FORTUNE 500 Companies-Microsoft

FORTUNE 500 Companies-Microsoft

Introduction

Microsoft Corp. is a multinational company dedicated to developing a wide range of software products for business and professional use, including operating systems, languages ??and application programs and peripherals and CD-ROM market for microcomputers. Microsoft is one of the Fortune 500 Companies. Company's Computer applications include word processors, spreadsheets, graphics, switches, project management, entertainment and productivity management, as well as integrated products. The peripheral elements of the system that the company produces are essentially mice for computers, Microsoft Mouse. The company also develops multimedia products and applications for end users and computer-related book (Beer & Nohria2000).

The Trends in the Company's Industry, and the Impact of Trends on Company's Strategy

Contrary to the process of developing new products in other traditional industries, changes in a software product like Windows, and subsequent updates to this change force along the chain associated with it; do not require recapitalization costs or assembling lines of production nor the use of new raw materials (Beer & Nohria2000) . The main cost is human capital, a few months of working time of a computer programmer. Therefore, industry applications and is mainly characterized by broad strokes:

Having a near zero marginal cost. In recent times this trend is accentuated zero marginal cost due to new distribution channels like the Internet.

Being labor intensive.

Microsoft's management is constantly seeking the next big trend within the technology environment. Innovation continues to affect different planning functions of Microsoft. Innovation is defined as the introduction of new things or methods. Therefore, planning must be calculated in a strategic, tactical and operational manner in order to be effective. With strategic planning, Microsoft must think of long-term goals and strategies for its corporation. Tactical planning is developed to specify goals and plans that target a majority of the corporation and its ...