TrustedTech Presents The Microsoft Playbook

Are you paying more than you should for the exact same Azure resources? In this episode of The Microsoft Playbook, we break down Azure markup and why two companies buying identical SKUs can pay very different rates depending on their partner, their agreements, and how their environment is optimized. Joined by Adrian Belen, Program Manager on Azure, we cover how to spot overpayment, what the Azure Cost Management view does and doesn’t tell you, and how an Azure billing transfer works. Because of TrustedTech’s Microsoft designations, subscriptions can move over with no engineering effort and no downtime. You’ll learn:
Why Azure pricing is so hard to read, and why partners can bill at, above, or below Microsoft’s rate
How reservations and right-sizing can swing costs by 50% or more between similar companies
How the Azure Rate Check compares your invoice against actual resource usage
Why the transfer requires no changes to your workloads
What happens with contract terms if you later decide to stop using Azure Whether you’re renewing, reviewing your Azure spend, or wondering if your current provider is giving you a fair rate, this episode shows you how to find out. 
Get your Azure Rate Check: https://www.trustedtechteam.com/pages/azure-billing-rate-check Chapters 00:00 – Intro 00:17 – Welcome and why Azure rates vary so much 00:39 – What is Azure markup? 01:02 – What the Cost Management view really shows 01:42 – Why overpayment goes unnoticed 02:22 – Same SKUs, different rates 03:05 – How an Azure billing transfer starts 03:56 – Real example: $200K/month Azure spend 04:48 – Why TrustedTech can offer aggressive Azure discounts 06:01 – How hard is a billing transfer? 07:01 – Is there a catch? (No downtime) 07:44 – Contract terms and next steps for cost optimization 08:34 – Outro #azure #microsoftazure #azurecosts #azurepricing #cloudcosts #finops #cloudcostoptimization #microsoftcsp #azurebilling #itleadership

Azure capacity is tight. Customers trying to spin up new resources or scale their footprint are running into "operation failed" errors and support tickets that can sit open for months. In this episode of The Microsoft Playbook, Lance Waidzunas, Manager of Azure Support and Services at TrustedTech, explains what's driving the squeeze, when capacity is expected to free up (the US East 3 region in Atlanta is now targeting 2027), and what you can do right now to keep workloads moving. Lance also walks through TrustedTech's Trusted Advisor program, which delivers an average of 20–30% savings on Azure spend. One enterprise client cut $2.5M from their annual Azure bill with no drop in workload performance. If you want to see what's possible in your own environment, TrustedTech offers a free cost optimization report to get started. Ensure your Azure environment is architected, governed, and optimized for current needs and future growth, including AI and multi-cloud. https://www.trustedtechteam.com/pages... Chapters 0:00 – How TrustedTech saved an enterprise client $2.5M on Azure 0:13 – Intro: Meet Lance Wade 0:26 – What's causing the Azure capacity crunch 1:24 – The error messages customers are seeing 1:53 – Your options when Microsoft says capacity isn't available 3:02 – When relief is coming: US East 3, Atlanta, 2027 4:09 – How the Trusted Advisor program works 5:21 – Cost optimization beyond reservations and savings plans 6:31 – Security, performance, and ongoing monthly reviews 7:32 – How this is different from Azure Advisor 8:21 – Real client savings: $141K on a $500K spend, $2.5M on enterprise 9:55 – How to get started with a free cost optimization report 11:10 – Wrap-up #Azure #MicrosoftAzure #AzureCapacity #CloudCostOptimization #FinOps #CloudComputing #MicrosoftCSP #AzureSupport #CloudStrategy #ITLeadership #TrustedAdvisor #AzureInfrastructure #MicrosoftPlaybook #TrustedTech

Are you overspending in Azure without realizing it?
In this episode of The Microsoft Playbook, we break down one of the most common (and costly) challenges in the cloud: Azure sprawl and how it silently drives up your monthly bill.
Joined by Heath Madison, Senior Director of Professional Services, we explore real-world examples of cloud waste, including a case where a company reduced an Azure service from $125,000/month to just $800/month without sacrificing performance.
You’ll learn why Azure costs spiral out of control, why native tools only tell part of the story, and how organizations consistently uncover 20–30% savings in annual Azure spend.
Whether you're already in Azure or planning your cloud strategy, this episode will help you think more strategically about cost, governance, and long-term optimization.
Chapters
00:00 – Intro
00:13 – What is Azure sprawl?
01:00 – How cloud convenience leads to overspending
02:07 – Real-world example: $125K vs $800 ExpressRoute
03:28 – Why optimization isn’t a one-time fix
03:59 – What Azure Cost Management tools provide
04:44 – The limits of automated recommendations
05:44 – Why strategy matters in rightsizing
06:08 – How Trusted Advisors help control costs
06:56 – Catching unexpected Azure spend spikes
07:11 – Typical savings: 20–30% in Azure spend
07:43 – Eliminating orphaned and unused resources
08:00 – Why security matters in cloud optimization
08:28 – Governance and operational excellence
08:42 – Why Microsoft relies on partners
09:23 – What makes TrustedTech different
10:27 – Outro
#azure #azureservices #cloudcomputing #microsoftazure #cloudcosts #finops #cloudstrategy #itinfrastructure #techleadership #digitaltransformation

