How Microsoft Is Shifting Its Strategy
The largest vendor of computer software in the world, microsoft also sells hardware and online services. Its corporate headquarters are in Redmond, Washington, with offices around the world. The company offers a wide variety of products and services, from business productivity software such as Word and Excel to cloud computing platforms and email services. Its most famous product is Windows, which has become the de facto standard operating system for PCs. Microsoft is also well known for its Xbox line of video game consoles and for creating the Kinect, a motion-sensing peripheral that allows gamers to control their games using only their body.
Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Harvard University classmates Bill Gates and Paul Allen. They began working on a compiler for the Altair 8800, a primitive early computer. They were soon hired by Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems to develop a BASIC interpreter for the machine, but left to pursue their own project after a few years to create Microsoft.
Over the decades since, Microsoft has had a massive influence on the way we work and play. Its office suite of software has revolutionized the way businesses prepare documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Its video game consoles like the Xbox have made some of the most popular and revolutionary games available to consumers. The company has also been influential in advancing technology and computer science education, particularly for underserved communities.
But despite its success, the company hasn’t been without missteps. Its attempt to enter the smartphone market in the 2000s ended in failure, and its misguided attempt to change Windows to match the interface of Apple’s iPhone was widely panned. But with its latest products and a new vision under CEO Satya Nadella, the company appears to be back on track.
With a focus on innovation and a commitment to being responsible stewards of the planet, Microsoft’s recent successes show that it is rethinking its strategy and embracing new technologies. It is now one of the leaders in cloud computing, thanks to its Azure platform and its extensive experience running datacenters globally. Its move into AI is another sign of its shift in direction.
While many experts believe that the era of the single OS for computers is coming to an end, Microsoft’s history suggests it will be resilient in the face of competition. It will likely be a dominant player in the next few decades, even as smartphones and tablets become more important than PCs. Its early investment in the promising but potentially perilous field of artificial intelligence could prove crucial, as it has a chance to shape the conversation on how the technology is used and ensure that it isn’t abused. Its decision to partner with OpenAI is another step in the right direction.
