Microsoft launched a $500 million campaign challenge IBM enterprise service

Beijing on March 17th news, according to foreign media reports, Microsoft announced on Thursday, will invest $500 million for the promotion of business services in the next few years, to persuade businesses using the company's software, rather than hiring consultants IBM.

At a press conference in New York, Microsoft CEO Steve - (Steve Ballmer) shows the upcoming release of the new version of Office and Windows mobile computing system. Currently, these two products are being tested, is expected to be fully listed later this year. Ballmer said that through Microsoft's new software, the company's own employees can complete the work without having to pay a huge amount of IBM services. He said: every business leaders want to maximize the potential of employees, we believe that employees can help with the right software, an important driving force for the success of enterprises."

On Thursday, Microsoft launched a 8 page ad in a major U.S. newspaper to launch a campaign called "People-Ready". Microsoft said that over the past three years the company invested $20 billion for research and development, the main achievements include the Vista operating system, Sharepoint site planning system and the new version of Office office software.

Geoff, President of Microsoft's corporate sector - (Jeff Raikes) in an interview with foreign media, said such software and software based services can help employees succeed. He said: innovation can only come from within the enterprise, and not outsourcing. IBM has a very expensive consulting team, they operate business for the enterprise, and we can help companies operate their own business. "

For Microsoft's offensive, IBM said in a statement: This is just a marketing campaign launched by Microsoft, and can not be called a strategy, its essence is to make Windows a universal (one-size-fits-all) solution. This is a product driven rather than a customer driven approach. Through the investigation of 700 CEO, we find that the innovation of enterprise process and business model is the most concern of most enterprises." 2005 fourth quarter, IBM global service sector revenues of up to $12 billion 600 million.

Through the Windows operating system and Office office software, Microsoft in the desktop software market monopoly advantage. However, with the development of Internet technology, a number of companies to challenge the dominance of Microsoft through network software and services. Gartner analyst Tom - (Tom) said that through the launch of the campaign, Microsoft issued a clear signal that the company can compete with competitors in the field of service, Austin.

In January this year, Microsoft chairman Bill - Gates in an interview with foreign media have said, IBM is Microsoft's biggest rival. Ballmer and Mr. Lakis's remarks on Thursday confirmed this from one side.