A Market Assessment of Microsoft

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the market position of Microsoft, the role of technology in Microsoft, the switching cost of operating systems software and Microsoft's decision to enter the Internet business. The paper also offers a market forecast and concludes that we can assume Microsoft will not lose much of its current market position in the next six months.

Outline:
Market Position
Role of Technology in Microsoft
Switching Costs in Operating Systems Software
Pattern Recognition
Market Forecast

From the Paper:

"When Bill Gates began pursuing OEM customers for Microsoft Windows in 1983, the development of a graphical user interface seemed close at hand. Apple had introduced the Lisa, and the Macintosh wasn't far behind. Several hardware manufacturers signed commitments to make minimum quarterly payments to Microsoft in exchange for preferential access to Windows shipping schedules. Much like the 1-2-3 waiting game, however, the calendar moved faster than development, and several firms paid their commitments even though no software was available. While Microsoft Windows versions 1 and 2 were eventually shipped, it wasn't until 1990, with the release of Windows 3.0, that a graphical user interface on the PC platform became an effective product. But it is difficult to take Microsoft and Gates to task for this preannouncement. Much like the waiting game for the 1-2-3 upgrade, there is always significant uncertainty in software development, and it isn't clear that estimates can ever be reliable in those circumstances."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Abramovitz M., and P. David. "Technological Change and the Rise of Intangible Investments: The U.S. Economy's Growth-Path in the Twentieth Century," in Employment and Growth in the Knowledge-based Economy. Paris: OECD, 2004.
• Bartlett C. A., and S. Ghoshal. Managing Across Borders: The Transnational Solution. Cambridge: Harvard Business School Press, 2001.
• Cusumano, Michael A., and Richard W. Selby. Microsoft Secrets. New York: Free Press. 2000.
• Letwin, G. Inside OS/ 2 ( Redmond, WA: Microsoft Press, 2003.
• Landes D. The Wealth and Poverty of Nations: Why Some Are So Rich and Some So Poor. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1998.

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