NYT/AP: Microsoft Announces Major Reorganization

[DeepModem Mom]

Microsoft Announces Major Reorganization
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: September 20, 2005


SEATTLE - Microsoft Corp. is reorganizing its corporate structure and giving one of its newest executives broader powers in an effort to better compete against its rivals, including Google Inc. and Yahoo Inc.

The corporate changes announced Tuesday are designed in part to help Microsoft move toward more Internet-based service offerings, which have been championed by those competitors and are seen by some as a serious threat to Microsoft's dominant Windows operating system. The moves also are aimed at helping the company become more nimble.

"These changes are designed to align our business groups in a way that will enhance decision-making and speed of execution, as well as help us continue to deliver the types of products and services our customers want most," Microsoft Chief Executive Steve Ballmer said in a news release.

Under the changes, Ray Ozzie, a highly respected software veteran who came to Microsoft when it acquired his company, Groove Networks, will be charged with helping the company coordinate and improve Internet-based service offerings. These include Windows Update, the company's online tool for issuing security fixes; its MSN consumer online unit, including Web-based e-mail, instant messenger and search technology; and its Xbox Live online videogame service.

Ozzie will retain his title of chief technical officer. He is one of three at the company.

The company also plans to reorganize from seven broad business units to three new business divisions....


http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/20/technology/20wire-msft.html

[grytpype]

1. I don't give a damn...

... I only use Debian GNU/Linux. Bill Gates can go pound sand.

[merwin]

2. He's actually pounding gold, not sand.

[Paulie]

3. Ray Ozzie is also the creator of another piece of really famous software

Lotus Notes :)

Small universe.

[CdnObserver]

4. This is SOP for Microsoft

Microsoft has long been known for buying companies just to get access to the top people in the field.

Ray Ozzie has a long history of really great products.

Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer are definitely ruthless cutthroats, but the Windows/Office combo cash cow and the huge number of things that they need to deal with trying to keep the huge beast under control means that they haven't had an original thought in a hell of a long time.

Especially Bill. I have huge respect for them, and Microsoft has been paying my bills indirectly for my whole career, but it's not really about the technology with those guys, so they will do anything to get people like Ray Ozzie on board. He really kicked their ass with Notes, and Groove is a really great product.

As for Robert Scoble... I don't know what the hell they're thinking. Who cares what that guy has to say about anything?

No offense to Scoble, but hiring a full-time professional blogger? WTF? PR Whore!

These days, MANY a business plan's exit strategy involves getting bought by Microsoft, Google, EBay or Amazon.

It is a testament to Bill and Steve that they allow somebody like Ozzie to come in and take over a big piece of the business. These are guys who don't spend a lot of time sniffing each other's butts.