4.0 Main Purposes of Microsoft
The main objectives of Microsoft are to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Another aim is too Eradicate software piracy. This may be difficult, but a 16% per cent reduction would have significant multiplier effects on the economic contribution of the packaged software industry. If Western Europe had matched the US piracy rate of 27% in 1996, the sector's contribution would have been 60% greater.
5.0 Location And Why?
Their Main Location is Seattle the main reason for this is Bill Gates’ families are from their, its where he grew up and he knows the area well. They also own offices in 60 other countries including the United Kingdom, Russia, and Australia, Sweden…
Other possible reasons for locating there main office in Seattle could be;-
5.1 Labour
Seattle has a large population, which would be extremely ideal, as they would be able to work in the offices of Microsoft although as Microsoft is such a high tech company specialist expertise may be needed. This could be the reason why they own offices in over 60 countries.
5.2 Capital
Bill gates sold dos to IBM, then purchased it from a man in a Seattle computer shop for $50000.Bill Gates stuck MS on it and so Microsoft was born. Many years later Steve Jobs and apple had become the largest personal computer company and were bringing out a new computer. Steve Jobs then heard of a new type of operating system created by Xerox. A research team at Xerox had developed a new type of operating system using a graphical interface and mouse. However Xerox did not see the point or the potential in this (fools) and thus sold it to Steve Jobs then Bill Gates came along and negotiates a deal with Steve Jobs to ‘supposedly’ make software for the new machine. Anyhow Bill Gates managed to get a hold of one of these computers, saw the potential of the graphical interface and Bobs your uncle, stole it and tweaked it a bit.
5.3 Location
When Bill Gates 1st set up Microsoft he decided to set it up in Seattle because his family lived there and it was convenient for him to get to and from work. But he may have had another reason for choosing this location. This could be-
Regional Aid (Development Areas) – areas of high unemployment and declining basic industries, for which he would of received a Grant off the Government.
6.0 Size
Microsoft employs over 48,000 people worldwide and has a turnover of approximately $25.30Billion a year.
7.0 Type of ownership
Microsoft is currently a corporation but in the past was a partnership.
8.0 Organisational overview
Microsoft's organizational structure supports the company's increased focus on software services. The company is currently structured around the following core groups:-
8.1 The Personal The Services Group (PSG), headed by Group Vice President Bob Muglia, focuses on making it easier for consumers and businesses to connect online and to deliver software as a service on a variety of devices.
8.2 MSN & Personal Services Business Group, headed by Vice President Yusuf Mehdi, runs network programming, business development, and worldwide sales and marketing for MSN and Microsoft's other services efforts, including MSN eShop, MSN Carpoint, MSN HomeAdvisor, the MSNBC venture, Slate and MSNTV.
8.3 The Platforms Group, headed by Group Vice President Jim Allchin, has responsibility for continuing to evolve the Windows platform by making services - Such as storage, communication, notification, sharing photos and listening to music - A natural extension of the Windows experience. In addition, the group includes the .NET Enterprise Server group, the Developer Tools division and the Windows Digital Media division.
8.4 The Productivity and Business Services group, headed by Group Vice President Jeff Raikes, drives Microsoft's broad vision for productivity and business process applications and services. This group leads the effort to evolve a service-based product that builds on the rich functionality and capabilities of Microsoft Office. In addition to the Office division, this group includes the Emerging Technologies group, the Business Tools division, and the Business Applications group, which includes bCentral and Great Plains.
9.0 My Questions
I have met a friend over the Internet who is an employee for Microsoft and answered any questions that I had.
The questions I asked are as follows and below them his answers.
Q.1) Do you think Microsoft own a monopoly over Internet explorer?
A.1) Yeah, I'd say it's pretty safe to say that. I still know quite a few people that use Netscape (in addition to IE) but I think the courts have found that Microsoft is technically a monopoly in the Windows and browser markets.
Q.2) If the Xbox doesn’t sell very well compared to the PS2 or Nintendo Products do you think that Microsoft will buy out other companies in order to successfully market the Xbox?
A.2) Nah, I think I disagree. If Microsoft had wanted to, it could already afford to buyout most of the other major gaming companies. Instead of inviting more legal trouble, I think they would prefer to compete head on. Historically, Microsoft's products have always done best (as far as improvements, etc.) when there is fierce competition in whatever market.
Q.3) Which is your all time favourite windows product?
A.3) XP, by far
Q.4) What are your expectations for Microsoft for the next 10years?
A.4) That's a tough question. The industry changes so very much that it's really hard to guess. In the last 10 years, I've seen Microsoft go from a fairly small company to become #1 in several markets. They've got products that range far more than I had ever guessed would happen. I suppose I would have to estimate that Microsoft will continue to likely get more involved in home media as well as working to develop software that will continue to power next-generation devices. Cell phones/hand held computers, ATM's, home appliances, etc.
Q.5) In your opinion do you think Bill Gates was offended by the South Park movie when he gets shot in the head for unreliable windows 98 software?
A.5) Hehe, probably but I honestly don't know. He has a pretty good sense of humour unless his actual life is in danger.
10.0 Conclusion
In conclusion to my business studies report I have found that Microsoft is a successful company. Infact it is the most successful company in the world to date. Bill Gates has got to be the ultimate entrepreneur and defiantly a 1st class con man.
11.0 Evaluation
I found doing my business studies project on the whole quite interesting, although some information was hard to come by like the industrial sector section. For future projects I will collect my information before I start to put my project together. I think that personally being acquainted with a Microsoft employee was a considerable advantage and I feel that on the whole I managed the task well.