Microsoft, known obviously for its personal computing software Windows, is in a state of change. We will see this change become starker as we travel further along in the so-called “post-PC” era. With global PC sales contracting, Microsoft is successfully shifting some of its focus elsewhere – to enterprise-focused software as a service.
Lync, the company’s instant messaging platform; Yammer, its social network for businesses; and Azure, its cloud platform, are spear-heading the change in the company’s nature. These products put serious numbers up in the last three quarters (especially Lync, which raked in a cool billion dollars in the 2013 fiscal year).
The company’s business model is beginning to reposition as one focused around software subscriptions and continuing income. We’re going to see more of this, or at least, we need to. Let’s face it - Microsoft has lost some of its sexy, but enterprise software as service may be able to bring some of it back.
Do you think Microsoft will shift more of its focus (and finances) in this direction? How do you think the original PC company will do in the alleged post-PC era? You can share your thoughts on our wall at facebook.com/interworks.