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
Dec 16, 2025 • 22min
Moving From EA to MCA? Watch Out for These Gotchas
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.
Dec 10, 2025 • 22min
Is Cloud Computing Becoming a Commodity?
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.
Oct 29, 2025 • 22min
Microsoft's Extended Security Updates: What You Need to Know
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.
Oct 17, 2025 • 47min
What's Happening with Microsoft Exchange?
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.
Sep 19, 2025 • 22min
Microsoft Contract Negotiation: Escalation Dos and Don'ts
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.
Sep 8, 2025 • 31min
Enterprise Copilot Adoption: Lessons from the Field
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.
Aug 26, 2025 • 19min
Get Ready for Microsoft's Coming Licensing Changes
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.
Aug 8, 2025 • 23min
Is No-Code Really Dead?
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.
Jul 16, 2025 • 24min
The Human Side of Data Governance
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.
Jun 26, 2025 • 36min
SQL Server 2025 to Deliver AI Features and Lots More
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.
