The case of Microsoft

Microsoft has finally presented its long-awaited and rumored suite Office for iPad, a move that could redefine the mobile productivity landscape and boost Microsoft's mobile and cloud strategy. In this blog post, we'll look at what Office for iPad offers, why it's important, and how it fits into Microsoft's vision of a unified Windows and Office ecosystem.

What is Office for iPad?

Office for iPad is a suite of applications 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 stripped-down version of Office for desktop, but rather a full-featured native app that supports most of the features and formatting options of its counterpart. Users can insert tables, graphs, images, shapes, equations, and comments in Word; create formulas, filters, charts and pivot tables in Excel; add transitions, animations and speaker notes in PowerPoint; and capture notes, sketches, audio, and video in OneNote. The apps also support co-authoring and collaboration features, allowing users to work on the same document with others in real time.

Why does that matter?

Office for iPad is a major 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 global tablet market share in 2020, followed by Samsung with 19,4% and Amazon with 11,5%. Additionally, 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 it is also improving its competitive advantage over other productivity apps like Apple's iWork, Google Docs, and 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. Additionally, Office for iPad takes advantage of 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 standalone product, but part of Microsoft's broader strategy to transform itself into a "devices and services" company that offers 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." She also highlighted that Microsoft is committed to innovation in its core Windows and Office businesses, as well as in new areas such as cloud computing, mobile devices, social networks, 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. She said Windows is "the most versatile operating system for all devices," while Office is "the most complete productivity experience for all devices." She 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 like 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-agnostic 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 insights 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 harm both our company and our customers.

Let me start with an example from our own experience. Windows is the most 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 features such as spell checking, formatting, and data analysis are built into Windows, making them available to other applications as well. In contrast, Windows provides Office with access to advanced technologies such as graphics, networking, and security. This synergy between Windows and Office has allowed us to offer better solutions for millions of users.

This type of integration will be even more important as we enter the era of smart devices, like the tablet we are working on. Imagine a device that you can take with you anywhere and that allows you to write, draw, speak and interact with your data naturally. A device that connects seamlessly with your PC and other devices, allowing you to share and sync your information effortlessly. 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 just 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 your ideas into 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 systems and applications teams, preventing them from sharing their knowledge and resources. It would slow down 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 profit is another's loss. It is a dynamic and 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.