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{{CompanyInfo|  
{{CompanyInfo|  
| logo            = Microsoft.JPG
| logo            = Microsoft.JPG
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| businesses      =  
| businesses      =  
| products        =  
| products        =  
| employees      = 89,000 as of 7/30/10 <ref>[http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/snapshot.asp?ticker=MSFT:US Employees]</ref>
| employees      = 117,354 as of 6/30/15 <ref>[http://news.microsoft.com/facts-about-microsoft/#RevenueHeadcount Microsoft Revenue & Headcount. Retrieved 21 Jun 2016.]</ref>
| revenue        = $ 62.5 billion (2010)<ref>[http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/financials/financials.asp?ticker=MSFT:US Revenue]</ref>
| revenue        = $ $93.58B (2015)
| website        = [http://www.microsoft.com www.microsoft.com]
| website        = [http://www.microsoft.com www.microsoft.com]
| blog            =  
| blog            =  
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| linkedin        = [http://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft Microsoft]
| linkedin        = [http://www.linkedin.com/company/microsoft Microsoft]
| twitter        =  
| twitter        =  
| keypeople      =  [[Steven Ballmer]], CEO <br>
| keypeople      =  [[Satya Nadella]], CEO <br>
Peter S. Klein, Chief Financial Officer <br>
[[Teri L. List-Stoll]], Chief Financial Officer <br>
Kevin Turner, Chief Operating Officer
 
}}
}}


'''Microsoft Corporation'''is a multi-national company which develops, license, manufacture and support a wide range of products and services such as operating systems for personal computers, servers, intelligent devices, server applications for distributed computing, environments information worker productivity applications, business solutions applications, high performance computing applications, software development tools and video games.  
'''Microsoft Corporation''' is a multi-national company which develops, license, manufacture and support a wide range of products and services such as operating systems for personal computers, servers, intelligent devices, server applications for distributed computing, environments information worker productivity applications, business solutions applications, high performance computing applications, software development tools and video games.  


Microsoft is trading at NYSE and NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "MSFT." [[Paul Allen]] and [[Bill Gates]] co-founded the company in 1975 and it is headquartered in Redmond, Washington and it has offices in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Microsoft is trading at NYSE and NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "MSFT." [[Paul Allen]] and [[Bill Gates]] co-founded the company in 1975 and it is headquartered in Redmond, Washington and it has offices in more than 100 countries worldwide.
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Microsoft's mission is to enable people and businesses worldwide to realize their full potential. The company is trying to achieve its objective by creating technology that transforms the way people work, play and communicate.<ref>[http://www.microsoft.com/about/en/us/default.aspx Mission]</ref>
Microsoft's mission is to enable people and businesses worldwide to realize their full potential. The company is trying to achieve its objective by creating technology that transforms the way people work, play and communicate.<ref>[http://www.microsoft.com/about/en/us/default.aspx Mission]</ref>


==Company Values==
==Business Divisions==
The entire company value integrity, honesty, openness, personal excellence, constructive self-criticism, continual self-improvement and mutual respect. Microsoft is committed to its customers and partners with a passion for technology. Furhermore, the corporation takes big challenges and holds accountable to its customers, employees, partners and shareholders by honoring to its commitments and striving to provide results with the highest quality.<ref>[http://www.microsoft.com/about/en/us/default.aspx Values]</ref>
Microsoft has five business divisions to better serve its customers. These divisions include:<ref>[http://www.microsoft.com/about/companyinformation/ourbusinesses/en/us/business.aspx Business Divisions]</ref>
# Windows & Windows Live Division
# Server and Tools
# Online Services Division
# Microsoft Business Division
# Entertainment and Devices Division


==History==
==History==
===Company Beginnings===
===Company Beginnings===
The idea of establishing Microsoft began in 1971 when Paul Allen found an article in an electronics magazine about Intel's 4004 chip, the world's first microprocessor. Allen thought that this microprocessor will become better and better. After a year, Intel came up with 8008. That gave Allen and Gates the idea on How Moore's Law really worked-each generation of microprocessor chip was twice as fast as the previous.They decided to buy the 8008 microprocessor which became the core of a special computer designed to do traffic volume count analysis and which they would to traffic departments. Allen and Gates formed '''Traf-O-Data''', their first company.<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune-archive/1995/10102/206528/index.htm money.cnn.com]</ref>
The idea of establishing Microsoft began in 1971 when Paul Allen found an article in an electronics magazine about Intel's 4004 chip, the world's first microprocessor. Allen thought that this microprocessor will become better and better. After a year, Intel came up with 8008, which gave Paul Allen and Bill Gates the idea on How Moore's Law really worked. They learned that each generation of microprocessor chip was twice as fast as the previous.They decided to buy the 8008 microprocessor which became the core of a special computer designed to do traffic volume count analysis and which they would to traffic departments. [[Paul Allen]] and [[Bill Gates]] formed '''Traf-O-Data''', their first company.<ref>[http://www.nyu.edu/classes/keefer/ww1/garrid.htmlwww.nyu.edu]</ref>




