In an era where CIOs are pressured to modernize IT and migrate critical systems to the cloud, timing is everything. Nowhere is this more evident than for organizations running Oracle applications and databases. Moving to cloud solutions on your schedule without being forced into costly upgrades or support renewals on legacy Oracle systems is challenging. Third-party support for Oracle software has emerged as a strategic lever to solve this timing puzzle. By shifting maintenance of Oracle systems to an independent provider, CIOs can buy time, save money, and stabilize legacy environments during cloud transitions. This approach – used by thousands of Oracle customers – enables IT leaders to align upgrades and cloud migration plans with business needs rather than Oracle’s dictated timelines. The analysis below, written from an Oracle licensing expert’s perspective, examines how third-party support can optimize the when and how of your Oracle-to-cloud journey.
Third-Party Support as a Cloud Migration Enabler
Third-party support means outsourcing your Oracle software maintenance to a certified provider (such as Rimini Street, Spinnaker Support, and others) instead of Oracle itself. These providers typically charge much lower fees – roughly 50% less than Oracle’s annual support costs – yet offer comprehensive assistance for Oracle databases and applications. All the essentials (troubleshooting, patches, tax/regulatory updates, etc.) are covered, while you forgo Oracle’s routine upgrades and new version releases. For CIOs plotting a cloud migration, this model delivers several key advantages:
- Cost Savings to Fund Innovation: Oracle’s support fees (about 22% of license value annually, with yearly uplifts) consume a significant budget. Third-party support halves that expense, freeing funds for strategic projects like cloud modernization. Many enterprises redeploy the savings directly into their cloud migration program. Gartner observed that companies amid cloud projects kept older Oracle systems on third-party maintenance until new cloud solutions were ready, saving money and avoiding vendor lock-in during the transition. The freed-up budget can pay for cloud migration services, data transformation, or new cloud subscriptions, turning Oracle’s support savings into an innovation engine.
- Extended Life for Stable Systems: Third-party support “freezes” your Oracle environment on a stable version and keeps it fully supported beyond Oracle’s support timeline. This is ideal for legacy Oracle systems running well and only need support for a few more years. Rather than rushing into an upgrade because Oracle’s support is ending, you can safely delay that upgrade (or avoid it entirely) until your cloud migration is complete. For example, when Oracle announced end-of-support for an older database and ERP release, many IT departments moved those systems to third-party support to avoid an urgent upgrade and buy time to evaluate cloud options. The independent support provider continues to deliver bug fixes and custom patches to keep the legacy system secure and compliant, extending its useful life until the cloud replacement is ready.
- Flexibility in Migration Timing: By decoupling your support contract from Oracle, you gain control over your upgrade and migration schedule. CIOs can plan cloud transitions based on business readiness, not vendor deadlines. If your Oracle ERP or database will eventually be retired when you move to SaaS or cloud infrastructure, you likely don’t need Oracle’s frequent updates in the interim. Third-party support stabilizes the system (“keep the lights on”) for as long as needed without pushing new features. This lets you migrate in a phased, low-risk manner. IT teams can focus on the cloud project, knowing the legacy Oracle environment won’t demand disruptive changes. In essence, independent support provides a bridge to the cloud, maintaining legacy systems in steady state while you execute the migration plan.
- Improved Support Experience for Legacy Systems: An often-cited bonus is better service quality for older or customized Oracle systems. Third-party providers offer personalized, responsive support (often with former Oracle engineers dedicated to your account) and will even support your custom code or integrations. This contrasts with Oracle’s standard support, which may only advise you to upgrade or not address customizations. During a cloud transition, having a stable legacy platform with reliable support is critical – you can ill afford major outages or unresolved issues on the old system. Independent support vendors focus on quick fixes and keeping that environment running smoothly, which reduces risk as you migrate. Many CIOs report higher satisfaction with third-party support teams, often resolving lingering issues that Oracle hadn’t addressed, thereby increasing confidence that the legacy system will hold up throughout the cloud journey.
