A New Microsoft is Emerging

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Microsoft appears to be changing it’s strategy in terms of operating system support in the client market, and perhaps the server market as well. The value dynamic has changed such that foundational software like operating systems are commoditized. Windows, macOS, and Linux are all very capable and the money is now earned higher up the value-chain where intellectual firepower is delivered closer to the end user.

The focus is shifting to cloud-delivery or app-store markets provided by Apple, Google, and of course Microsoft. People don’t care what device they are holding in their hand, they care that the functionality they want from applications works on whatever platform they choose.

Microsoft acquired Github and recently become a Platinum sponsor of the Linux Foundation and now has a seat on their board of directors. That should tell you something!

A good example is Microsoft Edge Browser. Software vendors basically using the same base layers of browser code. Chrome is bloated and serves Google’s revenue purposes. Edge is not bloated (yet) and the “Evernote” type of functionality they married to bookmarks is innovative and perhaps representative of a new Microsoft that is emerging from the old Microsoft.

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