Software Licensing Consultants
The Oracle Licensing Experts

The CIOs today have the same general thematic question—“How do we do more with less, while protecting the long-term viability of our solutions?” Proactive CIOs don’t see independent auditors as an unplanned cost. Instead, they see it as money well spent to avoid the undesirable pinch of a software publisher audit. In many cases, these CIOs really “don’t know, what they don’t know” which leads to misplaced strategies in dealing with large software publishers like Oracle. That’s where Software Licensing Consultants (SLC) comes in. “We cut through the fog and indecision to help CIOs form strategies that are proven effective in dealing with Oracle. As experts in all lines of Oracle Software, we have the experience and expertise that helps clients effectively understand, manage, and optimize their license entitlements,” says Kevin Morrin, the VP Service Delivery of Software Licensing Consultants (SLC).

With its corporate office based in the heart of Livermore, CA, SLC has today become the leader in all elements of Oracle licensing—Oracle Java Licensing, Oracle Database, Oracle Cloud, Middleware, and E-Business Suite (EBS). Working independent from Oracle, the company continually stays up to date with changes in Oracle’s Software, contracts, and policies; such as VMware or other virtualization technologies. Ed Ramirez, the company’s chief strategy officer and co-founder, pioneered this category almost 17 years ago, after leaving Oracle. His foresight in developing the tools and methodology focused on Oracle has enabled SLC’s clients to receive expert advice and defend themselves from Oracle’s stern audit and licensing practices. As SLC has grown its breadth and depth of Oracle Licensing knowledge, it has expanded to include the latest topics in licensing like Cloud and Java. The company’s staff is drawn exclusively from experienced resources in the audit, procurement, and technology spaces that have direct experience at Oracle or with managing Oracle Licensing. “SLC guarantees to save clients money on their Oracle licensing and resolve any potential audit exposure,” informs Morrin.

A Holistic and Cross-disciplinary Approach

SLC believes that a cross-section of many industry verticals has led to the emergence of a variety of trends that interests their clients today. One of them is Oracle’s push to make cloud the direction their customers should take. “We’ve seen this in the way Oracle has monetized Java to the inclusion of contract language that limits deployment to other cloud providers,” says Morrin. To this end, the company advises its clients to deal with Oracle with a more holistic and cross-disciplinary approach to both managing licensing and reducing costs. SLC is shifting the paradigm from waiting until a software publisher audits to helping clients proactively by developing strong asset management best practices.

The company’s goal has always been to use its in-depth expertise to lower the client’s costs. To this end, SLC doesn’t just take the easy path of simply settling with Oracle’s licensing procedures, but help clients reduce the exposure to zero. “We are the only firm in our business segment to take this approach,” states Morrin. For SLC, it is an opportunity to holistically look at all aspects of the client’s licensing needs and map the best solutions taking into account the unique license position—while helping them save money on their Oracle investment. “Because we focus exclusively on Oracle and have proven our expertise over many successful engagements, our clients can rely on us to deliver every time,” mentions Morrin. “We don’t resell licenses or get referrals from Oracle which works as an advantage for us, as many software publishers use third-party auditors who may also conduct financial services audits in an organization, leading to a loss of an objective view on their audit.”

Backed by Experience

Being the pioneers of many Oracle Licensing processes and techniques, what really differentiates SLC is the guarantee of success that the company assures—which is rare in the industry as other firms offer no such success guarantees. In one instance, SLC helped a company that was in the middle of negotiating a settlement with Oracle after a very detailed audit by Oracle’s audit arm-LMS. The client was proposed an Oracle Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) with a cost that included backup support for well over $10M! This was Oracle’s best and final offer after months of negotiating, and the client was quite happy to have reduced the overall costs to that number. When SLC comprehended the situation, they discovered that there was a strong possibility to reduce substantial costs.

When the client gave SLC a green signal to initiate the project, it took only a week to get that $10M+ number reduced to less than 10 percent of the total cost with no ULA. Further, the client also received better software offering than they had desired. Furthermore, SLC enabled the client to devise strategies to further reduce their overall support next year, putting them in an enviable position by having closed the audit timely. “In fact, we found a loophole as the auditors were only doing the sales team’s bidding, opening the firm’s eyes to the real relationship they had with Oracle,” mentions Morrin.

Growing with Oracle

Having carved a unique niche in the Oracle landscape, SLC is diligently working on new tools that a client can use to better understand their licensing position. This, coupled with its strategic partnerships with major technology providers, will offer clients a robust consulting bench and provide innovative ways for clients to reduce their costs with Oracle. Morrin informs, “We have a new program for CEOs such that they can comprehend the impact of Software Publisher costs and how best to manage that potential profit killer.

Morrin believes that this is a great time to investigate Oracle licensing with a partner who truly understands all aspects of Oracle. There are lots of changes on the horizon, and he thinks the next 12-18 months are going to witness some very aggressive Oracle sales teams coupled with Oracle’s ramping up of audits. “Technology continues to evolve, and Oracle is no different. Our customers can continue to rely upon our expertise to help them navigate the challenges. Look for that Q4 of this year!” concludes Morrin.