How to survive a Microsoft SPLA Audit - blueprint

SPLA Audit survival. How do you prepare and sail through a Microsoft Services Provider License Agreement audit?

This is not a technical licensing event.

This time, we are talking to C-level, IT management and procurement people.

We walk you through all the process steps and give you survival tips, from the audit letter to the negotiation phase.

🆘 Under Audit? ☎️ Call us now!

ESSENTIAL READING

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CHAPTERS

0:00 We are talking about Services Provider License Agreement audit survival
0:40 Who is Alexander Golev, and why would you even listen to me
2:40 What makes a Services Provider License Agreement audit so special?
7:10 How do you prove the correctness of reported figures to Microsoft?
10:18 What does the SPLA Audit timeline look like?
11:55 What do you do when you receive an audit letter from Microsoft?
12:59 Can you push back on the depth (years) of the audit?
15:57 Why do you need to draw a detailed diagram of your services?
17:40 Sign a Non-disclosure agreement on your terms
19:00 What of your data does the auditor share with Microsoft?
20:08 What you need to take from the audit kick-off meeting
23:18 Can you use your own tool for data gathering?
24:50 Why it is a good idea to get your data reviewed by an independent advisor
27:05 What other data do you need to have ready for submission?
28:48 License Verification forms, make sure you have them sorted before the audit
30:10 IMPORTANT – collect YOUR OWN reporting history!
32:15 Do not submit your data until it is reviewed independently
33:40 What you MUST check in the audit report (ELP, Excel file(s))
35:55 How do Big Four auditors handle gaps in your data?
36:44 Do auditors accept declarations?
38:10 What additional data do you need to provide to auditors?
39:05 ALWAYS ask your customers to provide written confirmations for their licences
40:54 What you MUST verify in all the subsequent versions of the audit report
41:44 This is your LAST CHANCE to fix errors and resolve disagreements
42:55 Agree to disagree, do not agree with the report!
43:45 Reduce your shortfall as much as possible BEFORE negotiations with Microsoft
45:30 Top 6 SPLA management mistakes
53:20 Answering your questions about SPLA audits

#Microsoft #SPLA #MicrosoftLicensing

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Please watch: "Windows Server 2025, Azure Cost Management, FY2024 Results - August 2024 Microsoft Update"
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[SAMexpertTV]

What was the most surprising bit for you? Was it about provider's responsibility?