Oracle License Optimization Saves $70,000 Annually for an Oceania Government Organization

Challenges

Modernization and Compliance in a Complex Licensing Environment

The agency needed to upgrade its infrastructure but faced several challenges rooted in Oracle’s licensing model. Without clear insight into CPU utilization or entitlement alignment, any hardware change risked non-compliance or over-licensing.

1. Complex Licensing Agreements
   The agency managed a broad Oracle footprint, including Oracle Database, WebLogic Suite, and various middleware products. Their agreements spanned multiple CSI numbers with varying metrics and terms, complicating entitlement tracking and compliance assurance.
2. Risk of Non-Compliance
   Oracle’s licensing policies—particularly around processor-based metrics—presented a real risk. In the absence of an accurate baseline, any infrastructure change could inadvertently create exposure to financial penalties or audit findings.
3. Hardware Limitations
   The agency was operating on aging infrastructure. A hardware refresh was necessary, but without a licensing strategy, they risked triggering new purchases that could cost hundreds of thousands.
4. Visibility Gaps
   Limited internal documentation and no central system for tracking entitlements left the agency without the information needed to make informed decisions.

Solution

Strategic Review, Hardware Upgrade Guidance, and Long-Term SAM Support

LicenseFortress performed a detailed Compliance and Optimization Review (COR) to evaluate the agency’s Oracle deployments and entitlements. Using historical CPU utilization data, the team built a complete Effective License Position (ELP), uncovering that the agency could modernize its infrastructure without needing additional licenses—if it was done carefully.

To support this, LicenseFortress advised the agency on how to restructure workloads and upgrade hardware in a way that aligned with Oracle’s licensing terms. Instead of over-licensing, the agency right-sized its deployment and created a defensible license baseline. These findings were formalized in follow-up entitlement validations to ensure the strategy remained aligned as infrastructure changed.

Impressed with the clarity and results of the COR, the agency chose to become an ArxSecure managed services customer. LicenseFortress continues to provide ongoing monitoring, updated validations, and expert guidance to maintain long-term compliance and cost control.

Key components of the solution included:

• No license purchases required despite infrastructure modernization
• Full Compliance and Optimization Review
• Hardware upgrade strategy aligned with Oracle licensing
• Effective License Position and entitlement validations
• Transition to ArxSecure for ongoing SAM support

Results

Compliance, Cost Savings, and Long-Term Licensing Confidence

The partnership with LicenseFortress helped the agency achieve exactly what it set out to do—modernize infrastructure without falling into a licensing trap. By avoiding new purchases and staying within entitlement limits, the agency saved an estimated $70,000 annually and remained fully compliant through multiple validation efforts.

There was no audit, no compliance gap, and no unexpected cost. The COR and ArxSecure service provided visibility, security, and long-term savings.

1. Sustained Optimization: As an ArxSecure customer, the agency receives proactive monitoring and support to stay compliant—even as infrastructure and personnel evolve., achieved compliance, and optimized their usage, resulting in significant cost savings and enhanced operational efficiency.
2. Ensured Compliance: The COR confirmed full alignment between entitlements and actual usage. Follow-up validations reaffirmed this, giving the agency a defensible audit position.
3. Avoided New License Purchases: Through strategic workload reallocation and smarter hardware deployment, the agency avoided buying additional Oracle licenses entirely—despite a significant infrastructure refresh.
4. Enhanced Licensing Visibility: LicenseFortress provided detailed documentation and reporting, enabling better internal decision-making and renewal planning.

---

Planning an Infrastructure Refresh? Don’t Let Licensing Risk Catch You Off Guard.

Upgrading your hardware can come with hidden Oracle licensing pitfalls. LicenseFortress helps organizations make strategic decisions that avoid unnecessary costs and ensure long-term compliance. Start with a Compliance and Optimization Review—and keep your environment protected with continuous monitoring and expert guidance.

👉 Book a meeting with our team to learn how we can help you reduce costs, avoid audits, and take control of your licensing.