Microsoft Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Microsoft - Term Paper Example What is the company’s overall mode of doing business? Microsoft’s overall mode of doing business revolves around its strategies and diversification. Established back in 1975, the company has made significant progress in the area of information technology. Their aim was to facilitate people and organizations in doing business globally with an integrated computer technology (Farhoomand). They have altered the way people use to communicate, entertain and work by developing a list of market software, hardware and service devices. These were based upon enhancing the convenience level and revealing an entirely new area of opportunities. Their mode of doing business is incorporated with the development of significant revenues, sustenance of services and products, trade of hardware devices and advertisement of portfolio to a wide range of customers (Farhoomand). Their fundamental product range includes operating systems particularly designed for contemporary computers, phones, servers and the devices with enhanced artificial intelligence. Additionally they have server and productivity applications, solution generating business applications, facilities for online marketing and video games (Farhoomand). All of these products and service features are available to their customers around the globe with an addition of hardware devices such as Surface RT, Kinect especially for Xbox 360 etc. Furthermore, Microsoft provides an experience of online browsing and communication through its products including Bing, MS office, Skype etc. (Rivkin). In order to increase the work experience of their clients they are continuously working for the further development of hardware, software and services consistent with the latest technology. They extensively believe in the empowerment of individuals and businesses through providing them value and opportunities to grow (Farhoomand). Following Income Statement of Microsoft Corporation represents the financial position of the comp any in the year 2012-2013 (Earnings Release FY14 Q1: Financial Statement). How are they positioned competitively in the markets they serve and what are their fundamental strengths and weaknesses that play into their positioning? Positioning Microsoft is competitively positioned in the consumer and business markets through the incorporation of software and hardware devices and an extensive range of applications for business solutions and entertainment (Farhoomand). In a broader perspective their business positioning can be categorized into following segments (Farhoomand). Platform Services and Products: This segment is particularly positioned to provide the online services to the global customers such as internet browsing, communication, networking etc. Business Segment: Microsoft has greatly enhanced the overall nature of businesses internationally through providing its renowned office applications. However, in order to remain competitive Microsoft did not chose to cater the needs o f large multinational organizations which were already benefitting from Oracle and Sap rather it positioned itself to the small enterprises. Entertainment Segment: Microsoft entered into the gaming market in 2001. This initiation was intended to position the company’s products and services to the entertainment industry. Strengths and Weaknesses Microsoft’s major strengths include its provision of advanced services provided to the global customers while continuously evaluating and improving its management plans. Although the drastic change in political environment and increase in terrorist activities have brought greater challenges for the company but Microsoft was able to manage its business operations and product positioning through research and