The Directions on Microsoft Briefing

Jan 30 2025 57 ep. 33 mins 207

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast artwork

With more than 30 years of experience covering Microsoft, Directions on Microsoft provides unique perspectives about the shifts in Microsoft technologies, roadmaps, and licensing policies that matter most to enterprise-size companies. Twice each month, industry veteran Mary Jo Foley interviews a different Directions analyst for informed insights and advice to help you drive full value from your Microsoft investments.

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Microsoft Support: You've Got More Options Than You Think

Jan 30 2025 29 mins

Microsoft's Unified Support plan is not beloved by many enterprises. US Cloud VP Mike Jones provides the latest on the plan, plus some support tips and tricks in this conversation with Directions' Mary Jo Foley.

Azure Local: What's New, What's Next

Jan 22 2025 24 mins

Microsoft's Azure Local falls in the uncanny valley between on-prem and cloud. Our newest analyst Greg DeMichillie shares his recommendations with Mary Jo Foley on what customers should (and shouldn't yet) do with this technology.

Microsoft Roadmap: What Was Hot in 2024 and Will Matter in 2025

Dec 17 2024 65 mins

Our panel of Directions on Microsoft analysts talk about the biggest Microsoft enterprise pain points for 2024 and predict what will be top-of-mind in 2025.

Microsoft Ignite 2024: What You Missed (and Didn't)

Nov 26 2024 30 mins

Microsoft's Ignite 2024 conference focused heavily on all things AI. But that wasn't all. Directions analyst Wes Miller grills Mary Jo Foley about the announcements and non-announcements from Chicago.

Behind Microsoft's AI Curtain

Nov 19 2024 35 mins

Microsoft's intense focus on all things AI has resulted in noticeable security, quality and delivery issues with some of its key enterprise products and services.

Deploying Windows -- You've Got Choices: A Directions on Microsoft Brainstorm

Oct 25 2024 55 mins

There's one year left before Microsoft ends support for Windows 10. Directions analysts Michael Cherry, Jim Gaynor, and Wes Miller talk with Mary Jo Foley about the best paths forward for enterprises who want to stay safe and up-to-date.

What's Top of Mind for CxOs?

Oct 14 2024 34 mins

CxOs are juggling more than just AI ROI these days. Security, cloud-computing costs, governance and more all are vying for attention and budgets. Directions analyst Barry Briggs, and Mary Jo Foley talk CxO priorities.

Microsoft Picks Up the Premium Pace With Dynamics 365

Sep 30 2024 24 mins

Microsoft is making more and more Dynamics 365 features available exclusively as part of pricey premium subscriptions. Directions analyst Andrew Snodgrass and Mary Jo Foley talk through the implications of this shift for customers both now and in the longer term.

Cutting Through Copilot Complexity

Sep 20 2024 35 mins

As Microsoft commences its 'Wave 2' Copilot push, it's becoming more challenging than ever to find clear answers about features, pricing and licensing. Fortunately, Directions analyst Wes Miller and Mary Jo Foley have you covered with tips and resources to help with your evaluation of the growing family of Microsoft Copilots.

Diving Into the Data: A Directions on Microsoft Brainstorm

Aug 27 2024 51 mins

When it comes to databases, Microsoft offers almost too many options for storing and analyzing all kinds of data. Directions analysts Barry Briggs, Rob Sanfilippo and Andrew Snodgrass talk with Mary Jo Foley about how customers can keep up with the growing set of Microsoft on-premises and cloud database offerings and figure out which solution best fits their particular needs.