In 1973, Allen read an article from a popular electronics magazine about Altair 8800, the world's first microcomputer kit. Allen and Gates took it as a big opportunity. They wrote '''Altair BASIC''', a true programming language, and the first commercial Microsoft computer product.<ref>[http://oldcomputers.net/altair.html Altair Basic]</ref> In 1975, the two persuaded MITS to sell Altair Basic. Allen and Gates signed their first contract with MITS as "Paul Allen & Bill Gates doing business as '''Micro-Soft'''.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5085630.stm Micro-Soft]</ref> Allen and Gates shared the title General Partner. In 1977, Gates held the title president and Allen, vice-president. They decided to move the company headquarter from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Bellevue, Washington in 1979. [[Steven Ballmer]] joined the company the following year as first assistant to the president. His primary responsibility is to establish policies and procedures in the financial, organizational, and resource allocation areas.<ref>[http://www.thocp.net/companies/microsoft/microsoft_company.htm www.thocp.net]</ref>
In 1973, Allen read an article from a popular electronics magazine about Altair 8800, the world's first microcomputer kit. Allen and Gates took it as a big opportunity. They wrote '''Altair BASIC''', a true programming language, and the first commercial Microsoft computer product.<ref>[http://oldcomputers.net/altair.html Altair Basic]</ref> In 1975, the two persuaded MITS to sell Altair Basic. Allen and Gates signed their first contract with MITS as "Paul Allen & Bill Gates doing business as '''Micro-Soft'''.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/5085630.stm Micro-Soft]</ref> Allen and Gates shared the title General Partner. In 1977, Gates held the title president and Allen, vice-president. In 1979, they decided to move the company headquarters from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Bellevue, Washington. [[Steven Ballmer]] joined the company the following year as first assistant to the president. His primary responsibility was to establish policies and procedures in the financial, organizational, and resource allocation areas.<ref>[http://www.thocp.net/companies/microsoft/microsoft_company.htm www.thocp.net]</ref>


In 1980, Paul Allen negotiated the purchase of an obscure operating system called '''Q-DOS''' from Seattle Computer. The two licensed Q-DOS to [[IBM]] which became the deal of the decade. This transaction paved the way for Microsoft to dominate the PC Software Industry.<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune-archive/1995/10102/206528/index.htm Q-Dos Deal of the Decade]</ref> Microsoft developed a new operating system called '''MS-DOS''' (Microsoft Disk Operating System).<ref>[http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/history MS-DOS]</ref>
In 1980, Paul Allen negotiated the purchase of an obscure operating system called '''Q-DOS''' from Seattle Computer. The two licensed Q-DOS to [[IBM]], which became the deal of the decade. This transaction paved the way for Microsoft to dominate the PC Software Industry.<ref>[http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/fortune_archive/1995/10/02/206528/index.htm Bill Gates and Paul Allen Talk Check out the Ultimate Buddy Act]</ref> Microsoft developed a new operating system called '''MS-DOS''' (Microsoft Disk Operating System).<ref>[http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/history MS-DOS]</ref>


===Microsoft Incorporation===
===Microsoft Corporation===
On June 25, 1981 Microsoft was officially incorporated in Washington as a privately held corporation with Bill Gates as President and Chairman of the Board while Paul Allen as Executive Vice President.<ref>[http://www.thocp.net/companies/microsoft/microsoft_company.htm Incorporation]</ref> On August 12, 1981, IBM introduced its new Personal Computer using Microsoft's 16-bit computer operating system called MS-DOS 1.0.<ref>[http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa033099.htm investors.about.com]</ref>  
On June 25, 1981 Microsoft was officially incorporated in Washington as a privately held corporation with Bill Gates as President and Chairman of the Board while Paul Allen as Executive Vice President.<ref>[http://www.thocp.net/companies/microsoft/microsoft_company.htm Incorporation]</ref> On August 12, 1981, IBM introduced its new Personal Computer using Microsoft's 16-bit computer operating system called MS-DOS 1.0.<ref>[http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa033099.htm investors.about.com]</ref>  




