Directions on Microsoft

Microsoft adds a 'Security Copilot' to its AI assistant line-up
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog/2023-03-28/microsoft-adds-security-copilot-its-ai-assistant-line
Microsoft is testing with a small group of customers in private preview a security-focused, GPT-powered Security Copilot.

Good news, bad news.
How do the recent shifts in Microsoft support programs affect your organization? Read the report and find out: https://offers.directionsonmicrosoft.com/unified-support-pricing-changes-for-2023

Our report provides the details you need:
> New pricing for existing Unified Customers
> Advice and guidance for Premier Support holdouts
> Alternatives to Unified Support

Top F100 companies have equipped their IT procurement and SAM teams with the critical knowledge and understanding they need to optimize their next Microsoft Enterprise Agreement.

They know how to keep compliant without overbuying. You should too.
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/get-training

Teams or Outlook? Why Not Both?
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/teams-or-outlook-why-not-both
In this episode, Mary Jo Foley talks with Directions' Rob Helm and Jim Gaynor about where Teams and Outlook overlap, integrate, and compete – and what it means for customers planning their collaboration strategies.

Follow us on our NEW Twitter channel:
https://twitter.com/DirectionsMSFT
We're merging our existing channels into a new one that will be curated by Mary Jo Foley.

Don’t get caught by surprise. Read our “Licensing Service Accounts in Power Platform” guide.
https://offers.directionsonmicrosoft.com/licensing-service-accounts-in-power-platform
You find out:
> The benefits and drawbacks of service accounts
> Service account licensing basics
> The one service account licensing trap you must avoid

Microsoft's Remote Desktop Services' Days Are Numbered: Here's Why
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog/2023-03-02/microsofts-remote-desktop-services-days-are-numbered-heres-why
Microsoft has not made an official announcement that Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is on its way out, but increasingly signs are pointing that way.

Microsoft Licensing for Non-Microsoft Clouds
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/microsoft-licensing-non-microsoft-clouds
Microsoft licensing rules are written to favor customers that use Azure and penalize customers who run their Microsoft software on competitors’ cloud platforms, especially AWS, Google, and Alibaba. In this podcast, Mary Jo Foley and analyst Wes Miller discuss the extra licensing costs Microsoft customers face when they use non-Microsoft clouds to run their Microsoft workloads – including recent and upcoming rule changes that further increase the pressure to use Azure.

Microsoft's new set of Windows 11 feature updates: What's included and how to manage it
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog/2023-02-27/microsofts-new-set-windows-11-feature-updates-whats-included-and-how-manage-it
Microsoft is kicking off the rollout of its next set of Windows 11 features which the company will throttle to a degree for some business customers.

Microsoft wants to super-size your next EA renewal. What can you do?
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/get-training
The Directions on Microsoft Licensing Boot Camp (LBC) is an intensive, 18+ hour course. Its the most complete and up-to-date training on Microsoft licensing and EA negotiation available.
Your team will learn:
> Fundamental Microsoft licensing concepts and vocabulary
> Microsoft compliance traps and how to avoid them
> A proven process that gets you ready for a successful EA Renewal
> Negotiation strategies to minimize your costs and maximize your protections

Microsoft’s new Bing AI chatbot could be coming to the enterprise, too
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog/2023-02-22/microsofts-new-bing-ai-chatbot-could-be-coming-enterprise-too
Microsoft's ChatGPT-based Bing bot is all about consumers (and advertisers) for now. But the technology could find its way into business software and services, maybe in the not-too-distant future.

More from MaryJo Foley: https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/blog

Azure-Connected Features in SQL 2022
https://www.directionsonmicrosoft.com/azure-connected-features-sql-2022
In this episode, Mary Jo Foley and analyst Andrew Snodgrass discuss the advantages and limitations of the new Azure-connected features in SQL Server 2022. They cover the new use scenarios the Azure-connected features enable, additional Azure service you’ll need to make them work, and how they may limit SQL Server 2022’s useful life. The episode concludes with thoughts on what increased Azure connectivity means for the future of SQL Server.