Oracle Java Audits Surge: 73% of Users Targeted as Licensing Changes Drive Mass Migration to Open Source

A startling new survey has revealed the extent of Oracle’s aggressive audit campaign targeting Java users, with nearly three out of four organizations reporting they have been audited within the past three years. The findings, which paint a picture of an industry under siege from escalating compliance costs and licensing complexity, are driving an unprecedented…

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VMware Reboots Partner Program Again: Smaller Cloud Providers Face Uncertain Future

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the virtualization industry, VMware has announced the second major overhaul of its partner program in just 18 months, effectively ending the current channel program and transitioning to a new invitation-only model that will exclude many smaller cloud service providers. The announcement, which came with little advance warning,…

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The Hire and License Out (HALO) Effect

Since AI became mainstream, a new type of transaction has emerged that is fundamentally changing how tech giants acquire talent and technology. These deals, dubbed “HALO” transactions, an acronym for “Hire and License Out”, represent a novel approach to talent acquisition that shares characteristics of both traditional hiring and corporate acquisitions, yet isn’t quite either[1].…

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Telefónica Germany Ditches Broadcom, Opts for Third-Party VMware Support

In a move that sends a clear signal to the rest of the industry, Telefónica Germany, one of the country’s largest telecommunications providers, has dropped direct VMware support from Broadcom. The company has instead signed a multi-year deal with third-party support specialist Spinnaker Support. This decision reflects the growing dissatisfaction among large enterprise customers following…

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Rimini Street and Oracle Reach Historic Settlement, Ending 15-Year Legal Battle

After more than a decade and a half of contentious litigation, enterprise software support company Rimini Street, Inc. (NASDAQ: RMNI) and technology giant Oracle Corporation have reached a confidential settlement agreement that may finally bring closure to one of the software industry’s most protracted legal disputes. The settlement, announced on July 7, 2025, resolves the…

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A New Deal for DC: GSA and Oracle Ink Landmark “Whole-of-Government” Agreement

The US General Services Administration (GSA) has brokered a landmark, five-year “whole-of-government” agreement with Oracle, fundamentally changing how the federal government buys the tech giant’s products and services.¹ This first-of-its-kind deal for Oracle establishes a single, comprehensive procurement vehicle that consolidates the immense buying power of the entire US government. It aims to simplify purchasing,…

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Day of Reckoning for the Channel: Microsoft’s ‘Great Squeeze’ Hits, Forcing Industry-Wide Reinvention

The theoretical impact of Microsoft’s strategic overhaul of its Enterprise Agreement (EA) program has finally materialized with brutal clarity. In a stark announcement, London-listed Bytes Technology Group (BTG) revealed its profits are being hit hard, causing its shares to plummet by more than 25%.¹ While the company cited a “challenging macroeconomic environment” leading to deferred…

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Microsoft System Center 2022 vs 2025: Features, Licensing, and Pricing Comparison

Microsoft System Center 2025 represents a significant evolution in datacenter management, building upon the solid foundation established by System Center 2022 while introducing enhanced security, modernization capabilities, and Azure integration features. Released on November 6, 2024, System Center 2025 delivers infrastructure modernization and enhanced security to help organizations manage complex IT environments more effectively [1].…

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Microsoft SQL Server 2022 vs 2025: Features, Licensing, and Pricing Comparison

Microsoft’s SQL Server 2025 represents a transformative leap in database technology, positioning itself as the premier AI-ready enterprise database platform. With groundbreaking vector data types, enhanced cloud integration, and substantial performance improvements, SQL Server 2025 builds upon the solid foundation established by SQL Server 2022 while introducing capabilities that enable modern AI-powered applications [1]. This…

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Windows Server 2022 vs 2025: Features, Licensing, and Pricing Comparison

Windows Server 2022 vs 2025: A Comprehensive Comparison of Features, Licensing, and Pricing Microsoft’s Windows Server 2025 introduces significant enhancements over Windows Server 2022, with modernized features, enhanced security, and updated pricing structures. This comparison examines the key differences to help organizations make informed infrastructure decisions. New Features in Windows Server 2025 Windows Server 2025…

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Oracle’s SE2 Clarification: A Hidden Compliance Trap for MCM Processor Users

Oracle Database Standard Edition 2 (SE2) has long been positioned as a cost-effective database offering for smaller workloads, with a key licensing limitation: no more than two sockets per server. On paper, this seems simple. But the reality of modern processor design—specifically the use of Multi-Chip Modules (MCMs)—introduces significant compliance risk for those not aware…

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Microsoft’s D365 F&SCM License Enforcement Deadline: 1 November 2025

The countdown has begun for one of the most significant changes in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Supply Chain Management (F&SCM) licensing history. Beginning November 1, 2025, Microsoft will enforce strict license compliance across all D365 F&SCM applications, marking the end of the “honor system” that has allowed organizations to operate with more users than…

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Denmark’s Digital Declaration of Independence: A Growing European Revolt Against Big Tech Dependency

In a move that signals a seismic shift in how European governments approach digital infrastructure, Denmark has announced its intention to phase out Microsoft Office and Windows in favor of LibreOffice and Linux across its public sector. This decision, announced by Denmark’s Minister of Digitalization Caroline Stage in June 2025, represents far more than a…

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Licenseware and Lansweeper Deliver a Smarter, More Scalable Approach to SAM

Goals Results “AI can’t fix your data. Everything starts with complete, reliable data. Otherwise, it’s garbage in, garbage out.” Alex Cojocaru, CEO, Licenseware A Seamless Integration for Modern SAM As organizations face growing pressure to manage software assets efficiently and stay audit-ready, Licenseware and Lansweeper have joined forces to deliver a smarter, more flexible approach…

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From Petition to Policy: How Europe’s Call for “EU-Linux” Signals a Continental Shift Away from Big Tech Dependency

In the corridors of the European Parliament, a seemingly modest petition has captured something far more significant than its 2,474 signatures might suggest. Petition 0729/2024, calling for the development and implementation of an “EU-Linux” operating system across all European Union public administrations, represents more than just another open-source advocacy effort, it embodies a growing continental…

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How Three Distinct Models Are Reshaping Software Licensing

The software industry is experiencing a new big shift in how licenses are structured, priced, and consumed. While the term “token-based licensing” has gained significant traction lately with the advent of AI, it encompasses three distinctly different approaches that are often conflated but serve vastly different purposes. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for businesses navigating…

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