Directions on Microsoft: Our Ethic

Directions on Microsoft is an independent source of information for IT executives who need clarity about Microsoft technologies, strategies, product roadmaps, licensing policies and organization structure. Our driving ethic is to provide actionable information that is clear, complete and free of marketing hype.

If you are looking for trusted, all-in-one-place information about Microsoft -- vetted and distilled by experts -- you have found it. Directions enables you to efficiently answer questions such as:

• What's new and why should I care?
• What does the technology do and how does it work?
• Where is it headed? What's the roadmap?
• Where does the product live in the Microsoft organization?
• What product interdependencies do I need to understand before I make a decision?
• What licenses do I need to buy? What's the best way to buy them?
  
• Where can I go for more information?

Please take time to explore our site and review our samples, analyst bios, and subscriber feedback. You'll get a sense of what thousands of IT decision makers worldwide have discovered since 1992: Directions on Microsoft is the best tool available for any organization trying to optimize its Microsoft investments.

Directions on Microsoft: What we offer

• What information services does Directions provide?
• What topics will Directions cover in the future?
• What differentiates Directions from other sources of information?
• When do I need Directions?
• What types of firms rely on Directions?
• What are the different Directions subscription levels?
• What is Directions on Microsoft's privacy policy?

What information services does Directions on Microsoft provide?

Our suite of services-delivered in print, on the Web, and as consultants-include:

OrgChart. Diagrams the reporting relationships of Microsoft's top 600+ executives, including their titles and job responsibilities. Updated quarterly on the Web and published twice a year as a 33in. x 25in. wall poster, this essential tool for navigating the Microsoft answers:

• How is Microsoft organized? How is the company changing over time?
• Where does a particular product or technology live within the organization?
• Who has specific decision-making authority within the Microsoft organization? Who is the right Microsoft contact?

Roadmap. An all-in-one planning reference that provides estimated release dates for future products, release histories for past versions, product overviews and new feature summaries, code names, support deadlines, retirement dates, and product dependencies for more than 100 versions of Microsoft enterprise software products. Helps answer:

• What Microsoft product interdependencies do I need to understand before I make a purchase or deployment decision?
• What upgrades am I likely to receive if I sign up for Software Assurance?
• Should I target the current product release for my development or deployment? Or, should I wait until the next planned version?
• At what point will diminished support for product versions I currently rely on compel me to consider migrating to a newer version?

Licensing. Each Licensing Guide provides an easy-to-understand explanation of licensing rules and purchasing considerations for a different Microsoft enterprise technology, or provides an all-in-one-place explanation of the latest version of Microsoft volume licensing programs, such as Select or Enterprise Agreements. Updated regularly, these Guides help IT decision makers and purchasing managers to quickly answer basic questions, such as:

• Which licenses do I really need to buy?
• What is the best way to purchase the licenses I need?
• When should I buy Software Assurance?
• What would be really useful to know before I sign a volume license agreement?

Technology Evaluation Reports. In-depth research reports drill down into key Microsoft technologies and initiatives so you understand the technical significance and strategic underpinnings that can affect your business. Published quarterly, reports cover vital areas including:

• Development platforms
• Licensing policies and technologies
• Security infrastructure
• Systems management
• Server applications

Update. An all-in-one-place resource that keeps you up-to-date on the full breadth of Microsoft activities. Published online each week and in print every month, our comprehensive Update news and analysis service covers all aspects of Microsoft—including operating systems and server apps, development tools and programs, desktop applications, appliances, online services, licensing, organizational shifts, marketing and sales initiatives, and much more. For each new Microsoft product, technology, policy, initiative, and strategy, we answer:

• How does it compare with its predecessor? What's actually new?
• Is it consistent with what other parts of the company are doing?
• Where is it headed?
• How will it affect customers, partners, and competitors?
• What isn't Microsoft telling you?

TeleBriefings. Monthly conference calls consisting of a 20-minute presentation by a subject matter expert followed by a questions-and-answer period. Our TeleBriefings service will quickly give you clarity about new Microsoft technologies and activities that could impact your business.

