on Feb 7, 2017Which software vendors are the most aggressive when it comes to software audits?
Snow Software revealed that SAM and IT managers around the world are most afraid of being audited by Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP. Asked to identify the top three vendors they feared being audited by, 75 percent of respondents highlighted Microsoft, followed by 53 percent for Oracle and 33 percent for SAP.
Fear is probably closely linked to exposure but I would caution just worrying about the vendors who provide most of your estate. It is entirely possible to end up with a big audit bill from smaller players who perhaps only have products installed in 10-15% of your estate. For example, a small deployment of a PVU-licensed IBM product in a Datacenter when you're not running ILMT can result in a $m audit bill.
As well as ranking vendors by install volume consider ranking their software on the value it provides to your business. Work with your Business Continuity/Disaster Recovery specialists on this as they likely have the data. You don't want to end up in a scenario where Attachmate are running your call centre green screen apps and you're not adequately licensed for that product.
Oracle and IBM have been singled out as the vendors with the most aggressive behaviour and biggest focus on short-term revenue when it comes to software audits.The findings came from an independent survey of 170 IT asset managers, software asset managers and software licensing professionals worldwide.Oracle was voted the worst vendor during the audit process, followed in order by IBM then Attachmate, which has now been renamed Microfocus, according to UK-headquartered Campaign for Clear Licensing's (CCL) survey. CCL said Microsoft was friendlier but was still very time-consuming due to its review approach, "whereby previous compliance misdemeanours might be overlooked as long as the customer adopts the software publisher’s strategic products, in the case of Microsoft in 2016: Office 365 and Azure". Check for essay writing service
You never hear anyone say "Remember that nice audit we had with Quest?!"
Snow Software revealed that SAM and IT managers around the world are most afraid of being audited by Microsoft, Oracle, and SAP. Asked to identify the top three vendors they feared being audited by, 75 percent of respondents highlighted Microsoft, followed by 53 percent for Oracle and 33 percent for SAP.
SURVEY REVEALS SOFTWARE AUDIT FEARS