Microsoft license audit software#
The first rule is don’t panic! Software audits are not fun or convenient, but they are manageable. The results are the same you wind up buying more licenses.
Microsoft license audit license#
Whether it’s a formal audit, a SAM engagement "designed to provide recommendations for improving SAM processes and procedures," a self-audit in which a company can easily incriminate itself or even a "workshop" which typically targets the company’s technical teams, it is still intended to discover discrepancies within your license position. This process can also invoke the "5 percent rule" – a clause within the contract that allows Microsoft to impose audit costs on you – on top of penalties and additional license fees. Though frequently performed remotely to save costs, this sort of audit is often performed on-site by a Microsoft audit partner – with scripts executed and results submitted to the auditors. Or you may get an official letter from Microsoft informing you of a formal audit. Some misalignment of entitlements to deployments is often revealed. The customer is asked to arrive at a local Microsoft office bearing the output of the MAP toolkit or other information about its infrastructure. Or you may be asked to run the Microsoft Assessment and Planning ("MAP") toolkit and submit its reports to the audit partner.Īnother approach involves "workshops." These are events sponsored by Microsoft that typically focus on a specific product, such as SQL Server. The audit partner may send you a questionnaire in spreadsheet format. Microsoft "offers" its assistance to customers for determining their license position, typically through an "informal" Software Asset Management (SAM) engagement conducted by an audit partner. It is not unusual if an employee – former or existing - feels unappreciated (or worse) and instigates an audit. Microsoft and other software vendors know this!ĭisgruntled Employees or Former Employees: Organizations such as the Business Software Alliance (of which Microsoft is a member) actively ask individuals to come forward to report non-compliance issues. Technology and Licensing Changes: BYOD, desktop virtualization, hosted services, license mobility, cloud environments, transitional licensing, bridge licenses and evolving Software Assurance benefits all make adherence to licensing rules challenging, at best. This would likely change your licensing compliance status, perhaps significantly. Your Enterprise Activity: Any Microsoft account rep worth his salt is keeping abreast of major activity among his clients, such as revenue growth, geographic expansion or acquisitions. Because you no longer perform mandatory annual true-ups, Microsoft may be wondering how you’re surviving (and complying) with hardware and software that is five years old, or older. Your Purchasing History: Suppose you opted not to renew your Enterprise Agreement in 2009 and have made few Microsoft purchases since then. There are several possible triggers for a Microsoft software audit, including:
Microsoft license audit how to#
Microsoft’s aggressive audit strategy makes this a good time to review common triggers for a Microsoft audit, the types of audits they conduct, and how to respond effectively. Their right to conduct periodic audits is spelled out in the terms and conditions (T&Cs) of your contracts with them. Whatever the motivation and while it is loathsome to many, Microsoft and other software publishers are entitled to protect their intellectual property through any means including audits. A pronounced reduction in net-new software purchases.What’s driving Microsoft's aggressive audit surge? The software giant isn’t saying, but industry experts have cited many possible incentives, including: The lesson: If you haven’t been audited by Microsoft recently, you likely will be soon. Nearly 60 percent of executives report having been audited by Microsoft in the last 12 months. These tips will steer you through the audit process and help you negotiate a favorable settlement. Microsoft wants to audit your enterprise software? Don't panic.