Douglas Jun HaraguchiEdward ThomasMarketing Management AM101March 30, 1999Windows 95Microsoft was founded on April 4, 1975, as a partnership between William H.
Gates III and Paul G. Allen, and it was incorporated on June 25, 1981. Since its foundation in 1975, Microsoft mission has been to "create software for personal computers that enriches and empowers people in the workplace, at school and at home." Microsoft's early vision of a computer on every desk and in every home, is today, a reality. As the world's leading software provider, Microsoft directs its efforts to produce innovative products that that meets customers needs. The company's investment in research, development and the belief in using customer feedback, enables Microsoft to offer customers the highest quality software products available today.
Microsoft products include operating systems for personal computers, server application for client/server environments, business and consumer productivity applications, interactive media programs, Internet platform, and development tools. Microsoft programs are available in more than 30 languages, in over 50 countries, and are available for most personal computers. Today, Microsoft employs 29,159 people worldwide, 19,802 of them in the US, and 9,357 in other countries. As an international company with offices all over the world, Microsoft develops products that meet the needs of consumers and companies worldwide. Microsoft long-term strategy is to develop m markets and have working relationship with local developers, so they can make products for the global market place. At Microsoft, people believe that diversity improves their workplace, environment and products.
In 1992, Microsoft created the Corporate Diversity Group to encourage an environment that works for everyone. Their goal is to have a positive impact on the number of under represented minorities and women in the high-tech industry. Peter Wong, software lead for the Accessibility and Disabilities Group from Hong Kong says: "That's what this group is all about, coming up with new ways to make technology work for people." Since 1992, Microsoft has established many programs to promote diversity within the company.
These programs contribute to attract, develop and keep the best diverse force. Microsoft's commitment to make high quality products combined with their appreciation for customer's feedback is the key to success. Microsoft long-term vision of the computer as a tool to empower people to do great things drives Microsoft to the nest era of computing and communication technology.Windows 95Not too long ago, computers were an exclusive domain of computer specialists.
Computers were complex, slow and very expensive. Fast improving technology, declining prices and a increasing acceptance of computers by the general population, were the reasons to develop an easier to use, more friendly personal computer operating system. A computer operating system is the link between the computer hardware and software's. For many years, the personal computer industry was dominated by an operating system called DOS (Disk Operating System). It was a complex system, that required the user to learn cryptic codes, so he could interact with the computer. Microsoft observed how successful Macintosh computers were when enabling users to interact with the computer.
Then they developed the MS Windows, which was replaced by the Windows 3.1, that was replaced by the Windows 95. Microsoft put a lot of effort and money on the creation of the Windows 95, which was much easier to use operating system, and took full advantage of the computer's power. Well, it seemed very obvious that the Windows 95 would be a huge success, but Microsoft wasn't alone, their biggest competitor, IBM, had developed a similar product called OS/2 Warp, which had an advantage over the Microsoft'' Windows 95, it was released almost one year before. IBM, trying to get a piece of the market, announced that their product wouldn't be compatible with softwares made for Windows 95. If their strategy worked, OS/2 Warp would probably gain a big piece of the computer market, if not, I could kill it.
IBM had some problems when trying to distribute their product. Most of the personal computers manufacturers were selling their computers with the Windows 3.1 on it, because they had paid for it. That was a big obstacle for IBM. Microsoft didn't save any money when advertising their new product. They practically gave away more than 500,000 copies of the software worldwide, so it could be tested.
They spent millions of dollars in marketing campaigns, many other millions shipping the product all over the world, making sure that stores wouldn't have a shortage of the product, and also made sure that there was support service for customers with questions about the Windows 95. Not long after the release of the Windows 95, IBM gave up on the personal computer market and directed its effort to the corporate market. Microsoft had won the war.SourcesMicrosoft Web Site - http://www.microsoft.
comTis is a 4 pages paper... Word Count: 803
