How do you deal with an Autodesk software audit?

Get legal involved early, especially if there's a payment demand or a deadline. Ask Autodesk to identify the machines, products, dates and evidence behind each finding, and keep the responses in writing.

If you bought through a reseller, loop them in too. They may be able to help locate licensing records or get the question to someone who can explain the findings.

Dig up whatever records you can for the old network license server. License files, purchase records, deployment packages and an inventory of the affected PCs could help establish what was installed and how it was supposed to be licensed.

A placeholder serial in an old package is worth explaining, but don't assume it proves either compliant or unauthorized use. Match each flagged machine and product version against the records you have, then ask Autodesk where its interpretation differs.

Before running an audit tool, check what it collects and whether you can inspect the output. Coordinate that with legal and whoever handles security. If you do run it, retain a copy of the results so you can compare the actual data with the findings you're given.

Don't overlook personal devices or software installed outside the normal deployment process. Check the hostnames and machine details in the evidence, if Autodesk will provide them, before assuming every finding belongs to a company PC.

That still doesn't establish that anyone used unauthorized software. Treat it as a lead to investigate, not an accusation against a user.

I'd push back on an unexplained demand, but I wouldn't just ignore it. Ask for the basis of the claim and let legal decide how to respond. Buying more software just to make the audit go away is a separate commercial decision, not proof the finding was right.