In 2006, the software giant faced numerous challenges, with the most pressing issue being how to effectively market Windows Vista.
According to the research firm Directions on Microsoft, marketing Vista and convincing consumers to upgrade to the new operating system was the biggest headache for Chairman Bill Gates in 2006, ranking among the top 10 challenges for Microsoft that year.
“Windows Vista offers corporations and businesses many improvements, ranging from software development, security, reliability, and stability, to system management and an easily recognizable user interface at the enterprise level. However, the advertising images have overly focused on personal features and graphics tricks, diluting the main message.”
“The Windows Client team needs to clearly explain to business customers why they should install Windows Vista and why they should purchase it now instead of waiting for new hardware“, DoM stated.
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The remaining challenges include:
– Publishing a complete guide for developing Windows applications to minimize vulnerabilities and security holes. This must be followed up with strict adherence to the guidelines.
– Clearly articulating the company’s objectives in entering the enterprise management solutions market, while also clarifying how much will be allocated to partners.
– Quickly releasing new generation web development tools to support Vista.
– Formulating the company’s online strategy in a race where it has already fallen behind Google and Yahoo.
– Stabilizing and consolidating strategies for ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) to enable partners to support and attract new customers for the new Dynamics product line.
– Continuing the development of the Dynamic Systems Initiative, which may set a new standard for managing software.
– Establishing a product release strategy with a disciplined approach to adhere to the schedule.
– Reevaluating the exorbitant pricing of the Xbox 360, accurately assessing pressure from competitors, developing exclusive games for Xbox, addressing the current Xbox supply shortage, and fixing existing technical issues from the initial shipment.
– Balancing software warranty costs with the actual product release cycle.
If Microsoft cannot address these issues efficiently in 2006, it may face its first “choking” setback in over 25 years of continuous profitable growth.
Destiny
