Procurement & Licensing
Identity Manager: Start Planning Replacement Options Now
Updated: June 13, 2025
Microsoft Identity Manager is set for retirement in 2029, and no direct replacement is expected....more
Intune Premium License Tiers Still Not Worth It
Updated: June 13, 2025
Two premium Intune tiers are now available, along with multiple à la carte features. Intune...more
Microsoft Entra: The Collected Services
Updated: May 27, 2025
Entra is a family of services to help organizations manage identities and access to resources....more
Microsoft 365 Government: What’s in the Box?
Updated: May 11, 2025
Microsoft 365 Government offers better regulatory compliance for U.S. governmental organizations than Microsoft 365 commercial...more
Dynamics 365 Compliance Change: Avoid the August 2025 Lock Out
April 28, 2025
Dynamics 365 ERP is implementing a new compliance check to ensure users have a valid...more
Azure Files Improves Performance, Syncing, and Pricing Flexibility
April 20, 2025
Azure Files has gained meaningful speed improvements, particularly when accessing small files. File Sync improvements...more
Security Services Roadmap
April 18, 2025
A range of Microsoft-hosted security services are available to help organizations secure their infrastructure and...more
Understanding Pricing: Consumption Versus Capacity
April 10, 2025
For customers accustomed to on-premises licensing, aspects of Microsoft’s cloud pricing models can feel unfamiliar....more
Skype for Business Server SE: Subscriptions and a Short Migration Window
Updated: March 11, 2025
Microsoft announced in June 2024 that Skype for Business Server SE is planned for general...more
Transitioning Microsoft 365 from an EA to an MCA
Updated: March 11, 2025
Enterprise Agreement customers transitioning to Microsoft Customer Agreements will have to reassess how they license...more
Migrating from Power BI Premium P to Fabric: Our Guidance
March 10, 2025
Most Power BI Premium P customers must migrate to Fabric at their next licensing renewal....more
Demystifying Microsoft’s Copilots
Updated: March 7, 2025
Copilot-branded technologies from Microsoft assist users in completing tasks, but Microsoft overstates ROI. Almost all...more
Windows Server Endpoint Protection Options (2025)
Updated: March 1, 2025
Endpoint protection for Windows Server requires layers of services that differ dramatically in terms of...more
Azure: Know Reservations
Updated: February 15, 2025
Azure reservations allow customers to reduce Azure costs in exchange for a one- or three-year...more
When Do Administrators Require Additional Licensing?
Updated: February 8, 2025
Organizations typically provide administrators with separate sets of credentials for their user and administrative roles....more
Power BI Licensing: Sharing Reports with Outside Users
Updated: February 3, 2025
Power BI and Fabric customers can share Power BI reports outside of the organization while...more
Licensing Reference
Product Terms
The main repository for rules governing product licenses acquired through volume licensing programs and by...more
Licensing Reference
Office 365 Service Description
Frequently updated technical documents outlining features in Microsoft 365 Enterprise and Office 365 Enterprise suites...more
Licensing Reference
Mainstream Support
A five-year period, beginning at the point a new version of a software product becomes...more
Licensing Reference
Extended Support
A multi-year period following Mainstream Support where customers receive free security updates for a software...more
Licensing Reference
Servicing Model
Used to describe a schedule for how frequently new versions of on-premises product software will...more
Licensing Reference
Service Description
Frequently updated technical documents outlining features in Microsoft 365 Enterprise and Office 365 Enterprise suites...more
Licensing Reference
Data Protection Addendum
A document typically updated once or twice a year that outlines Microsoft’s obligations related to...more
Licensing Reference
Microsoft 365 Comparison Table
PDF document updated monthly that lists the components/features included in the various Microsoft 365 suites...more
Licensing Reference
VDA User SL
A Per-User subscription that allows an individual user to access Windows Client OSs running within...more
Licensing Reference
VDA
A Per-User or Per-Device subscription that licenses access to Windows Client OSs running within server-hosted...more
Licensing Reference
VDI
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure is most often used to refer to virtual desktops running the Windows...more
Licensing Reference
Windows Enterprise
The highest (most feature-laden) edition of the Windows client OS; distributed exclusively through volume licensing...more
Licensing Reference
Windows Enterprise Per Device
Per-Device licenses that provide the right to install and run Windows Enterprise edition on the...more
Licensing Reference
Windows Enterprise SA Benefits
Summary of SA (Software Assurance) benefits associated with Windows Enterprise and VDA licenses, organized by...more
Licensing Reference
Windows Enterprise User SL
A Per-User subscription that allows an individual user to install and run Windows Enterprise edition...more
Licensing Reference
Windows Pro
The lowest-level Windows client OS edition of relevance to organization customers; licensed Per-Device.

February 24, 2025
· Season - 4 · Episode - 3 · Duration - 18m Microsoft Support: You've Got More Options Than You ThinkJanuary 30, 2025
· Season - 4 · Episode - 2 · Duration - 29m Microsoft Customers: Your Security Strategy Needs an Overhaul, TooJune 12, 2024
· Season - 3 · Episode - 10 · Duration - 26m

Mary Jo Foley


Mary Jo Foley


Mary Jo Foley