Directions on Microsoft
Directions on Microsoft is an independent advisory firm founded in 1992 that provides Microsoft-enterprise customers with licensing analysis, EA negotiation support, audit defense, and licensing training via its Atlas membership platform.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1992
- HeadquartersKirkland, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Directions on Microsoft does
Directions on Microsoft is an independent IT planning and advisory service founded in 1992 and headquartered in Kirkland, Washington. The firm focuses exclusively on the Microsoft enterprise ecosystem, serving large and mid-market organizations that need independent guidance on Microsoft licensing, Enterprise Agreement (EA) negotiations, compliance and audit defense, and Microsoft technology strategy. It positions itself as vendor-neutral — not affiliated with Microsoft or its competitors — and markets that independence as a core differentiator versus channel- and vendor-aligned advisors. The company's stated customer base includes Fortune 500 enterprises across retail, home improvement, e-commerce/technology, and financial services (e.g., Nike, Home Depot, Amazon, Morgan Stanley).
The core technology is the Directions Atlas platform, a digital membership product that aggregates 7,480+ proprietary analyst reports, Microsoft product roadmaps, licensing reference materials, infographics, kits, webinars, videos, podcasts, and expert blogs. The firm is launching Atlas AI, an AI interface trained exclusively on Directions' canonical content to support Microsoft licensing research, currently in preview as of April 2026. The Atlas platform is complemented by a services layer comprising an 18+ hour Microsoft Licensing Boot Camp delivered in virtual and in-person formats (Chicago, Orlando, Washington D.C.), full-cycle EA negotiation support, an Expert Desk for ongoing advisory access, license verification and audit defense, and Microsoft Strategy Assessments.
The business operates on a platform-plus-services model: recurring Atlas membership subscriptions (annual billing, quote-based pricing) provide the content and platform foundation, while fee-based advisory engagements (EA negotiation, audit defense, strategy assessment, training boot camps) layer higher-margin professional services revenue on top. Go-to-market is direct sales-led, primarily targeting enterprise Microsoft customers with Microsoft licensing complexity. The firm is privately held, independently financed with no disclosed funding rounds, and operates globally from its single Kirkland headquarters with 11-50 employees.
Directions on Microsoft firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Directions on Microsoft
- Legal name
- Directions on Microsoft
- Website
- https://directionsonmicrosoft.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1992
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Directions on Microsoft is an independent advisory firm founded in 1992 that provides Microsoft-enterprise customers with licensing analysis, EA negotiation support, audit defense, and licensing training via its Atlas membership platform.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Directions on Microsoft industry classification
Industry- Product category
- IT Advisory Services
- NAICS
- Management Consulting Services (54161), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Technical Enablement & Adoption Services (Change Management, Adoption, Champions) (BPAEANAC)
Keywords
Where Directions on Microsoft is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Kirkland
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Directions on Microsoft business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Atlas Membership Subscription: Annual or multi-year membership providing access to the Directions Atlas platform including analyst reports, product roadmaps, licensing reference materials, webinars, videos, podcasts, and expert guidance.
- Licensing Training Programs: In-depth licensing boot camp training (18+ hours) offered in virtual and in-person formats at locations including Chicago, Orlando, and virtual sessions. Multiple session dates throughout the year.
- Advisory & Negotiation Services: Direct engagement services including EA negotiation support, expert desk consultations, license verification and audit defense, and Microsoft strategy assessments.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Directions Atlas Membership - tiered access to Microsoft analysis and guidance |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Directions on Microsoft product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Directions on Microsoft is an independent IT planning and advisory service that provides vendor-neutral analysis, research, training, and consulting focused exclusively on Microsoft enterprise technologies. Its core offering is the Directions Atlas membership platform, a digital subscription product that delivers analyst reports, product roadmaps, licensing reference materials, webinars, videos, podcasts, and expert blogs, complemented by paid advisory services (EA negotiation, audit defense, strategy assessments) and an 18+ hour Microsoft Licensing Boot Camp.
Product overview
Directions on Microsoft is an independent IT planning and advisory service focused exclusively on Microsoft since 1992. The company offers a unified platform called Directions Atlas, which is a membership-based service providing access to over 7,400 analyst reports, product roadmaps, infographics, licensing reference materials, kits, webinars, videos, podcasts, and expert blogs. The core membership is complemented by fee-based advisory services including Microsoft Licensing Boot Camp (an 18+ hour training program), EA Negotiation Support, Expert Desk, License Verification & Audit Defense, and Microsoft Strategy Assessment. The company also offers Atlas AI, an emerging AI interface for Microsoft licensing research built on their proprietary content. The portfolio is structured as a platform-plus-services model: the Atlas membership provides curated research and content, while the advisory services layer offers direct expert engagement for licensing negotiations, audits, and strategic planning.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Directions Atlas Membership Annual or multi-year digital subscription giving enterprise Microsoft customers instant access to unbiased Microsoft analysis, product roadmaps, decision kits, infographics, webinars, videos, podcasts, blogs, and expert guidance across the Atlas platform.
