Wes Miller analyzes and writes about Microsoft’s security, identity management, and systems management technologies.
Before joining Directions on Microsoft, Wes was a product manager and development manager for several Austin, TX, start-ups, including Winternals Software, acquired by Microsoft in 2006. Prior to that, Wes spent seven years at Microsoft working as a program manager in the Windows Core Operating System and MSN divisions.
Wes received a B.A. in psychology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Latest Content by Wes Miller
Analyst Report
Updated: January 18, 2026 · by Wes Miller
Comparing Paths for Licensing Microsoft 365—The Savings May Not Stack Up
Customers have numerous paths available for licensing Microsoft 365 services. Licensing subcomponents on an à la carte basis can rapidly...
Charts & Illustrations
Updated: January 18, 2026 · by Wes Miller
Microsoft 365 Deconstructed
Chart explains options for licensing Microsoft 365 suites.
Sidebar
Updated: January 18, 2026 · by Wes Miller
Microsoft 365 Frontline Suites
Sidebar explains the intent of Microsoft 365 Frontline suites.
Charts & Illustrations
Updated: January 10, 2026 · by Wes Miller
Azure Savings Plans vs. Azure RVMIs
Azure savings plan for compute can help customers save money on compute, but customers should plan carefully first.
Analyst Report
January 10, 2026 · by Wes Miller
How to Apply Azure Reservations and Savings Plans Effectively
Azure reservations and savings plans offer meaningful discounts if organizations commit to long-term resource consumption but can waste money if...
Sidebar
January 10, 2026 · by Wes Miller
Tips for Maximizing Reservations and Savings Plans
Several guidelines may help organizations maximize the return offered by reservations and savings plans.
Video
Updated: January 8, 2026 · by Multiple Authors
Directions Podcast. Season 5. Episode 1. What Microsoft’s Recent M365 Bundling Moves Mean for You
Microsoft is bundling more separately priced features with Microsoft 365 SKUs, making the imminent inevitability of an E7 less likely....
Sidebar
Updated: January 2, 2026 · by Wes Miller
Developer Edition License Terms
SQL Server Developer edition provides exactly the same technical features as SQL Server Enterprise edition, with restrictive licensing rights limiting...
Analyst Report
Updated: January 2, 2026 · by Wes Miller
Do Multiple Microsoft 365 Tenancies Make Sense?
In certain situations, multiple tenancies of Microsoft 365 services (and their dependencies) might be justifiable, or even required.
Analyst Report
Updated: January 2, 2026 · by Wes Miller
Free SQL Server Developer Edition Is Mostly for Demos
SQL Server Developer edition is free for development and test use, but organizations should use it carefully.