New
#61
Good post Jack,
I would split the enterprise category into two, the enterprise which would include large multinationals, National Governments, (education, Health Etc), National armed services Etc, and the second group would be what the UK know as SME (Small to Medium Enterprises), which are the small 1 to 100 employee companies,
The first group Microsoft will treat like everyone else does, just like The phone company, the electric and gas company, and indeed parts of the government, they will fawn over them adjust the workings of the OS for them - Why do they do this, simply because they are the majority market for everything, they certainly are for Microsoft, Even though they get great deals to keep cost down and support they are the market that does not run pirate software and orders not in tens or hundreds but thousands of units. The Software as a Service ideology actually appeals to them, they prefer a number of small developmental changes that can be integrated into their systems, rather than the major change every few years - The way they look at software is that as they lease the hardware why not the software.
The second group are valuable to Microsoft and the reason there is a pro version of each windows, they purchase software at a slight discount over the man in the street, and some use networks, with or without servers, but are normally not cash rich. Some even still share computers - especially if they are running a shift system for employees.
The Poke and Go, ( or Peek and Peck), consumer market is large but has never been a great cash cow for any Tech company, as most of this group purchase a computer with OS from one of the big Box Shifting OEMs, and these OS copies are heavily discounted almost down to cost level - the Home versions of windows are designed for this market - simple to use, automatic everything, a consumer product similar to a washing machine or TV, Can anyone remember Starter versions, with less settings to change than a TV
The last group the Betweeners as you call them the hobbyist/IT pro/enthusiast users make up a tiny proportion of Microsoft's customer base, OK they upgrade often, are willing to beta Test software, so they are not ignored - of course they should not really be using a home version of software and expect any real ability to control settings, They are very vocal, and Microsoft does listen, but they have to produce a saleable product for their main markets.
I've not mentioned Phones as this is a completely different horse, One that I think was long out of the gate before Microsoft even arrived at the track. They were similar when XP was King and this new fangled Interweb's came along, but they eventually realised that it was real and jumped on board and are now up with the leaders.
The Phone market is another Long distance race and you never know, but I think they have a long way to go to even see the rest of the field
Quote