In summary, third-party Oracle support allows CIOs to optimize timing: delay expensive upgrades, reallocate budget to cloud initiatives, and run legacy systems without disruption while new cloud platforms come online. Below, we explore how this strategy can be applied at different phases – before, during, and after a cloud migration – and what risks to watch for.
Pre-Migration: Using Third-Party Support to Delay Upgrades and Prepare
One optimal point to leverage third-party support is the lead-up to a cloud migration. Suppose you know you intend to move off a given Oracle system (to Oracle Cloud or even a non-Oracle solution) in the next 1-3 years. In that case, it often makes sense to switch to independent support before the migration:
- Avoiding Unnecessary Upgrades: Pre-migration is when companies most want to avoid investing in the old platform. For instance, if Oracle announces that your E-Business Suite or PeopleSoft version will require an upgrade next year, but you plan to decommission those apps in favor of cloud SaaS in two years, an Oracle-mandated upgrade is purely wasted effort. Third-party support offers an escape hatch: you can stay on the older release without upgrading and remain fully supported by the third-party vendor. This was the case for a retail company that planned to replace its on-prem Oracle CRM with a cloud CRM – they switched to third-party support for the final 24 months of the Oracle system’s life, saving on upgrade and support costs while keeping the CRM stable until the new cloud solution went live. The third-party provider even extended support beyond Oracle’s cut-off date, ensuring no lapse in coverage.
- Building a Migration War Chest (Cost Savings): By cutting maintenance fees by ~50%, third-party support freezes escalating support costs and yields immediate savings. Those dollars can be redirected to migration planning, cloud trial environments, employee training on the new system, or hiring migration experts. You self-fund part of the cloud project with the budget freed from Oracle’s support contract. CIOs under cost pressure find this especially attractive – it’s easier to justify a cloud initiative when you can say it’s funded by operational savings rather than requiring all new budget. One mid-size firm that moved to third-party support cut annual support spend by 60%, and redirected the freed funds into new analytics and IT modernization efforts (exactly the kind of investment often needed for cloud readiness). Thus, heading into a migration, third-party support can relieve budget constraints and finance critical preparatory work.
- Maintaining Stability Pre-Cutover: In the period before a cloud migration, the priority is keeping the legacy environment stable and unchanged. Third-party support is well-suited to “steady-state” operations. The provider will support your existing customizations and interfaces without pushing new patches that could introduce risk. You can essentially lock down the Oracle system in a known-good state. Any bugs or security issues will be addressed with targeted fixes, but you won’t be forced into major changes. This stability is a huge benefit as you prepare data and processes for the move. Your team can focus on migration tasks (data mapping, integrations, and configuring the cloud system) rather than firefighting issues on the old platform. Many organizations deliberately freeze changes on legacy systems 6-12 months pre-migration; third-party support helps enforce that freeze while keeping the system healthy.
- Example – Delaying EOL Pressures: A common use case is when an Oracle product’s Premier Support ends before you’re ready to migrate. For example, Oracle E-Business Suite customers whose versions neared end-of-support faced pressure to upgrade or pay for Extended Support. Instead, quite a few chose third-party support to bridge the gap, avoiding Oracle’s fees and timelines. Oracle Database 12c users did similarly when Oracle’s support window closed – they stayed on 12c with third-party maintenance rather than rushing to 19c, giving them breathing room to plan a cloud database migration at their own pace. In each case, third-party support acted as a strategic stopgap, extending the life of a stable system until a cloud transition could occur smoothly. The pre-migration phase is about buying time and conserving resources, and this approach excels at both.
