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The most trusted source of information on Microsoft.
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Directions on Microsoft is an INDEPENDENT analyst firm focused exclusively on Microsoft. We provide a comprehensive library of clear and unbiased research on Microsoft technologies, product roadmaps, licensing programs, and organizational structure for corporate IT professionals and Microsoft partners. Click to learn more >>
Latest Analysis
Don Retallack
Wednesday, 16 December 2009
Opalis Software, a Toronto-based private company that specializes in IT process automation, was acquired by Microsoft in Dec. 2009.
Rob Horwitz
Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Licensing of Exchange Server 2010 for on-premises use remains generally consistent with its predecessor, Exchange Server 2007.
Rob Sanfilippo
Thursday, 10 December 2009
Microsoft announced the acquisition of the Teamprise product line from SourceGear LLC in Nov. 2009.
Rob Helm
Thursday, 10 December 2009
A new product planned for the second half of 2010, Duet Enterprise, will enable access to SAP applications from Office 2010 and SharePoint 2010.
Matt Rosoff
Thursday, 03 December 2009
Chris Liddell has stepped down as Microsoft's chief financial officer (CFO) after more than four years and has been replaced by Peter Klein, the CFO of the Microsoft Business Division.
Matt Rosoff
Wednesday, 02 December 2009
The Surface SDK Workstation Edition is now generally available to any developer, continuing Microsoft's efforts to expand the development community for its multitouch tabletop computer.
Rob Helm
Tuesday, 01 December 2009
A feature-complete public beta release has appeared for SQL Server 2008 R2, the next version of Microsoft's database technology, giving organizations a chance to evaluate the version in near-finished form.
Rob Sanfilippo
Monday, 30 November 2009
Microsoft released version 3.0 of its SDK for Facebook in Nov. 2009.
Rob Helm
Monday, 30 November 2009
Public beta releases have appeared for versions of Office, SharePoint, Project, and Visio that are planned for the first half of 2010.
Don Retallack
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
A Nov. 2009 release of Microsoft's Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) adds guidance for developers using agile software development methodologies, which emphasize collaboration, frequent inspection and adaptation of code, and rapid delivery of software applications.
Rob Helm
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Dynamics CRM Online, the Microsoft-hosted customer relationship management service based on the Dynamics CRM software, received a service update and new pricing in Nov. 2009.
Rob Horwitz
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Customers wanting to manage a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) with Microsoft management software can now purchase subscription-based suites. VDI allows users to access personalized desktops from any client and simplifies the provisioning, updating, and decommissioning of desktop environments.
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OrgCharts
The essential tool for navigating the Microsoft hierachy.
OrgChart gives you the names, titles, responsibilities and reporting relationships of Microsoft's top 600+ executives. Updated quarterly on the Web and published twice a year as a 33in. x 25in. wall poster.
read more »Research
Definitive reports give you the hard-to-find details you need to intelligently evaluate new Microsoft technologies and initiatives. Published bi-monthly.
read more »News & Analysis
An all-in-one-place resource that keeps you up-to-date across the full breadth of Microsoft activities so you never miss anything important (and never get caught by surprise). Published online each week and in print every month, our Update news & analysis service covers every aspect 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.
read more »Telebriefings
Monthly telephone conferences consisting of a 20-minute presentation by a Directions on Microsoft subject matter expert followed by a question-and-answer period. Briefing topics complement Directions on Microsoft research reports and roadmaps.
read more »Licensing
Stay in compliance without paying for more licenses than you need. Our definitive Licensing Outlines help you intelligently budget your company’s software purchases.
