Simon Taylor, VP Channel and Alliances, Azul, argues that with audits now routine and licensing increasingly opaque, proactive Java governance is the only safe default.
IT asset management (ITAM) and software asset management (SAM) have evolved from mere cost-control tools to key pillars of security and compliance. Managing the Java ecosystem poses a particular strategic challenge. A study by Azul and the ITAM Forum highlights the biggest hurdles and suggests approaches for a future-proof Java strategy.
Audits and licensing uncertainty are raising the stakes
The complexity of Java environments is driven by two key factors: opaque licensing models and the difficulty of maintaining oversight in hybrid IT landscapes. These challenges are not minor: they tie up considerable resources and can incur high costs.
The frequency of software audits in the Oracle Java environment is remarkably high. According to the study The ITAM/SAM Survey & Report, three-quarters (75%) of the companies surveyed had been affected by an audit in the last three years. This creates significant internal effort, with 93% of companies also conducting their own regular audits to ensure compliance. Such audits are not only administratively burdensome, but also pose operational risks: 30% of respondents report unexpected disruptions or stalled projects as a result of audits.
The situation is exacerbated by uncertainty. Frequently changing licence metrics and conditions mean that 27% of managers find it difficult to interpret Oracle’s requirements correctly. This makes reliable budget planning and ongoing compliance a gruelling task.
Hybrid estates make compliance harder – and more expensive
The increasing distribution of applications across on-premises systems, multiple cloud environments and container platforms makes it considerably more difficult to track actual software usage. For 29% of companies, this is one of the biggest hurdles.
Without accurate, automated recording of all Java instances, a dangerous lack of transparency can develop – with serious financial consequences. The study data illustrates this clearly: 54% of companies spend over £100,000 annually on resolving issues related to licence compliance.
Why organisations are moving to OpenJDK
As a logical consequence of high management effort and unpredictable costs, the market is clearly moving away from Oracle Java. The study shows that the overwhelming majority of companies (79%) have already migrated to OpenJDK, are in the process of migrating, or are planning to do so.
The drivers behind this shift are notable. Although saving on licence costs is an important factor, it is not the primary one. For 51% of respondents — a narrow majority — the most important reason for the change is the desire for greater security and reliability in their Java applications. This suggests migration is less a purely tactical cost decision and more a strategic realignment to regain control of Java infrastructure.
A structured path to a secure, compliant Java environment
A successful realignment of Java strategy is based on two steps.
Step 1: Lay the foundation with a complete inventory
Before making strategic decisions, it is essential to carry out a precise and comprehensive inventory of all Java versions used across the business. Only those who know exactly which application is running where – and on which Java instance – can assess risks and plan migration effectively. Given the complexity of modern IT landscapes, manual tracking is rarely practical. Automated ITAM tools are the tools of choice for creating a reliable, up-to-date record.
Step 2: Choose the right OpenJDK platform
Switching to OpenJDK removes much of the licensing complexity, but raises questions around security and support. The strategically sound approach is to select an open-source provider that can guarantee extended, long-term support across a wide range of Java versions. Equally crucial is a commitment to reliable, timely security patches. This directly addresses the need for greater security and stability that companies cite as a top priority. At the same time, organisations can avoid risky and costly upgrades simply to continue receiving necessary security updates.
The study results suggest that a purely reactive approach to managing Java environments is no longer fit for purpose in the face of complex licensing models and increasing security requirements. Proactive Java management has become a strategic IT discipline.
An OpenJDK-based strategy – supported by a reliable partner that guarantees long-term support and security – can transform Java into a stable, secure and economically predictable asset, and a crucial foundation for business success. This is becoming even more important with the rise of artificial intelligence (AI): as many organisations run new, business-critical AI applications and data platforms on Java, a secure, high-performance and compliantly managed Java foundation becomes an indispensable prerequisite for stable and economical AI solutions.