- Microsoft Licensing Boot Camp An 18+ hour virtual or in-person boot camp that trains enterprise IT, procurement, finance, and SAM teams on Microsoft licensing fundamentals, EA negotiation strategies, and compliance risk reduction.
- EA Negotiation Support Full-cycle advisory engagement providing expert guidance throughout Microsoft Enterprise Agreement renewals, from initial preparation through securing favorable terms, pricing, and flexibility for enterprise customers.
- Microsoft Expert Desk Year-round access to a team of Microsoft licensing and strategy experts for answering client questions, clarifying product updates, and providing insight on evolving Microsoft policies.
- License Verification & Audit Defense Advisory engagement that identifies and addresses Microsoft licensing compliance gaps, minimizes audit risk, and positions organizations for successful Microsoft audit outcomes.
- Microsoft Strategy Assessment Advisory engagement that evaluates current and future Microsoft investment needs, identifies cost optimization opportunities, and future-proofs technology strategy aligned with long-term business objectives.
- Atlas AI An AI interface for Microsoft licensing research built on the Directions Atlas platform and trained exclusively on Directions' canonical content, providing accurate, trustworthy answers with direct references to underlying research; introduced as a new Directions offering currently in preview.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50x Average Expected ROI for clients using advisory services
Companies that use Directions on Microsoft
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Directions on Microsoft technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Directions on Microsoft partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Directions on Microsoft competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- IDC: Global IT market research and advisory firm covering enterprise software vendors including Microsoft; competes with Directions' research and advisory services across a much broader portfolio.
- Crayon: Cloud and software asset management consultancy with Microsoft licensing expertise; competes in EA advisory and license optimization for enterprise customers at international scale.
- Insight Enterprises: Large IT solutions and services provider with a Microsoft licensing and advisory practice, offering enterprise agreement support and consulting at significantly larger scale than Directions.
- Gartner: Largest IT research and advisory firm covering all major enterprise software vendors including Microsoft; offers IT research subscriptions and advisory but lacks Directions' Microsoft-only depth and licensing specialization.
- Forrester Research: Major IT research and advisory firm providing broad enterprise technology research including Microsoft, with subscription research and advisory services that overlap with the Atlas membership and consulting offerings.
- SoftwareOne: Global software and cloud licensing specialist with significant Microsoft practice providing licensing advisory, SAM, and EA negotiation support — overlaps with Directions' advisory business but at much larger scale and broader scope.
Direct peers
- UpperEdge: Independent advisory firm focused exclusively on Microsoft licensing, contract negotiation, and SAM/audit defense for enterprise customers — the closest direct competitor to Directions on Microsoft in terms of scope, customer base, and Microsoft-only focus.
- Miro Consulting: Microsoft licensing consulting firm offering license optimization, audit defense, and enterprise agreement negotiation services, serving a similar enterprise customer base and competing for the same Microsoft-licensing advisory wallet.
- ClearEdge IT Solutions: Specialized Microsoft licensing and SAM advisory firm that helps enterprises manage EA renewals and audits, directly overlapping with Directions' advisory and audit defense offerings.
Emerging players
- Software Asset Advisors: Smaller independent advisory focused on Microsoft and enterprise software licensing optimization and audit defense, competing in the same niche as Directions but with a more limited content library and brand.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Directions on Microsoft social profiles
Digital presenceDirections on Microsoft financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Directions on Microsoft leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
Directions on Microsoft funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Directions on Microsoft M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Directions on Microsoft
What does Directions on Microsoft do?
Directions on Microsoft is an independent IT planning and advisory service that provides vendor-neutral analysis, research, training, and consulting focused exclusively on Microsoft enterprise technologies. Its core offering is the Directions Atlas membership platform, a digital subscription product that delivers analyst reports, product roadmaps, licensing reference materials, webinars, videos, podcasts, and expert blogs, complemented by paid advisory services (EA negotiation, audit defense, strategy assessments) and an 18+ hour Microsoft Licensing Boot Camp.
Is Directions on Microsoft a public or private company?
Directions on Microsoft is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Directions on Microsoft founded?
Directions on Microsoft was founded in 1992. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Directions on Microsoft based?
Directions on Microsoft is headquartered in Kirkland, United States, in the North America region.
How does Directions on Microsoft make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Atlas Membership Subscription is the primary driver. The others are licensing Training Programs and advisory & Negotiation Services.
Who are Directions on Microsoft's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are IDC, Crayon, Insight Enterprises, Gartner, Forrester Research and SoftwareOne. Direct peers are UpperEdge, Miro Consulting and ClearEdge IT Solutions. Software Asset Advisors is listed as an emerging player.
Does Directions on Microsoft have an API?
No public API is recorded for Directions on Microsoft.
What industry is Directions on Microsoft in?
Directions on Microsoft's product category is IT Advisory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEANAC, Technical Enablement & Adoption Services (Change Management, Adoption, Champions). Its NAICS code is 54161 and its SIC code is 8742.