On-Demand Video Course:
Expand your knowledge on defending against license audits.
In 10 sequentially structured modules, you will gain comprehensive fundamentals to confidently manage license audits in your company.
All prices are exclusive of VAT.
About the Course
A license audit can be a challenging test for any company. In this on-demand video course, you will learn the essential fundamentals to confidently handle audit requests, manage the audit process, and minimize potential risks such as additional payments and penalties. With this knowledge, you will safeguard your company’s compliance and make strategic decisions to effectively defend against audits.
You will learn:
- Definition and Goals of Audit Defense: Understand what a license audit is and what objectives you can achieve with an effective defense strategy.
- Audit Preparation and Process: Learn how to best prepare for an audit, from the scoping phase to reviewing the audit report.
- Legal Aspects: Gain insights into the legal foundations of licensing and learn how to avoid potential legal pitfalls.
- Strategies for Audit Defense: Discover how to handle audit requests, defend yourself properly, and minimize compliance risks.
- Communication with Audit Teams: Learn how to communicate effectively with external auditors and your internal team to avoid misunderstandings and conflicts.
Effective License Audit Defense
Through Targeted Preparation
Benefits
Expert Status
Acquire expert knowledge for successful license audit defense and learn how to confidently manage the process. You’ll gain the essential tools to establish clear structures within your company, minimize risks, and ensure your team is fully prepared for audits.
Process Reliability
Proper preparation is crucial to avoid unnecessary costs and legal pitfalls. The course provides you with practical methods to manage the audit process, respond in a timely manner, and ensure compliance. This way, you can identify risks early and maintain control over audits.
Efficiency Boost
With the right know-how by your side, a license audit will no longer be a source of stress. Instead, you'll tackle the preparation with structure, clarity, and confidence – all with impressive efficiency.
Who is this course suitable for?
IT Managers and System Administrators
Purchasing and Procurement Managers
Business Leaders and CFOs
IT Beginners and Newcomers
Problems & Negative Consequences
without in-depth knowledge in the event of a license audit, you may face:
This course prepares you for these challenges:
Complexity of the audit process
The course provides you with a clear and structured introduction to the key aspects of audit defense. You will learn how to confidently manage the audit process and set up your strategy correctly from the start to effectively defend yourself.
Changes in audit requirements and licensing terms
You will always stay up to date with changes in licensing terms and audit requirements. The course provides you with the necessary knowledge to quickly respond to new demands and ensure your compliance at all times.
Preparation and risk minimization
The course shows you how to prepare for audits strategically, identify potential risks in advance, and take steps to avoid costly penalties and legal issues. You will take control of the audit process.
Creating an effective audit defense strategy
You will learn how to develop tailored strategies for your company to control the audit process and ensure that you respond correctly and efficiently – even to unexpected requirements.
Optimization of audit and license management
The course helps you optimize your entire audit process, avoid unnecessary costs, and manage license usage in a way that allows you to use your resources efficiently to successfully defend against audits.
All course content
at a glance
Content
What is a license audit?
After Module 1, you will understand the basics of a license audit. You will know why audits are conducted, which parties are involved, and the rights and obligations that apply. This will enable you to assess the significance of an audit and prepare for it strategically.
Here you will learn:
- Understand what a license audit is: A license audit checks whether the actual use of software licenses matches the contractual terms. You will learn the basics of this process and its importance for compliance.
- Know the reasons for license audits: Recognize why manufacturers regularly conduct audits – from ensuring compliance with licensing terms to avoiding legal and financial risks.
- Understand who conducts a license audit: Learn which parties initiate a license audit (e.g., software manufacturers, external auditors) and what rights and obligations exist on both sides.
License models and license types
After Module 2, you will have a deep understanding of different license types and models. You will know the differences between user and device licenses, as well as the pros and cons of common license models like Named User, Concurrent User, Subscription, and Perpetual License. Additionally, you will understand the specifics of cloud licensing models and why audits play a crucial role even with cloud solutions.
