Microsoft Audit

[XFalloutX]

Anyone else have the pleasure of being audited by Microsoft? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I have been dealing with them for months...MONTHS.....trying to get them to understand I have done everything legit. By the way if I didn't do things legit this wouldn't be happening right now but because I bought all the CAL's we need they decided to audit us. I've dealt with 2 people now and the second person apparently has none of the information I gave the first one. They for some damn reason were trying to say we didn't even have license for our Win7 computers. I had to give him 5 examples of keys. Now they are trying to claim we are exceeding the 2 CPU limit on Server 2012 when we have it on 2 CPU's. Errrrrr I'm so sick and tired of them.

Sorry I just wanted to rant.

 

[DMC Unlimited]

I assisted with one of these MS audits for a client a few months ago. It's definitely a pain and requires filling out a lot of convoluted forms and providing them with license keys for OEM/retail products. Ultimately everything was fine, but it took a solid 2 months of clarification back and forth to get it all sorted to their satisfaction. I feel your pain, brother. Be strong. ;-)

 

[Pixelated Tech]

I have been through a big one with my FTJ. Just maintain your composure and be respectful. Document your licenses and kindly hand over anything they ask for. Even if its 10 times. Deep breaths my friend. It will be over soon.

 

[TurricanII]

Yup done a few SAM audits. MS of course outsource the work to idiots. Idiots who think initially that having five workstations using the same windows oem key is a breach, until you educate them about the use of oem's own master activation key.

 

[TenYardFight]

Did one for an 85 user company. Passed. It took 2 months and about 15 billable hours.

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[Altster]

Did one for an 85 user company. Passed. It took 2 months and about 15 billable hours.

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But who/whom did you eventually bill? Your client or M$?

 

[TenYardFight]

The client. Every business bears some level of compliance burden. This was no different. You pay your CPA to help you be compliant, not the IRS. Your lawyer as well...

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[seedubya]

Guys, what happens if you don't co-operate or if you tell them to get stuffed half way through? I've never been unlucky enough to have to deal with this but as we start targeting bigger clients I expect to see some of it.

 

[TenYardFight]

If the first notice is not sent certified, sent by regular mail, I have been known to advise my clients they should consider ignoring it. I have known a couple to ignore it and never hear from MS again.

My one client then received a phone call, and we started spending the time demonstrating our compliance.

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[DataMedics]

This is why I never buy a license direct from Microsoft. I always either buy systems with the OS preinstalled, or buy retail licenses from wholesalers. Keeps me off the radar for any audits, and it's easier to prove should that happen as I've got a unique key for each machine.

 

[seedubya]

Is that the criterion then? Being an Enterprise customer?

 

[Altster]

If the first notice is not sent certified, sent by regular mail, I have been known to advise my clients they should consider ignoring it. I have known a couple to ignore it and never hear from MS again.

My one client then received a phone call, and we started spending the time demonstrating our compliance.

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A phone call? From who/whom? And how did you certify that this was an legitimate caller?

Haven't we always told our family / friends / clients / etc. that Mickey$oft will never call you?

Just curious.

 

[nlinecomputers]

Is that the criterion then? Being an Enterprise customer?

More or less. It is having Volume Licenses that can get you audited.

 

[jzukerman]

None of my clients have received an audit request that I am aware of.... yet. I usually sell them Volume Licenses too. I read on one of the IT mailing lists, where the person posted the exact e-mail or letter they received from Microsoft. The wording made the audit sound optional. There was no legal demand in other words. I would just ignore them. If it is a legal demand, it would be a certified letter probably coming from Microsoft Legal dept to the client's registered agent of the corporation/business/etc. At that point, yes perform the audit, and bill your time to the client.

 

[MDD1963]

Tell them everyone has since migrated to Mint 17.3 and CentOS...?

 

[trevm999]

None of my clients have received an audit request that I am aware of.... yet. I usually sell them Volume Licenses too. I read on one of the IT mailing lists, where the person posted the exact e-mail or letter they received from Microsoft. The wording made the audit sound optional. There was no legal demand in other words. I would just ignore them. If it is a legal demand, it would be a certified letter probably coming from Microsoft Legal dept to the client's registered agent of the corporation/business/etc. At that point, yes perform the audit, and bill your time to the client.

From what I've heard, you want to do the optional audit. With the optional audit, if you're found not to be in compliance, the goal is to get you to compliance. If you don't respond to the optional audit and Microsoft decides to do a mandatory auto, you're looking at paying fees if you are found to not be in compliance.

 

[TenYardFight]

A phone call? From who/whom? And how did you certify that this was an legitimate caller?

Haven't we always told our family / friends / clients / etc. that Mickey$oft will never call you?

Just curious.

I can't remember what made it obvious the call was legitimate. They didn't ask for remote access to machines though! All they asked for was a count of all the various software package in use and substantiation of the licenses. Maybe that's why we knew it was legit.

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