During a Phased Migration: Ensuring Stability in Transition
Not all cloud migrations are big-bang cutovers; many CIOs execute phased migrations over multiple quarters or years. This might involve moving certain business units, geographies, or application modules to the cloud in stages. During this hybrid period, third-party support can play a pivotal role in maintaining continuity for the parts of the Oracle estate that are still on-premises:
- Support for Hybrid Environments: In a phased migration, some of your Oracle workloads might remain on the old platform while others have transitioned to the cloud. For instance, you might first migrate CRM and analytics to the cloud, while ERP financials stay on Oracle EBS for another year. Putting the still-on-prem Oracle systems under third-party support ensures they are fully cared for throughout the interim period, but at a lower cost and without mandatory upgrades. The third-party vendor handles support for the legacy system, while your cloud vendor (or Oracle’s cloud team) supports the new platform. This way, both old and new environments run in parallel with proper support, and you’re not paying Oracle for a full support contract on a partially used system. Many enterprises have successfully kept their legacy Oracle ERP on third-party maintenance during a multi-year cloud ERP rollout, only phasing it out when the last business unit moved over. This approach stabilizes each phase of migration: users still on the old system get responsive support, and IT isn’t straining to meet Oracle’s support requirements in the middle of a transition.
- No Double-Paying for Support: A phased migration can sometimes lead to overlapping costs – for example, if you migrate a portion of users to Oracle Cloud ERP (which includes support in the subscription cost) but still pay Oracle support for the on-prem ERP until fully cut over. Third-party support can eliminate this overlap. Because it’s more flexible (often you can contract for only the specific products or licenses you still need to support), you might move a subset of Oracle apps to third-party support. At the same time, the rest remain with Oracle until their turn comes. This granularity can prevent the scenario of paying Oracle’s full support fee even as the legacy footprint shrinks. Additionally, independent providers generally don’t mind short-term or changing scope engagements (they know they are a bridge), whereas Oracle typically doesn’t prorate support easily. The financial benefit is that you only pay for what you need to support at each phase, aligning costs with actual usage during the migration.
- Smooth Operations Mid-Migration: One of the biggest risks in a staged migration is a failure or instability in the legacy system while the new system is not fully in place yet. If your legacy Oracle platform encounters a critical issue in the middle of the project, it could derail timelines. Third-party support providers are highly incentivized to keep the old system running smoothly during this period – it’s their primary job. With SLAs that can be tailored to your needs (e.g., 24/7 coverage for critical systems), they act as extended team members to promptly fix any issues in the legacy environment, including those related to customizations. For example, Starkey, a global manufacturing company, adopted third-party support for its heavily customized Oracle EBS during a multi-year modernization program. This allowed Starkey to chart its path to Oracle Cloud on its timeline while keeping the EBS system stable and supported in the interim. The support partner resolved critical issues even during the first weeks of the switch, giving Starkey confidence that their legacy EBS would not falter while they rolled out new cloud solutions. Independent support de-risks the transition period by ensuring the legacy systems “just work” until they are turned off.
- Coordination and Communication: If you pursue a hybrid support model (some systems on third-party, others still with Oracle or already in the cloud), it’s important to clarify roles and processes. Internal IT and end-users should know which support desk to contact for which system. For instance, production Oracle databases still on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure would be handled by Oracle, whereas a third-party provider might handle an on-prem Oracle EBS instance. Clear communication plans avoid confusion. Fortunately, most third-party providers are accustomed to working in such environments and even offer to liaise with Oracle on your behalf if an issue overlaps (e.g., an integration between an Oracle Cloud app and your on-prem system). The key for CIOs is maintaining a seamless support experience despite multiple support sources. Regular governance meetings involving all parties (cloud vendor, third-party, internal team) can help keep issues from falling through the cracks during the migration. This multi-pronged support strategy enables a phased migration to progress without service disruption or finger-pointing. You migrate at your pace, and every component – whether legacy or new – gets the support attention it needs.
