'MICROSOFT' Organization and Management - COMPANY PROFILE

LETS START TO KNOW MICROSOFT WITH A VIDEO

Super futuristic video with touch glass displays everywhere, e-paper devices, random screens, you name it. Probably one of the coolest videos I've seen imagining technology in the future - with a green twist.

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, United States that develops, manufactures, licenses and supports a wide range of products and services related to computing. The company was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975. Microsoft is the world's largest software maker measured by revenues.

- Vision of Microsoft

To be led by a globally diverse workforce that consistently delivers outstanding business results, understands the various cultural demands of a global marketplace, is passionate about technology and the promise it holds to tap human potential, and thrives in a corporate culture where inclusive behaviors are valued.

- Mission of Microsoft

To be the world’s #1 provider of innovative technology solutions that help realize the full potential of its diverse customers and partners around the world.

- Products and Product Divisions

Microsoft Corporation, incorporated in 1981, is engaged in developing, licensing and supporting a range of software products and services. The Company also designs and sells hardware, and delivers online advertising to the customers. 

The Company operates in five segments: 

a) Windows & Windows Live Division (Windows Division)

The Windows Division develops and markets PC operating systems, related software and online services, and PC hardware products. The collection of software, hardware, and services is designed for everyday tasks through Web browsing and seamless operations across the user’s hardware and software. Principal products and services include Windows 7 and prior versions of the Windows operating system; Windows Live suite of applications and Web services, and Microsoft PC hardware products.

The Company competes with Apple, Google and Yahoo!.

b) Server and Tools

Server and Tools develops and markets server software, software developer tools, services, and solutions. Server software is an integrated server infrastructure and middleware designed to support software applications built on the Windows Server operating system. This includes the server platform, database, storage, management and operations, service-oriented architecture platform, security and identity software. Server and Tools also builds standalone and software development lifecycle tools for software architects, developers, testers, and project managers. Server offerings can be run onsite, in a partner-hosted environment, or in a Microsoft-hosted environment. Its cloud-based services consists of an operating system with computing, storage, and management capabilities and a relational database, which allow customers to run enterprise workloads and Web applications in the cloud. These services also include a platform that helps developers connect applications and services in the cloud or on premise.

Server and Tools offers a range of enterprise consulting and product support services (Enterprise Services) that assist customers in developing, deploying, and managing Microsoft server and desktop solutions. Server and Tools also provides training and certification to developers and information technology professionals for its Server and Tools, Microsoft Business Division, and Windows & Windows Live Division products and services. Principal products and services include Windows Server operating systems; Windows Azure; Microsoft SQL Server; SQL Azure; Windows Intune; Windows Embedded; Visual Studio; Silverlight; System Center products; Microsoft Consulting Services, and Premier product support services.

The Company competes with Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Oracle, Red Hat, CA Technologies, BMC, VMWare, Sybase, Intel, Adobe, Amazon, Google, Salesforce.com, Metrowerks and MontaVista Software, add SAP.

c) Online Services Division (OSD)

OSD develops and markets information and content designed to help people simplify tasks and make decisions online, and that help advertisers connect with audiences. OSD offerings include Bing, MSN, Microsoft adCenter, and Atlas online tools for advertisers. Bing and MSN generate revenue through the sale of search and display advertising. The Company provides updated and new online offerings on a frequent basis. In July 2010, it completed the algorithmic transition in the United States and Canada. In October 2010, it completed the paid search transition. Bing is the Company's Internet search engine that finds and organizes the answers people need so they can make informed decisions.

The Company competes with Google and Yahoo!.

d) Microsoft Business Division (MBD)

MBD offerings consist of the Microsoft Office system (consisting mainly of Office, SharePoint, Exchange and Lync) and Microsoft Dynamics business solutions. Microsoft Office system products are designed for personal, team, and organization productivity through a range of programs, services, and software solutions, which may be delivered either on premise or as a cloud-based service. Microsoft Dynamics products provide business solutions for financial management, customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain management, and analytics applications for small and mid-size businesses, large organizations, and divisions of global enterprises. Microsoft Dynamics products provide business solutions for financial management, customer relationship management (CRM), supply chain management, and analytics applications for small and mid-size businesses, large organizations, and divisions of global enterprises. Principal products and services include Microsoft Office; Microsoft Exchange; Microsoft SharePoint; Microsoft Lync; Microsoft Dynamics ERP and Dynamics CRM, and Microsoft Office Web Apps, which are the online companions to Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote. In June 2011, MBD launched Office 365, which is an online services offering of Microsoft Office, Exchange, SharePoint, and Lync.

The Company competes with Adobe, Apple, Corel, Google, IBM, Oracle, Infor, Sage, SAP, Salesforce.com and Cisco.

 

e) Entertainment and Devices Division (EDD)

EDD develops and markets products and services designed to entertain and connect people. The Xbox 360 entertainment platform, including Kinect, is designed to provide a variety of entertainment choices for individuals and families through the use of its devices, peripherals, content, and online services. Mediaroom is designed to provide live, recorded, and on-demand television programming. Windows Phone is designed to bring users closer to the people, applications, and content they need, while providing capabilities, such as Microsoft Office and Xbox LIVE functionality. Principal products and services include Xbox 360 gaming and entertainment console, Kinect for Xbox 360, Xbox 360 video games, Xbox 360 accessories; Xbox LIVE; Mediaroom, and Windows Phone.

