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PODCAST

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.

technology

All Episodes

00:33:00

Three Smart Guys: It's All About the Data

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2026/03/04

Directions' Barry Briggs and industry analysts George Gilbert and Peter O'Kelly discuss how AI’s dependence on data is reshaping Microsoft’s enterprise strategy.

en-us

00:37:00

Microsoft 365 Copilot Licensing: Five Things You Need...

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2026/02/19

Whether you're still on the fence or in the midst of deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot, you'll want to make sure you know these five things about M365 Copilot licensing. Directions' Rob Horwitz digs into the details with Mary Jo Foley in this episode.

en-us

00:25:00

SQL Server Migrations: Tips to Help You Prepare

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2026/02/12

SQL Server 2016 and 2017 are leaving Extended support in the not-too-distant future. Directions' analyst Andrew Snodgrass shares his preparation checklist in this episode with Mary Jo Foley.

en-us

00:30:00

Three Smart Guys: Microsoft's 2026 Challenges

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2026/01/29

In this inaugural episode of the TSG podcast, Directions' Barry Briggs, along with industry analysts George Gilbert and Peter O'Kelly, discuss Microsoft's strategies in AI and beyond for 2026.

en-us

00:24:00

Microsoft Ignoring Your Org's Needs? We Have Some...

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2026/01/23

Microsoft's one-pointed AI focus may be clouding what your company really wants and needs. Directions analyst Jim Gaynor shares with Mary Jo Foley some ideas for fighting back.

en-us

00:17:00

What Microsoft's Recent M365 Bundling Moves Mean for You

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2026/01/08

Microsoft is bundling more separately priced features with Microsoft 365 SKUs, making the imminent inevitability of an E7 less likely. Directions analyst Wes Miller talks through the details and customer impact with Mary Jo Foley.

en-us

00:20:00

Microsoft Licensing and Negotiation: A Year in Review

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2025/12/22

Directions on Microsoft's chief negotiator Dean Bedwell shares licensing and negotiation trends (along with a few tips) with Mary Jo Foley in our year-end wrap.

en-us

00:22:00

Moving From EA to MCA? Watch Out for These Gotchas

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2025/12/16

As Microsoft transitions more customers off Enterprise Agreements and onto MCAs, orgs need to be aware of some potentially costly changes they may incur. Directions' lead negotiator Dean Bedwell shares with Mary Jo Foley the biggest gotchas.

en-us

00:22:00

Is Cloud Computing Becoming a Commodity?

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2025/12/10

As similar AI strategies and non-exclusive partnerships proliferate, are there still reasons to choose Azure over AWS (or vice versa)? Duckbill's Corey Quinn joins Directions' Wes Miller and Mary Jo Foley to debate the topic.

en-us

00:22:00

Microsoft's Extended Security Updates: What You Need...

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2025/10/29

Cost isn't the only consideration when it comes to deploying ESUs. Directions on Microsoft analysts Jim Gaynor and Rob Helm share guidance on migration, negotiation, and governance and other implications of ESUs with Mary Jo Foley.

en-us

00:47:00

What's Happening with Microsoft Exchange?

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2025/10/17

There's been lots going on with Exchange lately, ranging from feature retirements, to AI and security infusions, to a new subscription edition. Catch up on all the latest in this episode with special guest MVP and Redmond & Associates founder Tony Redmond, Directions analyst Rob Helm and Mary Jo Foley.

en-us

00:22:00

Microsoft Contract Negotiation: Escalation Dos and...

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2025/09/19

Organizations need to weigh when, how, and if it's worth escalating during their Microsoft contract negotiation process. In this episode, Directions on Microsoft Senior Consultant Steve Kelley shares his dos, don'ts, (and a few war stories) with Mary Jo Foley.

en-us

00:31:00

Enterprise Copilot Adoption: Lessons from the Field

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2025/09/08

PwC Principal James Farhat joins Directions analyst Barry Briggs and Mary Jo Foley to discuss early real-world wins and challenges around Microsoft 365 Copilot adoption.

en-us

00:19:00

Get Ready for Microsoft's Coming Licensing Changes

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2025/08/26

Starting Nov. 1, Microsoft is dropping the programmatic discounts that were baked into its volume-licensing agreements. But price hikes are just one of the resulting fallouts for which enterprises need to prepare immediately, as Directions' lead negotiator Dean Bedwell details in this episode with Mary Jo Foley.

en-us

00:23:00

Is No-Code Really Dead?

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2025/08/08

Is there still a place for no/low-code tools like those in Microsoft's Power Platform with the rise of generative AI and GitHub Copilot? The New Stack's news editor Darryl Taft joins Directions Rob Sanfilippo and Mary Jo Foley to debate the topic.

en-us

00:24:00

The Human Side of Data Governance

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2025/07/16

We've all heard repeatedly about the importance of securing your data estate before implementing Copilots, agents and other AI components. Directions analyst Barry Briggs talks with Mary Jo Foley about what needs to happen among execs, IT and employees on for data governance to really work.

en-us

00:36:00

SQL Server 2025 to Deliver AI Features and Lots More

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2025/06/26

Microsoft is set to release this fall SQL Server 2025, its first new version of its flagship database in three years. Special guest, Microsoft Regional Director and MVP Andrew Brust and Directions analyst Andrew Snodgrass detail the AI, performance and other top SQL Server 2025 features in this episode with Mary Jo Foley.

en-us

00:32:00

Microsoft Security Copilot: What You Need to Know

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2025/06/10

Microsoft made Security Copilot generally available just over a year ago. Special guest Microsoft MVP Ru Campbell and Directions analyst Wes Miller talk with Mary Jo Foley about the ways this marquee copilot is evolving, in terms of packaging, pricing and licensing — and what customers interested in it should and shouldn't be doing.

en-us

00:23:00

Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat vs. OpenAI's ChatGPT: How...

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2025/05/29

So many AI chat products; so little time. Directions on Microsoft's newest analyst David Berry shares his insights with Mary Jo Foley on how enterprise customers should evaluate Microsoft 365 Copilot Chat vs. ChatGPT (and Microsoft 365 Copilot itself).

en-us

00:23:00

What's Going on With Windows

The Directions on Microsoft Briefing Podcast ·

2025/05/21

With less than six months left until Windows 10 is no longer supported by Microsoft, Windows users have a lot of uncertainties and a rapidly evolving landscape to navigate. Directions analyst Wes Miller and Mary Jo Foley talk about what -- and what not -- to expect in the coming months.

en-us

124 results

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