About Us
An independent source of objective facts about Microsoft enterprise technologies,
product roadmaps, licensing policies, and strategies since 1992.
An independent source of objective facts about Microsoft enterprise technologies,
product roadmaps, licensing policies, and strategies since 1992.
Directions on Microsoft (DOM) is the only independent IT planning information service focused exclusively on Microsoft. Since 1992, DOM has equipped enterprise IT departments with objective information about Microsoft enterprise technologies, roadmaps and licensing policies that is clear, accurate, and entirely free of marketing hype.
We track down the hard-to-find facts enterprise IT needs to make intelligent decisions about their Microsoft investments and put those facts at your fingertips so you can focus your attention on more strategic activities such as building business cases, architecting new solutions, budgeting for licenses, and planning migrations.
If you are looking for trusted, all-in-one-place information about Microsoft enterprise products and cloud services—vetted and distilled by experts—you have found it. DOM enables you to efficiently answer questions such as:
Explore our site and review our samples, analyst bios, and member feedback. Or download the pdf of our membership brochure to read later. You'll get a sense of what thousands of IT decision makers worldwide have known since 1992: DOM is a must-have resource for any organization trying to intelligently plan for its Microsoft projects and purchases.
DOM is delivered in print, on the Web, and as training. Our services include:
Roadmaps. All-in-one-place references that summarize essential facts about Microsoft enterprise products and cloud services, including code names, release dates, new features, key use scenarios, and support deadlines. Roadmaps help answer:
Technology Evaluation Reports. Our 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. These reports cover vital areas, including:
Webinars. Monthly interactive webinars consist of a 20-minute presentation by a subject matter expert followed by a question-and-answer period. Our Webinars service will quickly give you clarity about new Microsoft technologies and activities that could impact your business.
DOM webinars help you:
Licensing Guides. Each Licensing Guide provides an easy-to-understand explanation of licensing rules and purchasing considerations for a different Microsoft enterprise technology, or it 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:
Licensing Boot Camps. DOM Licensing Boot Camps are intensive, multi-day workshops that demystify Microsoft licensing programs and rules. Our team of independent licensing experts train IT planners and purchasing professionals how to intelligently evaluate their Microsoft licensing options and maximize the return on their organizations' Microsoft software investments. Participants learn:
Understanding Microsoft isn't easy. Microsoft buries you with hype, clogs the press with sound bites, and inundates 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 shifts in Microsoft technologies, roadmaps, strategies, and licensing policies. We separate the substance from the hype, so you get information that's accurate, objective, and actionable. You benefit from:
Timely insight. DOM delivers more information about Microsoft, sooner, than any IT analyst firm or media sources. How? Our analyst team [analyst bios] is in regular contact with Microsoft managers. Many 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. DOM is the only independent organization in the world devoted exclusively to tracking Microsoft. We've been doing it for over two decades. No one understands Microsoft better than we do.
Unmatched expertise. Each of our analysts [analyst bios] has an average of 20+ years of industry experience and brings a specialization in a different area of the Microsoft enterprise technology stack. 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.
Independent and objective. We are an independent company. Our customer base includes Microsoft customers, partners, vendors, 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.
Directions on Microsoft is designed for people whose job depends on knowing what Microsoft is doing and where it's heading. You need DOM if:
You manage your company’s relationship with Microsoft. DOM 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. DOM 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. DOM 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. DOM helps you to quickly identify emerging business opportunities and threats.
You manage your organization's Microsoft licensing agreements. DOM helps you to understand the best way to purchase the licenses you need and how to stay compliant without overbuying.
DOM is a necessity for any firm impacted by Microsoft’s strategic and technical moves (view a partial list of our members):
We will not make your information available to anyone else at any time. For a complete description of DOM's privacy policy, please click here.
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