Courtesy of Sadagopan I came across this analysis on Microsoft from a group that does nothing but watch Microsoft. They did not have grades but sounds like Cs and Ds around most areas.
Some quotes
- However, public demonstrations (of Vista) have been full of cool graphics effects and consumer features that probably turn off more IT staff than they attract, and sales of Windows upgrade rights to corporations have been disappointing.
- The time has come for Microsoft to show discipline in dealing with bad applications, and to lead in the war on spyware and other malicious software.
- Microsoft's online strategy has had more facelifts than an aging movie star.
- In 2006, the new manager who replaces longtime Business Solutions leader Doug Burgum will have to map how the newly named Dynamics product line will come together into something consistent for partners to support and sell, and detail how existing customers will transition to the new world.
- But problems remain, particularly the disconnect between the pricing of the Software Assurance maintenance plan and actual product release cycles.
I would love to be a fly on the wall when Microsoft does its R&D ops review having spent $ 6 billion last year - and being behind schedule or the competition in so many areas.
