Microsoft starts direct Lar audit

Microsoft has decided to audit all its direct Lars rather than using witch-hunt tactics on a few to avoid causing further resentment in the channel.

The software giant began its investigation two weeks ago after checking up on top resellers Computacenter, Corporate Software and Info Products.

Direct Lars have been waiting anxiously to see who would be investigated after Microsoft suggested that those who were checked would risk being dropped from the Select volume licensing programme.

One direct Lar said: ?If it had started segregating at this point everyone would have been worried and wondering why it had been picked. It?s better like this where it?s all or nothing.?

Another said: ?It is looking at process improvement which is good and this way, I get a chance to tell it what?s wrong with its rubbish systems as well.?

Chris Lewis, Microsoft enterprise partner manager, said: ?These are not hard audits or dawn-raid scenarios because that would be a lose/lose situation. We are visiting everyone at a mutually agreed time for half a day. We are using the visits to make sure everyone is contractually legitimate.?