Enforcing an OpenJDK-First Policy (Case Study)
When Oracle changed its Java licensing model in 2023, one enterprise didn’t panic.
They acted. The company set an internal rule: OpenJDK first, Oracle Java only by exception.
This decisive policy reshaped their compliance posture and saved millions. Instead of writing a big check to Oracle or waiting for trouble, they took a proactive stance.
Pro Tip: “Policy beats panic — make OpenJDK the default before Oracle makes it expensive.”
Read our ultimate guide to Oracle Java Compliance Management Best Practices.
Company Background
A European financial services firm with 9,000 employees. The company had a heavy Java footprint across internal applications, middleware, and third-party tools.
Java-powered core banking systems, customer-facing web services, and countless internal processes. Java was deeply embedded in their operations and absolutely mission-critical.
Oracle’s 2023 licensing change was a wake-up call. It forced a rapid re-evaluation of their entire Java strategy.
Oracle switched to a per-employee Java subscription model, which meant potentially skyrocketing costs for the firm.
Under this model, the firm would have to pay for every employee (all 9,000), not just the developers using Java.
There was also the looming threat of an Oracle audit and compliance penalties if they remained on the proprietary JDK.
The CIO set a clear goal: eliminate uncontrolled Oracle Java use within six months.
It was an urgent directive to regain control of their Java usage before Oracle’s new pricing could hurt the IT budget.
Read what tools you can use: Tools for Java License Management.
The Challenge
Java was everywhere in the organization.
Over the years, development teams have embedded Java into legacy systems, new microservices, desktop utilities, and vendor platforms.
Most of these environments ran the Oracle JDK by default, simply because that had been the standard choice.
Teams had been using Oracle’s JDK out of habit, not because they needed Oracle-specific features.
This sprawling Java presence meant serious risk.
Tracking who was using Oracle’s JDK, and where, was nearly impossible with existing asset management tools.
Different Java versions lurked on application servers, CI/CD build agents, developer laptops, and in packaged software.
Without action, the firm realized it might be running dozens or hundreds of unlicensed Oracle Java installations without knowing it.
The compliance exposure was estimated at around $2 million per year in potential licensing costs.
Beyond cost, the CIO and legal team feared a surprise audit from Oracle.
If Oracle’s auditors came knocking, the lack of visibility and control would lead to a compliance nightmare.
The challenge was clear: get a handle on every Java installation and drastically reduce reliance on Oracle’s JDK—fast.
The OpenJDK-First Mandate
In response, the leadership team approved a bold new policy: an OpenJDK-first mandate.
The organization would use OpenJDK by default for all Java needs.
Oracle’s Java would only be allowed when necessary, and only with strict approval.
The policy was codified as an internal directive and communicated company-wide.
Key elements of the OpenJDK-first policy were defined in a simple framework:
| Policy Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Default Runtime | All internal builds and applications must use OpenJDK by default. |
| Oracle JDK Usage | Any use of Oracle’s JDK requires written approval from a senior authority. |
| Deployment Controls | DevOps pipelines and container images are restricted to approved OpenJDK distributions. |
| Procurement Rule | Any Oracle Java purchase or support contract must go through the Software Asset Management (SAM) team. |
They rolled out the mandate with an internal awareness campaign. IT teams received training on migrating to OpenJDK.
Documentation and automation scripts were updated to point developers to OpenJDK download and repository locations.
Developer toolchains were adjusted so that the default JDK in new projects or CI pipelines was OpenJDK.
The message across the company was consistent: if you’re coding in Java, use OpenJDK. Oracle JDK might still be available for rare cases, but it requires explicit justification.
This push had strong executive backing, signaling that compliance was not optional.
Pro Tip: “Your default image decides your license count — not your policy slide.”
Implementation Process
Having a policy on paper was just the start. The company moved quickly to execute the migration with a structured process:
- Inventory all Java installations: Scan every server, VM, and workstation to identify installed Java versions and vendors. This baseline audit revealed where Oracle JDK was in use.
- Replace Oracle JDK in environments: Update CI/CD servers, application servers, and other systems to use OpenJDK. Uninstall or disable Oracle JDK on machines to prevent accidental use.
- Provide OpenJDK to developers: Offer pre-approved OpenJDK distributions in standard images and dev environments. For example, update the corporate laptop build and container base images to include OpenJDK by default (and omit Oracle JDK).
- Lock down Oracle JDK access: Restrict downloads and installs of Oracle JDK. If a team truly needs Oracle’s JDK, they must go through an internal approval workflow via the SAM/governance team.
