The utility says it has strengthened the company's procurement position with the software supplier and cut costs as a result.

Three years ago, the water company opted for a ULA, to take advantage of a "flexible, unconstrained licensing approach". But a fundamental requirement of a ULA is that the business tracks and reports its usage back to Oracle at the end of the contract.

For help in this area, the firm turned to Oracle consultancy Rocela. "Severn Trent Water soon found itself under pressure to declare its usage figures", said Rocela.

Nick Needham, vendor manager at Severn Trent Water, said, "Rocela left us in a position of confidence about our Oracle deployment, providing advice over and above our ULA requirements.

"With this transparent view into our assets, and security in our compliance, we are in a much better negotiating position with Oracle, allowing us to take control of our infrastructure and strengthen our relationship with them."