How Microsoft Has Overcome Challenges
The world’s largest software company, Microsoft is best known for its Windows line of operating systems, the Office suite of productivity applications and the Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers. It also produces video games, computer and gaming hardware and search and other online services. Microsoft’s corporate headquarters are located in Redmond, Washington and the company has offices worldwide.
The company was founded in 1975 by Harvard University classmates Bill Gates and Paul Allen. The pair converted BASIC, a mainframe computer programming language, into a version compatible with the Altair 8800, an early microcomputer. They incorporated Microsoft in 1977 and named it after the abbreviation of the phrase “microcomputer software.” Later that same year, the company was invited by International Business Machines Corporation to produce the essential software, or operating system, for its first personal computers. Microsoft purchased an existing operating system, altered it and released it under the name MS-DOS.
In the years that followed, Microsoft developed an extensive line of software for a variety of platforms and devices. The Windows operating system became the dominant PC platform, and the Office suite of programs dominated the productivity market. Microsoft also diversified its offerings with the development of the Xbox gaming console and the search engine Bing.
Over the years, Microsoft has had many successes and some major failures. However, the company has never been a complete disaster, and it is able to rebound from even its most serious setbacks.
One of the most significant challenges that Microsoft faced was the rise of Android mobile devices. The company initially held out hope that the Windows OS would dominate the smartphone market, but it eventually gave in and partnered with Google to develop an Android app store. This move ultimately allowed Android devices to gain market share and significantly reduced the amount of revenue that Microsoft received from the sales of its own smartphone platform.
Another challenge that Microsoft has faced is the emergence of cloud computing. The company has shifted its focus from traditional software products to cloud-based solutions, and it now offers the Azure cloud service as a way to provide businesses with secure and scalable hosting environments. This shift has prompted some observers to wonder whether or not the company will be able to maintain its dominance in this new market.
In addition to its cloud-based offerings, Microsoft continues to offer the Surface Pro tablet and the Xbox One gaming console. The Surface Pro tablet has been a popular device for consumers and business users, and it is expected that the company will release an updated model next year. The Xbox One is a gaming console that competes with rival devices such as the PlayStation 4 and the Oculus Rift headset.
Microsoft has a number of important initiatives that may help it maintain its current market position or even become more dominant in future technologies. These include artificial intelligence, data management and quantum computing. The company has the resources and technology to remain competitive for a long time, but it will need to continue to set high standards if it wants to keep its momentum going.
