Lane Shelton

Lane Shelton

Director, Advisory Services

Lane Shelton advises enterprise organizations on Microsoft licensing strategy, complex contract negotiations, and long-term agreement design. He works with executive teams to shape agreements that align to business objectives, manage risk, and support sustainable investment.

Over nearly three decades in the Microsoft ecosystem, Lane has developed a deep understanding of how pricing structures, contract frameworks, and strategic incentives evolve over time. He helps clients translate that complexity into informed, intentional decisions through disciplined analysis and clear executive framing.

Lane holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Bluefield College and completed graduate study at Princeton before beginning his career in Microsoft licensing in 1996.

Latest Content by Lane Shelton

  Blog
March 12, 2026 · by Lane Shelton
Your Next EA Renewal: Why the Microsoft Lens Matters   Understanding how Microsoft interprets where your organization is heading within the broader Microsoft ecosystem is becoming more important when it...
Video
Updated: March 12, 2026 · by Multiple Authors
Directions Podcast. Season 5. Episode 5. What We Know (and Don’t) About M365 E7? Beyond the known price tag and release date, there are still a lot of E7 unknowns. Directions' Advisory Services Director...
  Blog
March 3, 2026 · by Lane Shelton
Why Microsoft 365 E7 Is More Than Just a New Licensing Tier  The expected new Microsoft 365 E7 licensing bundle, blending per-seat subscription with consumption-based components, could be Microsoft's next big platform...
  Blog
February 26, 2026 · by Lane Shelton
Your Next EA Renewal: How to Avoid the Financial Cliff Recent Microsoft licensing changes have shifted how your organization needs to calculate and prepare for your next EA renewal. Here's...