Post-Migration: Supporting Oracle Legacy Systems Left Behind
After moving primary workloads to the cloud, many enterprises still have some Oracle systems left on-premises (or in a private hosting) that are not worth migrating. These could be long-tail legacy applications, archival databases, or specialized modules that the new cloud environment didn’t replace. Third-party support is an excellent solution for these post-migration remnants, allowing CIOs to maximize value from older systems until they can be retired:
- Cost-Effective Sustenance of Legacy Apps: Post-migration, the legacy Oracle system often has a dwindling role, perhaps kept read-only for compliance or used by a small team for a niche function. Paying Oracle’s full support price at this stage is hard to justify. Third-party support can maintain the legacy app at a fraction of the cost, sometimes for many years longer than Oracle’s support would last. Independent providers will continue providing bug fixes, tax/regulatory updates, and even performance tuning on software that Oracle has moved to “Sustaining Support” (where Oracle provides no new fixes). In other words, avoid the “cliff” at the end of Oracle’s support timeline. For example, an organization that migrated off Oracle PeopleSoft HR to a cloud HCM suite kept its old PeopleSoft system running for payroll history access. By engaging a third-party support firm, they ensured that even if a regulatory change or security issue arose in PeopleSoft, it could be addressed, all while saving ~50% annually compared to Oracle’s fees. This allowed the company to maintain the legacy system reliably for several years post-migration until it was eventually decommissioned, at minimal cost and risk.
- Extended Life for Archived Data: In many industries (public sector, healthcare, finance), you can’t shut off an old system immediately due to record-keeping requirements. Third-party support extends the viable life of Oracle archives and legacy databases. For instance, a city government that moved to a new cloud ERP still needed to access its Oracle EBS historical data. Oracle’s Extended Support was exorbitantly priced and short-term, so the city opted for third-party support to keep the EBS environment accessible and secure for 5 years. The third-party team handled occasional user access issues and provided compatibility updates for new operating systems, even though Oracle had long since stopped enhancements. This preserved critical data access without binding the city to Oracle contracts while their new system handled current operations. Third-party vendors pride themselves on indefinitely supporting old versions of Oracle software – a major plus when legacy data must be retained.
- Selective Use for Hybrid Architectures: Some companies will retain certain Oracle components on-premises for the long term (for example, an Oracle database that is tightly integrated with a non-cloud application), even as other layers have moved to the cloud. Third-party support can permanently solve those pieces you intend to “leave behind” in an otherwise cloud-first architecture. You might migrate the application layer to a SaaS platform but keep an Oracle database on IaaS for compliance reasons; an independent support provider can handle that database’s support in the future, ensuring you don’t have to maintain a costly Oracle support contract just for one or two straggler systems. This targeted use of third-party support post-migration gives CIOs flexibility to run a hybrid environment without paying Oracle for everything. It’s a mix-and-match support strategy: use cloud vendor support for cloud parts, and third-party support for any on-prem Oracle parts. The end state is a tailored support model that fits your final architecture and cost objectives.
- Example – Public Sector Savings: As a real-world illustration, the University of Hull in the UK and the City of Flint, Michigan, moved their Oracle applications to third-party support. They reported significant savings and stable operations years after leaving Oracle. These cases were not strictly about cloud migrations, but they show that even in the long run, organizations can thrive with third-party support for legacy Oracle systems. In a cloud migration context, you should feel confident that any Oracle system you keep around post-move can be supported by a third party for as long as you need it, without forcing you back onto Oracle’s terms.
In summary, after you’ve migrated the main workloads, third-party support helps wring the most value out of any remaining Oracle technology until you choose to upgrade or turn it off. It provides a safety net for legacy systems in the cloud era – keeping them running, secure, and compliant at low cost.
