition of Oracle software products: You can negotiate to add Oracle software products to your agreement, giving you access to new features and functionalities.
• Removal of unnecessary software products: You can also remove software products you no longer need or use from your ULA, which can help you save costs and reduce your Oracle estate.
• Renegotiation of contract terms: You can also renegotiate all your contract terms, such as the length of the agreement, the number of licenses, and the cost of support. This can help you align your ULA with your current business needs and budget. Additionally, you can negotiate to improve your terms with Oracle and reduce any contractual risks that may have been present in your first Oracle contract.

Oracle ULA Renewal Negotiation Advice

Consider the following questions before negotiating with Oracle:

1. Mergers and Acquisitions: Has your company undergone any mergers and acquisitions during the ULA? Make sure to include any majority-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures.
2. Public Cloud Usage: How does your company plan to use the public cloud? Evaluate the contract terms related to cloud deployments, as Oracle’s language may have changed.
3. Technical Support Fees: Are there any caps on how much Oracle can increase your technical support fees?
4. Extended Support Fees: Will you be facing a significant increase in extended support fees for older versions of Oracle software? Request a waiver for extended support fees from Oracle.
5. Certification Clause: The certification clause is arguably the most important in your contract. It specifies the process for exiting the ULA. Consider negotiating the number of days until reporting to Oracle, the use of scripts, and the documentation to be shared with Oracle to maximize leverage during the certification process.

Oracle ULA Negotiation

When negotiating an Oracle ULA, there are several important contract terms to consider:

1. Customer Definition: This is crucial as you must list all entities that will access and use any Oracle ULA software. This is done in the appendix. In a standard Oracle Ordering document for volume purchase, you should request the “all majority-owned subsidiaries” definition if you are contracting with the parent company.
2. Territory: This defines where you physically can deploy the servers running Oracle ULA software. If you change the deployment location for Oracle ULA software, you should make this as wide as possible “worldwide usage” to avoid being out of compliance.
3. ULA Certification Clause: This specifies how you leave the Oracle ULA agreement. Considerations include:
   • How many days after the Oracle ULA expires must you report the deployment data to Oracle?
   • How much do you need to cooperate with Oracle, and what data should you share? Will you run Oracle LMS scripts?
   • How can you count deployments of Oracle ULA in AWS or Azure?
4. Technical Support: Oracle technical support will increase by 4% Yearly. You should focus on putting a cap on the increase for as much as up to 5 years.
5. Merger & Acquisitions: Oracle ULA customers are restricted from adding acquisitions or mergers of subsidiaries into Oracle ULA. You may allow adding entities with a maximum of 10% of your employee base or 10% of your revenue. If the entity you are merging with is larger than that, you may not add them to the Oracle ULA. You should carefully negotiate the right model for your company as there many more contract terms you should request in your negotiation.

Oracle ULA Pricing

The pricing for Oracle ULA can vary significantly, ranging from 1 MUSD to 50M. This depends on several factors:

1. The number of Oracle Products Included: The more products you include in your ULA, the higher the cost.
2. Length of the Contract: Longer contracts tend to cost more due to the extended access to Oracle’s software.
3. Negotiation Specifics: Factors such as competitive alternatives can influence the final price.

Oracle typically begins pricing by asking for projected deployment numbers for the next three years, then discounts these projected estimates. Providing Oracle with conservative numbers is advisable to secure a lower price.

Remember, experience in Oracle contracts and negotiation plays a crucial role in determining the final price.

Expert Advice for your first Oracle ULA Negotiation

When negotiating your first Oracle ULA, you must be strategic about which Oracle products to include in the agreement. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Be selective about which products you include. Consider which products you can recycle for other purposes, such as the Oracle database.
• Be aware that reducing the number of licenses and support for a product can be difficult once a product is included in the ULA support contract.
• Remember that all existing licensing agreements will be renegotiated and replaced as part of the ULA. This is an excellent opportunity to improve your terms, but also a chance to make mistakes.
• Ensure you have the expertise in Oracle contracts and negotiations to help you maximize the opportunity and avoid pitfalls.

Oracle licensing expert advice:

Are you an Oracle ULA customer and want to reduce your support costs?

• Tips for Maintaining Oracle License Compliance in an Oracle ULA
• Have in-house or external Oracle licensing expertise to guide you through the process
• 6-9 months before the agreement expires, conduct an independent Oracle license audit to review current deployments and assess financial risks
• Remediate any identified financial risks and maximize your agreement by deploying more ULA software before the certification.

Top10 mistakes organizations make with their Oracle ULA

1️⃣ Not Understanding the Contract Terms: Oracle ULA contracts can be quite complex, and not fully understanding the terms and conditions can lead to non-compliance and unexpected costs.

2️⃣ Failing to Maximize the ULA’s Value: Many organizations fail to fully utilize their ULA’s potential, missing opportunities to deploy more software within the same Oracle ULA ends and scope.

3️⃣ Overlooking Oracle’s Compliance Rules: Oracle’s compliance rules can be intricate and change regularly. Not keeping up to date can result in violations and hefty fines.

