Directions Atlas Membership

Independent Microsoft insight you can trust. Direct access to analyst reports, roadmaps, and licensing guides. Everything you need to evaluate options and decide with confidence.

Membership Benefits

Top Authors & Analysts Andrew Snodgrass, Wes Miller, Mary Jo Foley

Azure Solution Architectures Rob Sanfilippo summarizes how to put Azure services together to solve common problems.

A must-have resource for navigating Microsoft licensing complexity. It saves us countless hours compared to deciphering the rules ourselves.

Gregory F. IT Purchasing Manager, UPS

Delivers critical information about Microsoft technologies, roadmaps, and licensing I wish my team could mine on their own.

Jeff G.

Whenever I discuss Microsoft licensing with someone, I always bring up Directions.

David R. Worldwide Licensing Manager, Lendlease

Crisp, detailed, comprehensive. It’s far better than anything we get from our reseller or Microsoft.

Bernd R. Software Licensing Manager, FMS Wertmanagement

I’ve been using Directions for more years than I can remember. I rely on this incredibly valuable tool to stay informed and ahead.

Brian C. Technical Program Manager, Avanade

I constantly refer to your online materials for my job. Thank you!

Nicole K. Senior IT Infrastructure Manager, Exxon

I recommend Directions to every customer. Your Microsoft licensing information and training are exceptional.

DeAnna G. Managing Consultant, Snow Software

I use the platform and training daily to address Microsoft licensing inquiries. Directions and its people are truly one of a kind.

Megan B. Licensing Solutions Specialist, Capital Group Companies

The information and training they offer are far superior to anything available from Microsoft or elsewhere.

Lamar J. IT Strategic Sourcing, Capital Group Companies

Directions on Microsoft is amazing. We have never had licensing resources that even come close to what you provide.

Nancy T. Manager Information Technology, Torchmark

I gain more insights about Microsoft using Directions than from any other source, including Gartner.

Chris A. Desktop Technology Services Manager, Portland General Electric

Helps my team navigate Microsoft complexities and find the information needed for better decisions.

Tom H. Director Cloud Solutions, Tangent

Directions repeatedly proves its value with the right information to accelerate decisions and reduce costs.

Shaun B. Enterprise Architect, BP International

Simplifies our jobs by offering the critical Microsoft facts we often struggle to find on our own.

Christ V. G. Product Group Manager, IVENT

If your organization relies on Microsoft for critical IT infrastructure, Directions will give you a holistic, integrated, and undistracted view of Microsoft’s portfolio, strategy, and product direction.

Alan D. IT Director, General Mills

Our Directions partnership is one of the most useful we’ve ever had.

Catherine C. CIO, Air Products and Chemicals

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Thousands of Expert Reports
Accurate Product Roadmaps
Licensing Reference Sets
Webinars, Podcasts and more
Curated Kits & Collections

Roadmaps

See what’s coming and what’s changing. Accurate, updated Microsoft roadmaps covering dependencies, support timelines, and upcoming releases in one place.

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Database, Analytics, and AI/ML Roadmap

Compute, Networking, and Infrastructure Roadmap

Application Platforms Roadmap

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Business Applications Roadmap

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Security, Compliance, Identity, and Management Roadmap

Desktop and Client Roadmap

Analyst Reports

Insight without spin. Clear, fact-based analysis that cuts through Microsoft noise so you can act with certainty.

