"In a session at the Gartner Emerging Trends conference today, analysts Neil MacDonald and Michael Silver identified many reasons that Windows (and thus Microsoft) are in trouble. Microsoft's operating system development times are too long and they deliver limited innovation; their OSs provide an inconsistent experience between platforms, with significant compatibility issues; and other vendors are out-innovating Microsoft. That gives enterprises unpredictable releases with limited value, management costs that are too high, and new releases that break too many applications and take too long to test and adopt. With end users bringing their own software solutions into the office... Well, it's just a heck of a sad story for Microsoft."
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Member since:2005-07-12
The users are in trouble based on what Microsoft has done -- certainly, the people in the room (all of whom were senior IT managers) didn't give off the vibe of "How could you SAY so?!"
But if you read the article, you'll see that the analysts are pointing out that Microsoft itself is in trouble, because its entire business model (not to mention business/sales culture) is based on the old way of doing things. As the world changes, the analysts said, Microsoft will have to change, too.
Member since:2005-08-06
If the consumers of the products created by a monopoly are not pleased by those products, they are still free not to buy them.
And there are more and more people that don't want to buy Windows when they buy a new PC. Sure that's still a minority of the PC owners, but time will tell ...
Member since:2005-11-12
Member since:2005-08-26
Member since:2005-07-12
MS is now a victim of their own monopoly. They can't provide real innovation so folks are sticking/downgrading to XP. Office 2007 is another example. They change the UI but can't deliver a fundamentally better product. While this protects them for now (I agree with your point), it can't hold the barbarians at the gate out forever. Their tools and weapons (FOSS, Linux) are evolving fast and the attack against the empire is starting to take its toll.
I have my doubts that Windows 7 will turn this around. Vista is symptomatic of a broken culture, failed leadership and lost enthusiasm. I find it curious that the corporation shows these signs as Bill G has progressively transitioned to focusing on his foundation.
Member since:2006-07-25
I agree ive had lots of blurb from Microsoft regarding selling Vista against XP, Exchange 2007 against 2000/03 and event 4.5. As you have stated really the main competition comes from Microsoft itself, why bother upgrading when all of the features of Office were pretty much met in Office 97, let alone, 2000/XP/03/07.
Member since:2006-05-12
"Office 2007 is another example. They change the UI but can't deliver a fundamentally better product."
I use Office 2007 for school because it is required. There are only a few minor features that are useful, but the layout of the UI has change some and ALL of the formats are incompatible with even Office 2003. Now that ISO has sanctioned OOXML (Office Open XML, not to be confused with Open Office!) as an official standard it looks like they have succeeded in moving the goal posts again.
Office is a staple product in modern business, and it is only a matter of time before companies adopt it again making it nearly impossible for companies to use a competing office product.
The standard has been criticized by many as being intentionally complex and if by some chance some other competitor did succeed in implementing it they would simply move the goal posts again.
That win alone will ensure their dominance for quite a while. Honestly the only chance we really have is to ask ISO to overturn the standard (see noooxml.org).
Member since:
2005-11-12
Microsoft has monopolies in several areas. They can force any crappy product they want on the market and it would still be widely used, and a standard after a while. So no, Microsoft isn't in trouble, their users are.
Edited 2008-04-10 13:41 UTC