In the past quarter of a century, Microsoft has grown from small start-up to Fortune 500 success by creating innovative software, and working diligently to help customers realise their full potential. When you view our company profile, you'll see examples of the ground-breaking products and services we're developing for today's customers and learn about our commitment to exploring tomorrow's frontiers.
To be in the best position to accelerate these new technologies as they emerge, we have recently reorganised our company around seven core businesses. This new structure streamlines decision-making, encourages entrepreneurship throughout our company, and increases collaboration across groups. In addition, we have embraced a new corporate mission: to enable people and businesses throughout the world to realise their full potential. Propelling this mission are the values and tenets that have served us well in the past, and that have been newly articulated to unify and inspire our people.
One thing we've learned over our brief history is that nothing is impossible. Just as people around the world embraced our original vision of a computer on every desk and in every home, we are confident that the future will hold amazing new technologies that will further enable people and businesses around the world to realise their full potential.
To some, our company's early vision - "A PC on every desk and in every home" - must have seemed like science fiction.
But Bill Gates and Paul Allen, who co-founded Microsoft in 1975, were passionate about the same idea. They envisioned bringing computers to life by developing software - the instructions that make electronic devices work - that would make computing power accessible to everyone.
Today, their vision is close to reality.
| • | Powerful tools such as Microsoft Office and the Tablet PC help individuals and businesses automate common tasks, accomplish more in less time, and stay connected. |
| • | Internet-based communications such as Microsoft Hotmail and Microsoft Windows Messenger help you stay in touch from any computer with Web access. |
| • | Educational software - including Microsoft Encarta online and the CD-ROM reference series - helps students learn about the world. |
| • | Researchers continue to find innovative ways to solve complex problems. |
| • | Professional communities collaborate and share information online. |
At Microsoft, we believe that the true measure of our success is not just in the power of our software, but in the potential it unleashes in us all. We focus every day on developing new ways to provide affordable, accessible software that can help unlock extraordinary opportunities. With great ideas - and great software - our future has no limits.
At Microsoft, we're motivated and inspired every day by how our customers use our software to find creative solutions to business problems, develop breakthrough ideas, and stay connected with what's most important to them.
We run our business in much the same way, and believe our seven core business units offer the greatest potential to serve our customers in the coming decade. They include:
Windows Client, including the Microsoft Windows® XP desktop operating system, Windows 2000, and Windows embedded operating system.
Information Worker, including Microsoft Office, Publisher, Visio®, Project, and other stand-alone desktop applications.
Microsoft Dynamics (formerly Business Solutions) a family of connected applications and services for small and mid-sized businesses.
Server & Tools, including Windows Servers, Microsoft .NET Enterprise Servers, software developer tools, and Microsoft Developer Network
Windows CE & Mobility (US Link), featuring mobile devices including the Pocket PC, the Mobile Explorer micro browser, and the Smart Phone software platform.
MSN (US Link), including the MSN network, MSN Internet Access, MSNTV, MSN Hotmail and other Web-based services.
Home & Entertainment, including Xbox, consumer hardware and software, online games, and our TV platform.