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New! Dynamics 365 Commerce Adds Lower-Cost Import Options October 23, 2026 October 23, 2026 New Commerce licensing options (called Headless) can lower the cost of processing and importing transactions….more

Azure: Know Reservations Updated: October 19, 2026 Updated: October 19, 2026 Azure reservations allow customers to reduce Azure costs in exchange for a one- or three-year…more

Defender XDR ISOC Announcement Signals a Changing of the Guard October 17, 2026 October 17, 2026 Microsoft continues to bring key features of its Sentinel service into Defender XDR, announcing plans…more

Risks Increase Dramatically with Employees Using Shadow AI October 17, 2026 October 17, 2026 AI tools based on large language models are increasingly used by staff as a quick…more

What Is an Agent: Executive Overview October 16, 2026 October 16, 2026 The word “agent” now refers to a program that uses AI to reason over problems,…more

Entra ID Platform Support Updated: October 15, 2026 Updated: October 15, 2026 Entra ID provides hosted identity and access management. Most capabilities are available across all supported…more

Microsoft 365 AI Governance Features: A Dog’s Breakfast Updated: October 15, 2026 Updated: October 15, 2026 Aspects of AI governance are addressed by many features across Microsoft 365’s compliance, identity, security,…more

How to Apply Azure Reservations and Savings Plans Effectively to Compute Workloads Updated: October 14, 2026 Updated: October 14, 2026 Azure compute is typically the single largest cost category of resources that an organization will…more Get Access to Over 6,600 Reports Atlas Membership

Infographics

Microsoft topics made simple. Visual explanations of licensing, products, and comparisons designed for fast understanding and easy sharing.

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Licensing & Reference

Avoid surprises. Reduce risk. Always-current Microsoft licensing guidance covering options, pricing, strategy shifts, and what is changing next.

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Packaging
Understand Microsoft product bundles and packages to make informed purchasing decisions.

Compliance
Get clear guidance on licensing rules to maintain compliance and avoid penalties.

Purchase Options
Explore available licensing options to find the most cost-effective and strategic fit for your needs.

Versions
Stay up-to-date on the latest software and service versions to ensure compatibility and maximize value.

Rights to Use
Know exactly what your licenses allow or restrict so you can optimize usage and stay compliant.

Discount Eligibility
Identify opportunities for discounts based on your organization’s size, industry, and agreements.

Documentation
Access detailed licensing documentation to clarify terms and conditions at every stage.

Infographics
Visual guides simplify complex licensing scenarios, making it easier to understand your options.

Timelines
Stay informed about key dates and changes to manage your renewals and satisfy audit requirements.

Kits & Collections

Go deep fast. Curated bundles of reports, roadmaps, and licensing guidance for high-impact Microsoft topics like AI, Azure, and Copilot.

Dynamics 365

by
Andrew Snodgrass

Enterprise Agreements

Understanding Azure Governance

by
Rob Sanfilippo

Migrating Compute Workloads to Azure VMs

by
Rob Sanfilippo

Managing Azure Costs

by
Rob Sanfilippo

Webinars & Videos

Expert Microsoft insight on demand. Short, focused videos and webinars covering the changes that affect enterprise decisions.

Microsoft Roadmap Update, Dec. 2025 December 10, 2025
10:00 am – 11:00 am PT Watch

Directions Atlas. What’s New? September 2026 Updated: October 6, 2026

Podcasts

Perspective you will not find elsewhere. Independent commentary on Microsoft technology, roadmaps, and licensing from analysts with 30+ years of experience.

Season – 5 · Episode – 16 · Duration – 29m

What Are Microsoft Enterprise Customers Thinking?

Microsoft enterprise customers have a lot on their minds. At Directions’ latest Licensing Bootcamp, we got an earful. Analyst Wes Miller tells Mary Jo Foley all about it.

Season – 5 · Episode – 15 · Duration – 29m

Uncovering the Hidden Costs of M365 Copilot

Season – 5 · Episode – 14 · Duration – 29m

How and Why We Built an AI Assistant

Season – 5 · Episode – 13 · Duration – 20m

How the Changing Cyber Landscape Affects Your Org

Season – 5 · Episode – 12 · Duration – 30m

Microsoft’s FY27: What Enterprises Need to Know

Blogs

What matters explained clearly. Analyst-written articles curated by Editor in Chief Mary Jo Foley, focused on the Microsoft developments enterprises need to understand.