The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast
Directions on Microsoft
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 derive full value from your Microsoft investments.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 12, 2025 • 48min
The New Face of Shadow IT: A Directions on Microsoft Brainstorm
Whether you appreciate it, tolerate it, or want to stamp it out, Shadow IT is not going anywhere. Is this necessarily a bad thing? Directions analysts Barry Briggs, Greg DeMichillie and Rob Sanfilippo share with Mary Jo Foley their ideas for managing and channeling Shadow IT in this roundtable discussion.
Mar 12, 2025 • 18min
How to Save Money with Azure Reservations
Azure Reservations is one of the best ways enterprises can save money on their Microsoft contracts. But, as Directions' Wes Miller explains to Mary Jo Foley, you need to know the gotchas before you jump in.
Feb 13, 2025 • 29min
Microsoft Support: You've Got More Options Than You Think
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.
Feb 13, 2025 • 24min
Azure Local: What's New, What's Next
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.
Jan 15, 2025 • 1h 5min
Microsoft Roadmap: What Was Hot in 2024 and Will Matter in 2025
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 in this recording of our annual update webinar.
Jan 15, 2025 • 30min
Microsoft Ignite 2024: What You Missed (and Didn't)
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.
Jan 15, 2025 • 35min
Behind Microsoft's AI Curtain
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. Directions analysts Jim Gaynor and Wes Miller share with Mary Jo Foley their insights on how Microsoft's new priorities have affected and may continue to impact its commercial customers.
Jan 15, 2025 • 55min
Deploying Windows — You've Got Choices: A Directions on Microsoft Brainstorm
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.
Jan 15, 2025 • 34min
What's Top of Mind for CxOs?
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 about the latest technologies on which CxOs need to focus.
Jan 15, 2025 • 24min
Microsoft Picks Up the Premium Pace With Dynamics 365
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.
