The World's Greatest (Licensing) Podcast

A few weeks ago, we first reported on the lawsuit brought by VMware against Allstate over a license audit. In this episode, we look more deeply at the suit, the complaints by VMware, the role of Connor Consulting in the audit, and actions from both sides thus far. Hear our perspective on this case as licensing experts. There are no cheerleaders – just a clear-eyed breakdown of where each side over...

In today’s episode we welcome Luis Nunez, Senior Director of Data Analysis and Delivery at Palisade Compliance. Luis talks about his incredible journey that started out with an unpaid job and a stack of Oracle PL/SQL manuals and led to his role at Palisade Compliance. Luis’s years in the Oracle LMS trenches and his encyclopedic knowledge of licensing has made him a leading Oracle E-Business Suite...

In this episode we revisit SAP and Teradata's legal battle that began in 2018.  The Bridge Project, SAP and Teradata's joint venture designed to bridge SAP's ERP with Teradata's analytics database, is the foundation of the lawsuit.  The original complaint, filed by Teradata, accused SAP of trade secret misappropriation, copyright infringement, and antitrust violations. Both com...

In the final episode of 2025 we welcome Lisa Morgan, writer for InformationWeek . Software is more essential than ever and the rules around using it keep getting messier. Lisa brings her expert insight to the software challenges business leaders are facing now.  Craig and Lisa discuss how to deal with the friction that bubbles up during software audits and why misalignment between IT, procurement,...

Fire code compliance, inspections, and safety operations is a niche yet vital industry that relies on processes that can become outdated and inefficient. When public safety is on the line, having a streamlined digital solution to simplify every step of the process is critical for companies who are responsible for managing this compliance. In this episode Craig interviews Drew Slocum, Chief Strateg...

In this episode we welcome Martin Thompson, founder of ITAM Forum, a non-profit trade body run by ITAM professionals designed to educate companies on ITAM with a focus on business value.  Martin and Craig explain how vendors use audits to force conversations, drive revenue, and steer customers toward shiny new cloud offerings. They discuss pain points companies are facing (like cloud spend, SaaS s...

On November 14, 2025 Fidelity Technology Group filed a lawsuit against Broadcom (owner of VMware), stating that Fidelity has a right to renew its subscription without price spikes. Broadcom is threatening to terminate Fidelity's software subscription, leaving Fidelity and its customers in the dark.  In this episode we explain why Fidelity is suing Broadcom, what the challenges are in a lawsui...

In this episode, we welcome Steven Dickens, founder of HyperFRAME Research and former IBM leader to unpack the rise of boutique analyst firms, the AI wave changing their playbooks, and the simple operating principles behind building a seven-figure practice in a year. We explore why budgets are shifting away from the "Big Four" toward independent analyst firms and how credibility compound...

The truth about audits is that many audit teams aren't deep experts any more. They're efficient machines that run on templates, throw jargon around, and rely on you to prove them wrong. In this episode we welcome back Matt Giuliano, Senior Delivery Director at Palisade Compliance, who has been on both sides of audits – previously building programs for vendors and now defending customers....

In this episode we welcome Foster Awintiti Akugri, a Ghanian innovation strategist and fintech leader with over a decade of experience driving product development, market expansion, and strategic partnerships across Africa, the Caribbean, and North America.  Foster brings insight into how Africa is shaping the future of technology: a young, fast-growing workforce and vast reserves of critical mine...

In this episode, we sit down with serial founder and advisor Jim Ball to unpack how real companies grow: through teams, systems, and clear roles that compound over time. Entrepreneurship is a disciplined craft, not a daredevil act. We dig into the sell-build-run triangle that underpins resilient organizations.  Jim explains when a CEO should jump on a sales call—and when they should stay out—and w...

An ad in a Sunday paper, a faxed resume, and a week later Craig Guarente was on a plane to start at Oracle. That origin story sets the stage for a tour through three decades of deals, from paper contracts and fax machines to cloud subscriptions and the rise of generative AI.  In this episode our usual host, Craig Guarente, is in the guest chair, interviewed by Marisa Gallicchio, Director of Market...

