What Microsoft's new product groups mean for Windows, Office, and more

Microsoft has recently announced a major reorganization of its product groups, which will affect some of its most popular software and services, such as Windows, Office, and Azure. The company says the changes are intended to align its teams with its vision of creating "the best, most consistent Microsoft 365 experience" for its customers. Here are some of the key implications of the new product groups for Microsoft products and users.

– Windows + Devices: This group combines Windows computers and Devices, which were previously separate. It will be led by Panos Panay, who is also a product director at Microsoft. The group will oversee the development and design of Windows, Surface and other hardware products. This means that Windows will have greater integration with Microsoft devices and that the company will continue to innovate in the PC market. Microsoft says this group will “drive end-to-end innovation across devices, Windows, and experiences.”

– Experiences + Devices: This group is led by Rajesh Jha, who is also executive vice president of Microsoft. It will focus on creating "the best Microsoft 365 experience" for users across different platforms and devices. The group will include Office, Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, Teams and other productivity apps and services. You will also work closely with the Windows + Devices group to ensure a seamless user experience. Microsoft says this group will “enable people to connect, learn, collaborate, create, and achieve more.”

– Cloud + AI Platform: This group is led by Scott Guthrie, who is also executive vice president of Microsoft. He will be responsible for building and operating Microsoft's cloud infrastructure and services, such as Azure, Dynamics 365, Power Platform, GitHub, and more. The group will also lead the company's efforts in artificial intelligence, machine learning and cognitive services. Microsoft says this group will “enable developers and organizations to invent with purpose using our end-to-end cloud platform and tools.”

– AI + Research: This group is led by Eric Horvitz, who is also Microsoft's chief scientific officer. It will focus on advancing the latest advances in AI and related fields, such as natural language processing, computer vision, speech recognition, and more. The group will also collaborate with the Cloud + AI Platform group to bring AI innovations to Microsoft products and customers. Microsoft says this group will “create new possibilities for people and organizations by advancing AI research and development.”

What does Microsoft's business strategy mean to you? If you're a fan of Microsoft products and services, you may be wondering how recent changes to the company's structure and leadership will affect your experience. Here are some key points to consider.

– Microsoft focuses on engineering technologies, not products. This means that the company not only develops devices and software, but also creates platforms and frameworks that can power a variety of solutions. For example, Microsoft Azure is a cloud computing service that can host applications, data, and services for businesses and consumers. Microsoft 365 is a subscription service that offers access to Office applications, cloud storage, security, and productivity tools. These technologies are designed to work across devices and platforms, giving you more flexibility and options.

– Microsoft is increasingly integrating its devices and services. This means that the devices you buy from Microsoft, such as tablets and phones, will not only run Microsoft software, but will also connect you to Microsoft services you already use or might want to try. For example, the Xbox One is not only a game console, but also a multimedia center that includes Skype and Internet Explorer. You can use your Windows Phone to control your Xbox One or use your Surface tablet to stream games from your console. These devices and services are designed to work together seamlessly, giving you more convenience and functionality.

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According to Patrick Moorhead, principal analyst at Moor Insights, Microsoft will place emphasis on the integration of its products and services. He said: "Microsoft will offer holistic 'solutions' that enable seamless interaction between phone, tablet, PC and Xbox in the future."

Moorhead also said the reorganization could improve the efficiency and agility of the engineering and product teams. "Microsoft decided to consolidate its resources, especially across different products, to achieve this goal."

Microsoft's new vision for its business is based on four pillars: operating systems, applications, cloud and devices. Below is a brief description of each.