BACKGROUND
Microsoft Corporation founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975 with headquarter in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions. In 2010, Microsoft employs 89,000 people and offices allocated around the world.
VISION
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
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.
OPERATION
Microsoft Corporation operates on Computer software, Consumer electronics, Digital distribution, Computer hardware, Video games, IT consulting, Online advertising, Retail stores and Automotive software.
Microsoft also traded as NASDAQ: MSFT, Dow Jones Industrial Average Component, NASDAQ-100 Component, and S&P 500 Component.
Microsoft has divided Products and Services into 3 divisions:
1. Windows & Windows Live Division, Server and Tools, Online Services Division
Windows & Windows Live Division produces the flagship Windows OS line such as Windows 7 as well as Windows Live family of products and services.
Server and Tools produces the server versions of Windows, such as Windows Server 2008 R2, Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Silverlight, and Systems Management Server. Other server products include: Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Exchange Server, Small Business Server, and Microsoft BizTalk Server. Microsoft provides IT consulting ("Microsoft Consulting Services") and produces a set of certification programs handled by the Server and Tools division designed to recognize individuals who have a minimal set of proficiencies in a specific role; this includes developers Microsoft Certified Solution Developer, Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, Microsoft Certified Trainers, and Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator and Microsoft Certified Database Administrator. Microsoft Press, which publishes books, is also managed by the division.
The Online Services Business division handles the online service MSN and the search engine Bing. As of December 2009, the company also possesses an 18% ownership of the cable news channel MSNBC and develops the channel's website, msnbc.com, in a joint venture with the channel's co-owner, NBC Universal.
2. Business Division
The Microsoft Business Division produces Microsoft Office including Microsoft Office 2010. The software product includes Word, Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Publisher. A number of other products were added later with the release of Office 2003 including Visio, Project, MapPoint, InfoPath and OneNote. The division also develops enterprise resource planning (ERP) software for companies under the Microsoft Dynamics brand. These include: Microsoft Dynamics AX, Microsoft Dynamics NAV, Microsoft Dynamics GP, and Microsoft Dynamics SL.
3. Entertainment and Devices Division
The Entertainment and Devices Division produces the Windows CE and Windows Phone 7. Microsoft initially entered the mobile market through Windows CE for handheld devices, eventually developing into the Windows Mobile OS and now, Windows Phone 7. The division also produces computer games that run on Windows PCs and other systems including titles such as Age of Empires, Halo and the Microsoft Flight Simulator series, and houses the Macintosh Business Unit which produces Mac OS software including Microsoft Office 2008 for Mac. Microsoft's Entertainment and Devices Division designs, markets, and manufactures consumer electronics including the Xbox 360 game console, the handheld Zune media player, and the television-based Internet appliance MSN TV. Microsoft also markets personal computer hardware including mice, keyboards, and various game controllers such as joysticks and gamepads.
Article : Mach Morn
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Reference :
http://www.microsoft.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft