A CASED BASED STUDY ON MICROSOFT

INTRODUCTION

Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational software corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services related to computing.

Microsoft

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. It is also one of the world’s most valuable company.

Vision”A computer on every desk, and in every home.”"Create experiences that combine the magic of software with the power of Internet services Across a world of devices."

HISTORY OF MICROSOFT

1975 Microsoft is founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen; they sell BASIC, the first PC computer language to MIprogramTS Computer, Microsoft's first customer. 

1981• Microsoft, Inc. is incorporated; IBM uses

Microsoft's 16-bit operating system for its first personal computer. 

1983• Paul Allen resigns as executive vice-president

but remains on the board; Jon Shirley is made president of Microsoft (he later becomes CEO); Microsoft introduces the Microsoft Mouse and Word for MS-DOS 1.00. .

HOW IT ALL STARTED??????

Dream of having a PC on every desktop

PRODUCTS ComputersSurfaceAll-in-ones + desktopsLaptops + UltrabooksAccessoriesTablets + convertiblesPC games

WindowsWindows 8Windows 8 Pro

Windows PhoneWindows Phone for AT&TWindows Phone for VerizonWindows Phone for T-Mobile

XboxXbox OneXbox 360Xbox LIVE

AccessoriesComputer accessoriesXbox 360 accessoriesWindows Phone accessoriesPC gamingAudio accessories

OfficeOffice for WindowsOffice for MacOffice University

All Office apps

Additional softwareVisual StudioVisioProjectMappingPC games

OpportunitiesMobile advertisingMobile device industryGrowth through acquisitions

ThreatsChanging consumer needs and habitsIntense competition in software productsOpen source projects

SWOT ANALYSIS

COMPETITOR’S FOR WINDOWS O/S

THE CASE STUDY : THE PROBLEM

• WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES MICROSSOFT FACED FROM ITS COMPETITORS ?

• WHAT DID MICROSOFT DO TO TACKLE THESE CHALLENGES ?

• WERE THE TACTICS AND STRATEGY FOLLOWED BY MICROSOFT A SUCCESS OR FAILURE ?

• WHAT IS THE OUTCOME ?

THE CASE STUDY : THE ANSWER

• MICROSOFT FACED TOUGH COMPETITION AS ITS COMPETITORS WERE OFFERING CHEAP AND FREE SOFTWARES.

• AS A RESULT,IT DECIDED TO REVAMP ITS STRATEGY.

• IT DIVERSIFIED ITS PRODUCTS AND INTRODUCED NEW AND FREE PRODUCTS O COMPETE IN THE MARKET.

• ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS STRATEGY WAS THE HIRING OF STEPHEN ELLOP.

• IT CAN BE ARGUED THAT ELLOP WAS RESPONSIBLE THE DOWNFALL OF NOKIA BUT HE IS CREDITED FOR “THE CLOUD”.