Analyst Reports

Our experts meticulously cut through the haze of Microsoft information so you don’t have to. Analyst Reports provide the clearest, most accurate, and up-to-date information anywhere, free of hype or complexity. Each report delivers clear, actionable insights to help you plan, evaluate, and decide with confidence. New reports are published every week on a variety of topics that will help you reduce risk and save both time and money.

New! Azure Data Studio Is Retiring: What You Need to Do and When September 13, 2025 Azure Data Studio, long touted as the future for data management in Azure, is being… more SQL Server Management Studio Update Will Integrate GitHub Copilot Updated: September 12, 2025 A new version of SQL Server Management Studio, Version 21, brings rejuvenation with a Copilot… more New! Defender for Endpoint: Broad Support for Linux Servers September 12, 2025 Defender for Endpoint offers a broad collection of antimalware and EDR features on x64 and… more There Is a Plan for Project Updated: September 9, 2025 The latest repositioning of Microsoft project management offerings sees Microsoft Planner absorbing Project for the… more Project Online to Shut Down Sept. 30, 2026 September 9, 2025 The Project Online service will shut down in Sept. 2026 and remove access to all… more How to Track Azure Hybrid Benefit Use Rights for SQL Server Updated: September 8, 2025 Azure Hybrid Benefit could reduce costs for customers using SQL Server–based offerings in Azure, but… more Windows Backup for Organizations Is Not Real Backup Updated: September 5, 2025 SQL Data Sync’s Retirement Highlights the Future of Azure SQL Offerings September 4, 2025 Azure SQL Data Sync, a cloud hub service for synchronizing data across multiple SQL Server… more How to Track Azure Hybrid Benefit Use Rights for Windows Server Updated: September 1, 2025 Azure Hybrid Benefit for Windows Server promises substantial cost savings, but effective tracking is required… more Improving Data Analysis with Microsoft Analyst Agent August 26, 2025 Microsoft Analyst, included with Microsoft 365 Copilot, can accelerate data analysis but requires verification to… more Mixing License Tiers of Defender for Endpoint: Dos and Don’ts August 24, 2025 Since Defender for Endpoint P1 arrived, Microsoft customers have faced potential license compliance problems if… more Sentinel Data Lake Eases Storage of Logs August 18, 2025 Sentinel data lake (in preview) helps customers use Sentinel as their default long-term log storage… more Defender Threat Intelligence Coming to Sentinel and Defender XDR at No Additional Cost August 18, 2025 Microsoft Defender Threat Intelligence, previously constrained to an exceedingly expensive per-user license, will be retired… more Who’s Who on a Microsoft Account Team Updated: August 15, 2025 Understanding the roles of the Microsoft account team can help with problems in contract negotiation,… more HDInsight Stagnates: Time to Migrate August 9, 2025 HDInsight has reached a critical point where aging components and lack of investment indicate customers… more Microsoft Researcher Agent Can Speed Decision-Making, But Check Your Work August 8, 2025 Microsoft Researcher, included with Microsoft 365 Copilot, can accelerate strategic planning but requires verification to… more Windows 11 SE Support Ends Oct. 2026 August 8, 2025 Schools should shut down Surface SE and other Windows 11 SE devices by Oct. 2026,… more SharePoint Alerts Retiring: What You Need to Know August 7, 2025 SharePoint alerts are retiring next year, and users may be disrupted more than anticipated. How to Choose Azure SQL Configurations That Meet Requirements and Control Costs August 5, 2025 Azure offers three primary SQL Server database hosting options with varying and limited configuration options…. more Get Access to over 6,416 Reports Atlas Membership