Risks, Trade-Offs, and Constraints to Consider
While Oracle third-party support is a powerful tool, CIOs must approach it with a clear understanding of the trade-offs and constraints involved. Here we outline the key risks and how to mitigate them:
- Loss of Oracle Updates and Intellectual Property: When you leave Oracle’s support, you lose access to Oracle’s official patches, upgrades, and knowledge base. Over time, you will not automatically receive new security patches or feature enhancements. Third-party providers counter this by developing their fixes and workarounds for known issues and providing updates for regulatory changes (e.g., tax tables for Oracle EBS) using their expertise. However, they cannot deliver new Oracle versions. If you anticipate needing to upgrade to a future Oracle release or adopt Oracle’s cloud services, note that you’ll likely have to reinstate Oracle support at that time (often with backdated fees). Mitigation: Plan your roadmap carefully – if you intend to stay on your current version for several years or until retirement, third-party support is ideal. If you need an upgrade, be aware of Oracle’s reinstatement fees (paying for the lapsed years of support). Some companies negotiate an arrangement with Oracle before leaving (e.g., the right to return later at a reasonable cost), but Oracle is often inflexible. The safe assumption is that you won’t return to Oracle support unless necessary. Therefore, embrace third-party support primarily when you are comfortable staying on your current Oracle software version indefinitely. If your strategy is to migrate off or replace the Oracle system, then losing Oracle-provided updates is likely an acceptable trade-off, as the third-party can support you in the interim.
- License Compliance and Audit Risk: A common concern is that Oracle might initiate a license audit after a customer leaves Oracle support, potentially as a punitive measure or to check compliance. Oracle’s audit practices are complex, and while moving to third-party support is not a guaranteed trigger, it has indeed been one of the factors associated with audits. Oracle knows you are no longer receiving their updates, and they may want to ensure you aren’t using any software beyond your entitlements (e.g., using Oracle support-only patches obtained improperly). Mitigation: Before switching to a third-party, conduct a thorough internal license audit (or hire a licensing specialist). Ensure you fully comply with your Oracle license terms – deploy only what you’ve purchased, and understand any restrictions (processor counts, virtualization, etc.). This way, if Oracle does audit you during or after the transition, you can confidently show compliance and deprive Oracle of leverage. It’s also wise to document everything at the point of leaving: archive proofs of purchase, screenshots of usage, and download any last patches or documentation you are entitled to while still under Oracle support. After the switch, avoid any action (like downloading patches from Oracle’s site) that could violate the terms. In practice, many customers who move to third-party support do not experience immediate audits specifically because of it – Oracle audits happen for many reasons (M&A, ULA expiry, etc.) – but you should be prepared nonetheless. Treat license compliance as a top priority to eliminate this risk.
- Security and Critical Patch Coverage: Running an Oracle system without Oracle’s updates means you rely on a third-party provider for security patches. No CIO wants to increase security risk by leaving vendor support. Top third-party providers recognize this and have robust security response processes – often pledging to deliver fixes or mitigation for newly discovered vulnerabilities as fast as Oracle would, or faster. Still, it’s a different model: you might get a custom patch or a remediation guideline (like a firewall rule or configuration change to mitigate an exploit) rather than an official Oracle CPU (Critical Patch Update). Mitigation: Vet the security capabilities of your third-party vendor. Ask about how they handle zero-day vulnerabilities, and perhaps request examples of security fixes they’ve delivered to other clients. Consider keeping an in-house or external security consultant to double-check any critical vulnerability solutions the vendor provides. In addition, apply all Oracle patches available before you leave Oracle support – for example, if Oracle just released a security patch in your final month of support, download and apply it. After the switch, ensure your security team closely monitors advisories (Oracle’s and third-party’s) so that no known threat goes unaddressed. With these practices, companies can maintain security while staying on par with Oracle. The difference is minimal in many cases as long as you have a competent third-party partner and good security hygiene (regular audits, monitoring, etc.).
- Oracle License Restrictions and Cloud Constraints: Third-party support is only viable for software you have a perpetual license for and for which you operate on your infrastructure (whether on-prem or cloud IaaS). If some of your Oracle products are subscription-based (Oracle SaaS cloud services or Oracle Database Cloud subscriptions), those cannot be placed on third-party support – you’d have to convert them to on-prem licenses or simply let those subscriptions lapse. Similarly, if you’re in the middle of an Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) or other contract that bundles support, you may need to wait until that term ends to switch. Plan the timing so your move to a third-party aligns with natural contract termination or renewal points to avoid penalties. Also, consider cloud platform support: if you plan to run your Oracle software on a public cloud (like AWS or Azure) while on third-party support, ensure the provider has experience with cloud-hosted Oracle systems. Typically, it’s fine (third-party vendors support Oracle products running on AWS, etc.), but Oracle will not assist if something goes wrong in that cloud environment since you’re off their support. You may need more self-reliance or a cloud provider’s help for infrastructure-level issues. In short, ensure your bases are covered: application support from the third party, and infrastructure support from either your internal team or the cloud provider’s standard services.