4️⃣ Poor Record Keeping: Organizations often fail to maintain proper records of their Oracle software deployment, leading to difficulties during certification.

5️⃣ Not Planning for ULA Exit: Many organizations don’t have a strategic plan for the end of their ULA term, which can result in a rushed decision or unfavorable renewal terms.

6️⃣ Ignoring the Certification Process: Certification is crucial in a ULA contract. Neglecting it can lead to the loss of licenses and higher costs.

7️⃣ Not Engaging Oracle Expertise: Not consulting with Oracle licensing experts can result in a lack of strategic insights and potential pitfalls.

8️⃣ Inadequate Audit Readiness: Organizations often underestimate Oracle’s auditing rights under a ULA, leading to unpreparedness and potential non-compliance during audits.

9️⃣ Not Considering Future Business Changes: Organizations fail to factor in potential business changes, like acquisitions, mergers, or divestitures, which can significantly impact the Oracle ULA.

🔟 Not Negotiating Effectively: Many organizations don’t negotiate effectively at the outset or during the renewal of their ULA, leading to unfavorable terms and conditions.

FAQs Oracle ULA

What are the most common mistakes companies make with Oracle ULA?

Companies often do not over-deploy Oracle software. The support fees are fixed regardless if you certify 50 processors or 50,000. Secondly, every organization is non-compliant and has mistakenly used non-ULA software.

Where can I find information on the certification process?

The certification process can be found in the certification clause of your agreement, also known as the ordering document. This clause will outline the requirements for reporting your exit numbers, data sharing with Oracle, and cooperation with the Oracle audit team during the exit phase.

Will my support costs increase once I exit my ULA?

No, Support costs will not increase after you certify. However, running older versions of Oracle software may result in additional costs for extended support and a 4-8% year-over-year increase in technical support fees.

How does ULA certification work with cloud deployments?

Older ULA agreements did not allow for counting deployments in a public cloud. However, newer deals have a standard clause that allows for calculating an average deployment during 12 months. Planning and managing your contract is essential to avoid any risks with this clause.

Can I deploy Oracle on VMware while in a ULA?

Yes, deploying Oracle on VMware allows for counting all physical hosts in virtual environments, which can maximize your ULA. The best practice is to deploy ULA software on VMware and then calculate all clusters toward your exit number.

Is deploying Oracle on VMware the best way to maximize my ULA?

Yes, it is a recommended strategy to maximize your ULA

Will Oracle be upset if we exit our ULA with 5000-15000 processor licenses?

Oracle may have difficulty explaining the numbers to upper management, but this is not the customer’s concern. Standing your ground and declaring all physical hosts in virtual environments is essential.

Can we negotiate to add more products to our ULA contract without a full renewal?

Yes, adding additional products to your ULA contract while still active is possible. However, it’s essential to be strategic about which products to add, as sharing too much information with Oracle can increase ULA pricing.

How can I minimize financial risk during the ULA certification process?

One way to minimize financial risk is to perform an independent Oracle license audit 6-9 months before the agreement expires. This will allow you to review your current deployments and remove license compliance risks. In the last months, you simply maximize your agreement by deploying more ULA software before the certification begins.

How can I use my existing SAM tooling during the certification process?

We recommend only using it for discovery purposes; all verified SAM tools are only 90% accurate. The 10% where they are wrong equals millions in software risk.

What should I consider when negotiating the certification clause in my ULA contract?

When negotiating the certification clause, it’s essential to consider the following: how many days before or after the agreement ends you need to report your exit numbers to Oracle, what data you need to share with Oracle, how to count deployments in the public cloud, and how much you need to cooperate with the Oracle audit team during the exit phase.

How does ULA certification work with cloud deployments?

In older versions of the ULA, counting any deployments in the public cloud toward your exit numbers was impossible. However, in newer versions of the ULA, there is now a standard clause that allows you to count an average deployment over 3-12 months. Understanding how this may impact your financial risk during certification is essential.

Which Products can be included in an Oracle ULA?

All Oracle products can be included in an Oracle ULA, including database, middleware, applications, and Java.

How do I decide which type of Oracle ULA is right for my business?

Deciding which type of Oracle ULA is right for your business will depend on your specific needs and requirements. It’s essential to assess your current and future Oracle product usage, as well as your budget and long-term growth plans, to determine which type of ULA is most appropriate for your business. Consulting with an independent Oracle licensing advisor may also help make this decision.

How to Oracle determine the price for an Oracle ULA?

As we sold Oracle ULAs on behalf of Oracle, we can reveal there is no price list. Oracle tries to come up with a business value for your ULA. End customers should try never to pay more than $M 1-3 in license fees. If you have paid more, consider getting help from someone who can help you build the business case for a more optimal ULA price.

Can I run Oracle software on a public cloud while under a ULA?

Yes, we have not encountered a single Oracle ULA where you, while the unlimited period is valid, the end customer, were not allowed to use the public cloud.

What are the options for renewing an Oracle ULA?

When renewing your Oracle ULA, you can choose to renew the agreement as is, with the same products and terms. Alternatively, you can remove or add products and potentially renegotiate the contract terms. You can also consider signing a shorter agreement extension, such as 6-12 months.

