Replies: 5 comments
This was so atypical, I had to post it. Microsoft does indeed make some good software, but to say that they are "the customer-centered company in the computer industry" is a crime.
Posted by John S. Rhodes @ 01/08/2002 08:12 PM EST
But the article which this link takes us to doesn't argue that MS are the best at anything. What it says is that MS have a good set of procedures in place for improving their products and going after market share, but that their products aren't yet the best at anything. Can you honestly argue with that? I can't.
Posted by Alan Fisher @ 01/09/2002 04:00 AM EST
I'd bet that MS spends more money on Usability than we'd think. By that pure-dollar measure they might well be "the" customer-centered company. Still, they don't seem to be able to allow anyone but lawyers and greed to dictate product strategy.
I guess you could say a company is customer-centered if all it cares about is acquiring more customers.
Posted by Andrew @ 01/09/2002 06:12 AM EST
I'm sure Microsoft spends plenty on usability. That's not the issue.
The issue is Microsoft is out of ideas. For example, there needs to be a radical rethinking of its OS to provide customers something that is substantially better than what we've been using for the last 10 years. XP does not qualify.
Posted by Jack Schonchin @ 01/09/2002 11:51 AM EST
Bill Gates has said on numerous occasions he is perfectly aware the future of the desktop is not as it currently is. Yet, he also admits he's not going to throw away their (MS's)investment in Windows because - to be honest - it pays their bills and (for the most part) gets the job done adequately.
So while squeezing every last drop of market value from Windows-based systems, M$ will continue to work on and perfect the .NET platform. By the time Windows has run its course it really won't matter WHAT interface people use to get their data - PDA, Desktop, Cel Phone, etc. because they all will be able to access data on their own personal .NET services.
For this reason, really, Microsoft is way farther ahead of the curve than you might think.
Posted by Don M @ 01/09/2002 08:45 PM EST