In this episode of TrustedTech Presents: The Microsoft Playbook, we dive into the evolving Microsoft support landscape and what it means for customers today.
Joined by Mark Claremont, Director of Cloud Services at TrustedTech, we break down Microsoft’s shift toward leveraging CSP partners for support delivery and why that’s creating major opportunities for organizations looking for faster, more responsive service.
TrustedTech is proud to be one of the first companies globally to earn Microsoft’s new Solution Partner Designation for Support Services, launched in late 2025 and awarded in early 2026. This designation recognizes elite operational performance, including response times, escalation rates, and customer satisfaction.
In this conversation, we cover:
Why Microsoft is pushing more support responsibilities to partners
How Microsoft measures partner support performance
What it takes to earn the Support Services Solution Partner designation
TrustedTech’s reactive and proactive support model
Key performance metrics, including:
Under 10-minute first response times
15% escalation rate to Microsoft Premier Support
99.2% customer satisfaction rate
Whether you're transitioning from Unified Support, exploring CSP options, or simply looking to consolidate licensing and support under one trusted partner, this episode explains how TrustedTech delivers both competitive pricing and enterprise-grade support, reactive and proactive, all under one roof.
Explore our various Microsoft Support offerings: https://www.trustedtechteam.com/pages/professional-services-overview https://www.trustedtechteam.com/pages/reactive-support https://www.trustedtechteam.com/blogs/news/microsoft-support-services-designation
 
Chapter List
00:00 – Introduction
00:15 – What’s Changing in the Microsoft Support Market?
00:49 – Why Microsoft Is Shifting Support to CSP Partners
01:16 – How Microsoft Measures Partner Support Performance
01:37 – New Solution Partner Designation for Support Services
02:01 – How TrustedTech Earned the Designation
02:34 – TrustedTech’s Support Promise & Performance Metrics
03:42 – Reactive vs. Proactive Support Explained
04:19 – Benefits of Partnering with TrustedTech
05:05 – How to Get Started with TrustedTech
 
#MicrosoftSupport, #MicrosoftCSP, #SolutionPartner, #TrustedTech, #CloudSupport, #ITSupport, #MicrosoftPartners, #UnifiedSupportAlternative, #CloudServices, #MicrosoftPlaybook

Microsoft 365 licensing is changing, and if you’re not prepared, it could cost you.
In this episode of The Microsoft Playbook, we sit down with Haley Alfonso, Account Executive Team Lead at TrustedTech, to break down the upcoming Microsoft M365 price increases taking effect July 1st and what organizations should do right now to get ahead of them.
 
We cover:
✅ What’s driving the 5–33% Microsoft price increase
✅ Which organizations are impacted (commercial, government, and nonprofit)
✅ New features being added to core M365 licenses, including Copilot Chat, Defender, Intune, and security enhancements
✅ How TrustedTech helps customers lock in savings, consolidate licensing, and avoid over- or under-licensing
✅ Why acting early with renewals and promotions can make a major financial difference
 
If you’re managing Microsoft 365 licensing, planning renewals, or trying to reduce IT spend in 2025 and beyond, this episode is a must-watch.
📈Check out our blog post on M365 Price Increases for 2026 https://www.trustedtechteam.com/blogs/news/microsoft-365-price-increases-2026-and-current-discounts
📞Talk to TrustedTech to get proactive, lock in pricing, and make sure your licensing aligns with your long-term IT strategy. Find out more about our M365 Solutions https://www.trustedtechteam.com/pages/microsoft-365-solutions
 
Chapter List
00:00 – Why TrustedTech takes a proactive approach to licensing
00:15 – Introduction to the Microsoft Playbook & today’s topic
00:44 – Microsoft’s upcoming M365 price increase (what & when)
01:05 – Who is impacted by the July 1st increase
01:17 – New features added to M365 licenses
01:25 – Copilot Chat, Intune, Defender & security enhancements explained
01:56 – What customers are most concerned about right now
02:04 – Promotions, bundles, and how to get ahead of renewals
02:30 – “Act now” strategy to lock in pricing
02:39 – What differentiates TrustedTech from other CSPs
03:31 – How TrustedTech’s licensing consultation works
03:54 – Inside the TrustedTech self-service licensing portal
04:42 – Licensing consultation vs. professional services assessments
05:13 – How to mitigate price increases before July 1st
05:29 – Closing thoughts & next steps
 