You will learn:
- Understanding the different license types: You will learn the differences between the two main types of licenses: per user and per device. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages, which you can optimize for your company.
- Getting to know different license models: You will get an overview of common license models like Named User, Concurrent User, Subscription, and Perpetual License. These models not only affect costs but also the management of licenses within your company.
- Understanding cloud license models: The shift to cloud computing has changed licensing, but audits remain relevant. You will understand why audits are still important for cloud-based software, especially when it comes to the correct licensing rights that companies often struggle to track.
Audit Triggers – What triggers an audit?
After Module 3, you will be able to identify the most common triggers for license audits, such as contract expirations, organizational changes, or vendor upgrades. You will understand why certain industries, like finance or healthcare, are particularly prone to audits, and you will be able to assess how company size and complexity influence the likelihood of an audit.
You will learn:
- Understanding audit triggers: You will recognize the most common triggers, such as the end of license agreements, major organizational changes (mergers, acquisitions), suspicion of piracy, terminations, and vendor upgrades.
- Industry-specific risk factors: You will learn why industries like finance, healthcare, and public administration are more frequently subjected to audits.
- Company size and complexity: You will understand why larger companies with complex software solutions experience audits more often.
Announcement – What to do upon receiving an audit notification?
After Module 4, you will know how to properly assess an audit notification and respond to it securely. You will be able to develop a strategic response that is well-coordinated both legally and organizationally, and proactively prepare for participation to represent your company optimally and minimize risks.
You will get a comprehensive overview of:
- Properly assessing audit notifications: You will know what an audit notification means and how to react quickly and securely.
- Developing a strategic response: You will learn why it is important to participate in an audit and how to develop a clear, strategic response.
- Planning proactive participation: You will understand how to prepare for participation to represent the company in the best possible way and minimize potential risks.
Preparation for an audit
After Module 5, you will be able to effectively coordinate an internal and external team for audit preparation. You will know which documents are crucial, how to organize them, and how to establish clear communication channels to ensure smooth information exchange and efficiently handle the audit.
You will learn:
- Setting up two audit teams: You will learn how to coordinate two teams – an internal and an external team – for audit preparation to cover all aspects.
- Collecting important documents: You will know which documents are crucial for the audit, such as license agreements, usage records, and contracts, and how to organize them efficiently.
- Establishing clear communication channels: You will learn how to ensure smooth information exchange between all parties involved to avoid misunderstandings and delays.
Managing the audit process
After Module 6, you will understand the course of an audit, be able to clearly define the scope, negotiate terms to your advantage, and efficiently gather the required data. Additionally, you will be able to analyze audit reports and ensure that all information is accurately presented.
You will learn:
- The audit process: You will understand the entire audit process, from the initial request to the final review, and learn how to manage the process successfully.
- Scoping is key: You will learn how to clearly define the scope of the audit and establish a timeline to maintain control over the process.
- Audit conditions: You will learn how to negotiate the terms of the audit and ensure that they are in your best interest.
- Data collection: You will know what data is needed for the audit and how to effectively gather and organize it.
- Audit report: You will learn how to analyze the audit report and ensure that all relevant information is presented accurately and transparently.
The billing process
After Module 7, you will be able to assess financial sanctions and compensations correctly and ensure that your company accepts only fair terms. You will know how to negotiate license terms strategically and how to make smarter purchases by investing in new products instead of renewing old licenses to save costs in the long run.
You will receive information on:
- Financial sanctions and compensations: You will learn how to correctly understand financial penalties and compensations and ensure that your company accepts only fair terms.
- Negotiating license terms: You will learn how to never settle for the first offer but actively and strategically renegotiate license terms to protect your company.
- Purchasing new products instead of renewing old licenses: You will learn how to make smarter purchasing decisions by investing in new products rather than renewing old licenses to save long-term costs.
