Workload distribution is automatically optimized. Cost penalty amounts imposed on executing a database operation transaction by current and alternative processing pathway options are determined as a function of execution response times that exceed a service level agreement time limit. Respective computer processing hardware costs are determined for executing the database operation transaction via each of the current and alternative processing pathway options. Respective licensing costs are determined for migrating execution of the database operation transaction to each of the alternative processing pathway options. Accordingly, the current or alternative middleware option that has a lowest total combined cost of licensing costs, computer processing hardware costs and service level agreement penalty costs is chosen as the path for execution of the database operation transaction.