What is Microsoft?

• Microsoft is the world’s leading producer of computer software.

• Develops, manufactures, licenses, supports and sells computer software, consumer electronics and personal computers and services.

• Microsoft currently ranks 34th on the Fortune 500.

Microsoft’s Competitors

• Apple (4th) is the #1 competitor to Microsoft.

• Others include: Google (46th) and Oracle (82nd)

Headquarters• One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA

History• In 1975, Paul Allen and Bill Gates developed a version of the

programming language ‘BASIC’ for the first microcomputer – the MITS Altair 8800

• Gates and Allen approached MITS with their creation, and the company agreed to distribute it as 'Altair BASIC'

• Albuquerque in November 1975

History cont.

• IBM approached Microsoft in July 1980 to provide OS• Gates declined• Microsoft launched the first version of its Windows

operating system on 20 November 1985

Employment• As of September 30th, 2014, Microsoft has nearly 127,000

employees worldwide, 61,000 of them being from the USA.• Benefits include: Social security and health, ESPP (stock

option), Business car, Discounts on Microsoft software, and Healthcare.

Expansion Plans• Hyderabad• Windows 10 in 2015• Cortana to come with Windows 10

Cortana

Microsoft Cortana, an intelligent personal assistantOriginates from fictional artificial intelligence Halo characterCompetes with Apple’s Siri

Marketing Strategy• Tell their customers their products are better• Surface Pro 3 tablet

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdpQir1sqiQ

5 FUN FACTS FOR YOUR BRAIN

1. 50 billion minutes

2. 48 million members

3. 7/10 Fortune 500 companies

4. The word ‘Microsoft’

5. The Famous PictureBliss

• Taken in 1996 by Charles O’Rear in Sonoma County, California, United States

• He took the photo on film with a medium-format camera while on his way to visit his girlfriend in 1996

Economically sound

1. Microsoft typically picks their competition apart

2. Competitive behavior – tries to one-up opponent

3. Strong relationship with customers