Software License Audit DefenseSoftware license audit defense starts here.Fact-based license audit defense that challenges assumptions, controls disclosures, minimizes unnecessary settlement demands, and puts you in control of the audit process.When vendors audit, control and validation matter.Audit defense is about control and accuracy. As software license audits increase in frequency and intensity, you need a disciplined approach to validate findings, challenge inaccuracies, and contain financial exposure.NPI’s software license audit defense advisors help you anticipate vendor audit tactics, control the flow of data, and pressure-test findings before they become obligations. The result is reduced risk and better outcomes that protect your budget and long-term IT strategy. Let's Talk Trust the Experts Audit defense that delivers certainty and confidence. NPI is the leading authority in guiding large enterprises through the complexities of software license audits. For the last 20+ years, we have helped Fortune 500 companies minimize – and often negate – multi-million-dollar compliance penalties. Open/Close Respond With Confidence When you receive an audit notice, you need rapid clarity on your licensing obligations and the best way to engage — or when not to engage — with the vendor. Open/Close Reduce Financial Exposure Our defense approach identifies errors in vendor assumptions and helps you structure challenges that reduce settlement amounts and avoid unnecessary purchases. Open/Close Control the Audit Process We help you collect, curate and present compliance data in ways that reduce risk, limit escalation and put you in control of communications with auditors and publishers. Open/Close Support During Every Stage Whether pre-audit readiness, responding to a notice, or challenging findings, our process is designed to defend your interests while aligning with your internal teams and stakeholders. How We Help Expert, independent guidance that limits exposure from day one. NPI’s independent software licensing and compliance experts guide you to the best audit outcome possible—starting from day one. We work with you side-by-side to: Help you control the cadence Coach on deployment data collection, and curation of reports before submission to auditor Advise on communication to auditor and vendor Prepare license position for comparison to auditor’s findings Assess auditor findings for accuracy and develop challenge plan If a purchase is necessary, provide benchmark analysis and negotiation intel to achieve optimal outcome Get Started Results Call NPI first. The results speak for themselves. IBM audit Claim: $9M Action: NPI identified metric and assumption errors Outcome: $0 final finding Microsoft SQL audit Claim: $14MAction: NPI challenged audit methodology and findingsOutcome: Reduced to $5M, saving $9M Oracle audit Claim: $36M exposure identified internallyAction: NPI delivered remediation and audit defense guidanceOutcome: $125K final settlement Microsoft audit Claim: Audit initiatedAction: NPI completed internal assessment and validated license positionOutcome: Audit cancelled IBM audit Claim: $13M preliminary findingsAction: NPI challenged assumptions, metrics, and data interpretation.Outcome: $165K final settlement