- No New Features or Innovation from Oracle: While on third-party support, you won’t receive any new features or product enhancements that Oracle releases. For some, this is acceptable (the whole idea is to remain on the stable version). However, it could become a sticking point for others, especially if the business expects continual improvement. Suppose your cloud migration plan gets delayed, and you stay on the old Oracle system longer than expected. In that case, users might ask for newer capabilities that your frozen version doesn’t have. Mitigation: Be clear with stakeholders that the legacy system is now in maintenance mode, not growth mode. Any innovation will come with the new cloud platform, not the old Oracle software. This is usually communicated as part of the cloud strategy – e.g., “We will not enhance the old system further; all new improvements will be in the new cloud solution.” The lack of new Oracle features shouldn’t be an issue if that alignment holds. When you need an enhancement, a creative third-party support team might help develop a custom workaround or integration to meet the need in the interim. However, generally, set expectations that third-party support is about stability over innovation on the legacy system.
- Third-Party Vendor Lock-In and Service Quality: Ironically, moving to an independent support provider means you are putting a lot of trust in another vendor. While all claim excellent service, there are examples where a third-party provider struggled with a niche product issue or communication wasn’t up to par. Some third-party contracts may lock you in for multiple years, making it difficult to switch providers or return to Oracle support if dissatisfied. Mitigation: Do due diligence when selecting a provider. Check their track record with your specific Oracle products (database, EBS, Hyperion, etc.) and ask for customer references in your industry. If possible, negotiate the contract for flexibility – for example, a 1-year renewal cycle instead of a 3-year locked term. Also, consider starting with a subset of systems on third-party support as a trial. Some CIOs will pilot with a non-production environment or a less critical system to gauge the provider’s performance before committing widely. If the service is good, they expand the coverage. This phased adoption can ease internal concerns and ensure you’re comfortable before leaping.
Most importantly, maintain an active management relationship with the vendor: set SLAs, hold them accountable with regular reviews, and ensure they continue to meet your business needs. If you plan to reconnect with Oracle (say, for a new Oracle Cloud project), manage that relationship too – Oracle may not be happy you left support, but they still want your future business. As seen in the Starkey case, switching to third-party support for a while did not prevent a company from later engaging with Oracle’s cloud offerings. Many organizations have navigated this successfully, but it requires professional vendor management and keeping strategic options open.
In weighing these trade-offs, the overall recommendation is that third-party support for Oracle is best suited for stable environments where cost savings and timing flexibility outweigh the need for the latest Oracle updates. The risks can be managed by aligning them with a clear cloud migration or legacy containment strategy. Engage your procurement, security, and legal teams early to tackle the concerns above. With proper planning, companies have greatly leveraged this strategy, reaping big savings and agility with minimal downsides.
Recommendations for CIOs
For CIOs considering third-party Oracle support as part of their cloud migration strategy, here are some next steps and best practices to ensure success:
- Assess the Suitability of Each Oracle System: Perform an inventory of your Oracle landscape and identify which systems are good candidates for third-party support. Ideal targets are mature, stable systems you intend to replace or keep steady for a few years. If a system requires frequent updates or you plan to scale it up, it may be better to stay with Oracle support. Align this analysis with your cloud migration roadmap – e.g., systems slated for cloud migration or retirement in the near-to-mid term are prime candidates to move off Oracle support.
