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Directions on Microsoft

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Directions on Microsoft

Independent IT Planning Information and Advisory Service
More info: http://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com

04/10/2023

Microsoft adds a 'Security Copilot' to its AI assistant line-up
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog/2023-03-28/microsoft-adds-security-copilot-its-ai-assistant-line
Microsoft is testing with a small group of customers in private preview a security-focused, GPT-powered Security Copilot.

04/01/2023

Good news, bad news.
How do the recent shifts in Microsoft support programs affect your organization? Read the report and find out: https://offers.directionsonmicrosoft.com/unified-support-pricing-changes-for-2023

Our report provides the details you need:
> New pricing for existing Unified Customers
> Advice and guidance for Premier Support holdouts
> Alternatives to Unified Support

03/14/2023

Top F100 companies have equipped their IT procurement and SAM teams with the critical knowledge and understanding they need to optimize their next Microsoft Enterprise Agreement.

They know how to keep compliant without overbuying. You should too.
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/get-training

03/12/2023

Teams or Outlook? Why Not Both?
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/teams-or-outlook-why-not-both
In this episode, Mary Jo Foley talks with Directions' Rob Helm and Jim Gaynor about where Teams and Outlook overlap, integrate, and compete – and what it means for customers planning their collaboration strategies.

03/10/2023

Follow us on our NEW Twitter channel:
https://twitter.com/DirectionsMSFT
We're merging our existing channels into a new one that will be curated by Mary Jo Foley.

03/09/2023

Don’t get caught by surprise. Read our “Licensing Service Accounts in Power Platform” guide.
https://offers.directionsonmicrosoft.com/licensing-service-accounts-in-power-platform
You find out:
> The benefits and drawbacks of service accounts
> Service account licensing basics
> The one service account licensing trap you must avoid

03/03/2023

Microsoft's Remote Desktop Services' Days Are Numbered: Here's Why
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog/2023-03-02/microsofts-remote-desktop-services-days-are-numbered-heres-why
Microsoft has not made an official announcement that Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is on its way out, but increasingly signs are pointing that way.

03/02/2023

Microsoft Licensing for Non-Microsoft Clouds
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/microsoft-licensing-non-microsoft-clouds
Microsoft licensing rules are written to favor customers that use Azure and penalize customers who run their Microsoft software on competitors’ cloud platforms, especially AWS, Google, and Alibaba. In this podcast, Mary Jo Foley and analyst Wes Miller discuss the extra licensing costs Microsoft customers face when they use non-Microsoft clouds to run their Microsoft workloads – including recent and upcoming rule changes that further increase the pressure to use Azure.

02/28/2023

Microsoft's new set of Windows 11 feature updates: What's included and how to manage it
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog/2023-02-27/microsofts-new-set-windows-11-feature-updates-whats-included-and-how-manage-it
Microsoft is kicking off the rollout of its next set of Windows 11 features which the company will throttle to a degree for some business customers.

02/25/2023

Microsoft wants to super-size your next EA renewal. What can you do?
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/get-training
The Directions on Microsoft Licensing Boot Camp (LBC) is an intensive, 18+ hour course. Its the most complete and up-to-date training on Microsoft licensing and EA negotiation available.
Your team will learn:
> Fundamental Microsoft licensing concepts and vocabulary
> Microsoft compliance traps and how to avoid them
> A proven process that gets you ready for a successful EA Renewal
> Negotiation strategies to minimize your costs and maximize your protections

02/23/2023

Microsoft’s new Bing AI chatbot could be coming to the enterprise, too
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog/2023-02-22/microsofts-new-bing-ai-chatbot-could-be-coming-enterprise-too
Microsoft's ChatGPT-based Bing bot is all about consumers (and advertisers) for now. But the technology could find its way into business software and services, maybe in the not-too-distant future.

More from MaryJo Foley: https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog

02/22/2023

Azure-Connected Features in SQL 2022
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/azure-connected-features-sql-2022
In this episode, Mary Jo Foley and analyst Andrew Snodgrass discuss the advantages and limitations of the new Azure-connected features in SQL Server 2022. They cover the new use scenarios the Azure-connected features enable, additional Azure service you’ll need to make them work, and how they may limit SQL Server 2022’s useful life. The episode concludes with thoughts on what increased Azure connectivity means for the future of SQL Server.

02/20/2023

Microsoft offers a bit more guidance on running Windows 11 on Apple Silicon Macs
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog/2023-02-16/microsoft-offers-bit-more-guidance-running-windows-11-apple-silicon-macs
Microsoft is giving its own Windows 365 service and Parallels Desktop the nod when it comes to running Windows 11 on Apple's Arm-based Macs. But there are still more questions than answers for users interested in this scenario.

02/15/2023

'Frontline' workers: Microsoft's next target for its Windows 365 Cloud PC service
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog/2023-02-15/frontline-workers-microsofts-next-target-its-windows-365-cloud-pc-service
Microsoft is readying a Windows 365 Frontline offering for a June release, according to its own roadmap.

More from MaryJo Foley: https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog

02/14/2023

The World of Microsoft Regulatory Compliance Solutions
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/world-microsoft-regulatory-compliance-solutions
Regulatory compliance is a challenge for most large organizations. In this podcast, Mary Jo Foley and analyst Barry Briggs discuss the headaches regulatory compliance creates for IT departments and the “good news-bad news” of new cloud solutions Microsoft offers to help.

02/07/2023

Want to control your Microsoft licensing costs? Learn the rules.
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/get-training
Get the critical knowledge and understanding you need to optimize your next EA renewal and keep your company compliant without overbuying.

