Microsoft: History and Future

Microsoft: History and Future

Prepared for
Jenell Barnard-Keller
Com/ENG 338 Instructor

Prepared by
Shelby Cooper, Aaron Mills, Sarah Hunt, Justin Hernandez and Brittany Grass
University of Michigan-Flint

November 22nd 2015

MEMORANDUM
TO:

Professor Keller, COM 338

FROM:

Group 8: Aaron, Sarah, Shelby, Brittany, Justin

DATE:
SUBJECT:

October 11, 2015

Microsoft: A Fortune 500 Company

Here is our group report of research-based analysis of the company Microsoft that you requested.

When our group decided to research the company Microsoft, we knew that there was a lot of
history behind the company. They are a growing company that is always improving not only
their products but their business partners products as well. They will continue to grow and
change for the technological advances in todays society and tomorrows.
Microsoft has drastically grown. From Bill Gates starting in his parents garage, to a company
now that is known worldwide. Microsofts continual stride to accomplish new and exciting
products is why they will go on for years. The business partners have allowed the company to
change with their technology. The strategy and ambitions show how the business has grown as
well. We can see how the technology has advanced by looking at the beginning products released
such as Windows and looking at the up and coming releases such as Windows 10 or XBOX One.
Our group has worked well together. We have been able to complete our report by working on an
individual basis and collaborating our efforts.
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to work on our group skills. Our new knowledge for
Microsofts strategy and how to communicate research has helped us to be better prepared for the
business world. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us over blackboard on
email.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ...... 1
Microsoft History ...... 1
Microsoft Founders ....... 1
Bill Gates Background ..... 2
Creation of Microsoft ... 2
COMPANY INFORMATION ... 3
Mission Statement ..... 3
Company Strategies ... 4
Microsoft Ambitions .... 4
Increased Employment . 4
PRODUCTS ........... 5
XBOX ........ 5
Windows 6
Windows History .. 6
Windows Developments ... 7
Development Issues ....... 8
Security Problems . 8
Windows XP Discontinued ...... 8
Windows Vista Replaces XP .... 8
PARTNERS. 9
Partnership with IBM .... 9
Gained HP Partnership through IBM .. 9
Gained Dell Partnership through IBM ...... 10
Nokia and Microsoft Partnership .. 10

UPCOMING PRODUCTS ... 11

XBOX One...... 11
Windows 10. 12
CONCLUSION.... 10
References... 12
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
Figure 1. THE GAURDIAN Online Image of Windows 1 ... 11
Figure 2. THE GAURDIAN Online Image of Windows Vista . 11

Microsoft is a company that has grown greatly over the years. They have created
partnerships and products that have changed technology. They have created a processing system
that would combine the typewriter, mimeograph and carbon paper. Microsoft was founded by
Paul Allen and Bill Gates April 4th 1975. These two had a simple vision of putting a desktop in
every home and to build best-in-class platforms and productivity services for a mobile-first,
cloud-first world. Microsoft has the mission to empower every person and every organization on
the planet to achieve more. The biggest accomplishment would be the Windows program and
partnering with IBM, Nokia and Xbox.
Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in 1975. On September 22, 1993, Microsoft
was incorporated with developing licensing and supporting software products and services. The
company designs hardware, and computer programming such as word excel, power point just to
name the few. In addition, Microsoft operates with five segments and they operate with Devices
and consumers (D&C) licensing, D&C Hardware, D&C other, Commercial Licensing, and
Commercial Other. Microsoft also, produces operating systems for computing environments,
productivity applications, business solution applications, desktop and server management tools,
software development tools, and video games and many more. Therefore, Microsoft has a great
foundation that help provides management to employees, products to consumers and services
worldwide.
Bill Gates was born on October 28, 1955 in Seattle Washington. Gates began to show
interested in computer programming at the age of 13 years old. He pursued his passion through
college. Striking out on his own with his friend and business partner Paul Allen, Gates found
himself at the right place at the right time. Gates built the world's largest software business,
Microsoft. In the process, Gates became one of the richest men in the world.

In 1970, at the age of 15, Bill Gates went into business with his pal, Paul Allen. They developed
"Traf-o-Data," a computer program that monitored traffic patterns in Seattle, and netted $20,000 for their
efforts. Gates and Allen wanted to start their own company, but Gates parents wanted him to finish
school and go on to college where they hoped he would work to become a lawyer.

The company strategy is to build best-in-class platforms and productivity services for a
mobile-first, cloud-first world. The companies ambitions are reinvent productivity & business
processes, build the intelligent cloud platform, and create more personal computing. The
Company mission is Empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve
more.
Microsoft initially created Windows 1.0, we use a mouse and click, instead of typing in
commands. They then continued to improve with each release and update. Windows 2.0 adds
desktop icons and becoming the largest PC software company based on sales. Windows 3.0 and
3.1 created better visual graphics, Floppy disk installation and the addition of Games. Windows
NT is released to allow companies high speed engineering and scientific programs. Windows 95
and 98 includes a start menu, task bar, minimize and maximize, and a close button. Internet
explorer was released and Internet along with other options are added to this new program.
Windows 98 was designed specifically for the consumers. 98 also allows for dvd to be read on
the computers and a quick launch bar. Windows Me allows for enhancements on the music,
video and pictures. It also added a restore me button to set back to before any problems occurred.
Windows XP has a redesigned look and brings awareness to security hackers and viruses.
Improved media center and new hand recognition for mouse movement. Windows Vista and the
upgraded security system along with improved media center. The redesigned start button and
faster processing. Windows 7.0 released for laptops and touch screens. Windows 8.0 and 8.1 is a

