Microsoft founder Gates, in memo, warns of attack and defeat by rivals

Article Abstract:

Microsoft Corp's founder and Chmn William Gates III expresses concern about the state of the software publishing industry in a memo to his executives. The memo contains direct criticism of IBM, from whom Gates and Microsoft are estranged after a long relationship for the development of systems software. The argument is primarily a result of a Microsoft's development and aggressive marketing of the Windows 3.0 graphical user interface and its declining support for the OS/2 operating system. Despite Microsoft's insistence that it intends to continue to develop and support OS/2, the general opinion in the industry does not agree. Gates insists in his memo that his executives should not criticize IBM publicly so as to maintain a cordial relationship with the huge rival. The memo also discusses Microsoft's legal dispute with Apple, the US Federal Communications Commission's investigation of Microsoft and the company's inadequate customer relations.

International Business Machines Corp., IBM, Customer service, Strategic Planning, Competition, Vendor Relations, Computer Software Industry

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An open letter to Gates and Manzi

Article Abstract:

Borland's Phillipe Kahn contends that Lotus' Jim Manzi has no business criticizing Microsoft for anti-competitive practices because he has tirelessly harassed Borland with anti-competitive law suites. Kahn claims that Lotus is hypocritical for attacking Microsoft's Bill Gates. Kahn contends that Lotus has lost its edge in technological innovation to companies such as Borland and Microsoft. Instead of countering this decline with stronger products, Manzi decided to unfairly hurt Borland by initiating a frivolous law suit. This suit, which was initiated in 1991, was resolved in favor of Borland in Mar 1995. But the attack hurt Borland's reputation and its stock prices. Kahn also contends that Microsoft has not practiced unfair competition as Manzi claims, but has achieved its dominance by tough competition and great products. Kahn challenges Gates to lead the software industry into the next century.

Forecasts and trends, Industry trend, Lotus Development Corp., Letter to the Editor, Borland International Inc., LOTS, Kahn, Philippe, Manzi, Jim P., BORL

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Microsoft will split into five divisions that deal with customers and rivals

Article Abstract:

Technically, Microsoft will not split up into separate companies, but the five new divisions under its reorganization will give the division leaders the same autonomy as leading a separate company would. The focus is to be as much on customers as it is on competitors, and will relieve Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer from being at the center of everything, now that the company is 30,000-employees large.

Comment:

Reorganization into 5 divisions makes company better prepared to meet the future

United States, Organizational history, Abstract

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