The Story of Microsoft – The Operating System That Keeps You Connected and Productive Every Day
When you think of microsoft, the first things that come to mind might be the company’s all-in-one entertainment systems (Xbox) or free audio and video conferencing around the world (Skype). These are certainly impressive products. But they aren’t what makes Microsoft such a powerhouse in the technology sector. Rather, it’s the company’s software that performs the most basic function of a computer—allowing data to make it from hardware components to the display screen. In other words, microsoft provides the operating system that keeps you connected and productive every day.
The story of microsoft begins on April 4, 1975, when childhood friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded the software company. Originally called Micro-Soft, a play on the words microprocessors and software, the company’s name was later changed to Microsoft. In the beginning, the company specialized in producing programming languages to run on the Altair 8800, an early personal computer. Later, International Business Machines Corporation approached the company asking for an operating system for its new line of personal computers. This would be the company’s first big break in a market that soon became enormous.
In addition to OS software, the company developed an office suite that eventually dominated the market, even overtaking Apple’s Mac OS and a long list of competitors. Microsoft also entered the gaming arena with the introduction of its Xbox consoles, as well as the online world with its Internet Explorer and Edge web browsers.
But it’s the company’s Windows operating system that has made the most impact. Although Windows has never been the sole operating system for PCs, it’s been the dominant one since its launch in 1985. Today it still commands a majority of the PC market, according to tech industry research firm Gartner.
Unlike other operating systems that are built to run specific hardware, the windows system can run on many different devices, from desktop computers and laptops to tablets and mobile phones. This is why Microsoft’s revenue from the OS remains so high compared to other areas of the company.
The company is now led by chief executive officer (CEO) Satya Nadella, who has been credited with revitalizing the company. He has focused on ensuring that the company has a solid presence in the cloud computing market and is leveraging its existing software expertise to take on new opportunities. It is this approach that has put the company back on a growth trajectory that saw it regain the No. 1 position on Fortune’s list of best companies to work for in 2019.
On the whole, employees are very satisfied with their jobs at microsoft. The company received a rating of 4.0 out of 5 on CareerBliss for Employee Satisfaction and an overall satisfaction rating of 3.9 out of 5. In addition, the average salary at the company is $81,000. This is 23% higher than the national average for salaries. This is partly due to the fact that the company offers a number of benefits to its employees, including health and dental insurance, as well as 401(k) retirement plans.