In 1983, Paul Allen was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease and resigned as executive vice-president, but he remained member of the board. Jon Shirley became president of Microsoft and later assumed as CEO. Microsoft also introduced the Microsoft Mouse and Word for MS-DOS 1.00.<ref>[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Microsoft-Corporation-Company-History.html Paul Allen Resignation]</ref>
In 1983, Paul Allen was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease and resigned as executive vice-president, but he remained member of the board. Jon Shirley became president of Microsoft and later assumed the role of CEO. Microsoft also introduced the Microsoft Mouse and Word for MS-DOS 1.00.<ref>[http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/Microsoft-Corporation-Company-History.html Paul Allen Resignation]</ref>


===Initial Public Offering===
===Initial Public Offering===
On March 14, 1986, Microsoft went public and traded more than 3.58 million shares. The stock price was $21 per share during the opening day day and closed at $27.Co-founders Paul Allen and Bill Gates became instant millionaires during the offering.<ref>[http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/2006/03/16/looking-back-microsoft-ipo-march-1986/ Microsoft IPO]</ref>
On March 14, 1986, Microsoft went public and traded more than 3.58 million shares. The stock price was $21 per share during the opening day day and closed at $27.Co-founders Paul Allen and Bill Gates became instant millionaires during the offering.<ref>[http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/2006/03/16/looking-back-microsoft-ipo-march-1986/ Microsoft IPO]</ref>
 
In 1987, Microsoft's stocks reached $100 per share.<ref>[http://www.computerhope.com/history/198090.htm Computer History]</ref> Bill Gates wealth is worth USD 56 billion and he became the youngest self-made billionaire at the age of 31.<ref>[http://www.best-reviewer.com/best-review-top-6-richest-people-world-2011.htm Top 6 Richest People in the World]</ref>
 
===Product Development in 1990s===
In 1990, Microsoft became the first microcomputer software company to record more than $1 billion sales in a single year and reported a revenue increase of 47%.<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=GzwEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA8&lpg=PA8&dq=Microsoft+reports+$+1+billions+sales+1990&source=bl&ots=qUES7gkiiH&sig=85kBp27G_-zZZ_S4ArcYUr0389  Microsoft tops $1 billion in 1990]</ref> In 1992, the company re-structured its organization and outlined three centers of strategic focus on worldwide product development, worldwide sales and support, and worldwide operations.Bill Gates and [[Intel Corporation]] president, [[Andrew S. Grove]] partnered in developing the next wave in personal computing, called Digital Video Computing.<ref>[http://channel9.msdn.com/series/history/the-history-of-microsoft-1992 Channel9 Microsoft History 1992]</ref> The company released Windows 3.0 and 3.1, and sold 10 million copies during the first two years. The following year in 1993, Microsoft completed the Windows NT, a project that began in the 1980s. The NT 3.1, a strategic business platform that supports high-end engineering and scientific programs in a 32-bit operating system. In 1995, the company launched the Windows 95 and sold 7 million copies within the first five weeks. It was followed by the release of other Microsofts products such as the Internet Explorer, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows Media Player and others.<ref>[http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/history Windows History]</ref>
 
===Rapid Growth from 2000 to Present===
Bill Gates created a new position in the company and assumed the role of Chief Software Architect from 2000 until 2006,<ref>[http://people.forbes.com/profile/bill-gates/11334 Chief Software Architect]</ref> he dedicated his time to developing the next generation of Windows Internet platform and services. While serving as Chief Software Architect, Gates remained Chairman of the company. Different Microsoft product were launched such as Microsoft Office XP, Microsoft XBox, Microsoft Visual Studio .Net, Microsoft Visual J#.Net, Visual C++.Net, Visual Basic.Net, MSN 8, Tablet PC and many other products. The company also expanded its operations, and now maintains offices in more than 100 countries worldwide. Microsoft also made numerous mergers and acquisitions.The company's 2010 reported revenue was $ 62.5 billion.<ref>[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/22/microsoft-revenue-4q-2010_n_656278.html Microsoft 4Q Revenue 2010]</ref>
 
