Microsoft Corporation(MSFT)Austin Minton

IT is the area of managing technology and spans wide variety of areas that include but are not limited to things such as processes, computer software, information systems, computer hardware, programming languages, and data constructs. In short, anything that renders data, information or perceived knowledge in any visual format whatsoever, via any multimedia distribution mechanism, is considered part of the domain space known as Information Technology (IT).

Industry

AAPL APPLE INC 346.8555 -3.2945 -0.94 6.56 M

ORCL ORACLE CORP 35.14 -0.11 -0.31 9.47 M

GOOG GOOGLE INC 536.82 -0.94 -0.17 936,415

Competitors

Microsoft Corp. (220,058.38) Oracle Corporation. (176,683.13)

Salesforce.com Inc (18,291.26)

Companies ( Market Value )

According to United States Department of Labor The projected 2004-14 employment increase of 453,000 translates into 1.6 million jobs, and represents a relatively slower annual growth rate of 3.4 percent as productivity increases and offshore outsourcing take their toll. ("Industry output and employment projections to 2014" by Jay M. Berman, Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Growth Rate

Mission Statement-Accessibility makes it easier for anyone to see, hear, and use a computer, and to personalize their computer to meet their own needs and preferences. For many people with impairments, accessibility is what makes computer use possible.At Microsoft, our mission and values are to help people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential. We consider our mission statement a promise to our customers. We deliver on that promise by striving to create technology that is accessible to everyone—of all ages and abilities. Microsoft leads the industry in accessibility innovation and in building products that are safer and easier to use.

Vision Statement- Our vision is to create innovative technology that is accessible to everyone and that adapts to each person's needs. Accessible technology eliminates barriers for people with disabilities and it enables individuals to take full advantage of their capabilities."

Company Environment

Operating systems◦ All major windows OS’s

Internet explorer ◦ Latest IE 8 & 9

Gaming Industry - XBOX

Major Product Areas

1. Revenue $12,920(m)2. EPS $ 2.353. Share Price $26.19 4. Profit $50,089,000

Financial History

STRENGTHS: Microsoft is a huge global brand. It is recognizable for two

main reasons. It was one of the largest software developers it has developed a customer base of around 30 million people. It has built its reputation on the successful development of its computer softwares namely the Windows line of products.

Brand is all-important. Microsoft is one of the most established and healthy IT brands in the World, and has a very loyal set of enthusiastic customers that advocates and uses the brand. With loyal customers, it means that Microsoft does not only recruits new customers but retains old ones.

The company is composed of different main offices inside the United States and around the globe making the distribution and development of its products easily accessible to the consumers. It has its offices in Germany, United Kingdom and Europe and sub offices in countries such as China, France and Korea.

SWOT Analysis

WEAKNESSES: ·         Microsoft lacks a solid client and service support center

on the internet. This is important since problems and bugs with regards to their products must be fix rapidly to attain efficiency. The lack of a customer service center would erode the integrity and quality perceived by costumers on Microsoft products.

·         Microsoft products have compatibility issues with other hardware's and software's manufactured by other companies. This compatibility issue would then limit the ability of the customer to buy all products made by Microsoft since it would affect the stability and performance of a computer. 

·         Microsoft does not share the programming codes of its software's making modification difficult if bugs and other malfunctions are detected by programmers not affiliated to the company.

SWOT Analysis

OPPORTUNITIES: Microsoft moved into the Chinese market by

producing computer programs based on the Chinese language and giving discretionary authority to the Chinese government to censure and to eaves drop on emails, documents and webpage.

Microsoft has also diversified its products. During the past years the company has ventured into fields such as game design, game developing and publishing and the production of game consoles such as the Xbox.

The company has also branched out to provide free email and news services to its costumers. It has also developed software's and computer programs that is vital in organizing business spreadsheets and data.

SWOT Analysis

THREATS: ·         The success of Microsoft in software development has

spawned other competitors to follow the footsteps of the company towards success. The primary competitor of the company in the operating systems industry is the Linux program developed by independent programmers. This program is easy to use and can be obtain free of charge.

·         Since the company is diversifying in other fields it competes its products with the products being made by companies who have been experts in their chosen industry. The company might eventually lost its battles in making its products competitive when put side by side with products made by corporations which has established their name and reputation to the customers.

·         Another threat that is being faced by Microsoft is the different lawsuits and indictments against the company being made by independent companies, programmers and software developers. These lawsuits do not only exhaust

SWOT Analysis

Good place to work? Why?-Large profitable company with lots of money in the bank. There are lots of opportunities to move around within different parts of the company, like Windows, Office, Zune, MSN, Enterprise, Public Sector, Consumer, Server and also geographically.

Summary and conclusion

In the long run Microsoft is a good investment. Its constantly allowing operations in many different technology industry segments.

Microsoft dominates the operating systems segment.

Will continue to play a major competitor in Gaming Industry

Summary and conclusion