Defense after the audit and compliance management
After Module 8, you will be able to document the audit process, minimize future risks, and communicate the audit results effectively. You will be able to assess improvements internally, implement changes, and transparently inform external stakeholders if needed.
You will learn:
- Documenting the entire audit: You will learn how to document the entire audit process thoroughly to facilitate future reviews and references.
- Minimizing future audit risks: You will learn strategies to minimize risks so your company is better prepared for future audits and avoids surprises.
- Communication and evaluation: You will be trained on how to effectively communicate the audit results and assess them internally to implement improvements and strengthen your compliance in the long term.
- Internal evaluation and external sharing: Depending on the outcome, you will learn how to evaluate the audit internally and, if necessary, inform external stakeholders to ensure transparency and build trust.
Common mistakes in the audit process and how to avoid them
After Module 9, you will be able to avoid mistakes in documentation, communication with auditors, scoping, and analyzing license terms. You will know how to properly respond to financial sanctions and renegotiate terms to achieve better conditions and minimize risks.
You will learn:
• Avoiding documentation mistakes: Understand the importance of precise and complete documentation and how to prevent common errors in this area.
• Avoiding communication mistakes with auditors: Learn how to communicate professionally and transparently with auditors to prevent misunderstandings.
• Avoiding mistakes in scoping and defining the audit scope: Gain insights into correctly defining the audit scope to avoid unnecessary conflicts or misunderstandings.
• Avoiding mistakes in analyzing licensing terms: Learn how to correctly analyze and comply with licensing terms to minimize legal and financial risks.
• Avoiding mistakes in handling financial penalties and renegotiations: Discover how to respond effectively to financial penalties and which renegotiation strategies can help you secure better conditions.
Key Takeaways
After Module 10, you will take audit requests seriously, respond strategically, and clearly define the audit scope. You will be able to form a team, review audit reports, and negotiate better terms in case of non-compliance. Additionally, you will leverage audits to optimize your ITAM program.
You will learn:
• Taking audit requests seriously: Never ignore an audit request—prepare proactively.
• Taking proactive control: Don’t just get dragged into an audit—act strategically.
• Responding strategically: Develop a well-thought-out response to the audit announcement.
• Forming an audit team: Assemble an internal team for audit preparation and execution.
• Defining the audit scope: Clearly and precisely determine the scope of the audit.
• Reviewing the audit report: Never accept findings or settlements without thorough review.
• Negotiating in case of non-compliance: Actively push for better terms when discrepancies arise.
• Strengthening ITAM awareness: Use audits as an opportunity to optimize your ITAM program.
Your Trainer
About us
Brandon Smeets
Brandon Smeets is a young and dynamic force in IT Asset Management, having entered the field directly after graduating from university. His modern and up-to-date approaches provide you with the latest industry knowledge.
Through his role at Canon Production Printing, Brandon has gained extensive experience, including working as a Software Asset Manager and managing contracts with major vendors such as Adobe, IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, and Trellix. His in-depth expertise in these key vendors helps you make strategically important decisions for your company.
He quickly advanced in his career and led a team of 20 employees. Brandon not only masters the technical aspects of IT Asset Management but also understands how to successfully lead a team, implement complex IT server management processes, and keep his team motivated and inspired.
His core specialization is Audit Defense. His passion for this topic enables him to teach you how to protect your company from the risks and challenges of an audit, helping you avoid costly mistakes.
With his holistic approach to IT Asset Management, developed through his responsibility for the entire ITAM domain at Canon, Brandon offers you a comprehensive perspective that allows you to optimize all aspects of IT Asset Management.
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References
Qualifications of the liop® Academy
Experienced Trainers
Our trainers have many years of experience in IT and license management—both in theory and in practice.
Vendor-independent
We combine years of experience with practical and knowledge-driven training, free from vendor affiliations.
Reduced Complexity
We have distilled our courses to essential expertise, offering time-efficient compact training.
Multilingual Courses
Our courses are available in both German and English.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)