==Acqusitions==
Microsoft's largest aquisitions include:<ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/microsofts-15-biggest-acquisitions-so-far-2011-5#1-aquantive-advertising-software-and-services-for-6-billion-15 Microsoft 15 Biggest Acqusitions]</ref>
* aQuantive, advertising software and services-$ 6 billion
* Navision accounting software- $1.45 billion
* Visio, design and charting software- $1.3 billion
* FAST Search and Transfer, enterprise search specialists- $1.2 billion
* Great Plains accounting software- $940 million
* TellMe voice technology- $800 estimate
* Danger (mobile software and services-) $500 million estimate
* Greenfield Online (CIAO)-$485 million
* Web TV - $425 million
* Hotmail- $400 million estimate
* Rare (game developer)-$375 million
* LinkExchange (paid search company)- $265 million
* Massive (in-game advertising)- $ 280 million estimate
* Placeware (virtual meeting service)- $200 million estimate
* Groove- $171 million
 
==Subsidiaries==
Microsoft's subsidiaries include: MOL Corporation, Nevada, USA, Microsoft Global Finance, Ireland, Microsoft General Management Company, Nevada, USA, Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, Ireland, Bagheera International Limited, British Virgin Islands, Microsoft Licensing, GP, Nevada, USA, Microsoft T-Holdings, Inc., Nevada, USA, Round Island One, Ireland, GraceMac Corporation, Nevada, USA, Flat Island Company Limited, Ireland, Microsoft Manufacturing B.V., Netherlands, Microsoft Operations Pte Ltd,, Singapore, Microsoft Company, Limited, Japan,  Microsoft PF Holdings, BV, Netherlands, Microsoft Operations Puerto Rico, LLC, Puerto Rico, Microsoft Development Center Copenhagen ApS, Denmark etc.<ref>[http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/789019/000119312506180008/dex21.htm www.sec.org]</ref>
 
==Legal Battles==
In 1990, the US Federal Trade Commission started investigating Microsoft's business relationship with [[IBM]], suspecting the company of possible violations of the Sherman and Clayton Antitrust Acts. The Federal Trade Commission's inquiry lasted for more than three years.<ref>[http://www3.luc.edu/law/academics/special/center/antitrust/colloquium/pdfs/gavilfirst_chap2.pdf  Andrew I. Gavil & Harry First:Microsoft’s Early Encounters with the U.S. Antitrust System]</ref>
 
In 1994, the U.S. Department of Justice investigated Microsoft regarding allegations that the company is involved in monopolistic practices in the PC software market.<ref>[http://library.thinkquest.org/22522/timeline4b_en.html Computer Chronicles]</ref> The investigation was triggered by the complaints filed by Novell, a software company, for allegedly monopolizing the word processing and spreadsheet market.<ref>[http://www.mdd.uscourts.gov/Opinions/Opinions/Novell%20Opinion%2030mar10.pdf Novell vs. Microsoft]</ref>
 
In 1998, the Justice Department filed charges against the company for allegedly engaging in a pattern of anticompetitive acts.<ref>[http://www.justice.gov/atr/public/press_releases/1998/1764.htm Justice.gov]</ref> Microsoft allegedly violated a 1994 consent decree regarding the licensing of the Windows operating system to computer manufacturers, and violations of Section 1 and Section 2 of the Sherman Act for illegal business practices and for illegally protecting and extending the Windows software monopoly respectively.<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/july-dec98/microsoft_11-12a.html U.S. vs Microsoft]</ref>
 
In 2003, the European Commission won the monopoly abuse case against Microsoft for linking its media player to Windows and fined the company 497 million euros.<ref>[http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2009/04/16/235661/IBM-Sun-and-Oracle-join-EC-in-anti-monopoly-case-against.htm EC Monopoly Abuse Case Against Microsoft]</ref>
 
==Microsoft and ICANN==
On January 24, 2001, Microsoft Benelux Support Manager Ruud de Jonge confirmed that the majority of Microsoft websites were down due to a problem in the system that maps Web addresses to [[IP Address|IP addresses]]. In a statement Jonge said, "It can be a system or human error, but somebody could also have done this intentionally. We don't manage the [[DNS]] ourselves, it is a system controlled by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) with worldwide replicas."<ref>[http://archives.cnn.com/2001/TECH/computing/01/24/microsoft.blackout.idg/index.html CNN Archives]</ref> This sparked comments from the Internet community and some concluded that Microsoft blamed ICANN for the failures of its domain name servers.<ref>[http://www.irbs.net/internet/nanog/0101/0729.html Microsoft Blames ICANN]</ref>
 
