Would you be prepared if you were asked today to provide verification of your current Microsoft licenses for compliance reasons?
Let’s review some of Microsoft’s FAQ questions and find out!
“What is Microsoft license compliance verification (commonly known as “audit”)?
Microsoft license compliance verification (commonly known as “audit”) is a formal, mandatory compliance review of a company's use of Microsoft products and services, and it is part of the Microsoft license and contract compliance program. Microsoft conducts industry-standard compliance reviews with its business customers through an independent auditor pursuant to the terms of their agreement. This review is an effort to help customers achieve and maintain license compliance, and to protect Microsoft intellectual property rights. Therefore, be assured that unless Microsoft invokes its contractual right to verify compliance via a third-party accounting firm (as fully documented in your Volume Licensing Agreement), you are not involved in a license compliance verification.”
“How does Microsoft select customers for license compliance verifications?
Microsoft uses a programmatic approach to select customers for license compliance verification. Any customer with a Microsoft volume license may be selected. Microsoft performs license compliance verifications with a limited number of customers each year, to verify customers’ compliance to the terms and conditions of their respective agreements with Microsoft.”
“What should customers expect from a Microsoft license compliance verification?
Microsoft will directly provide customers with a formal notification of license compliance verification. The length of an engagement varies based on the complexity of the IT environment of an organization. Per the customer's agreement, Microsoft makes every effort to ensure minimal disruption of the customer's day-to-day operations.”
“Who performs Microsoft license compliance verifications?
Microsoft license compliance verifications are executed by independent, internationally recognized certified public accounting firms. However, in some jurisdictions, verifications are also conducted by authorized consultants on behalf of Microsoft.”
“What if license compliance verifications reveal license compliance issues?
The remedies and other requirements in case of compliance issue occurs are documented in your Volume License Agreements (refer the clause on Compliance Verification). If you need additional clarification, contact your Microsoft Account Manager.” 1
Now, what do you think? Fortunately, KnowIT can help you prepare in advance!
Find out where you stand on Microsoft license compliance before an auditor comes knocking – we can make sure it is a non-issue if we serve as your Microsoft Partner, where we manage your account and provide your Microsoft subscriptions at lower rates.
The top priority is completing a software inventory and ensuring that every server, user, or device has the appropriate products licensed with the appropriate Client Access Licenses (CALs).
Many smaller organizations, especially those without dedicated IT, find it difficult to keep an updated software (or hardware!) inventory.
Let us take that pressure off your hands on a project basis, through on-going services, or by completing a robust security audit – all of which can produce a software inventory and review your licensing for Microsoft (as well as other products, like Adobe!) for your entire team to see where we might be able to apply cost-savings and improve the current license documentation, for future audit response. 2