Steve Ballmer's "mad" master plan?

[smoledman]

Maybe he sees the writing on the wall regarding client Windows/Office and is feverishly diversifying the business into non-Windows dependent entities:

XBox(gaming console and lite version to come)
Windows Phone(needs Windows for development only)
Windows Server(for private clouds, SQL Server, Sharepoint, etc..)
Office 365
Azure
other cloud services

they'll continue making a Windows desktop OS so that development can continue for Windows Phone at least.

Maybe it means Microsoft turns into a $40 billion/year company instead of $70 billion, but it does mean survival.

 

[roadbloc]

Windows or Office isn't going anywhere.

 

[smoledman]

Windows or Office isn't going anywhere.

But theoretically Apple/Linux might kill that. What I'm wondering is if Microsoft can survive that worst-case scenario and even thrive with these newer product lines as well as the whole cloud services thing. Basically is the Macdailynews dream of MSFT being killed a possibility or not?

 

[roadbloc]

But theoretically Apple/Linux might kill that.

There is no chance that Windows or Office are going within the next decade. If things go bad within the next ten years, then we will see.

 

[hvfsl]

While I don't see Office going anywhere, any time soon. These cloud services could make Windows unnecessary. As for most of them, the user doesn't actually have to run Windows to access them.

Unless a version of Linux comes along that is as easy to configure as Windows, I don't see it completely disappearing as there will always be those that need a powerful computer. But for the majority of users, the future looks like tablets/laptops that access all their data off the net. Which is a market Google will likely dominate.

 

[snberk103]

I think MS is fine for a very long time. They write software. They got a little cozy with the PC OEMs for a bit, but their DNA is SW. Don't forget that they were writing office apps for the Mac before they introduced Windows.

They don't care, imho, that Macs are taking PC market share. I would bet money that they make at least 3x the profit selling retail copies of Windows to Mac owners than the profit they make selling bulk Windows licences to the PC makers. They probably have reduced support costs for Windows on Macs since most Mac owners are going to call Apple first for any issues. Apple support will solve a number of those issues before suggesting the user call MS.

Same thing for Office. Many PC makers are buying Office licenses in bulk - and getting a discount rate. Mac Office users tend to buy at full retail or one of the slightly discounted (Student Version, eg) licenses. I suspect MS loves selling Mac for Office. It's probably why a MS division that has so little market share can continue putting out and updating such a complete and complex application.

I think MS will just start moving more of it's flagship applications to other platforms in addition to Windows.

I'm surprised that MS hasn't created a Desktop GUI for Linux. The money would not be in selling it, but supporting it at the enterprise level.

So I suspect that MS will just continue writing SW, and will move more to the servicing side of things as well. Just as IBM did a couple of decades ago. Once upon a time IBM wrote a lot of SW, including a desktop OS. And built consumer computers. Now... they support solutions (especially) on their Big Iron - and allow you to pick and choose whichever SW you want for the parts - as long as you let IBM tie it together and provide the support.

I think MS may need to head in that direction as well. In which case it is IBM that needs to worry, not Apple.

 

[smoledman]

Yes I can see Microsoft becoming a gaming/enterprise services company eventually. But is there a scenario that sees them going out of business, as per what MacDailyNews.com wants?