Technology and Licensing Videos

Windows Server is back! Directions on Microsoft analyst Jim Gaynor and Mary Jo Foley delve into the new features and capabilities coming with Windows Server 2025 worth knowing about, including new Active Directory and security features, GPU partitioning for Hyper-V, hotpatching – and the Azure services you need to use them.

Mary Jo Foley interviews veteran Directions analyst Wes Miller, who shares surprising insights gained teaching customers how to navigate the Microsoft licensing maze for more than a decade. From over-licensing and under-licensing to underestimating Microsoft’s revenue drive, you’ll learn the important do’s and don’ts of effective Microsoft licensing.

Directions on Microsoft analyst Rob Sanfilippo talks with Mary Jo Foley about how the Directions’ twice-yearly Azure roadmap comes together. The two compare notes on the latest Azure trends and hot buttons. Plus, Rob takes the Azure codename challenge.

Directions analysts Michael Cherry, Jim Gaynor and Wes Miller dive into how subscriptions have transformed Microsoft’s business model and what it means for Microsoft customers, both now and in the future.

Directions analysts Barry Briggs and Andy Snodgrass talk with Mary Jo Foley about the hype and the reality surrounding database systems in this episode of the Directions podcast. Are organizations any closer to harnessing the power of data now than before? What works and what doesn’t when it comes to data-management strategies?

Former Microsoft Deal Desk executive Dean Bedwell explains the negotiation levers you can use to optimize the outcome of your Microsoft EA renewal.

Directions on Microsoft negotiation expert Dean Bedwell details the types of financial, legal, and business concessions Microsoft customers should ask for during an EA negotiation and the best way to ask for them.

Microsoft negotiation expert Gus Volpe describes the four phases of successful EA negotiations and how to structure your project plan to optimize the results of your EA renewal.

Former Microsoft Deal Desk executive and current head of Directions advisory services Dean Bedwell shares insights gained over decades negotiating against—and more recently on behalf of—Microsoft’s largest enterprise customers, including proven strategies and tactics for optimizing your EA renewal. He also discusses common negotiation pitfalls you should avoid.

Veteran Microsoft negotiator [MLF1]  Steve Kelley guides you through the EA Negotiation Analysis process and teaches you how to use information about your current Microsoft technology deployments and go-forward Microsoft technology requirements gathered in Discovery to determine your options and focus your attention when you engage with Microsoft in renewal negotiations.

Veteran Microsoft negotiator Joshua Osbourne guides you through the complexities of EA Negotiation Discovery and its importance to your Microsoft licensing negotiation outcomes. First, self-audit your current Microsoft software and services deployments, and then interview internal IT subject matter experts to determine the additional Microsoft software and services you need to purchase moving forward.

Directions analyst Andrew Snodgrass explains Power BI Datamarts, an Azure SQL Database controlled by Power BI that reduces the complexity of traditional data marts. Watch this video to understand the strategic significance of Power BI Datamarts in less than four minutes.