After the failures were resolved, Microsoft issued an apology to its customers and explained that the operational errors were not caused by any third party instead a Microsoft technician made a wrong configuration change to the routers on the edge of Microsoft's Domain Name Server network which caused limited communication between DNS servers on the Internet and Microsoft's DNS servers.<ref>[http://www.irbs.net/internet/nanog/0101/0728.html www.irbs.net]</ref>
 
In 2006, Microsoft became an [[ICANN]] accredited registrar for [[.biz]], [[.com]], [[.info]], [[.name]], [[.net]], [[.pro]] and [[.org]].<ref>[http://www.icannwatch.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/05/0346248 ICANN Watch]</ref>
 
In 2009, the company collaborated with ICANN, [[AOL]], [[Verisign]], [[Afilias]], and with security researchers and operators within the [[DNS]], to implement a coordinated global response to the [[Conficker Worm]]. It coordinated a response designed to disable domains targeted by Conficker and offered a $250,000 reward for information that results in the arrest and conviction of those responsible for illegally launching the Conficker malicious code on the Internet.<ref>[http://www.icann.org/en/announcements/announcement-2-12feb09-en.htm Microsoft Collaborates With Industry to Disrupt Conficker Worm]</ref><ref>[http://mobile.eweek.com/c/a/Security/Microsoft-Teams-With-Industry-Leaders-From-AOL-to-Symantec-to-Fight-Conficker-Worm/ Microsoft Teams with Industry Leaders From AOL to Symantec to Fight Cornficker Worm]</ref>
 
===New gTLD Program===
[[Google]]'s application for the [[.search]] new gTLD includes a proposal for a "dotless" TLD, which has been with significant objection from Microsoft and other companies.<ref>[http://domainincite.com/13376-microsoft-objects-to-googles-dotless-domains-plan Microsoft Objects to Google's Dotless domains plan, Domain Incite] Retrieved 20 Sept 2013</ref> An excerpt from Google's application explains the proposal:
"Charleston Road Registry will provide a service on the dotless search domain that will allow users to designate the search functionality of their choice and then perform queries that will automatically be redirected to the appropriate website.  This facility should provide simple, consistent access to the userʹs preferred search functionality that does not exist today."<ref>[https://gtldresult.icann.org/application-result/applicationstatus/applicationdetails/1319 Application details, ICANN.org] Retrieved 20 Sept 2013</ref>
 
==Microsoft and ISOC==
Microsoft is a sponsor of a component of [[ISOC]]'s Next Generation Leaders Programme, which is an academic and field-based program, launched in 2010 in conjunction with the [[DiploFoundation]], intended to further the skills of promising Internet professionals and individuals working in Internet governance. Microsoft specifically sponsors a fellowship with the [[IETF]], a part of the academic portion of the NGL program.<ref>http://isoc.org/wp/newsletter/?p=2450 Newsletter, ISOC.org]</ref>


===Law Suits (1990s)===
==Migrate to Dynamics 365==
The U.S. Department of Justice started to investigate Microsoft Corp., regarding allegations of monopolistic practices in the PC software market.<ref>[http://library.thinkquest.org/22522/timeline4b_en.html Computer Chronicles]</ref> In 1997 and 1998,the US Department of Justice  alleged that Microsoft violated a 1994 consent decree regarding the licensing of the Windows operating system to computer manufacturers, and violations of Section 1 and Section 2 of the Sherman Act for illegal business practices and for illegally protecting and extending the Windows software monopoly respectively.<ref>[http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/law/july-dec98/microsoft_11-12a.html U.S. vs Microsoft]</ref>
In recent years, Microsoft has changed its focus on strengthening its cloud-first solutions. Thousands of Canadian companies have migrated from their old ERP and CRM systems to Microsoft Dynamics 365 to leverage superior features, modernized their user experience, and for its integration and AI capabilities.
Migration to Dynamics 365 offers greater business potential with the benefits of the Microsoft cloud and a comprehensive suite of Microsoft Dynamics 365 business applications that meet your business demands.
Upgrade your IT infrastructure to the Microsoft Cloud with Canada’s #1 Microsoft Cloud Partner. At VOX ISM, we have a knowledgeable and professional staff ready to help address any of your IT infrastructure upgrade needs. Contact us today to learn more.<ref>https://voxism.com/services/migration-to-dynamics-365/ VOX ISM]</ref>


===Unprecedented Growth in 2000 to present===
==Email Systems Hacking Attack==
 


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Companies]]
[[Category:Software]]

Latest revision as of 13:59, 10 March 2022

Type: Publicly held
Industry: Software
Founded: 1975
Founder(s): Bill Gates

Paul Allen

Headquarters: Redmond, Washington
Country: USA
Employees: 117,354 as of 6/30/15 [1]
Revenue: $ $93.58B (2015)
Website: www.microsoft.com
LinkedIn: Microsoft
Key People
Satya Nadella, CEO

Teri L. List-Stoll, Chief Financial Officer

Microsoft Corporation is a multi-national company which develops, license, manufacture and support a wide range of products and services such as operating systems for personal computers, servers, intelligent devices, server applications for distributed computing, environments information worker productivity applications, business solutions applications, high performance computing applications, software development tools and video games.