How can I best prepare for my ULA renewal negotiation?

Before renewing your Oracle ULA, reviewing your current Oracle licensing position and understanding any financial risks is essential. Reviewing all contract terms, looking for opportunities to improve them, and removing contractual risks are also essential. You should also consider working with an independent Oracle licensing advisor to ensure you are maximizing your agreement and maintaining compliance.

How do I save money on my Oracle ULA?

Contact us; we have helped over 100 different organizations with Oracle ULAs. Our Oracle ULA License Optimization service may deliver the best ROI this year.

What if my Oracle ULA is expiring next month?

Don´t worry; even contractually, you are supposed to report the ULA certification numbers on a specific date. Oracle recognizes and is aware that organizations may struggle to submit the certification on time.. Many organizations we work with report their numbers to Oracle months after the certification date. That means we always have time if you need our assistance to ensure you deploy the correct numbers.

How does an Oracle ULA work?

During the ULA term, you can deploy as many licenses as needed for specific Oracle products. At the end of the term, you certify your usage to Oracle, and these licenses become ‘perpetual licenses’ for your continued use.

What is an Oracle ULA?

An Oracle Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) is a contract that allows you to use an unlimited quantity of specific Oracle products for a fixed period, usually 2-3 years.

What are the benefits of an Oracle ULA for my organization?

Some Oracle ULA benefits are providing Oracle software at a fixed price and can choose which infrastructure you want to deploy, as the licensing fees are not considered.

What are the potential pitfalls of an Oracle ULA?

Potential pitfalls include unexpected costs at the end of the ULA if the certification process isn’t handled correctly, non-compliance risk due to misunderstanding of ULA terms, and the potential for overcommitment if the ULA isn’t fully utilized.

What happens when our Oracle ULA term ends?

At the end of the ULA term, you must count and certify your usage of the ULA products to Oracle. After certification, these licenses become perpetual licenses.

What is the process for Oracle ULA certification?

ULA certification involves counting and reporting your usage of the ULA products to Oracle at the end of the ULA term. This process should be approached carefully, as errors can incur additional costs.

How can we effectively manage our Oracle ULA?

Effective ULA management involves understanding ULA terms, keeping good records of software deployment, planning for certification, and seeking expert help.

What should we consider before renewing our Oracle ULA?

What if you have deployed non-ULA software without your knowledge? If you have a compliance issue, you can include any new products in the latest agreement and eliminate license issues that will be discovered the day you want to certify.

Can we exit our Oracle ULA before the end of the term?

Exiting a ULA early is generally impossible without negotiation with Oracle, as ULAs are contractual agreements for a fixed term. However, individual circumstances may vary.

We have an Oracle ULA and we want to reduce our Oracle support costs. How do we proceed?

You must certify your Oracle ULA; once that is done, you can reduce Oracle support fees.

What happens at the end of the Oracle ULA?

You are contractually obliged to submit a certification letter with quantities and products. Oracle also asks for deployment reports. You must do the deployment report correctly, or you will have problems with Oracle. You can call this “an Oracle ULA license audit.”

We are an Oracle ISV – Can we sign Oracle ULAs?

Yes, for your end customers, Oracle names them Oracle PAH ULA or for internal use only.

What should we do post Oracle ULA?

If possible, you should look at optimizing and reducing your costs; read our Post Oracle ULA strategy guide.

What is an Hybrid Oracle ULA?

A Hybrid Oracle ULA is a contract where Oracle bundles its traditional ULA together with cloud services and benefits.

How Redress can help with your Oracle ULA

Oracle ULA License Optimization Service

Our Oracle ULA license optimization service offers the following benefits:

• Independent licensing assessment: Our team of experts will review your current Oracle ULA agreement and assess your licensing requirements to ensure compliance and optimize your license usage.
  
• Maximizing current agreement: We will analyze your current Oracle ULA agreement and recommend strategies to maximize the value of your investment.
  
• Oracle ULA exit or renewal strategy: Our team will work with you to develop an optimal exit or renewal strategy based on your business needs and budget.
  
• Negotiation assistance: We will provide expert guidance and support during Oracle ULA negotiation to ensure you receive the best terms and pricing.

Our team has over 250 years of experience working with Oracle licensing, and we’ve helped over 100 companies optimize and exit their Oracle ULAs.

We offer a flexible and tailored approach to meet your specific needs, and our services are designed to help you save money, reduce risk, and ensure compliance with Oracle licensing agreements.

Call to Action

Do you have an Oracle ULA and need help maximizing its value? Are you seeking expert assistance with your Oracle licensing review or ULA certification documentation? Look no further!

At Redress Compliance, we specialize in helping clients like you get the most out of their Oracle ULAs. Our team of experts has completed hundreds of Oracle ULA renewals and certifications, and we’re ready to bring that experience to your organization.

Don’t leave potential value on the table. Let us help you ensure that you’re maximizing your Oracle ULA before it ends. We’ll guide you through the process, ensuring every detail is handled correctly and efficiently.

Contact us today to start making the most of your Oracle ULA. We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of Oracle licensing and certification, so you can focus on what you do best: running your business.