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
Jan 15, 2025 • 26min
Microsoft Customers: Your Security Strategy Needs an Overhaul, Too
After the U.S. Cyber Safety Board gave Microsoft a terrible report card, Microsoft reiterated its plans for a company-wide security overhaul. But what should its customers be doing? Directions analyst Michael Cherry and Mary Jo Foley offer guidance on steps organizations should take in light of Microsoft's recent security missteps.
Jan 15, 2025 • 31min
Bootcamp and Build Debrief
Directions on Microsoft's latest licensing bootcamp AND Microsoft's Build 2024 developer conference? analyst Wes Miller and Mary Jo Foley have you covered. We talk about the highs, lows and lessons learned from both events.
Jan 15, 2025 • 20min
Understanding Microsoft's Edge-Computing Strategy
Microsoft's edge-computing strategy has been shifting in some subtle and not-so-subtle ways. In the evolving AI era, edge computing will become even more central for customers, partners and Microsoft itself. Directions analyst Barry Briggs and Mary Jo Foley dissect Microsoft's evolving edge-computing plans and tactics in this episode.
Jan 15, 2025 • 31min
More Microsoft End-of-Life Meteors Appear on the Horizon
There's a new wave of end-of-life Microsoft product meteors coming for your organization. Directions on Microsoft analyst Joshua Trupin talks with Mary Jo Foley about what to watch out for in 2025 and beyond, including new, pricey, Pay As You Go options -- and how customers can try to blunt the impact.
Jan 15, 2025 • 30min
Windows Server 2025: What you need to know
Windows Server is back! Directions on Microsoft analyst Jim Gaynor and Mary Jo Foley delve into the new features and capabilities coming with Windows Server 2025 worth knowing about, including new Active Directory and security features, GPU partitioning for Hyper-V, hotpatching – and the Azure services you need to use them.
Jan 15, 2025 • 26min
Microsoft Licensing Boot Camp Lessons Learned
Mary Jo Foley interviews veteran Directions analyst Wes Miller, who shares surprising insights gained teaching customers how to navigate the Microsoft licensing maze for more than a decade. From over-licensing and under-licensing to underestimating Microsoft's revenue drive, you’ll learn the important do’s and don’ts of effective Microsoft licensing.
Jan 15, 2025 • 56min
Cloud Repatriation! A Directions on Microsoft Brainstorm
Directions analysts Jim Gaynor, Rob Sanfilippo and Andrew Snodgrass debate when, how, and why customers might want to move some (or even all) of their workloads and apps from the cloud back to on-premises.
Jan 15, 2025 • 28min
What's on the Azure Roadmap
Directions on Microsoft analyst Rob Sanfilippo talks with Mary Jo Foley about how the Directions' twice-yearly Azure roadmap comes together. The two compare notes on the latest Azure trends and hot buttons. Plus, Rob takes the Azure codename challenge (and loses).
Jan 15, 2025 • 52min
Subscriptions! A Directions on Microsoft Brainstorm
Directions analysts Michael Cherry, Jim Gaynor, and Wes Miller dive into how subscriptions have transformed Microsoft business model and what it means for Microsoft customers, both now and in the future.
Jan 15, 2025 • 40min
Thinking about Data
Directions analysts Barry Briggs and Andrew Snodgrass talk with Mary Jo about the hype and the reality surrounding database systems this episode of the Directions podcast. Are organizations any closer to harnessing the power of data now than before? What works and what doesn't when it comes to data-management strategies?