re-imagined operating system and interface. Allows processing on tablets, phones and computers.
Ideals change to connect people, apps and websites.
Windows XP closed six years ago before replacing windows with windows vista in
January 2007. The biggest problem was security and it had major fireballs that were stopping the
system from developing due to the hackers and the trustworthy company workers.
IBM was one of the companys first partners who lead to gaining HP and Dell, who use
the Microsoft program for their systems. Nokia works with Microsoft to produce phones that
have the same processing as the computers that have the windows processing inside. Xbox is a
Microsoft Company. They have just released the Xbox one. Prior to that Microsoft and Xbox
released the Xbox Kinect, which allowed the companies to compete with Wii and Playstation
move.
As a company that is accustomed to continued growth and development, Microsoft has
several new and upcoming products in line for the future. In a world of Apple, Google, and
Android planning and developing for the future is a must for a company like Microsoft to stay
afloat and compete in the global environment. In order for Microsoft as a company to remain
relevant to the present day consumer they must plan for the future consumer. Not only do they
need to broaden their horizons and look to create new products, they must also innovate and
improve some of the products that they have already developed. We have chosen to highlight a
couple of these upcoming products to illustrate what Microsoft is doing as a company to keep up
with the increased competition of present technology era. The XBOX One and Windows 10
software are two great examples to expand on when looking into the future of Microsoft.
The XBOX One is a product that has already been released to the public and is one that
has had great success and definitely has competed well in the market next to the PlayStation 4.

However, as with most products the XBOX One is one that has had its fair share of customer
complaints and problems that need to be fixed. As a result, Microsoft has offered a few software
updates for customers who already have the product as well as updated products available for
retail to future customers. The future update is said to feature a brand new interface, which will
provide a totally new and improved look for users to enjoy. Microsoft is promising an interface
that will make it much easier on the user to navigate to what they would like to do, whether it is
playing a game, listening to music, or interacting with their friends. Windows 10, a new product,
which will be discussed below, will operate the new interface. In the past consumers have
complained about having to go through multiple menus and different log in screens in order to
communicate and play games with their friends. With the new interface being introduced they
will now be able to see which of their friends are currently playing a game and instantly interact
with them at the log in screen when they initially power up their XBOX One. It will also feature
a new controller called the Elite Controller. Last but not least one of the biggest and user-friendly
features that will be available with this update is the ability to play XBOX 360, which is the past
version of Microsofts gaming console, games (Ralph, 2015). This is something that was not
previously offered by XBOX and certainly a feature that all users were hoping to see. From the
updated easier to navigate interface to the allowance of past gaming console games, the updated
XBOX One is certain to be a hit with consumers.
Another major upcoming product for Microsoft previously mentioned above, is Windows
10. Windows 10 is something that Microsoft is in dire need of releasing due to the negative
reactions to their previous operating systems. There are several new features and upgrades to the
previous operating systems offered by Microsoft. One feature is the new start menu, which
features a full screen option and introduces apps to the menu. Windows 10 will also feature

Cortana, the digital voice assistant which was previously only available on the mobile platform
through Microsofts smartphones. Cortana supports the fight against their competitors, like Apple
with Siri. Cortana can do several things for users such as look up the weather or pull up a
document. Windows 10 now will be able to connect with the XBOX One to include universal
apps to allow the user to connect their gaming on multiple platforms. The new Edge browser is
one that the consumer has been asking for, for several years now. This browser includes a new
easier to use interface, which allows Microsoft to compete with other browser companies who
have dominated the browser market in recent years, these companies include Firefox, Google
Chrome, and Safari. Windows 10 features universal apps that will not only connect users with
their XBOX but also with their mobile phones, tablets, desktops, and laptops (Martin, 2015).
However, perhaps one of the best features about Windows 10 for the consumer is that it is
entirely free. From its updates features to its affordability, Windows 10 is a product that is certain
to be a success with consumers and will offer Microsoft the best chance to compete in the market
and continue to grow as a company.

In conclusion Paul Allen and Bill Gates founded Microsoft in a garage in 1975 and
Microsoft has become a multinational corporation, since its original development. They are the
largest company worldwide and the company is continually growing with new creations every
year.
Shown below is the screenshot of Windows 1.01.

Below is the view of Windows 10.

References:
A history of Windows - Microsoft Windows. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/history#T1=era0

Facts About Microsoft. (2014, October 23). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from
http://news.microsoft.com/facts-about-microsoft/

Gibbs, S. (2014, October 2). From Windows 1 to Windows 10: 29 years of Windows evolution.
Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/oct/02/fromwindows-1-to-windows-10-29-years-of-windows-evolution

Martin, Chris. "Here Are the 10 Best Features of Windows 10." PC Advisor. N.p., 29 July 2015.
Web. 22 Nov. 2015.

Microsoft Company 15 September 1975. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from
http://www.thocp.net/companies/microsoft/microsoft_company.htm

Microsoft Technology consulting services. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from
http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/gbs/alliances/microsoft/ms-technology-services.html

Partners. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.xbox.com/en-US/retail/Partners

Ralph, Nate. "Here's Why the Xbox One's November Update Is a Big Deal - CNET." CNET.
N.p., 9 Nov. 2015. Web. 22 Nov. 2015.

Tate, C. (2000, April 22). Microsoft Corporation. Retrieved November 23, 2015, from
http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=2294

Video proves upgrading from Windows 1.0 to Windows 8 is possible | Microsoft | Geek.com.
(n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from http://www.geek.com/microsoft/video-provesupgrading-from-windows-1-0-to-windows-8-is-possible-1557244/

Windows 10 review. (2015, July 28). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from
http://www.theverge.com/2015/7/28/9045331/microsoft-windows-10-review

. (n.d.). Retrieved November 23, 2015, from

https://mspartner.microsoft.com/en/us/pages/index.aspx