Microsoft is trading at NYSE and NASDAQ under the ticker symbol "MSFT." Paul Allen and Bill Gates co-founded the company in 1975 and it is headquartered in Redmond, Washington and it has offices in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Mission[edit | edit source]

Microsoft's mission is to enable people and businesses worldwide to realize their full potential. The company is trying to achieve its objective by creating technology that transforms the way people work, play and communicate.[2]

Business Divisions[edit | edit source]

Microsoft has five business divisions to better serve its customers. These divisions include:[3]

  1. Windows & Windows Live Division
  2. Server and Tools
  3. Online Services Division
  4. Microsoft Business Division
  5. Entertainment and Devices Division

History[edit | edit source]

Company Beginnings[edit | edit source]

The idea of establishing Microsoft began in 1971 when Paul Allen found an article in an electronics magazine about Intel's 4004 chip, the world's first microprocessor. Allen thought that this microprocessor will become better and better. After a year, Intel came up with 8008, which gave Paul Allen and Bill Gates the idea on How Moore's Law really worked. They learned that each generation of microprocessor chip was twice as fast as the previous.They decided to buy the 8008 microprocessor which became the core of a special computer designed to do traffic volume count analysis and which they would to traffic departments. Paul Allen and Bill Gates formed Traf-O-Data, their first company.[4]


In 1973, Allen read an article from a popular electronics magazine about Altair 8800, the world's first microcomputer kit. Allen and Gates took it as a big opportunity. They wrote Altair BASIC, a true programming language, and the first commercial Microsoft computer product.[5] In 1975, the two persuaded MITS to sell Altair Basic. Allen and Gates signed their first contract with MITS as "Paul Allen & Bill Gates doing business as Micro-Soft.[6] Allen and Gates shared the title General Partner. In 1977, Gates held the title president and Allen, vice-president. In 1979, they decided to move the company headquarters from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Bellevue, Washington. Steven Ballmer joined the company the following year as first assistant to the president. His primary responsibility was to establish policies and procedures in the financial, organizational, and resource allocation areas.[7]

In 1980, Paul Allen negotiated the purchase of an obscure operating system called Q-DOS from Seattle Computer. The two licensed Q-DOS to IBM, which became the deal of the decade. This transaction paved the way for Microsoft to dominate the PC Software Industry.[8] Microsoft developed a new operating system called MS-DOS (Microsoft Disk Operating System).[9]

Microsoft Corporation[edit | edit source]

On June 25, 1981 Microsoft was officially incorporated in Washington as a privately held corporation with Bill Gates as President and Chairman of the Board while Paul Allen as Executive Vice President.[10] On August 12, 1981, IBM introduced its new Personal Computer using Microsoft's 16-bit computer operating system called MS-DOS 1.0.[11]


In 1983, Paul Allen was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease and resigned as executive vice-president, but he remained member of the board. Jon Shirley became president of Microsoft and later assumed the role of CEO. Microsoft also introduced the Microsoft Mouse and Word for MS-DOS 1.00.[12]

Initial Public Offering[edit | edit source]

On March 14, 1986, Microsoft went public and traded more than 3.58 million shares. The stock price was $21 per share during the opening day day and closed at $27.Co-founders Paul Allen and Bill Gates became instant millionaires during the offering.[13]

In 1987, Microsoft's stocks reached $100 per share.[14] Bill Gates wealth is worth USD 56 billion and he became the youngest self-made billionaire at the age of 31.[15]

Product Development in 1990s[edit | edit source]