Most teams made the switch with minimal friction, aside from a few configuration tweaks and extra testing on the new JDK.
Within 90 days, about 80% of Java usage had switched to OpenJDK.
Most internal applications were compatible with OpenJDK with no code changes, enabling a faster transition than expected. OpenJDK proved to be a drop-in replacement for Oracle JDK in nearly all cases.
Governance & Enforcement
With the new policy in place, the company established governance to enforce it. An internal Java governance committee began reviewing any exceptions and monitoring compliance.
The governance team met monthly to review reports on Java usage.
A compliance dashboard tracked any Oracle JDK instances in the environment.
If a new Oracle JDK installation appeared, it triggered a red flag for investigation.
The committee included stakeholders from IT, compliance, and procurement to cover all angles.
Only a few valid exceptions were allowed under the policy.
For example, some third-party apps explicitly required Oracle’s JDK, or a specialized tool needed an Oracle-only feature.
Such exceptions had to be approved and documented.
Every other use of Java had to migrate to OpenJDK or face scrutiny.
To keep the policy effective, they integrated checks into the DevOps process.
For example, building pipelines would fail if an unauthorized Oracle JDK sneaked in.
The SAM team also made sure any Oracle Java purchase request went through proper approval. This ensured no team could accidentally incur new Oracle license costs without oversight.
Over time, this governance and automated enforcement prevented Oracle JDK usage from creeping back in.
Teams understood that any unapproved Oracle Java would be quickly detected.
Using OpenJDK became part of the company’s engineering culture — the normal way to do Java.
Measurable Results
After 12 months of the OpenJDK-first policy, the enterprise achieved impressive results:
- Oracle JDK footprint dropped 88%, leaving only a few approved exceptions.
- Estimated license cost savings of roughly $1.6 million per year.
- Audit risk reduced to near zero (virtually no surprise Oracle usage to worry about).
- Developer experience unchanged — no impact on productivity or performance.
In short, the company achieved its goal: dramatically lower costs and risks, without disrupting the business.
Pro Tip: “Compliance success isn’t silence — it’s fewer Oracle emails.”
Checklist – Building Your Own OpenJDK-First Policy
Any organization can apply similar tactics to cut Oracle Java risk. Use this checklist to craft your own OpenJDK-first policy:
✅ Audit your Java landscape. Inventory all Java installations (versions and vendors) across your IT estate.
✅ Define “OpenJDK-first” clearly. Write a policy that makes OpenJDK the default Java and requires approval for any Oracle JDK usage.
✅ Set an approval process. Establish a workflow (through your SAM or compliance team) to review and approve Oracle JDK exceptions.
✅ Update procurement and pipelines. Ensure any Oracle Java purchase request is sent to the compliance team. Adjust CI/CD pipelines to flag or prevent the use of non-approved JDKs.
✅ Train your teams. Educate developers and IT staff about the new standard and how to use OpenJDK in their daily work.
✅ Monitor and enforce regularly. Use monitoring tools or scripts to track Java installations. Review compliance at least monthly and address any drift or unauthorized usage immediately.
Lessons Learned
This case study highlights a few important lessons:
- Developers adapt fast when defaults change. Set OpenJDK as the default and most developers won’t mind the switch.
- Cost savings come sooner than you think. Cutting Oracle usage yields savings right away, without waiting for contract renewals.
- Internal governance prevents drift. Regular oversight and enforcement stops teams from slipping back into old habits.
- Even regulated industries can standardize on OpenJDK. Even in a heavily regulated sector, open-source Java proved viable for enterprise use.
Pro Tip: “Make OpenJDK normal — make Oracle the exception.”
Final Take
Enforcing an OpenJDK-first policy proved to be a simple but powerful strategy.
By making OpenJDK the norm, the company took back control of its Java platform.
They significantly reduced license costs and eliminated the constant fear of Oracle audits. Most importantly, they freed themselves from Oracle’s future licensing whims.
The key insight is that a clear internal policy can be more effective than any one-time project or tool. It aligns everyone towards the same goal — in this case, using open-source Java to avoid vendor lock-in and surprise fees. The result is a more predictable, budget-friendly, and compliant Java environment.
For any enterprise using Java – especially those worried about a hefty Oracle bill – this case study provides a practical blueprint.
In fact, many organizations are now considering the same OpenJDK-first approach to escape Oracle’s rising Java costs. Instead of reacting to Oracle’s changes with anxiety, you can respond with a proactive policy. The payoff is real: major savings, reduced risk, and peace of mind.
Pro Tip: “Your policy is your license strategy — write it before Oracle does.”
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