Drubbed By Apple, Microsoft Announces Massive Company Reshuffle

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Those are some better numbers, for sure.
Those are some better numbers, for sure.

Microsoft has announced today a major company reshuffle which will affect both its hardware and software divisions. It’s part of the company’s initiative to become “One Microsoft,” and it will see many company executives moved into new roles.

The Windows and Windows Phone platforms will now become part of the same operating systems engineering group headed up by Terry Myerson, which will cover mobile devices, personal computers, and even consoles such as the upcoming Xbox One.

Julie Larson-Green, who took over from formers Windows chief Steven Sinofsky earlier this year, will head up a new devices and studios engineering group, which will control hardware development for the Surface, the Xbox One, and all of Microsoft’s PC accessories.

Qi Lu will lead a separate applications and engineerings group which will focus on Microsoft’s apps, services, and search products.

As for Microsoft’s enterprise divisions, there will be a new cloud and enterprise engineering group led by Satya Nadella which will develop Microsoft’s data centers, databases, and other enterprise technologies. Eric Rudder will remain in charge of Microsoft’s Research efforts.

Formers Windows CFO Tami Reller will head up a new marketing group, which will also involve Mark Penn, while COO Kevin Turner will continue to lead worldwide sales, field marketing, services, support, and retail stores.

Tony Bates, who was previously head of the Skype division, will now lead business development, with a focus on partnerships like those with Yahoo! and Nokia.

As you can see, the changes will affect every part of Microsoft’s business, including its software, mobile devices, consoles, and PCs. The company is aiming for a tighter knit, with divisions working more closely together, rather than competing with each other, The Verge reports.

“One strategy, united together, with great communication, decisiveness and positive energy is the only way to fly,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in his email to company employees today.

While Windows has long had the upper hand over Mac OS, Microsoft’s Surface tablet and Windows Phone smartphones have struggled to make any real impact in the mobile market up against the iPhone and the iPad.

Microsoft will surely be hoping that its reshuffle will encourage close partnerships like those between Apple’s hardware and software divisions which will in turn create better devices.

Via: The Verge

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