In 1990, Microsoft became the first microcomputer software company to record more than $1 billion sales in a single year and reported a revenue increase of 47%.[16] In 1992, the company re-structured its organization and outlined three centers of strategic focus on worldwide product development, worldwide sales and support, and worldwide operations.Bill Gates and Intel Corporation president, Andrew S. Grove partnered in developing the next wave in personal computing, called Digital Video Computing.[17] The company released Windows 3.0 and 3.1, and sold 10 million copies during the first two years. The following year in 1993, Microsoft completed the Windows NT, a project that began in the 1980s. The NT 3.1, a strategic business platform that supports high-end engineering and scientific programs in a 32-bit operating system. In 1995, the company launched the Windows 95 and sold 7 million copies within the first five weeks. It was followed by the release of other Microsofts products such as the Internet Explorer, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows Media Player and others.[18]

Rapid Growth from 2000 to Present[edit | edit source]

Bill Gates created a new position in the company and assumed the role of Chief Software Architect from 2000 until 2006,[19] he dedicated his time to developing the next generation of Windows Internet platform and services. While serving as Chief Software Architect, Gates remained Chairman of the company. Different Microsoft product were launched such as Microsoft Office XP, Microsoft XBox, Microsoft Visual Studio .Net, Microsoft Visual J#.Net, Visual C++.Net, Visual Basic.Net, MSN 8, Tablet PC and many other products. The company also expanded its operations, and now maintains offices in more than 100 countries worldwide. Microsoft also made numerous mergers and acquisitions.The company's 2010 reported revenue was $ 62.5 billion.[20]

Acqusitions[edit | edit source]

Microsoft's largest aquisitions include:[21]

  • aQuantive, advertising software and services-$ 6 billion
  • Navision accounting software- $1.45 billion
  • Visio, design and charting software- $1.3 billion
  • FAST Search and Transfer, enterprise search specialists- $1.2 billion
  • Great Plains accounting software- $940 million
  • TellMe voice technology- $800 estimate
  • Danger (mobile software and services-) $500 million estimate
  • Greenfield Online (CIAO)-$485 million
  • Web TV - $425 million
  • Hotmail- $400 million estimate
  • Rare (game developer)-$375 million
  • LinkExchange (paid search company)- $265 million
  • Massive (in-game advertising)- $ 280 million estimate
  • Placeware (virtual meeting service)- $200 million estimate
  • Groove- $171 million

Subsidiaries[edit | edit source]

Microsoft's subsidiaries include: MOL Corporation, Nevada, USA, Microsoft Global Finance, Ireland, Microsoft General Management Company, Nevada, USA, Microsoft Ireland Operations Limited, Ireland, Bagheera International Limited, British Virgin Islands, Microsoft Licensing, GP, Nevada, USA, Microsoft T-Holdings, Inc., Nevada, USA, Round Island One, Ireland, GraceMac Corporation, Nevada, USA, Flat Island Company Limited, Ireland, Microsoft Manufacturing B.V., Netherlands, Microsoft Operations Pte Ltd,, Singapore, Microsoft Company, Limited, Japan, Microsoft PF Holdings, BV, Netherlands, Microsoft Operations Puerto Rico, LLC, Puerto Rico, Microsoft Development Center Copenhagen ApS, Denmark etc.[22]

Legal Battles[edit | edit source]

In 1990, the US Federal Trade Commission started investigating Microsoft's business relationship with IBM, suspecting the company of possible violations of the Sherman and Clayton Antitrust Acts. The Federal Trade Commission's inquiry lasted for more than three years.[23]

In 1994, the U.S. Department of Justice investigated Microsoft regarding allegations that the company is involved in monopolistic practices in the PC software market.[24] The investigation was triggered by the complaints filed by Novell, a software company, for allegedly monopolizing the word processing and spreadsheet market.[25]

In 1998, the Justice Department filed charges against the company for allegedly engaging in a pattern of anticompetitive acts.[26] Microsoft allegedly violated a 1994 consent decree regarding the licensing of the Windows operating system to computer manufacturers, and violations of Section 1 and Section 2 of the Sherman Act for illegal business practices and for illegally protecting and extending the Windows software monopoly respectively.[27]

In 2003, the European Commission won the monopoly abuse case against Microsoft for linking its media player to Windows and fined the company 497 million euros.[28]

Microsoft and ICANN[edit | edit source]

On January 24, 2001, Microsoft Benelux Support Manager Ruud de Jonge confirmed that the majority of Microsoft websites were down due to a problem in the system that maps Web addresses to IP addresses. In a statement Jonge said, "It can be a system or human error, but somebody could also have done this intentionally. We don't manage the DNS ourselves, it is a system controlled by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) with worldwide replicas."[29] This sparked comments from the Internet community and some concluded that Microsoft blamed ICANN for the failures of its domain name servers.[30]

