What is an SAP license audit? Audit in time and form

Learn the importance of performing your SAP license audits on time.

An SAP license audit is a formal annual process that SAP end users are obligated to perform by contract, in which they are expected to demonstrate that the number of licenses acquired matches the number of licenses installed and used.

The main objective of the audit is to protect SAP's intellectual property rights, ensuring that your organization is using SAP products within the authorized usage rights in the areas to be reviewed.

This review helps SAP customers comply with the terms of their contract.

Types of SAP Audits

SAP has two types of audits:

• Basic audit (sometimes called "standard audit", aimed at most end users)
• Enhanced audit (performed remotely and/or in person, targeted at selected clients)

How are SAP clients selected for a SAP license audit?

Any client with a SAP software license agreement can be selected. Nominations for audits are made exclusively by the Global License Audit & Compliance team.

SAP performs license audits with a limited number of clients each year, to verify client compliance with the terms and conditions of their respective agreements.

With each improvement package, the measurement tool is updated and also updated with several support notes. This means that products that were previously not measured can suddenly become measurable.

Who performs SAP license audits?

SAP license audits are performed by members of the Global License Audit & Compliance organization's team. Once the audit is complete and in case of discrepancies, SAP may request adjustments, which may include the purchase of additional licenses or modification of usage to comply with the contract.

What benefits does SAP Audit bring to your company?

An SAP audit gives you the peace of mind of knowing that your system is running optimally and securely and that your business information database is being properly managed. By evaluating each transaction performed, your processes and controls, compliance and efficiency of your operations, of the generated reports and of each document that is generated with SAP are guaranteed.

Is there any risk if there is no SAP audit?

It is well known that system security is a fundamental pillar for any business that has decided to invest in an ERP.

By not performing periodic audits, you expose yourself to a series of threats that can compromise the integrity of information and the operational efficiency of all business activities, from unauthorized access to systemic failures. The risks can be many and are easily foreseen with the presence of an SAP auditor.

 SAP infrastructure is designed to safeguard critical financial data and business-relevant documents, implementing strict controls to limit access and modification of data only to authorized personnel.

Audits can be performed using SAP's own tools included in its portfolio of solutions and compatible third-party solutions that can interact with SAP systems. In any case, it is always necessary that this type of audit is carried out on time to avoid risks in transactions, functions and registration of events on servers and in the applications provided by SAP.

Did you know that you can request your pre-audit license service from XAMAI as part of your added value?