Oracle’s Verified Software Asset Management (SAM) Partner Program is pitched as a customer-friendly initiative to help businesses get a clear handle on their Oracle software usage. But make no mistake: this program is not an act of corporate altruism. In reality, it’s Oracle’s latest move in a long history of cleverly orchestrated licensing traps—this time dressed up as a helpful compliance tool.
If your organization is considering a SAM engagement through a Verified Oracle Partner, here’s why you should think twice.
The Illusion of Independence
Let’s be clear—Verified SAM Partners are not independent. They are Oracle-approved and Oracle-vetted. These firms use tools and scripts provided by Oracle’s own License Management Services (LMS). Their reports and findings are not just shared with the customer—they’re sent directly to Oracle.
This is not software asset management in your control. It’s Oracle’s audit-lite, rebranded.
The “No-Audit” Clause That Isn’t
Yes, Oracle often agrees not to audit you during the SAM engagement. But don’t confuse this with immunity. It’s typically a 90-day pause at best—and once that grace period ends, Oracle can (and often will) leverage the SAM findings in a formal audit.
In effect, you’ve just handed Oracle a fully documented blueprint of your deployment and non-compliance—no subpoena required.
A Trojan Horse for Java Licensing and Virtualization Exposure
The timing of Oracle’s push for Verified SAM reviews coincides with its aggressive monetization of Java SE and long-standing efforts to enforce its unique and non-contractual virtualization rules.
SAM partners are trained to look for:
- Java SE installs that fall outside entitlements.
- Improperly licensed VMware environments.
- Misused Oracle options like Partitioning or RAC.
All of which lead to one thing: massive retroactive license demands—often avoidable if you’d had true advisory support, not a compliance informant.
You Pay for the Assessment—and Then Pay Again
The costs don’t stop at the assessment. Verified SAM findings often lead to:
- Pressure to sign a Java ULA at inflated, arbitrary prices.
- Forced purchases of processor licenses retroactive to the date of use.
- Unplanned support costs for “discovered” usage.
Oracle’s strategy is clear: you finance the evidence collection and then foot the bill for the findings.
The Better Path: Independent Advisory First
If you’re serious about managing Oracle risk, don’t hand them the keys to your environment.
- Start with an independent audit—from a firm like Palisade Compliance or another neutral advisor.
- Conduct internal discovery to understand your Java, database, and virtualization usage before Oracle does.
- Build a negotiation strategy that avoids fear-based selling and regains leverage.
Oracle’s Verified SAM Partner Program may wear the friendly fleece of “compliance support,” but behind the scenes it’s just another means to drive revenue through fear, uncertainty, and doubt.
Oracle’s SAM Partner Program is not about helping you fix compliance. It’s about helping Oracle monetize it. If you wouldn’t invite an IRS agent to conduct your tax review, don’t let Oracle’s SAM partners into your licensing closet.
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