Microsoft Audit Defense
Whether you’ve received an audit notice or want to reduce exposure before it happens, we help you challenge assumptions, control the process, and avoid unnecessary cost.
Understanding the real risk
A Microsoft audit isn’t just a technical exercise. It’s a structured process where your data, your licensing position, and Microsoft’s interpretation of both all come into play.
Most organisations go into that process slightly on the back foot. Data is pulled together under pressure, different teams interpret things differently, and by the time findings are presented, the numbers feel difficult to challenge. That’s usually where cost starts to creep in.
We work with you before and during the audit to make sure your position is clear, aligned internally, and grounded in how your environment actually operates.
By the time audit findings are presented, the numbers can feel difficult to challenge. Our role is to make sure that never happens, so you go into every stage of the process with a clear, defensible position and someone who knows the playbook in your corner.
Microsoft Services
Expert support at every stage, from audit defense through to contract negotiation and license optimization.
Internal Compliance Review
It is good practice to have an overall understanding of your Microsoft license compliance at any point in time, but during an audit, this is imperative.
Our Microsoft Internal Compliance Review service provides step by step guidance on how to collect and analyse the required information from the estate to then produce the effective license position ahead of the auditors. This allows you to understand exactly what your compliance position is and where the potential risks are (if any).
Management of Data Provisions
There is a tendency for auditors to request an excess amount of information as part of their data requests, mostly as a result of a rigid audit process or as a way to reduce the investment into developing more sophisticated scripts/data collection methodologies. As such, you will often send far too much information (notably too much personally identifiable information) if you just follow the auditors’ approach.
Our service will review and explain the data requests while also helping you manage the data provisions to the auditors so only the appropriate amount information is issued.
Review of Audit Findings
Like any other software vendor, there are often grey areas within the licensing terms and conditions leading to multiple interpretations (each with different cost requirements).
Often, auditors will make a ‘worst case’ assumption when it comes to these grey areas or data ambiguities, leading to a higher potential risk than should reasonably be identified. We will review the findings and support you in challenging any and all assumptions, ensuring that there are no inflated costs as part of the final result.
Communication Support
Throughout the whole process, we will provide guidance on how to take control of the audit, all the way from a high level communication strategy and timeline management to specific responses via individual emails.
The Benefits of Microsoft Audit Defense
Control, expertise, and advice that’s entirely on your side.
Take control of the audit
During our Microsoft audit support, we take the pressure off your organization by comprehensively managing the process, so you have the time and peace of mind to make well-considered decisions.
In-depth knowledge
Our team is full of highly experienced Microsoft licensing subject matter experts, having performed Microsoft audits themselves in the past. So you can be assured that they know all the ins and outs of Microsoft Licensing and the audit process.
Risk mitigation
Our goal is to ensure the best results for you. As a result of the audit, you should fully understand your compliance position and only be charged for what is actually required without any assumptions or inflation (if there even is any non-compliance at all).
100% independence
The analysis performed by ITAA is completely impartial and agnostic to any reseller or toolset. ITAA does not sell licenses, is not partnered with any reseller and nor does is it affiliated with any SAM toolset provider. Our deliverables are purely for your benefit.
Expert Microsoft support
If you’re facing an imminent Microsoft audit, book a call with one of our experts today. Fill out the form and we’ll be in touch within 24 hours.
