Leading the Retail Sector

A prominent UK retailer with an extensive network of stores and an online platform, our client stands at the forefront of the retail sector. Catering to a diverse customer base, their business operations are underpinned by a robust Oracle database and WebLogic infrastructure. 

Complex Licensing in a Dynamic Environment

Managing a large, constantly evolving Oracle estate presents unique challenges. High maintenance costs, complex licensing structures, and the risk of non-compliance were key concerns for the major UK retailer. Their goal was to effectively manage their licenses and minimize potential exposure. With a looming Oracle license audit, they needed Cintra's guidance to ensure a positive outcome.

Cintra's Strategic Approach

Cintra’s role was to work with the retailer to help it fully understand its license position and minimize any potential exposure we may find. The team at Cintra embarked on a detailed analysis of the retailer's Oracle usage. They employed automated processes to assess the retailer's license position, similar to Oracle's auditing techniques. This initial phase was crucial in mapping out the retailer's Oracle hardware and software usage against its license entitlements. Cintra's approach successfully guided the retailer through the audit process, eliminating potential exposure that could have resulted in significant financial implications. Their recommendations optimized the existing license allocation while also paving the way for the retailer to modernize and innovate.

Optimized Licensing and Future-Ready Infrastructure

The partnership with Cintra has strengthened the retailer's relationship with Oracle and laid a foundation for continued growth and technological advancement. Cintra’s combined technical and commercial expertise enabled the retailer to optimize its Oracle estate and avoided a potential multi-million-pound exposure. Ongoing, periodic reviews ensure the client continues to get maximum value from it's investment in Oracle, and the overall ROI for the client has been over 1000x.

Starting Context: A major UK retailer's operations were supported by a large-scale Oracle database and WebLogic infrastructure, spanning across multiple stores and an online platform, with varying licensing requirements due to their extensive Oracle Engineered Systems usage.

Objectives of the Licensing Optimization:

• Accurately assess and optimize the Oracle licensing structure to ensure full compliance.

• Minimize potential financial exposure due to licensing inefficiencies.

• Streamline the Oracle estate for better manageability and operational efficiency.

Cintra's Methodological Approach:

• Licensing Assessment and Optimization (LAO):

  • Initiated a detailed review using automated processes to assess the retailer's Oracle license position, mirroring Oracle's auditing methods.

  • Mapped out detailed usage of Oracle hardware and software, comparing it against existing licenses to identify discrepancies.

• Strategic Licensing Restructuring:

  • Combined technical and commercial architecture expertise to restructure the Oracle estate.

  • Negotiated with Oracle to develop a new, more efficient commercial architecture.

Benefits & Advantages:

• Financial Risk Mitigation: Significant reduction in potential exposure, which could have resulted in multi-million-pound costs.

• Operational Efficiency: Improved management and utilization of Oracle licenses, leading to enhanced operational efficiency.

• Foundation for Innovation: The optimized licensing structure provided room for modernization and technological advancement.

• Strategic Business Growth: Enabled the retailer to focus on expansion and innovation with a compliant Oracle infrastructure.