Our TeleBriefings help you:

• Bring you and your team up-to-speed on new and emerging Microsoft technologies
• Understand recent shifts in Microsoft enterprise software roadmaps
• Learn how to effectively license Microsoft infrastructure technologies

Advisory Services. One-on-one services designed to improve your business with Microsoft at multiple levels and avoid the miscues or missteps that can cost you precious time and capital. Let our Microsoft experts help you:

• Spot Microsoft-related opportunities & threats while there's still time to do something about it
• Understand how Microsoft thinks and acts
• Target the right groups and individuals inside Microsoft
• Work with Microsoft for maximum results
• Validate your Microsoft strategy, including your Microsoft partnership strategy

What topics will Directions cover in the future?

The Directions Research Agenda (pdf) lists Roadmaps, Research Reports, and major Update news & analysis articles under development.

What differentiates Directions from other sources of information?

Understanding Microsoft isn't easy. Microsoft buries you with hype, the press with sound bites, and industry analysts with opinions. None are entirely reliable and none give you the complete picture.

Directions on Microsoft is unique. We make it relatively painless to keep up with Microsoft's strategic shifts, upcoming products and technologies, alliances, and organizational changes. We separate the substance from the hype, so you get information that's accurate, objective, and actionable. You benefit from:

Timely Insight. Directions delivers more information about Microsoft, sooner, than other analysts or media sources. How? All eight of our analysts [analyst bios] are in regular contact with Microsoft managers. Several are former Microsoft employees with close personal contacts throughout the organization. We alert our customers to shifts in Microsoft strategy and policy while there's still time to do something about it.

Exclusive Focus. Keeping tabs on Microsoft is a full-time job. We know. It's our job. Directions is the only INDEPENDENT organization in the world devoted exclusively to tracking Microsoft. We've been doing it for over a decade. No one understands Microsoft better than we do.

Unquestionable Expertise. Each of our analysts [analyst bios] has an average of 15+ years of industry experience and brings a specialization in a different sector of the Microsoft enterprise. Our analysts attend dozens of conferences, talk with Microsoft customers and partners, tear apart hundreds of user manuals and SDKs, and meet with Microsoft technologists and managers on a regular basis. It's a painstaking process that allows us to help you spot the new Microsoft technologies and shifts in strategy that merit your attention... and avoid those that don't.

Independence. We are an independent company. Our customer base includes Microsoft customers, partners, competitors, and Microsoft itself. Microsoft is not an investor in our company. Microsoft does not underwrite any of our research. Microsoft does not purchase any advertising in our publications (we carry no advertising). Microsoft does not exert any editorial control.

When do I need Directions?

Directions on Microsoft is designed for people whose job depends on knowing what Microsoft is doing and where it's heading. You need Directions if:

You manage your company’s relationship with Microsoft. Directions alerts you to shifts in Microsoft strategy and policy while there’s still time to do something about it, and gives you an extra edge to pursue and finalize a strategic relationship.

You plan, build, or manage systems that use Microsoft technology. Directions delivers hard-to-find details you need to extract maximum value from your Microsoft investments.

You evaluate new technology and/or advise clients about technology directions. Directions helps you spot new Microsoft technologies that merit your attention. . . and avoid those that don’t.

You market products or services complementary to or competitive with Microsoft offerings. Directions helps you to quickly identify emerging business opportunities and threats.

What types of firms rely on Directions?

Directions is a necessity for any firm impacted by Microsoft’s strategic and technical moves (view a partial list of our customers):

• Corporations purchasing Microsoft desktop and server products; firms building custom internal systems on Microsoft platforms
• System Integrators constructing solutions on top of Microsoft platforms and advising clients on technology directions
• Independent Software Vendors (ISV) creating applications for Microsoft operating system or server platforms
• Venture Capitalists concerned about finding "white space" where Microsoft isn't playing
• Competitors going head-to-head with Microsoft in one or more markets
• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) licensing Microsoft products for inclusion with their PCs
• Component manufacturers selling Microsoft-compatible hardware
• Application Service Providers (ASPs) hosting solutions using Microsoft platforms
• Telecos, cable, and wireless operators building communications and other infrastructure with Microsoft technologies
• Portfolio managers investing in hardware, software, or communications-related areas
• Any company wishing to supply products and services to Microsoft itself

What are the different Directions subscription levels?

We offer two content subscription levels, Basic and Complete. The services included with each subscription level are detailed on our subscription page. We also offer briefings and advisory services.

What is Directions on Microsoft's privacy policy?

We will not make your information available to anyone else. We may send you information on other Directions on Microsoft publications, services, and conferences from time to time. If you do not wish to receive such mailings, send a request via email (see contact information page for our email address).