Oracle have hundreds of different products on many different platforms but broadly split them into two categories – technology products and applications. Whilst there are many categories of technology products, for the purposes of this article we will be looking at the licensing implications of the 2 major ones you are likely to be utilizing: Database and Middleware.

Oracle offers both term (sometimes referred to as subscription) and perpetual licenses for all its products. A perpetual license is a one-time license fee that allows continued use of the software program for as long as you comply with all terms of the license agreement. A term license is for a specific, limited period of time, during which you are allowed to access and use the software.

License metrics are selected carefully to reflect the functionality the product offers and the value the customer receives from utilizing that functionality. Essentially, a license metric determines how the software usage is being measured when Oracle licenses a product to a customer.

SOURCE: certero.com