Microsoft has made huge investments, with a dedicated development team, to make Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003 much easier to manage. There are many built-in tools and services to do everything from remotely managing a server to enabling a help desk person to take over a troublesome desktop and fix the problem for the user remotely. Customers are automatically notified of software updates and, if they choose, have the ability to have updates automatically deployed throughout their IT organization. For UNIX enthusiasts used to a minimal user interface, Microsoft has invested in implementing support of a command line interface for common administrative tasks. All of these capabilities are built into Windows XP and Windows Server.
Vision for the Future
Microsoft has always been a company driven by making big bets on future technology trends. As a company, Microsoft leads the software industry with over $6B and over 35,000 employees dedicated to research and development in 2003. Microsoft is dedicated to driving generational technology advances that empower customers to attack challenges in new and exciting ways. Examples of this include support for digital media, built-in wireless support, and next generation information worker technologies, such as tablet PC’s and online collaboration. Microsoft’s track record of innovation means that customers who choose the Microsoft platform are assured of achieving and maintaining an ongoing business advantage, while benefiting from the latest technological advances.
Decision-makers should clearly understand the differences in the business and development models between commercial and non-commercial software. Microsoft does not believe that non-commercial software, by its very nature, will be able to innovate and bring new capabilities to the marketplace at the speed in which Microsoft does today. The success of Microsoft products can be attributed to a single entity capable of coordinating and driving a clear, forward-looking vision for product development and assure our customers commitment to deliver on the vision.
Businesses Need Systems with Lower Overall Cost
For most enterprises the initial cost of software is minor compared to the costs of customizing, deploying, supporting, and maintaining the software. For many IT projects the ratio of consulting costs to software license fees can run as high as 8 consulting dollars for every 1 dollar spent on licensing. This compounded by the common trend of CFO’s looking for projects to show a positive return within a 12 month period make it all the more critical that software used on a project run out of the box with little or no changes. At Microsoft we believe that the value of a platform can be measured not only by the traditional Total Cost of Ownership, but more importantly, by increased business value from ownership.
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