The Company competes with Nintendo, Sony, Apple, Google and Research In Motion.

The Company’s products include operating systems for personal computers (PCs), servers, phones, and other intelligent devices; server applications for distributed computing environments; productivity applications; business solution applications; desktop and server management tools; software development tools; video games, and online advertising. 

It also designs and sells hardware, including the Xbox 360 gaming and entertainment console, Kinect for Xbox 360, Xbox 360 accessories, and Microsoft PC hardware products. 

The Company also offers cloud-based solutions that provide customers with software, services and content over the Internet by way of shared computing resources located in centralized data centers. Cloud revenue is earned primarily from usage fees and advertising. Its cloud-based computing services include:

a) Bing

b) Windows Live Essentials suite

c) Xbox LIVE service

 

d) Microsoft Office 365

e) Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online customer relationship management services

f) Azure family of platform and database services

  
In addition to selling individual products and services, the Company offers suites of products and services. It provides consulting and product and solution support services, and trains and certifies computer system integrators and developers.

- Offices

The Company does business worldwide and has offices in more than 100 countries.

 India Office Locations

Microsoft has a number of locations in India. The main campus in Hyderabad houses research and development, IT and global services. Sales and marketing is headquartered in Gurgaon while research and technical support centers are based in Bangalore.

They are located in 10 cities:

a) Delhi

b) Gurgaon

c) Ahemdabad

d) Kolkata

e) Mumbai

f) Pune

g) Hyderabad

h) Bangalore

i) Chennai

j) Kochi

Microsoft Offices in India

Area Headquarters

As a global company, Microsoft is organized into geographic regions. Each area has a headquarters that serves as the hub for regional activities, including sales, business development, and marketing. The offices are located in China, France, Germany, Singapore, Turkey, and the U.S. Generally, you’ll find finance, human resources, sales, and management positions in area headquarters.

Development Centers 

The development centers are located all over the world, including Canada, China, Denmark, Egypt, Germany, India, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Switzerland, the U.K., and the U.S. The workplace is dynamic and high-tech yet casual.

IT Centers 

Throughout the world in countries including China, India, and the U.S., the engineers and solution managers in the IT centers and data centers design, deploy, manage, troubleshoot, and support Microsoft’s global IT infrastructure. This work impacts millions of customers through services like Windows Live and supports employees through their own internal IT operations. 

Operations Centers 

From their operations centers in Ireland, Puerto Rico, Singapore, and the U.S., they process the millions of transactions per day that keep Microsoft running smoothly. They are responsible for software manufacturing and fulfillment, electronic software distribution, volume licensing, and other logistical support activities. They also manage channel partner and customer contracts, train and pay employees, and invoice customers and partners.

 

Sales, Marketing and Services Offices

Microsoft sales, marketing, and services/consulting offices operate as independent corporate subsidiaries in more than 100 countries and generate most of the company’s revenue. They are located close to the customers to help them better understand their needs and the local market.

- Revenue and HeadCount

 Last updated: June 30, 2012

 

- Board of Directors

Last updated: June 30, 2012

- Performance

a) In October 2011, the Company acquired Skype Global.

MICROSOFT BUYS SKYPE IN A $8.5bn deal 

 

b) In November 2011, it acquired VideoSurf Inc.

c) In April 2012, LeGuide.com SA acquired shopping sites in seven European countries, such as United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Netherlands and Sweden; the Ciao brand; a technology platform supporting Ciao sites, and a base to about 3,000 merchant customers, from the Company. 

d) In July 2012, the Company purchased Edgewater Fullscope's Process Industries 2 (PI2) software and intellectual property.

e) In July 2012, Comcast Corp. acquired the Company's 50% stake in MSNBC.com.

f) In May 2012, Microsoft opened its social networking site So.cl to the general public.

g) On 31 May 2012, Microsoft released the release preview version of its next generation Windows 8 software. It is designed to power devices ranging from tablets to desktop computers.

h) On 25 June 2012, Microsoft announced that it is paying $1.2 billion to buy the social network Yammer.

- Future Plans

a) FUTURE STREAMING OPERATING SYSTEM

http://www.winrumors.com/microsoft-patent-reveals-future-streaming-os-plans/

A recently published U.S. patent has revealed Microsoft’s future plans for a streaming operating system. The patent, entitled “Fast Machine Booting Through Streaming Storage”, details a method of booting a virtual PC operating system through remote storage. The patent covers a variety of devices from laptop devices to set top boxes and minicomputers. Microsoft suggests that data require to boot up a machine would be pulled from storage and streamed to the device. The data could then be kept in a cache on the local device such as flash storage or RAM.

Microsoft describes the method as a technology that facilitates “fast boot because the virtual disk is available for use immediately, rather than needing to download an entire operating system image before booting from that downloaded image.” The company says the service would only need to be available for as long as data is required to boot the device. 

b) FUTURE OF KINECT FOR XBOX 360


http://allthingsd.com/20110222/microsoft-has-big-plans-for-kinects-future/

The above were some of the learnings I came across during my study of one of the major software companies - one of the first of its kind and I wanted to share it with you all.

Please leave your valuable comments after going through the above write-up.

 !!!! HAPPY LEARNING FOLKS !!!!