Oracle’s audit processes have always been rigorous; in 2023, they’ve become even more stringent.
Whether you’re flagged by your Oracle Account Representative or by Oracle GLAS (LMS), it’s essential to understand the triggers that might land you on the Oracle license audit radar.
Top 10 Oracle Audit Triggers
Here are the top 10 reasons why your company might face an Oracle audit this year:
- Resistance to Oracle OCI: While adopting Oracle Fusion might seem like a safe bet, it doesn’t exempt you from audits. Expressing disinterest in transitioning your Oracle databases or middleware to OCI has emerged as a leading cause for audits in 2023.
- Ending Support Agreements: If you’ve terminated a significant support contract and it’s not due to a shift to Oracle Cloud, your chances of being audited increase substantially.
- ULA Renewal Decline: If you opt not to renew your ULA, expect an audit as part of your Oracle ULA certification process. Though it lacks an official audit letter, the Oracle audit team conducts it using standard audit tools and methodologies.
- Choosing Competitors Over Oracle: If you’re in commercial discussions with Oracle about software or cloud services and eventually opt for a competitor’s solution, it can trigger an audit.
- Mergers and Acquisitions: If your company is involved in M&A activities, be prepared. Such corporate movements are a standard criterion for audit selection.
- Inexperienced Discussions: If someone from your team, be it a vendor manager, procurement officer, or licensed professional, engages in discussions with Oracle and displays a lack of knowledge about Oracle licensing or contracts, it can raise red flags.
- Transition to Third-Party Support: If you shifted to third-party support for Oracle a few years back, Oracle might audit you, especially if you terminated support agreements.
- Legacy Licensing Metrics: Holding onto outdated licensing metrics, whether related to technology or applications, can draw Oracle’s attention.
- Unreported Growth with Enterprise-Wide Metrics: If you use enterprise-wide metrics for Oracle applications and experience growth without notifying Oracle, you’re at risk.
- No Oracle Java Purchase: If you haven’t acquired Oracle Java yet, it’s a potential audit trigger.
Facing an Oracle audit can be daunting, but being prepared and understanding the reasons behind it can make the process smoother.
Contact Redress Compliance; we offer an independent audit service if you’re currently undergoing an audit or wish to mitigate potential risks in your data center.
We’ll help you navigate your licensing position and ensure compliance.