02/05/2023

Microsoft Azure is a teen now. Will an AI infusion lead to a further growth spurt?
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog/2023-02-02/microsoft-azure-teen-now-will-ai-infusion-lead-further-growth-spurt
Azure has come a long way since it launched as a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) service in 2010. And the way it evolves going forward could impact Microsoft customers in key ways.

More from MaryJo Foley: https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog

01/24/2023

Analyzing Microsoft’s Migration to .NET
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/directions-microsoft-briefing
In this first episode of our second season, Mary Jo Foley and analyst Rob Sanfilippo discuss Microsoft’s case studies of its migration from the .NET Framework to .NET. What were the benefits gained and lessons learned, what is missing from Microsoft’s narratives, and under what circumstances is it best to migrate to .NET? Mary Jo and Rob also discuss the value of Microsoft case studies in general.

01/21/2023

Our licensing guide explains the risks and challenges of Microsoft licensing for shared Windows and Apple mobile devices and what you can do about it, including:

> The 5 most problematic shared device licensing scenarios
> Your alternatives when per-device licensing isn’t available
> When to ask Microsoft for an exception

https://offers.directionsonmicrosoft.com/the-challenges-of-licensing-shared-devices

01/17/2023

Have you read Mary Jo Foley's recent blog post?
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog
"Microsoft concedes that some existing Teams features will become part of pricier Premium edition"

01/14/2023

Keeping up with constantly evolving Azure services is hard. We make it easy.
https://offers.directionsonmicrosoft.com/azure-roadmap-december-2022
Get your Azure Roadmap sample to see for yourself how Directions on Microsoft roadmaps equip you to:
> Prioritize and manage your projects and migrations
> Spot disruptive changes
> Build your proactive Microsoft IT strategy
> Keep your teams in-the-know and in control

01/10/2023

Missed the live webinar? Not to worry, the recording is now available.
https://offers.directionsonmicrosoft.com/webinar-recording-microsoft-roadmap-update-nov2022
In this webinar, a panel of Directions analysts brings you up to speed on recent shifts in key Microsoft products most likely to impact your decisions.

01/07/2023

Microsoft Teams: What’s Next for the platform?
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/directions-microsoft-briefing
In this episode of the Directions on Microsoft Briefing, Mary Jo Foley and Directions analyst Jim Gaynor discuss recent Teams announcements, including what features are likely to launch, and which may not be generally available in the near future. They also discuss how to choose which Teams options are right for your organization as well as which new feature Directions’ customers mention wanting the most.

11/10/2022

This fast-paced, one-hour webinar will cover Microsoft’s priorities for 2023, both announced and implied, including a few that may conflict with your organization’s priorities.

Directions on Microsoft's new Editor in Chief, Mary Jo Foley, will host the webinar. We’ll be taking your questions live as part of the event.

Join us on November 16, 2022 at 10am PT
Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7116488282549082639?source=SM

11/02/2022

Will your Microsoft EA renew in 2023? Get up-to-speed fast with our Microsoft Licensing & EA Negotiation Boot Camp.

Our training will advance your team’s skills and give your organization the resources it needs to address any Microsoft licensing question.

Benefits of attending the boot camp:
* Design solutions in a way that minimizes licensing costs.
* Spot gaps in your licensing compliance to avoid unpleasant surprises.
* Intelligently evaluate your Microsoft licensing options so every software dollar you spend counts!

Learn more: https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/get-training

10/26/2022

The Microsoft Cloud: Past, Present & Future
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/directions-microsoft-briefing
In this episode of the Directions on Microsoft Briefing, Mary Jo Foley and Directions analyst Barry Briggs discuss the uneven history of Microsoft’s cloud strategy, including what it got right and got wrong. They also discuss where the Microsoft Cloud is now headed and what that means for both its customers and competitors.

10/22/2022

Learn how to leverage Teams to collaborate with your key vendors and partners.
Register here: https://offers.directionsonmicrosoft.com/webinar-using-teams-outside-your-organization
Our lead Teams analyst will help you make sense of the ways you can use Teams to enable outside collaboration with partners, contractors, consultants, and divisions in your organization with their own Microsoft 365 tenancies. You will learn about:

* Easy ways to communicate with other organizations via Teams
* Going beyond meetings to bring partners into Teams groups and channels
* Expensive licensing traps to avoid
* New capabilities that benefit companies with multiple Microsoft 365 tenancies

And of course, there’ll be time for open Q&A!
Register here: https://offers.directionsonmicrosoft.com/webinar-using-teams-outside-your-organization

10/19/2022

Microsoft 365 Government: What’s Missing?
Discover the key capability gaps you should know about.
We recommend Microsoft 365 Government customers read the report: https://offers.directionsonmicrosoft.com/microsoft-365-government-what-s-in-the-box

10/12/2022

The Directions on Microsoft October 2022 Microsoft 365 Roadmap gives you an at-a-glance view of disruptive changes to Microsoft 365 software and online services that may impact your organization.

Get your free sample here: https://offers.directionsonmicrosoft.com/microsoft-365-roadmap-oct-2022

09/27/2022

Train Now to Optimize Your 2023 Microsoft EA
Our Microsoft Licensing Boot Camp is the most complete and up-to-date training on Microsoft licensing and EA negotiation available.

Upcoming Online Licensing Boot Camps:
* Oct. 31 - Nov. 4, 2022
* Dec. 5 - 9, 2022
* Jan. 23 – 27, 2023
* Mar. 20 – 24, 2023

Register Today: www.DirectionsOnMicrosoft.com/Register
Learn More: www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/get-training

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Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

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http://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/

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