Microsoft said plotting 'major restructuring' with reorganization to happen as soon as July 1
As it struggles to adjust to the new mobile computing paradigm, software giant Microsoft is said to be mulling a shift in its organizational structure that may leave it better prepared to take on the likes of the iPad, iPhone, and Android devices.
Earlier this month, reports emerged that Microsoft was planning a reorganization that would bring a greater focus on devices and services. Its Xbox console aside, Microsoft's move into computing hardware is a largely new step, as the software giant entered the fray only in the past year with the announcement of its Surface tablets.
The new arrangement is said to have been guided largely by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, with a number of senior executives outside the loop and somewhat anxious regarding their futures at the company, according to AllThingsD.
?It feels like it is going to be titanic ? that Steve is doing this change for his legacy,? said one source. ?And it?s the first time in a long time that it feels like that there will be some major shifts, including some departures.?
At the center of the reorganization would be a simplification of Microsoft's management structure. Reports from earlier this month floated the possibility that the Windows OS group could be jointly headed by Windows Phone lead Terry Myerson and Windows engineering head Julie Larson-Green.
This sort of alignment would be aimed at bringing Windows and Windows Phone closer together in capabilities and interoperability. Microsoft's attempt at gaining a foothold in the smartphone market has so far disappointed, even though it has gained some marketshare.
The company's Windows desktop platform has been having just as difficult a time. Consumers increasingly are opting for smartphones and tablets instead of traditional computing form factors. The company's Windows 8 was supposed to address this trend, blending Windows' legacy apps with a new touchscreen interface. The results in terms of sales, though, have been underwhelming for both Microsoft and its manufacturing partners.
The new corporate organizational structure might materialize by July 1, with Ballmer revealing the plan to a group of senior executives.
Earlier this month, reports emerged that Microsoft was planning a reorganization that would bring a greater focus on devices and services. Its Xbox console aside, Microsoft's move into computing hardware is a largely new step, as the software giant entered the fray only in the past year with the announcement of its Surface tablets.
The new arrangement is said to have been guided largely by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, with a number of senior executives outside the loop and somewhat anxious regarding their futures at the company, according to AllThingsD.
?It feels like it is going to be titanic ? that Steve is doing this change for his legacy,? said one source. ?And it?s the first time in a long time that it feels like that there will be some major shifts, including some departures.?
At the center of the reorganization would be a simplification of Microsoft's management structure. Reports from earlier this month floated the possibility that the Windows OS group could be jointly headed by Windows Phone lead Terry Myerson and Windows engineering head Julie Larson-Green.
This sort of alignment would be aimed at bringing Windows and Windows Phone closer together in capabilities and interoperability. Microsoft's attempt at gaining a foothold in the smartphone market has so far disappointed, even though it has gained some marketshare.
The company's Windows desktop platform has been having just as difficult a time. Consumers increasingly are opting for smartphones and tablets instead of traditional computing form factors. The company's Windows 8 was supposed to address this trend, blending Windows' legacy apps with a new touchscreen interface. The results in terms of sales, though, have been underwhelming for both Microsoft and its manufacturing partners.
The new corporate organizational structure might materialize by July 1, with Ballmer revealing the plan to a group of senior executives.
Comments
Translation: Windows 8 and the tablets have been a failure.
Just as long as they keep Ballmer. Whatever they do, Ballmer MUST stay.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tallest Skil
HA HA HA HA HA HA THEY'RE GOING TO STOP MAKING OS SOFTWARE HA HA HA HA HA HA!
Just as long as they keep Ballmer. Whatever they do, Ballmer MUST stay.
Absolutely!!! Microsoft without Monkey Boy serving as an Albatross around its neck might actually manage to churn something out that didn't stink like something that fell out of a dog's butt.
Quote:
Originally Posted by macaholic_1948
If not done well, "titanic" may be the apt descriptor of a reorganization.
Shuffle the deck chairs!
Originally Posted by AppleInsider
This sort of alignment would be aimed at bringing Windows and Windows Phone closer together in capabilities and interoperability.
Oh. Now they're thinking about interoperability and the whole ecosystem thing.
Finally getting serious, are we Ballmer?
Maybe the "capabilities and interoperability" would have been easier if Windows desktop and
Windows Phone shared the same kernel and low-level OS code. But then again, maybe the Windows
kernel and low-level code (and, horror of single-point-of-failure horrors, The Registry), were too
bloated, fragile, and too dependent on Intel's power-hog CPUs to port to mobile.
Good luck with that legacy deal, Ballmer.
And may the computing gods be more favorable to your successor.
"...there will be some major shifts, including some departures." Except for the one needed most, the departure of Steve Ballmer.
I believe he's the singular legacy holding the company back, and instead of cleaning house, he's entrenching himself further along with all the problems inherent to his continued tenure.
With this news I can probably safely say, 'So long Microsoft, and thanks for all the fish...'
Quote:
Originally Posted by dfergenson
While I'm sure that I couldn't do any better, I sincerely hope that Steve Balmer replaces himself in that reorganization as well. Like a lot of people, I occasionally have to use Microsoft products and really wish that they were better designed and engineered. Remember that, once upon a time, this was a very imaginative company with very compelling products including Mac Basic. Yes, they also engaged in questionable competitive practices but we are all the worse for how they have been performing over the past decade. Apple and Google can't come up with every good idea. A new leader who demonstrates greater wisdom would help us all.
Microsoft has become the 200 lb gorilla in the room that still thinks and behaves like it is the 600 lb gorilla, ignoring that Google and Apple have grown into 600lb and 1000 lb gorillas.
That's enough of monkeys.
Would like to see Microsoft adding more to the innovation game as well- they did take a huge risk with Win 8 and while they had the right idea with the flat functionality the implementation is atrocious. The UI looks like someone just threw random magnets on a refrigerator door. It will be interesting to see what Apple comes up with with the flat functionality combined with their always minimalistic elegance.
Unfortunately I agree with everyone else that what's really needed isn't going to happen. Ballmer might skate to where the puck is and get just about everything else wrong, but he's made quite a brilliant textbook career of lopping off the body to preserve the head.
Microsoft isn't doomed yet. They have a long history of releasing bad versions of Windows followed by much better ones. Windows 7 is probably the best OS on the market right now. With the mixed reviews that Windows 8 gets, I would venture a guess that the next version of Windows will probably be pretty good (at least for desktops). If it's not, then I'll start giving more weight to the naysayers.
Here's a simplified timeline to consider:
Win 98 SE - Good
Win ME - Bad
Win XP - Good
Win Vista - Bad
Win 7 - Good
Win 8 - Bad
Win 9 - Good?
...........Naaaaaaaah!
These are the same people that held a funeral for the iPhone. It's fairly evident that they know very little about mobile devices.
Surprised the corporate world doesn't follow sports, fire the manager/coach never the players.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jd_in_sb
Translation: Windows 8 has been a failure.
Windows 8 AND Surface RT AND Surface Pro have been failures and everyone doesn't want to admit it publicly.