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B-lay’s Java Health Check Service Enables a Proactive Response to Oracle License Changes

With over 15 billion installs of Java, it is highly likely that your organization has at least one, if not several, applications dependent on Java updates for bug fixes and security patches.

Recent changes to Oracle’s Java license model, which include the discontinuation of free public updates and patches, place many organizations at risk, as they will not be able to patch new security vulnerabilities in a compliant manner without purchasing a Java subscription license from Oracle. This can be a daunting realization, as enterprises often have Java-dependent applications from multiple sources, such as homegrown applications, third-party applications, and applications from Oracle itself.

Where should IT leaders turn to establish an accurate license baseline for all of their Java installations?

B-lay has recently launched an affordable entry-level service called the Oracle Java Health Check to assist organizations in getting started with their Java data gathering and analysis. For US$5,500, B-lay will partner with clients to establish a complete license baseline for the organization, highlighting potential Java licensing needs originating from commercial use licenses, unpatched/unsupported versions of Java SE, and installs that require licensing based on the method of software deployment or redistribution.

B-lay starts the process with a set of intake questions, some of which are represented below:

• Do you modify Java SE platform software in any way to run, design, develop, or test programs?
• Do you use Java SE platform software to run programs on non-general purpose computers or servers?
• Do you redistribute Java SE platform software?
• Do you already own licenses to use Java commercial components (either standalone or included in other licenses)?

Source: B-lay

Following the intake process with a deeper set of stakeholder interviews and a comprehensive data collection process, B-lay presents the client with a final installed license baseline report and overview of the findings. From this point clients can evaluate their compliance risk and decide to move forward with a full consulting engagement to remediate any noncompliance issues as well as establish and verify their full license position for Java SE.

Our Take

B-lay’s service in this highly complex and confusing license model schema should be a welcome arrival for organizations of any size that wish to obtain an economical and accurate Java SE license baseline. Oracle will increasingly seek to raise Java subscription revenue through both commercial and compliance efforts over the next several years. IT shops that take a proactive approach to addressing Java SE license needs will end up with a better deal with Oracle and plenty of time saved vs. waiting it out.

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