In this episode we sit down with Emmy‑winning executive and esports entrepreneur Anthony Gaud to map the real terrain of competitive gaming and the fractured media world we all inhabit now. The conversation widens to the media shift hiding in plain sight: Game Awards streams outdrawing the Oscars, streamers surpassing cable ratings, and a generation that knows MrBeast better than late‑night hosts....

The software asset management industry has long suffered from a fundamental misunderstanding: that technology alone can solve compliance challenges. In this episode, we welcome Rory Canavan, founder and CEO of SAM Charter. Rory and Craig discuss why so many organizations continue to face painful audits despite investing in expensive SAM suites. Drawing from his decade-plus experience developing SA...

The contract world is broken, and Ken Adams, Head of Adams Contracts - a division of LegalSifter, has spent over two decades trying to fix it. In this episode, the world's foremost authority on contract language reveals why most business agreements are dysfunctional and how to break free from the "copy-paste machine" that perpetuates bad drafting practices. Ken highlights his highly...

In this episode we welcome Ashley Cruz, a highly accomplished marketing technologist and IT leader with over 13 years of experience driving digital transformation and operational excellence at Televerde, a global sales and marketing solutions provider. Ashley and Craig discuss her journey at Televerde from calling agent to IT leader and the challenges and opportunities she has faced in her role as...

Migrating to the cloud is something many companies will do in the near future, if they haven’t already. These migrations can be costly, complex, and slow – and with so many cloud providers out there, the task of adopting new technology can be a confusing and daunting process. In this episode we welcome Raj Joshi, Founder of CloudifyAI, a company dedicated to revolutionizing the way businesses leve...

CIO Dive is a leading publication that provides in-depth journalism and insights into the most impactful news and trends shaping IT. In this episode we welcome Matt Ashare, Senior Reporter at CIO Dive. Matt and Craig discuss current IT trends and influences, how CTOs and other technology executives are forging paths to adopt new technologies, and customer sentiments around IT vendors. Visit CIOdiv...

In this episode Craig welcomes Brian Luper, Director of IT Procurement at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Brian focuses on overseeing a team that deals with endpoint management, remote support, managing physical and virtual computer labs on campus, as well as coordinating central software licensing for the institution.   Craig and Brian discuss the Rutgers IT organization’s challenge...

In this episode Craig welcomes Sally Guyer, CEO of World Commerce & Contracting, formerly IACCM, a non-profit association and the only global body promoting standards and raising capabilities in commercial practice. Craig and Sally discuss WCC’s mission to transform contract management and the contracting process within global trade while encouraging commercial innovation. Learn more about how...

In this episode Craig is joined by Shawn Helms, Partner at McDermott Will & Schulte (formerly McDermott Will & Emery) to discuss AI Law and Business , a new legal treatise co-authored by Helms and published by ALM Law.com. Craig and Shawn highlight the rapid shift in artificial intelligence, the evolution of contracting and other business functions in response, and the legal implications o...

In this episode Craig welcomes Adi Ahuja, Palisade Compliance's resident Oracle negotiations expert. Craig and Adi walk through Oracle's negotiation playbook. They discuss common scenarios and tactics that a company might encounter when negotiating with Oracle, the best time to begin these conversations, and the inside scoop into how negotiations are handled.

Like Oracle, most technology vendors audit their customers. These compliance audits aren't random; there is a methodology that's followed before the audit letters are sent out. While the process of determining who to audit may vary between vendors, the end goal is the same: generate revenue. In this episode Craig welcomes Matt Giuliano, Senior Delivery Director at Palisade Compliance and...

Oracle’s Java licensing changes bring a unique challenge to universities – students also count as employees under the latest license metric. If a university has 2000 employees and 30,000 students, what was a $300,000/year Java bill now costs millions. In this episode Craig and Dan DeVenio, CCO of Palisade Compliance, discuss the challenges that universities face when licensing Oracle Java and what...

Successful procurement strategies are often built on factors such as cost, innovation, and quality. While these solutions create lasting change that lead to decreasing costs and increasing profit, one element that is often overlooked is arguably the most vital: investing in people and their success. In this episode we welcome Rafael Vendramini, a long-time procurement professional and thought lead...