Oracle Verified Software Asset Management Program
Frequently Asked Questions
In late 2023, Inoapps became the first partner to qualify for the Oracle Verified Software Asset Management (VSAM) Program. When we speak to our customers about the program, they often have similar questions to ask, so we thought we’d gather them up into this handy resource.
1. How does VSAM differ from Oracle’s Joint Partner Engagement (JPE) agreement?
The VSAM Program is strictly advisory in nature. The VSAM Program is not a joint engagement with Oracle, and nor is it an audit. While the program is an Oracle initiative, VSAM partners like Inoapps will engage with you directly to provide Software Asset Management (SAM) services. The JPE Program was focused on audits.
2. What does the program cover?
The program covers all aspects of Software Asset Management relating to three key product families:
- Oracle Database
- Oracle Fusion Middleware
- Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS)
As with SAM best practice, it is advised to work with a VSAM partner on all Oracle investments.
The service includes:
- Deployment analysis: what is in use and where
- License position analysis: what has been purchased versus what is being used
- Contractual analysis: such as entities, regions and any customized clauses specific to the business
- Journey to cloud clarity: if your business is considering future migrations to cloud, using the output of this service helps to model what your cloud estate might look like
3. How does the service help with my move to cloud?
If your business is considering a future move to cloud, visibility of the estate you want to ‘lift and shift’ is crucial. Without this visibility, you have no way to frame your existing licensing into a cloud environment. VSAM is a way of gaining that continual visibility of both deployments and licenses, helping you right-size as you begin your cloud journey.
If you’re thinking about a move to cloud, reach out—the experts at Inoapps can advise on your next steps.
4. Who is eligible for this program?
The program is open to any Oracle customer who uses the product families above, whether deployed on-premises or in the cloud. Customers who choose to opt in can simply inform a VSAM partner of their choosing.
5. Does the program only cover on-premises?
No, the program covers Oracle licenses that can be deployed on either on-premises hardware or in the cloud. Additionally, the program can be used as the first step in your journey to Oracle cloud.
6. Why does the program only cover Oracle Database, EBS and Oracle Fusion Middleware?
Although the Oracle suite of products is extensive, these are the focus of the VSAM Program at the moment, as they’ve been in the Oracle ecosystem for a long time and have a large customer base. They also have established usage measurement methodologies and tools that are helpful when being managed through a program like VSAM.
7. Are there plans to extend the program to other applications or platforms?
Oracle will expand the program in the future, to likely include Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and Software as a Service (SaaS). In the meantime, Inoapps offers services to review these outside of the official VSAM program.
8. What data do you provide to Oracle?
One of the features of the program is that your information (including measurement data) stays between Inoapps and you—the Oracle customer. Although Oracle retains the right to request certain high level summary data, exercising that right will be an uncommon occurrence. If Oracle requests this information, it will be a limited data set and not the full details of each environment.
9. What guarantees do I have that Oracle won't act on my data?
First, Oracle won’t see your data. Next, Oracle’s approach to this program emphasizes that the program is advisory and partner driven. We expect Oracle to have minimal engagement with customers through this program and for any solutions to be performed through VSAM partners like ourselves.
10. What guarantees do I have that Inoapps know what they're doing?
Inoapps has been an Oracle-only partner since 2006. In order to qualify for this program, our licensing consultants have undergone extensive training and assessments to ensure they are sufficiently skilled in Oracle VSAM processes and licensing. In addition, all our licensing consultants have worked in the Oracle space for many years and have a long history of helping customers achieve and maintain their Oracle compliance status.
11. Can this program help me avoid audits?
Yes. VSAM can offer audit exemptions as part of the program. These are provided by Oracle to customers who complete a baseline report, subject to Oracle approval. Provided the customer continues to engage with the program partner on an annual basis, the audit exemption can be renewed year after year, with Oracle approval.
12. What are the main benefits of the program?
Entry into VSAM gives you peace of mind through knowledge of your estate, confidence in your partner’s abilities to review and identify any potential issues, and ongoing licensing monitoring. You will maximize the ROI on your Oracle investments and have a trusted partner to collaborate with on your Oracle roadmap.
The VSAM Program provides Oracle’s customers with more confidence in understanding their investments. It removes the risk of official audits and the internal resource intensive requirements that come with them. With continued engagement, the annual reviews become increasingly efficient, consume less time and effort, and allow you to make well informed decisions based on clear visibility and understanding of your deployments licensed by on-premises purchases.
13. Do customers have to pay to enter the VSAM scheme?
You do not have to pay Oracle any fees to enter the VSAM Program. Inoapps will perform the initial baseline review as a paid for service, so the cost is for the work to produce the baseline review and any subsequent updates. This cost is determined by the size of the Oracle estate.
14. When will I know if I have an official audit exemption? Who tells me?
Your partner will make the application once you are admitted to the VSAM program and have completed the first baseline. Oracle will then contact your VSAM partner to confirm approval of the audit exemption for the products and locations that the baseline related to. Your partner will then contact you.
15. How do I know the audit exemption is genuine?
Once approved, the audit exemption will be provided by the Oracle Global Licensing Advisory Services (GLAS) team as an official communication to the partner.
16. Can Inoapps help me sort out any problems found as a result of the VSAM program?
Yes. Inoapps has an extensive global team of Oracle technical and licensing experts and offers an end-to-end service. We are here to not only help you understand your licensing, but can also help you with technical resolutions, as well as migration and optimization modelling.
17. Do I have to buy through Inoapps? Can I go elsewhere—to my preferred reseller, for example?
While it’s the norm for customers engaged with Inoapps to purchase through us as part of the engagement, there is no obligation to do so.
18. Is this a recurring scheme?
Once you’ve been admitted to the VSAM program, you can stay in the program with any audit exemptions granted for a 12 month period. Before the 12 month period expires, you need to undergo at least one update to the baseline review. This means we update the baseline to reflect any changes in your Oracle environment that have occurred. Provision of the updated baseline would be part of our ongoing fees.
For Oracle Expertise. Ask Inoapps.
If you’re interested in the VSAM program and have questions that haven’t been answered here, the Inoapps licensing team is always here to talk. Just send us a note and we’ll be in touch to fill you in.
Would you like to know more?
Here's what Oracle say about the program
Watch our webinar with Felicia Parilo from Oracle’s VSAM Program
You can find out about our licensing and subscription services on our Oracle Licensing & Subscription services web page.