#Microsoft365, #M365, #MicrosoftLicensing, #MicrosoftCopilot, #ITCostOptimization, #CloudLicensing, #CSP, #MicrosoftSecurity,#TrustedTech, #MicrosoftPlaybook

In this episode of The Microsoft Playbook, we delve into the latest and most creative phishing threats.
Joined by Andy Nolan, Director of Strategic Programs at TrustedTech, we unpack real-world phishing scenarios that go far beyond the classic “reset your password” email. From deceptive look-alike domains like rnicrosoft.com, to malicious PDFs to physical attacks involving infected USB drives, this conversation highlights how a single click or plug-in can lead to catastrophic security breaches.
You’ll hear firsthand stories from Andy’s 15+ years in IT and security, including:
How a simple phishing email led to a massive data exposure in the adult entertainment industry
How nation-state attacks leveraged human curiosity with physical media
Why Microsoft Defender’s layered protections are critical in stopping these threats before they escalate
We also cover how Microsoft Defender works behind the scenes, URL detonation, sandboxing, domain reputation checks, USB controls, anomaly detection, and how TrustedTech’s Cloud Security Envisioning Workshop helps organizations identify gaps and strengthen their security posture before attackers do.
Whether you’re an IT leader, security professional, or simply want to understand modern phishing, this episode equips you with the knowledge to recognize real-world threats, protect your organization, and apply expert-backed strategies for improved security.
 
Chapter List
00:13 – Welcome to the Microsoft Playbook: Modern phishing overview
01:05 – How phishing has evolved (AI, deepfakes, and tailored attacks)
01:26 – Real-world phishing breach in the adult entertainment industry
02:46 – Why “low-privilege” users still pose high risk
03:54 – The cascading impact of a single phishing email
05:02 – Full network compromise: what went wrong
05:39 – How Microsoft Defender could have prevented the breach
07:04 – Physical phishing: infected USB drives and human curiosity
08:09 – Nation-state attacks and the Iran centrifuge example
09:22 – Defender protections: USB control, behavior monitoring, anomaly detection
10:54 – Look-alike domains and the rn vs m phishing technique
13:01 – Domain reputation, URL verification, and Defender URL Defense
15:51 – How TrustedTech helps secure environments with Microsoft Defender
17:01 – Closing thoughts and final takeaways
 
#phishing #cybersecurity #phishingawareness #microsoftdefender #cloudsecurity #zerotrust #securityoperations #threatdetection #trustedtech #informationsecurity

Welcome back to another episode of The Microsoft Playbook! In this conversation, we sit down with Luan Tran our Lead Account Manager for Legacy Sales to break down everything you need to know about SPLA (Service Provider Licensing Agreement) — one of Microsoft’s most widely used licensing models for service providers.
With major changes taking effect as of October 1, 2025, many organizations are unsure how these updates impact compliance, cloud usage, and their long-term licensing strategies.
Luan walks us through:
What SPLA is and who it’s designed for
Why Microsoft is shifting away from SPLA usage in public cloud environments
What organizations need to do to stay compliant
The best alternative licensing models, including Pay-As-You-Go, BYOL (Bring Your Own License), Open Value, and MPSA
The future of SPLA beyond 2025
If you’re a service provider, host, or IT leader trying to navigate Microsoft licensing changes, this episode is packed with clarity and guidance.
Find out more on The End of Microsoft SPLA Licensing in Public Clouds https://www.trustedtechteam.com/blogs/news/the-end-of-microsoft-spla-licensing-in-public-clouds
 
Chapters
00:00 – Intro
00:18 – Welcome to the Microsoft Playbook
00:34 – What is SPLA and who uses it?
01:07 – What changed on October 1, 2025?
01:52 – Why Microsoft is making these SPLA changes
02:21 – How to know if your organization needs to transition
02:58 – What the shift means for service providers
03:22 – Alternative licensing models to consider
04:07 – How Luan advises customers on choosing a path
04:28 – What happens to SPLA after October 1?
05:21 – SPLA isn’t going away — just evolving
05:23 – Wrap-up and closing

Get ready for the next big leap in database technology. In this episode of The Microsoft Playbook, Senior Director of Legacy Sales Johnny Lopez joins us to break down everything you need to know about SQL Server 2025; Microsoft’s most intelligent, secure, and future-ready database platform yet.
From built-in AI and Copilot integration to enhanced security, compliance, and licensing models, SQL Server 2025 is designed to help organizations modernize efficiently and securely, regardless of the size of their business.
Join us as we explore:
The evolution of SQL Server and what makes the 2025 version a game-changer.
Upgrading to SQL Server 2025: What to expect, what’s required, and how to do it right.
The power of built-in AI and smarter performance tools that streamline your data workflows.
Why security takes center stage in today’s hybrid and cloud environments. How Copilot can simplify management, performance tuning, and security best practices.
The most common licensing challenges — and how to stay compliant while saving money.
If you’re a DBA, IT manager, or business decision-maker looking to prepare your data infrastructure for the future, this is your complete guide to SQL Server 2025.
 
