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Featured
September 25, 2026
Copilot ‘Super App’: What You Need to Know

New AI modes, pricing tweaks, and a phased rollout for enterprises (and consumers) all are in the works.

September 23, 2026
Compass Point: Dataverse, Headless Office, Flex Spend

Check out our new monthly round-up of product strategies that could impact your operations

September 16, 2026
Uncovering the Hidden Costs of M365 Copilot

Cowork consumption costs are just the tip of the iceberg. There are lots of other gotchas.

September 24, 2026
Thoughts on Microsoft’s Humanist AI Code of Conduct

What’s the best way to control AI? Every tech vendor and many users are weighing in.

Unlock Insights with Atlas Membership

Atlas gives your team instant access to unbiased Microsoft analysis, roadmaps, decision kits, and expert guidance—so you can evaluate options, reduce risk, and move forward with confidence.

Membership Benefits
Membership Benefits
Microsoft

Licensing Training

An in depth, 18+ hour boot camp designed to help you navigate Microsoft licensing with clarity. Gain the knowledge to assess licensing choices, reduce compliance risk, and use disciplined negotiation strategies to achieve better EA outcomes.

Info and Registration
Virtual October 26 – October 30, 2026
9:00am – 2:00pm ET
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Virtual January 11 – January 15, 2027
11:00am – 4:00pm ET
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Orlando, FL March 9 – March 11, 2027
8:00am – 5:00pm ET
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Virtual April 19 – April 23, 2027
9:00am – 2:00pm ET
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Virtual July 19 – July 23, 2027
11:00am – 4:00pm ET
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Virtual September 20 – September 24, 2027
11:00am – 4:00pm ET
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Virtual November 1 – November 5, 2027
9:00am – 2:00pm ET
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Full-Cycle Advisory & Negotiation Support

Advisory Services
Contract & EA Negotiation

Get expert guidance in every stage of your Contract and Enterprise Agreement negotiations, from initial preparation to securing the best terms. Our experts leverage proven tactics to ensure you get favorable pricing, flexibility, and alignment with your organization’s goals.

Negotiation Services
Microsoft Expert Desk

Access guidance from our team of Microsoft licensing and strategy experts when you need it. Our Expert Desk is available year-round to answer questions, clarify product updates, and provide insight on evolving Microsoft policies.

Expert Services
Verification & Audit Defense

Stay prepared and compliant with our audit defense and license verification services. We’ll help you identify and address any compliance gaps, minimizing risk and positioning your organization for a successful audit outcome.

Verification & Audit Services
Microsoft Strategy Assessment

Make sure your Microsoft investment aligns with your company’s long-term business objectives. Access expertise and tools to evaluate your current and future needs, identify opportunities to optimize costs and future-proof your technology strategy.

Strategy Services
Our Top Microsoft

Experts & Analysts

Former Fortune 500 CIOs, Microsoft executives and product engineers, licensing negotiators, and respected industry journalists—bringing unmatched depth, independence, and real world Microsoft expertise.

Jeff Parker

Jeff Parker oversees Directions on Microsoft’s publishing and training businesses. He also advises clients on… more

Dean Bedwell Dean Bedwell

Dean Bedwell works with organizations to optimize their Microsoft licensing agreements. He also trains organizations… more

Rob Horwitz Rob Horwitz

Rob Horwitz analyzes and writes about Microsoft licensing programs and product licensing rules. He also… more

Mary Jo Foley Mary Jo Foley

Before joining Directions, Mary Jo has worked as a technology journalist for 40+ years and… more

Andrew Snodgrass Andrew Snodgrass

Andrew analyzes and writes about Microsoft’s data management, business intelligence, and machine learning solutions, as… more

Jim Gaynor Jim Gaynor

Jim analyzes and writes about Teams and other Microsoft services for collaboration and unified communication,… more

Wes Miller Wes Miller

Wes Miller analyzes and writes about Microsoft’s security, identity management, and systems management technologies. Before… more

Barry Briggs Barry Briggs

Before joining Directions on Microsoft in 2020, Barry worked at Microsoft for 12 years in… more

Rob Helm Rob Helm

As managing vice president, Rob Helm covers Microsoft collaboration services and client software. His 25-plus… more

Rob Sanfilippo Rob Sanfilippo

Before joining Directions on Microsoft, Rob worked at Microsoft for 14 years where he designed… more

David Berry

David has over two decades of architecture and delivery experience across Fortune 1000 and public… more

Dave Doohen

Dave Doohen is a 20-year Microsoft Software Asset Management (SAM) practitioner, founder of RevealSAM and… more

Lane Shelton Lane Shelton

Lane Shelton advises enterprise organizations on Microsoft licensing strategy, complex contract negotiations, and long-term agreement… more

Scott Campos

Prior to joining Directions on Microsoft, Scott was a Microsoft licensing consultant at IDC and… more

Steven Kelley Steven Kelley

Steve Kelley works with organizations to optimize their Microsoft licensing agreements and protect them from… more

Wendel Clarke

Wendel Clarke is a Senior Project Manager with over 15 years of Project Management experience…. more

Kevin Glunt

Before joining Directions on Microsoft, Kevin spent eleven years at Microsoft in financial management, including… more

Joshua Osborne

Joshua Osborne helps organizations to optimize their Microsoft licensing negotiation outcomes. He also works with… more