In January 2023 Oracle introduced the Java SE Universal Subscription, priced per employee rather than per user or per processor. For many organizations the cost of Oracle Java changed overnight, because the new metric counts everyone in the organization, not only the people or servers using Java.
How the employee metric works
You pay a monthly price per employee, with lower unit prices for larger organizations. Oracle's published price list starts at $15 per employee per month for organizations with fewer than 1,000 employees, with lower rates at higher volumes.
What counts as an employee
The definition is broad: full-time, part-time and temporary employees, and contractors, outsourcers, agents and consultants who support your internal business operations. It is not limited to people who use Java.
Your options
- Find where Oracle Java is installed
Inventory every desktop and server, and identify which installations are Oracle's distribution and which versions.
- Identify what genuinely needs Oracle Java
Some applications require it or are certified only for it.
- Move the rest to other Java distributions
Several OpenJDK-based distributions are available; test applications before switching.
- Model the cost
Compare the subscription cost for your headcount with the cost of migration.
- Prepare for review
Oracle has actively reviewed Java usage; keep records of what you removed and when.
Most Java estates turn out to have far more Oracle installations than applications that need them. A typical first inventory narrows quickly:
A Java decommissioning project
How MI One helps
Frequently asked questions
Do we have to license every employee even if few use Java?
Under the employee metric, yes, if you subscribe to the Universal Subscription. That is why reducing dependence on Oracle Java can save so much.
Are older Java subscriptions still valid?
Existing agreements continue under their terms until renewal. At renewal, the available options may differ. Check with Oracle and your advisor.
Is OpenJDK a drop-in replacement?
For many applications it works without changes, but test each one. Some vendors certify their applications only on specific Java distributions.
Sources
- Oracle, "Oracle Java SE Universal Subscription Global Price List." https://www.oracle.com/a/ocom/docs/corporate/pricing/java-se-subscription-pricelist-5028356.pdf
- SoftwareOne, "New Oracle licensing changes could increase your bill 30-fold," February 2023. https://softwareone.com/en/blog/articles/2023/02/07/new-oracle-licensing-changes-could-increase-your-bill-30-fold