The case of Microsoft

Microsoft finalmente ha presentado su tan esperada y rumoreada suite Office para iPad, una medida que podría redefinir el panorama de la productividad móvil e impulsar la estrategia móvil y de nube de Microsoft. En esta publicación de blog, veremos lo que ofrece Office para iPad, por qué es importante y cómo encaja en la visión de Microsoft de un ecosistema unificado de Windows y Office.

What is Office for iPad?

Office for iPad is a suite of apps including Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote, optimized for the iPad’s touch interface and retina display. The apps are free to download from the App Store, but require an Office 365 subscription to create and edit documents. Users can also access their files from OneDrive, Microsoft’s cloud storage service, or from other cloud providers such as Dropbox or Google Drive.

Office for iPad is not a scaled-down version of Office for desktop, but a full-featured native app that supports most of the features and formatting options of its counterpart. Users can insert tables, charts, images, shapes, equations and comments in Word; create formulas, filters, graphs and pivot tables in Excel; add transitions, animations and speaker notes in PowerPoint; and capture notes, sketches, audio and video in OneNote. The applications also support co-authoring and collaboration features, allowing users to work on the same document with others in real time.

Why does it matter?

Office for iPad is an important milestone for Microsoft, marking the first time the company has released its flagship productivity suite for a competing platform. In doing so, Microsoft recognizes the popularity and importance of the iPad as a device for work and education, as well as the demand from users and businesses for a native Office experience on iOS. According to a recent IDC report, the iPad accounted for 33.8% of the worldwide tablet market share in 2020, followed by Samsung with 19.4% and Amazon with 11.5%. In addition, a survey by Forrester Research found that 28% of information workers use an iPad for work purposes.

By bringing Office to the iPad, Microsoft is not only expanding its potential customer base and revenue stream, but also improving its competitive advantage over other productivity apps such as Apple’s iWork, Google Docs or Evernote. Office for iPad offers a familiar and consistent user interface across devices, as well as compatibility and interoperability with other Office products and services. Users can seamlessly switch between their PC, tablet or smartphone without losing any formatting or functionality. In addition, Office for iPad leverages Microsoft’s cloud capabilities to allow users to access their files from anywhere, sync their settings across devices and collaborate with others online.

How does it fit into Microsoft’s vision?

Office for iPad is not a stand-alone product, but part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to transform itself into a «devices and services» company offering cloud-based solutions across multiple platforms and devices. This strategy was outlined by former CEO Steve Ballmer in 2013 and has been reaffirmed by his successor Satya Nadella in his first public appearance as CEO.

Nadella said that Microsoft’s vision is to «empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more,» and that its mission is to «build platforms and experiences that span not just one device but all devices.» He also stressed that Microsoft is betting on innovation in its core businesses of Windows and Office, as well as in new areas such as cloud computing, mobile devices, social networking, big data and artificial intelligence.

One of the key elements of this vision is to keep Windows and Office under one roof, rather than splitting them into separate entities as some analysts have suggested. Nadella argued that Windows and Office are complementary products that create value for each other and for customers. He said Windows is «the most versatile operating system for all devices,» while Office is «the most complete productivity experience for all devices.» He also hinted that Microsoft will soon release a touch-optimized version of Office for Windows 8 devices.

By offering Office for iPad alongside Windows devices such as Surface tablets or Lumia smartphones, Microsoft is not cannibalizing its own products, but rather creating a diverse portfolio of devices and services that meet different customer needs and preferences. Microsoft is also positioning itself as a platform-independent provider of cloud-based solutions that can run on any device or operating system. In this way, Microsoft can reach more customers and markets while maintaining its core strengths in software development and innovation.

I would like to share with you some thoughts on why software development is a holistic process that requires tight integration between operating systems and applications. This is especially relevant in light of the government’s recent proposal to split Microsoft into separate entities, which I believe would hurt both our company and our customers.

Let me start with an example from our own experience. Windows is the most widely used operating system in the world and one of the reasons for its success is its compatibility with Microsoft Office, the leading productivity suite. These two products have evolved together over the years, improving each other’s functionality and performance. For example, Office functions such as spell checking, formatting and data analysis are integrated into Windows, making them available to other applications as well. In contrast, Windows gives Office access to advanced technologies such as graphics, networking and security. This synergy between Windows and Office has enabled us to provide better solutions for millions of users.

This type of integration will become even more important as we enter the era of smart devices, such as the tablet we are working on. Imagine a device that you can take with you anywhere and that allows you to write, draw, talk and interact with your data in a natural way. A device that connects seamlessly with your PC and other devices, allowing you to effortlessly share and synchronize your information. A device that transforms the way you work and communicate.

This is the vision behind our tablet project, but it can only be realized if we have close collaboration between our operating system and application teams. Developing a tablet requires a deep understanding of how users interact with their devices, how they input and output information, how they organize and access their data. These are not only technical challenges, but also design challenges that require constant feedback and iteration. Our application and operating system developers work together in real time, testing and refining their ideas in prototypes and mockups. They share their code and expertise, creating a common platform that supports innovation and creativity.

The government’s plan to dismantle Microsoft would put an end to this type of collaboration. It would create artificial barriers between our operating system and application teams, preventing them from sharing their expertise and resources. It would slow our development process, reducing our ability to respond to customer needs and market changes. It would stifle our innovation, limiting our potential to create new products and services. Ultimately, it would hurt our customers, who would miss out on the benefits of integrated software solutions.

That’s why I oppose the government’s proposal and urge you to join me in defending Microsoft’s right to innovate. Software development is not a zero-sum game, where one company’s gain is another’s loss. It is a dynamic, collaborative process, where everyone benefits from the exchange of ideas and technologies. By keeping Microsoft together, we can continue to create software that empowers people and enriches their lives.