In recent years, Microsoft seems to have been shifting an
increasing volume of its license-compliance resources toward what
it calls Software Asset Management (SAM) reviews. These
"optional" engagements typically are proposed by
Microsoft personnel with whom a company has not had any prior
interactions, and the company often receives no advance warning or
introductions from its Microsoft account teams. The reviews are
advertised as being "extremely beneficial" for the
company, offering valuable insights regarding current SAM practices
and opportunities for process improvement.
Some companies may indeed benefit from working with a consultant
to review software licensing and deployment practices. However, no
company should be under any delusion regarding what a Microsoft SAM
engagement really is: an audit. Just like an audit, during the SAM
process, Microsoft's auditors will ask for voluminous
information regarding software deployments, will propose phone
calls and