After the failures were resolved, Microsoft issued an apology to its customers and explained that the operational errors were not caused by any third party instead a Microsoft technician made a wrong configuration change to the routers on the edge of Microsoft's Domain Name Server network which caused limited communication between DNS servers on the Internet and Microsoft's DNS servers.[31]

In 2006, Microsoft became an ICANN accredited registrar for .biz, .com, .info, .name, .net, .pro and .org.[32]

In 2009, the company collaborated with ICANN, AOL, Verisign, Afilias, and with security researchers and operators within the DNS, to implement a coordinated global response to the Conficker Worm. It coordinated a response designed to disable domains targeted by Conficker and offered a $250,000 reward for information that results in the arrest and conviction of those responsible for illegally launching the Conficker malicious code on the Internet.[33][34]

New gTLD Program[edit | edit source]

Google's application for the .search new gTLD includes a proposal for a "dotless" TLD, which has been with significant objection from Microsoft and other companies.[35] An excerpt from Google's application explains the proposal: "Charleston Road Registry will provide a service on the dotless search domain that will allow users to designate the search functionality of their choice and then perform queries that will automatically be redirected to the appropriate website. This facility should provide simple, consistent access to the userʹs preferred search functionality that does not exist today."[36]

Microsoft and ISOC[edit | edit source]

Microsoft is a sponsor of a component of ISOC's Next Generation Leaders Programme, which is an academic and field-based program, launched in 2010 in conjunction with the DiploFoundation, intended to further the skills of promising Internet professionals and individuals working in Internet governance. Microsoft specifically sponsors a fellowship with the IETF, a part of the academic portion of the NGL program.[37]

Migrate to Dynamics 365[edit | edit source]

In recent years, Microsoft has changed its focus on strengthening its cloud-first solutions. Thousands of Canadian companies have migrated from their old ERP and CRM systems to Microsoft Dynamics 365 to leverage superior features, modernized their user experience, and for its integration and AI capabilities. Migration to Dynamics 365 offers greater business potential with the benefits of the Microsoft cloud and a comprehensive suite of Microsoft Dynamics 365 business applications that meet your business demands. Upgrade your IT infrastructure to the Microsoft Cloud with Canada’s #1 Microsoft Cloud Partner. At VOX ISM, we have a knowledgeable and professional staff ready to help address any of your IT infrastructure upgrade needs. Contact us today to learn more.[38]

Email Systems Hacking Attack[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Microsoft Revenue & Headcount. Retrieved 21 Jun 2016.
  2. ↑ Mission
  3. ↑ Business Divisions
  4. ↑ [1]
  5. ↑ Altair Basic
  6. ↑ Micro-Soft
  7. ↑ www.thocp.net
  8. ↑ Bill Gates and Paul Allen Talk Check out the Ultimate Buddy Act
  9. ↑ MS-DOS
  10. ↑ Incorporation
  11. ↑ investors.about.com
  12. ↑ Paul Allen Resignation
  13. ↑ Microsoft IPO
  14. ↑ Computer History
  15. ↑ Top 6 Richest People in the World
  16. ↑ Microsoft tops $1 billion in 1990
  17. ↑ Channel9 Microsoft History 1992
  18. ↑ Windows History
  19. ↑ Chief Software Architect
  20. ↑ Microsoft 4Q Revenue 2010
  21. ↑ Microsoft 15 Biggest Acqusitions
  22. ↑ www.sec.org
  23. ↑ Andrew I. Gavil & Harry First:Microsoft’s Early Encounters with the U.S. Antitrust System
  24. ↑ Computer Chronicles
  25. ↑ Novell vs. Microsoft
  26. ↑ Justice.gov
  27. ↑ U.S. vs Microsoft
  28. ↑ EC Monopoly Abuse Case Against Microsoft
  29. ↑ CNN Archives
  30. ↑ Microsoft Blames ICANN
  31. ↑ www.irbs.net
  32. ↑ ICANN Watch
  33. ↑ Microsoft Collaborates With Industry to Disrupt Conficker Worm
  34. ↑ Microsoft Teams with Industry Leaders From AOL to Symantec to Fight Cornficker Worm
  35. ↑ Microsoft Objects to Google's Dotless domains plan, Domain Incite Retrieved 20 Sept 2013
  36. ↑ Application details, ICANN.org Retrieved 20 Sept 2013
  37. ↑ http://isoc.org/wp/newsletter/?p=2450 Newsletter, ISOC.org]
  38. ↑ https://voxism.com/services/migration-to-dynamics-365/ VOX ISM]
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