Rob Helm

Rob Helm

Analyst

As managing vice president, Rob Helm covers Microsoft collaboration services and client software. His 25-plus years of experience analyzing Microsoft’s technology and strategy allows him to discern the company’s overall direction from the sometimes confusing and contradictory signals it sends to customers and the industry.

Rob previously managed the Directions on Microsoft analyst team and its database management systems, developer strategy, and embedded platform research. His 13 years of prior experience in the computer industry include research on advanced developer tools, optimization of cluster applications, design of network protocols at the University of Oregon, and design and implementation of databases for the U.S. Navy.

Rob received a B.S. in computer science and mathematics from the University of Puget Sound and an M.S. in computer science from the University of Oregon.

Latest Content by Rob Helm

  Roadmap
Updated: April 6, 2026 · by Rob Helm
Windows Client OS Roadmap The Windows client OS runs on devices including desktops, laptops, tablets, and all-in-one devices to run a user’s productivity and...
  Roadmap
Updated: April 6, 2026 · by Rob Helm
Exchange Online Roadmap Changes to Exchange Online in 2026-2028 improve security, management, and control over capacity, but some could be disruptive.
  Roadmap
Updated: April 2, 2026 · by Rob Helm
Other Business Application Roadmaps Roadmap for Bookings, Forms, Sway, and other niche services bundled with Microsoft 365 plans.
  Analyst Report
April 2, 2026 · by Rob Helm
Azure Leaves Real-Time OS Market Customers who built or bought IoT devices with the Azure Sphere or Azure RTOS OSes should plan to replace them.
  Roadmap
Updated: March 31, 2026 · by Rob Helm
Viva Pulse Roadmap Viva Pulse is a feedback tool that allows managers to send poll requests (called pulses) to team members and then...
  Roadmap
Updated: March 31, 2026 · by Rob Helm
Viva Glint Roadmap Viva Glint is a management tool for organization-wide surveys to gauge sentiment and evaluate trends in employee satisfaction and performance,...
  Roadmap
Updated: March 30, 2026 · by Rob Helm
Viva Connections Roadmap Roadmap for Viva Connections, which provides personalized news, conversations, and other resources within a Teams tab and on mobile devices.
  Roadmap
Updated: March 30, 2026 · by Rob Helm
Viva Amplify Roadmap Viva Amplify is a browser-based campaign management component used for organizational communication and awareness around shared goals and events.
  Roadmap
Updated: March 30, 2026 · by Rob Helm
Viva Engage Roadmap Roadmap for Viva Engage, a social connections module of the Viva suite that replaced Yammer.
  Roadmap
Updated: March 24, 2026 · by Rob Helm
Project Legacy Clients Roadmap Roadmap for the Project legacy client applications, which provide project and resource management for project managers.