Directions Atlas Membership

Make confident decisions with full access to unbiased analyses, roadmaps, decision kits, infographics, reference guides and more. Atlas simplifies Microsoft for your enterprise.

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Top Authors & Analysts Andrew Snodgrass, Wes Miller, Mary Jo Foley

Azure Solution Architectures Rob Sanfilippo summarizes how to put Azure services together to solve common problems.

A must-have resource for navigating Microsoft licensing complexity. It saves us countless hours compared to deciphering the rules ourselves.

Gregory F. IT Purchasing Manager, UPS

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Jeff G.

Whenever I discuss Microsoft licensing with someone, I always bring up Directions.

David R. Worldwide Licensing Manager, Lendlease

Crisp, detailed, comprehensive. It’s far better than anything we get from our reseller or Microsoft.

Bernd R. Software Licensing Manager, FMS Wertmanagement

I’ve been using Directions for more years than I can remember. I rely on this incredibly valuable tool to stay informed and ahead.

Brian C. Technical Program Manager, Avanade

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Nicole K. Senior IT Infrastructure Manager, Exxon

I recommend Directions to every customer. Your Microsoft licensing information and training are exceptional.

DeAnna G. Managing Consultant, Snow Software

I use the platform and training daily to address Microsoft licensing inquiries. Directions and its people are truly one of a kind.

Megan B. Licensing Solutions Specialist, Capital Group Companies

The information and training they offer are far superior to anything available from Microsoft or elsewhere.

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Directions on Microsoft is amazing. We have never had licensing resources that even come close to what you provide.

Nancy T. Manager Information Technology, Torchmark

I gain more insights about Microsoft using Directions than from any other source, including Gartner.

Chris A. Desktop Technology Services Manager, Portland General Electric

Directions repeatedly proves its value with the right information to accelerate decisions and reduce costs.

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Christ V. G. Product Group Manager, IVENT

Helps my team navigate Microsoft complexities and find the information needed for better decisions.

Tom H. Director Cloud Solutions, Tangent

If your organization relies on Microsoft for critical IT infrastructure, Directions will give you a holistic, integrated, and undistracted view of Microsoft’s portfolio, strategy, and product direction.

Alan D. IT Director, General Mills

Our Directions partnership is one of the most useful we’ve ever had.

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Thousands of Expert Reports
Accurate Product Roadmaps
Licensing Reference Sets
Webinars, Podcasts and more
Curated Kits & Collections

Roadmaps

The essential source of accurate facts on Microsoft products and services, Roadmaps clarify cross-product dependencies, end-of-support dates, and upcoming releases in one highly organized format.

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Security, Compliance, Identity, and Management Roadmap

Desktop and Client Roadmap

Database, Analytics, and AI/ML Roadmap

Compute, Networking, and Infrastructure Roadmap

Application Platforms Roadmap

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Business Applications Roadmap

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Analyst Reports

Our experts meticulously cut through the haze of Microsoft information so you don’t have to. Analyst Reports provide the clearest, most accurate, and up-to-date information anywhere, free of hype or complexity.

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New! Azure Savings Plan for Databases Now Available March 27, 2026 March 27, 2026 Azure Savings Plan for Databases, introduced in Mar. 2026, may offer significant savings for organizations…more

M365 Customers Can Keep Classic Outlook Until at Least 2029 Updated: March 23, 2026 Updated: March 23, 2026 Mar. 23, 2026: Opt-Out delayed to Mar. 2027 per a Microsoft Message Center announcement atat https://admin.microsoft.com/MessageCenter/messages/MC949965…more

Foundry Local Lags Competition March 23, 2026 March 23, 2026 Foundry Local is a free command-line tool that lets developers run selected open-source AI models…more

EA to MCA: Spot Legal Traps Updated: March 18, 2026 Updated: March 18, 2026 Finding the Most Common Pain Points Comparing the EA contract stack (fig. 1) and the…more

Teams Enterprise Gains Events and Places from Premium March 17, 2026 March 17, 2026 Effective Apr. 1, 2026, some features from Teams Premium will be included in Teams Enterprise…more

Evaluating Digital Sovereignty Options March 16, 2026 March 16, 2026 Enterprises are increasingly using the public cloud for mission-critical and data-sensitive workloads. But as customers…more

SQL Server 2016/2017 BI Migration: Destinations Point to Power BI March 13, 2026 March 13, 2026 Power BI or Fabric are Microsoft’s direction for reporting and analysis services unless organizations consider…more

Deciphering Power Apps Licensing Updated: March 12, 2026 Updated: March 12, 2026 Update: The Power Apps Per App licensing option has been discontinued as of Jan. 2,…more Get Access to Over 6,600 Reports Atlas Membership

Infographics

We break down complex topics into easy-to-understand visuals. Whether convoluted licensing structures or multifaceted product comparisons, our graphics help you make sense of key details at a glance.

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Licensing & Reference

Navigate Microsoft licensing and avoid costly pitfalls with continuously updated reference materials that help you understand Microsoft licensing strategies, options and pricing, upcoming changes, and more.

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Packaging
Understand Microsoft product bundles and packages to make informed purchasing decisions.

Compliance
Get clear guidance on licensing rules to maintain compliance and avoid penalties.

Purchase Options
Explore available licensing options to find the most cost-effective and strategic fit for your needs.

Versions
Stay up-to-date on the latest software and service versions to ensure compatibility and maximize value.

Rights to Use
Know exactly what your licenses allow or restrict so you can optimize usage and stay compliant.

Discount Eligibility
Identify opportunities for discounts based on your organization’s size, industry, and agreements.

Documentation
Access detailed licensing documentation to clarify terms and conditions at every stage.

Infographics
Visual guides simplify complex licensing scenarios, making it easier to understand your options.

Timelines
Stay informed about key dates and changes to manage your renewals and satisfy audit requirements.

Kits & Collections

Our Analysts help you go deep, fast with curated Kits & Collections containing the most relevant roadmaps, product reports, licensing materials and more for key topics including AI, Azure, Power BI, Teams and Copilot.

Understanding Azure Governance

by
Rob Sanfilippo

Migrating Compute Workloads to Azure VMs

by
Rob Sanfilippo

Webinars & Videos

Our Analysts and Licensing Experts break down critical topics into concise, high-impact videos and webinars, ensuring your team is always ahead of Microsoft roadmap shifts and licensing changes.

Microsoft Roadmap Update, Dec. 2025 December 10, 2025
10:00 am – 11:00 am PT Watch

Three Smart Guys: Is Office dead? Season 1. Episode 3. Updated: March 23, 2026

Podcasts

With over 30 years experience covering Microsoft, we provide unique perspectives about the shifts in Microsoft technologies, roadmaps and licensing policies that matter most to enterprise-size companies.

Season – 1 · Episode – 3 · Duration – 34m

Three Smart Guys: Is Office Dead? New!

Directions’ Barry Briggs and industry analysts George Gilbert and Peter O’Kelly discuss if and how AI could be making Microsoft’s core Office apps more replaceable.

Season – 5 · Episode – 5 · Duration – 25m

What We Know (and Don’t) About M365 E7

Season – 1 · Episode – 2 · Duration – 33m

Three Smart Guys: It’s All About the Data

Season – 5 · Episode – 4 · Duration – 37m

Microsoft 365 Copilot Licensing: Five Things You Need to Know

Season – 5 · Episode – 3 · Duration – 25m

SQL Server Migrations: Tips to Help You Prepare

Blogs

Read articles written by our team of Microsoft experts and advisors to stay on the cutting edge of insight, curated by leading industry voice Mary Jo Foley, Editor In Chief.