Coming changes to Java SE can include unexpected expenses and headaches for your business.
The word has been out for quite a while about the coming changes to Java for business users. But all the articles and information I have come across doesn’t appear to address the impact that this change will have outside of the development and network management sectors. This issue, unfortunately, will negatively affect almost every business. Since Oracle purchased Java from Sun Microsystems, Oracle has been making waves with developers and software distributors by changing the licensing and distribution models. Oracle also continues to be plagued with concerns by security companies and experts that the Java platform is a security liability to have deployed on your network. However, that’s not why we’re talking about this now. The changes that can now directly affect your business is starting in January 2019. According to the Oracle Java SE 8 Release Updates, “Public updates for Oracle Java SE 8 released after January 2019 will not be available for business, commercial or production use without a commercial license.”
What does this mean for your business?
The answer of course is, it depends. If your company uses an application or website that requires Java you could find yourself purchasing licenses to continue using apps that you may not even be aware of using or incorporating Java in some fashion. Consider that the Java software is on 15 billion devices around the world. There is a fair chance we may all have to purchase Java licenses for our businesses to continue to operate. I know that our (Cepheus Solutions) current phone system’s management application requires Java to run. The licensing change means I could find myself having to purchase Java licenses for everyone that manages the phone system or limit the management of the phone system to one user. There are many other implications as well when considering the secondary impact. How many other businesses that you do business with could be affected. Many ATM, Cell Phones, Smart Phones, voting machines, and e-commerce sites use Java in some way or another.
While it does not appear that pricing has been made available yet, Java SE like most other Oracle products will most likely come with a license and annual support fee for each device . For the moment it appears that if your business uses software or web applications that use Java, you’re going to have to purchase the licenses to continue using that software. I would think that most other companies and vendors would shift to another software platform soon. Oracle will probably make a great deal of money in the short-term but with the security and licensing track record and the more than likely reoccurring expense businesses will likely feel pressure to move away from the Java SE platform.
Thank you for your time in reading this post if you have any questions please feel free to post below. I have included the following links below so you can review the changes yourself.
Oracle Java SE 8 Release Updates:
https://java.com/en/download/release_notice.jsp
Oracle Java SE Support Road Map:
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/eol-135779.html
Oracle Java SE Subscriptions:
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