Oracle User Group 'surprised and dismayed' by suggestion that customers are filled with deep-rooted mistrust
President of IOUG distances organisation from Campaign for Clear Licensing report and claims that Oracle is already addressing customer concerns
The Independent Oracle Users Group (IOUG) has distanced itself from the Campaign for Clear Licensing (CCL) report that suggested Oracle customers are "hostile and filled with deep-rooted mistrust".
The report, and subsequent open letter to Oracle chairman Larry Ellison from CCL, urged Oracle to address a number of customer concerns over issues such as vendor-lock in. It warned Oracle that unless it restores customer trust in the company, it would fail to meet its $1bn cloud sales target next year.
In a blog post, John Matelski, the president of the IOUG, said that he was "extremely surprised and dismayed to learn that there are still those in the customer community that would suggest their relationship with Oracle is predominantly hostile and filled with deep-rooted mistrust".
Matelski, who is CIO and director of IT for Oracle user DeKalb County Government (Georgia), claimed that he has had "extensive interactions with many facets and levels of Oracle" including with Oracle's Co-CEOs Mark Hurd and Safra Catz.
He said that Oracle has acknowledged that it has some challenges to overcome to make it easier for customers to understand the diversity of licensing options across the solutions it offers, and that the company is working with user groups, the CIO Advisory Group, and other avenues to improve the customer experience.
Of the 100 Oracle customers worldwide who responded to CCL's survey, only 22 per cent agreed that Oracle's License Management Services (LMS) division was helpful during an audit, contract renewal or negotiation process.
But Matelski said that he has personally engaged LMS to gain a better understanding of his organisation's licensing and ownership rights, and leveraged LMS's expertise to help reduce long-term costs of its Oracle investments.
He has also used the Oracle Insight Program.
"The program is a comprehensive business strategy development program in which customers work closely with Oracle business and IT strategy experts to identify the critical objectives and challenges for their unique business needs and understand how technology can help to address those needs," Matelski explained.
"[The LMS and Oracle Insight Program] are two programs which many customers may not be familiar with - but add great value to customers who want to better understand what they own, and how best to leverage their investment," he added.
Earlier this week CCL's co-founder, Martin Thompson, wrote to Larry Ellison and Oracle's board, urging Oracle to make seven changes that he claimed its customers would like to see. This came on the back of extensive research released in November on Oracle's licensing and auditing processes.
At the time, Oracle refused to comment on the report, only stating that it was working with the CCL and taking on board its advice.