An unexpected IBM software audit can sow the seeds of partner discontent in a good supplier relationship. With the official arrival of an IBM software audit letter, your IT organization must immediately take on the process of identifying all the licenses that your company bought and deployed. If you're like many companies, IBM licenses can grow unabated and lead to an audit that serves as shock therapy, forcing you to correct any incompliance and leaving you to ponder the enormity and complexity of your IBM infrastructure. However, a software audit doesn't have to turn out that way. Preempt a rift in your IBM relationship by understanding the steps in the audit process.