A Microsoft licence review — whether a SAM engagement, a formal audit, or a SPLA reconciliation — can produce a seven-figure compliance bill if you respond unprepared. Our Microsoft audit defense service manages the process end to end, controls what data Microsoft sees, challenges inflated findings, and turns a compliance event into a controlled commercial negotiation.
Scope control, independent measurement and settlement negotiation — EA and SPLA covered.
Common triggers include rapid growth or M&A, large drops in licence spend, lapsed Software Assurance, hosting under SPLA, and simply being overdue for a review. Microsoft uses both direct audits and 'softer' SAM engagements run through partners — both can lead to a compliance claim, so both deserve a defended response.
We act as the buffer between you and the auditor. We agree the audit scope and data-collection method in writing, validate every tooling output before it is shared, reconcile deployment against entitlements ourselves, and contest mismeasurement — virtualised cores, dev/test rights, BYOL and licence mobility are frequent sources of overstated findings. Once the real position is established, we fold any genuine gap into a commercial negotiation, usually settled through a future-looking purchase rather than back-dated penalties.
SPLA hosters carry extra exposure because licences are self-reported monthly under the SPUR. SPLA audits frequently challenge SAL vs. core counting, listed-vs-unlisted products and end-customer reporting. We reconstruct your reporting position, fix the methodology, and defend the historical numbers.
Continue across our Microsoft advisory practice and research.
Independent, buyer-side advice. We respond within one business day.
Weekly vendor licensing and negotiation intelligence for enterprise buyers.