Scoble just wrote:
"Big news coming this afternoon about Microsoft reorg. Steve Ballmer just sent us email, but I haven't seen the news
in the press yet so don't want to get ahead of the news. I'd expect lots of news shortly. My reaction? I like the
changes!"
Not exactly sure what this means but we'll be tracking this closely and will post an update as soon as the news is announced.
UPDATE: Here is the news and it is big!
"REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — In order to drive
greater agility in the execution of its software and services strategy, Microsoft Corp. today announced a realignment
of the company into three newly formed divisions, each of which will be led by its own president. The Microsoft
Platform Products & Services Division will be led by Kevin Johnson and Jim Allchin as co-presidents; Jeff Raikes
has been named president of the Microsoft Business Division; and Robbie Bach has been named as president of Microsoft
Entertainment & Devices Division. In addition, the company said Ray Ozzie will expand his role as chief technical
officer by assuming responsibility for helping drive its software-based services strategy and execution across all
three divisions."
Top row (L-R): Jim Allchin, Robbie Bach, Kevin Johnson; bottom row (L-R): Ray Ozzie, Jeff Raikes, Eric Rudder.
The other big news in the story is that Jim Allchin will retire following the official release of Windows Vista.
1. I like the changes... Makes sense to split it out. I've been saying something similar since they went through their "Monopoly" lawsuits and the courts were threatening to split them up.
Posted at 5:16AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Steve Kaschimer