Microsoft is the world's leading producer of computer software, developing and selling operating systems, software, and personal computers. Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen and currently employs over 127,000 people worldwide. In addition to competing with Apple, Google, and Oracle, Microsoft plans to expand operations in Hyderabad and release Windows 10 and the Cortana personal assistant in 2015.

2. What is Microsoft?
• Microsoft is the world’s leading producer of
computer software.
• Develops, manufactures, licenses, supports
and sells computer software, consumer
electronics and personal computers and
services.
• Microsoft currently ranks 34th on the Fortune
500.

3. Microsoft’s Competitors
• Apple (4th) is the #1 competitor to Microsoft.
• Others include: Google (46th) and Oracle (82nd)

4. Headquarters
• One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA

5. History
• In 1975, Paul Allen and Bill Gates developed a version of
the programming language ‘BASIC’ for the first
microcomputer – the MITS Altair 8800
• Gates and Allen approached MITS with their creation, and
the company agreed to distribute it as 'Altair BASIC'
• Albuquerque in November 1975

6. History cont.
• IBM approached Microsoft in July 1980 to provide OS
• Gates declined
• Microsoft launched the first version of its Windows
operating system on 20 November 1985

8. Employment
• As of September 30th, 2014, Microsoft has nearly 127,000
employees worldwide, 61,000 of them being from the USA.
• Benefits include: Social security and health, ESPP (stock
option), Business car, Discounts on Microsoft software, and
Healthcare.

9. Expansion Plans
• Hyderabad
• Windows 10 in 2015
• Cortana to come with Windows 10

10. Cortana
Microsoft Cortana, an intelligent personal assistant
Originates from fictional artificial intelligence Halo character
Competes with Apple’s Siri

11. Marketing Strategy
• Tell their customers their products are better
• Surface Pro 3 tablet
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdpQir1s
qiQ

12. 5 FUN FACTS FOR YOUR BRAIN
1. 50 billion minutes
1. 48 million members
2. 7/10 Fortune 500 companies
3. The word ‘Microsoft’

13. 5. The Famous Picture
Bliss
• Taken in 1996 by Charles O’Rear in Sonoma County,
California, United States
• He took the photo on film with a medium-format camera
while on his way to visit his girlfriend in 1996

16. Economically sound
1. Microsoft typically picks their competition apart
1. Competitive behavior – tries to one-up opponent
3. Strong relationship with customers