While many software vendors run software license audits on customers, there are some key differences customers should be mindful of when it comes to IBM, according to a new report from advisory firm Miro Consulting.

While it’s not true that IBM wants to audit every software customer it has, like most it “aggressively pursues audits of customers based on its perception of potential noncompliance,” according to Miro’s report, “Managing and Minimizing the Impact of an IBM Audit.” Miro offers software asset management, audit and contract negotiation services.

One big difference in IBM’s auditing practices is its use of outside firms such as Deloitte to perform the work. “From a cost perspective, this means that an audit by IBM is a significant undertaking by IBM as well as the audit firm and the enterprise being audited,” Miro CEO Scott Rosenberg and senior analyst Sharon Trembley wrote.

While IBM therefore has an incentive to get an audit done as quickly as possible, it can still take some months for one to begin after the vendor gives a customer notice, according to the report.

SOURCE: cio.com