Microsoft Offers a Wide Range of Business Software Products

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Microsoft develops enterprise and consumer software. Its flagship products include the Windows operating system and the Office productivity suite. It has three main business segments: consumer, business processes and intelligence cloud. It also offers cloud computing services, including platform-as-a-service SQL Server and infrastructure-as-a-service Azure.

Microsoft was slow to see the commercial potential of Internet and network systems. The first attempt at Internet software was Windows NT, released in 1993, which offered improved network security and reliability. It quickly overtook Novell’s NetWare in market share. However, Microsoft was not serious about moving into Internet software until the company bought Netscape Communications Corp., and introduced the Navigator Web browser.

Microsoft’s response was to develop its own browser, Internet Explorer. The company made it free for users and persuaded computer makers to distribute it. It also bundled it with its Windows OS and began the process of integrating Explorer directly into Windows. This led to a lawsuit filed by Netscape, which accused Microsoft of violating the consent decree and successfully got the Justice Department to reopen the investigation.

Microsoft has adapted its offerings to meet the changing needs of businesses. In addition to offering desktop software, it offers mobile applications and the Microsoft Office suite. These software programs enable businesses to share information and collaborate with ease. For example, Outlook serves as a central portal for e-mail, calendars, and contacts. Another service, Office Live Workspace, boasts an online storage space that allows users to save their documents globally.

Another key product offered by Microsoft is the Azure cloud computing platform. Azure allows users to develop new applications or run existing ones. The public cloud platform’s Windows operating environment ensures that users can migrate their existing applications without major changes. In addition, Azure offers compatibility with key on-premises applications. Aside from Windows Azure, Microsoft has Office 365, which is the cloud version of its Office business software suite.

The Office suite includes programs for word processing, spreadsheets, graphs, and presentations. Microsoft Access provides database management tools, while Microsoft Outlook facilitates email communication and task management. Microsoft Publisher offers entry-level desktop publications, while OneNote allows for free-form note taking. These applications can be used on multiple computers.

Microsoft Word also has features for creating books and brochures. You can customize margins and insert page breaks. It can also create headers, tables, and bibliographies. And you can export PDF files to share your documents. It also has cross-reference features. This software is a great option for professionals.

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