- Time the Switch Strategically: The best time to switch to third-party support is usually at natural breakpoints: when Oracle support contracts come up for renewal, or when a version’s support is ending. Avoid paying Oracle for another year if you know you’ll migrate or switch soon after. Also, consider your Oracle license agreements – if you are in an Unlimited License Agreement or have an Oracle cloud credit deal, ensure moving to a third-party doesn’t conflict with those commitments. Some companies coordinate the switch right after completing an Oracle audit or ULA certification, to start the third-party contract with a “clean slate” compliance-wise. Each situation is unique, but plan the timing to minimize complications.
- Secure Executive and Stakeholder Buy-In: Present the case to your CFO, CTO, and other executives, highlighting the cost savings and strategic flexibility third-party support offers. It helps to cite examples of peer organizations that have done this successfully (e.g., “Company X saved 50% and funded their cloud transition”). Also, reassure stakeholders that many enterprises (including governments and Fortune 500s) use third-party support now – it’s a proven, mainstream option and not a risky experiment. Educate any skeptical technical staff by having the prospective provider demonstrate their capabilities. The goal is to build internal confidence that “leaving Oracle” is manageable and beneficial.
- Choose a Reputable Partner: Not all third-party support providers are equal. Select a vendor with a strong track record on Oracle products, relevant expertise, and solid client references. Key factors to evaluate include: their experience with your specific Oracle versions and customizations, the qualifications of their support engineers, their SLAs for critical issues, and their approach to security patches. Top providers will often offer to do a free assessment or onboarding study – use that to gauge their competence. Additionally, clarify the contract terms: ensure you can scale down as you retire systems or terminate if needed (perhaps with notice). A good partner will be confident enough in their value that they don’t need to trap you in a long contract.
- Prepare for Transition: Get your house in order before ending Oracle support. Document your systems thoroughly (customizations, interfaces, current patch levels) for the new provider. Download the latest patches, updates, and Oracle documentation you’re entitled to while you still can – this ensures you have a library of reference materials and software should you need them later. Conduct a final license compliance review and save all proof of licenses. Communicate to Oracle (as your contract requires) that you will not renew support. Internally, users and IT staff should be informed about the new support process, and Oracle support access should be restricted to prevent accidental usage after cutover. To avoid confusion, make the switch a planned project with a clear cutover date, similar to a go-live.
- Leverage the Provider During Migration: If your goal is cloud migration, involve the third-party support provider in that journey. They can often assist with archive data extraction, testing, and knowledge transfer from the old system to the new, since they’ll be deeply familiar with your legacy Oracle environment. Ensure that clauses or services in the contract support your migration needs (e.g., help ensure data integrity or integration between legacy and new systems). Some providers offer cloud advisory services as well , while you may or may not use them for that, at least keep them in the loop on your cloud rollout timeline. Their incentive is to help you succeed with minimal issues on the legacy side until you no longer need it.
- Monitor and Adjust: Once on third-party support, monitor the service quality and results closely. Track metrics like response times, issue resolution rates, and system stability. Compare your pre-switch and post-switch incident trends – ideally, you’ll see equal or better performance. Gather feedback from your IT staff: Are they promptly getting the needed help? Regularly review this with the provider in quarterly business reviews. If any gaps appear, address them early through the escalation paths you’ve established. This active management will ensure you reap the expected benefits. Also, continuously reassess your timeline – if your cloud migration accelerates or delays, adjust the support strategy accordingly. You might even decide to bring another system into third-party support if plans change (conversely, retire a system early). Keep the strategy aligned to your evolving needs.
By following these practices, CIOs can confidently harness third-party Oracle support as a tactical tool in cloud migrations. The overarching theme is gaining control of costs, timing, and outcomes. Instead of being forced into Oracle’s next upgrade or tied to their support forever, you create options for your organization. This strategy has often reduced risk and cost for cloud projects, allowing IT leaders to deliver transformation on their own terms. With careful execution of the steps above, you can do the same, optimizing the when and how of your move to the cloud, with Oracle’s interests secondary to your enterprise’s goals.