About TrustedTech:
TrustedTech helps organizations simplify, secure, and modernize their Microsoft environments — from licensing and implementation to ongoing support. https://www.trustedtechteam.com/products/microsoft-sql-server-2025
 
Find out more about SQL 2025
The Future of Databases: AI-Powered Features in SQL Server 2025
https://www.trustedtechteam.com/blogs/sql-server/sql-server-2025-new-ai-features
SQL Server 2025 AI Developer Tools
https://www.trustedtechteam.com/blogs/sql-server/sql-server-2025-ai-developer-tools-copilot-langchain
Query Smarter: How SQL Server 2025 Translates Complex Commands into Natural Language
https://www.trustedtechteam.com/blogs/sql-server/sql-server-2025-complex-queries-to-natural-language
When Will SQL Server 2025 Be Released? History and AI Help Us Forecast the Date
https://www.trustedtechteam.com/blogs/sql-server/sql-server-2025-release-date
SQL Server 2025 Preview: Top New Features Including AI Integration and Vector Search
https://www.trustedtechteam.com/blogs/sql-server/sql-server-2025-preview-features
 
Chapters
00:00 – Intro: Welcome to The Microsoft Playbook
00:18 – The Evolution of SQL Server
01:15 – What’s New in SQL Server 2025
02:25 – Upgrading to SQL Server 2025: What to Expect
03:40 – Built-in AI and Smarter Performance
04:55 – Security Takes Center Stage
05:50 – Copilot Integration and Management Tools
06:45 – Understanding SQL Licensing Models
07:30 – How SQL Server 2025 Helps Organizations Modernize
08:10 – Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

Understanding Microsoft Defender | Protecting Your Organization from Modern Cyber Threats
In this episode of The Microsoft Playbook, host Tipper sits down with Heath Madison, Senior Director of Professional Services at TrustedTech, to break down everything you need to know about Microsoft Defender — Microsoft’s powerful suite of security tools that protect your data, devices, and cloud environments.
What You’ll Learn:
What Microsoft Defender actually is (hint: it’s more than one product!) How Defender helps protect against phishing attacks and email threats How AI and machine learning power modern cybersecurity defenses The difference between Defender for Enterprise and Defender for Business How Defender stacks up against competitors like CrowdStrike and SentinelOne How Trusted Tech can help you implement and manage Defender effectively
Whether you’re an IT professional, business leader, or just curious about how to strengthen your organization’s security posture, this video gives you practical insights straight from the experts.
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro
00:20 – What Is Microsoft Defender?
01:00 – How Defender Protects Against Phishing
03:20 – Employee Training & Simulations
03:45 – AI and Machine Learning in Defender
04:47 – Defender vs. Competitors (CrowdStrike, SentinelOne)
06:09 – Defender for Business vs. Enterprise
07:16 – How Trusted Tech Can Help
08:00 – Closing Thoughts
 
About Trusted Tech: Trusted Tech helps organizations simplify, secure, and modernize their Microsoft environments — from licensing and implementation to ongoing support.
https://www.trustedtechteam.com/
 
#MicrosoftDefender #CyberSecurity #Microsoft365 #TrustedTech #DefenderForBusiness #ITSecurity #CloudSecurity #MicrosoftPlaybook

Microsoft 365 Copilot works alongside users in popular Apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and more, providing real-time intelligent assistance to enhance creativity, productivity, and skills. Our Subject Matter Experts will ensure your IT team walks away with the knowledge and recommendations needed to make responsible AI decisions. https://www.trustedtechteam.com/pages/microsoft-copilot
In this episode, TrustedTech sits down with Anton Ragan, Account Executive, to explain the benefits and precautions of adopting Microsoft Copilot.
What’s Covered:
✅ The return on investment on a $30 monthly fee, per user, for Copilot.
✅ Digital debt and how to use Copilot to solve time management issues.
✅ The importance of our Copilot Readiness Assessment Program.
✅ Data governance and security precautions for utilizing A.I.
✅ The future trends in A.I. for enterprise offerings.
If interested in getting your organization up to speed on Copilot, feel free to get in touch with us for a Readiness Assessment for Microsoft 365 Copilot.
 
#TechSupport #MicrosoftPartners #MicrosoftSupport #MicrosoftUnified #copilot #ai #chatgpt #microsoftcloud #TrustedTech #ITStrategy #CostOptimization #Microsoft365 #Azure #CSP #CloudComputing #ITSupport #TechOptimization #DigitalTransformation #ITManagement #CyberSecurity #ModernWorkplace #ITCostSavings #CloudServices