Invited to a SAM Engagement?
It's Not Voluntary. It's a Stealth Audit.
Microsoft partners use "SAM Engagements" to find non-compliance under the guise of "optimization." We intervene to protect your data and prevent a mandatory true-up.
Attorney-Client Privilege applies immediately upon retention.
The "Ask":
"We would like to schedule a value-added Software Asset Management (SAM) review to help you optimize your cloud spend..."
THE TRAP
This "free" review creates a legal paper trail of non-compliance that Microsoft uses to bill you later.
Why "Voluntary" Reviews Are Dangerous
Microsoft pays partners to conduct these reviews. Their goal is to find license shortfalls, not to save you money.
The "Friendly" Consultant
The consultant works for the partner, but reports data to Microsoft. Anything you share (like "we might be short on SQL") goes directly to the legal team.
The "True-Up" Bill
Once the "review" finds a gap, it becomes a mandatory purchase. You lose the ability to negotiate discounts or remove unused software.
The Escalation
Refusing a SAM engagement often triggers a formal "LLC" (License & Contract Compliance) audit, which is far more aggressive. We stop this escalation.
How We Protect Your Enterprise
Polite "Legal Decline"
We draft the specific legal response that declines the "voluntary" engagement without triggering a breach of contract or a formal audit escalation.
Privileged Internal Audit
We conduct the audit internally, under Attorney-Client Privilege. We find the gaps and fix them before sharing any data with Microsoft, ensuring your final report is clean.
Don't Accept the Invite.
Download our "SAM Engagement Response Kit". It contains the templates to legally decline the review or control its scope.
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