About Microsoft Israel

Microsoft Israel was established in 1989 as the subsidiary of Microsoft Corp. The company manages all sales, marketing and technical support for partners and customers of all sizes, from enterprise customers to small and medium-sized businesses and home computer users.

Microsoft also operates a Development Center in Israel, one of the few outside of the US.

Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Corporation, founded by Bill Gates, has led the personal computer (PC) revolution with its vision of a computer on every desk and in every home. Today, with hundreds of millions of users and PCs throughout the world, Microsoft continues to lead the software industry and blaze new trails in enriching the user’s experience and the way he or she works, learns and consumes information and culture.

The Vision: Realizing the Potential

Microsoft works to help people and businesses throughout the world realize their full potential. This is the company's mission. Everything it does reflects this mission and the values that make it possible. Microsoft believes that people are the most valuable asset of every organization. Business organizations can become more agile and grow if they equip their people with the necessary software to collaborate, use information, make decisions and to realize their potential.

The Hebrew Language

From the outset, Microsoft Israel began its significant investment in the Israeli market by "converting" its products to Hebrew. Thus far, Microsoft has invested more than $100 million in converting its software to Hebrew, so virtually almost every Microsoft product has a Hebrew version, and Hebrew products are introduced to the market at the same time as the product is launched in the rest of the world.

IT Industry

Microsoft Israel is a major contributor in growing local IT industry. Through a unique business model, ecosystem of partners has been created around the company’s products and solutions. With about 2,000 business partners: distributors, software houses, integrators, consultants, training and support centers and more. This ecosystem has climbed to about $1.5 billion annually with 36% of IT employees in the country connected to Microsoft products, totaling around 40,000 workers.

New Generation of Software Products

Microsoft Worldwide invests more than $7 billion a year in R&D. This effort yields innovative technological returns that are expected to make organizations, companies and information workers' business actions significantly richer and more efficient. The most important of these new products includes Windows Vista, the 2007 version of Office System, Exchange 2007 and innovations in many other products. In addition, the business sector will benefit from commercial applications of Microsoft CRM and ERP, combined in a complete way by Microsoft’s platform.

Encouraging Start-Ups

Microsoft sees great importance in encouraging Israel’s start-up sector. During Bill Gates’ recent visit to Israel the company signed an agreement with the Office of the Chief Scientist of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Labor to promote Israeli startup companies. Within the framework of the project, the company will assist in the growth and success of these companies during all their stages.

Commitment to the Community

Since its inception, Microsoft has implemented the policy of Microsoft Worldwide, which views technology as a means for reducing the digital gap and creating social and economic opportunities for disadvantaged populations. Microsoft cooperates with non-profit organizations to close the digital gap through training and guidance programs in the community, among them a project to return women to employment, setting up access centers for people with disabilities, adopting the Yuvalim residential school in Kfar Saba, mobilizing its employees as volunteers and more.

In addition, Microsoft is the leader in the initiative of "The National Day for Safe Internet" to raise public awareness about protection against the perils of the Internet. Microsoft is also a major contributor to the "Computer for Every Child" project and additional organizations such as "Window to Tomorrow’s World," "Lahava," Nitzan, Alut, Yad Sarah and more.