Comments on: Microsoft layoffs hit several products

Software maker is downsizing its ambitions in several areas including its ResponsePoint phone system for small businesses.

[monkeyfun14]

Among those affected are Microsoft's "RepsonsePoint" phone system

I believe it should be ResponsePoint

[leodavinci314]

In reply to your below comment about how your Zune is much better than your ipod, I find it hard to believe, based on your past Apple bashing, utterly maniacal pro microsoft comments, that you ever owned an ipod. In regards to the comment below that about how you are really Steve Ballmer, maybe you're not, but you're definitely a Redmond resident.

[Random_Walk]

Hrm. May want to start dumping Zune, and giving a "give us ROI over the next five years or die" ultimatum to the XBox unit. Windows Mobile really should be scrutinized for potential axing --if not a phase-out-- as well.

They can take some of those resources (e.g. Mobile) to a netbook-geared variant of Windows that actually runs worth a d@mn on netbook specs (I get the feeling that, in spite of breathless hype, Windows 7 will still be severely crippled on netbooks).

[ReVeLaTeD]

I think you missed the memo. 360 has presently got the highest profit margin for Microsoft. They're selling hand over fist in the US. Sony's once-exclusive game lineup has almost all defected to Microsoft: Ace Combat, Final Fantasy, Star Ocean, and the Tales series, most notably. The studio that runs the 360 and its game library are one of the strongest units in the Microsoft world, along with the OS side (because it's included in the cost of every PC sold with the OS), Microsoft Office (because businesses depend on it), certifications (because businesses want it), and third party software licensing.

If you notice the ones that MIcrosoft are targeting, were never profitable to begin with. It's the exhale to the previous inhaling and buying out of various companies. Google did the same thing, it's nothing new.

[Random_Walk]

The XBox 360 just barely turned a profit this year, and has yet to pay for the billions in R&D, warranty work, and sundry that was sunk into XBox from day one. To top that off, odds are good that the next gen could hit (most likely from Sony and/or Nintendo) as early as next year.

Now it does have potential, but it needs to do more, hence the demand. It may even be able to meet it (barring another RROD or E71 fiasco).

BTW: IIRC the biggest profit centers for Microsoft remain Windows and Office - if you have something showing differently I'd love to see it.

[Mr. Dee]

Apparently you didn't see the demo of Windows 7 Ultimate with Aero Glass effects running on a Netbook at the Professional Developers Conference last year. You seem to just make up negative thoughts about Microsoft and go with the flow. Windows seem to run Netbooks better than Linux, no wonder it has 96% of the market.

[dhavleak]

I don't know about the Zune - but as far as Windows Mobile and Xbox are concerned -- both units are currently making profits, have tremendous growth potential if their vision is realized, and both represent big bets for the future of the company -- its very unlikely that the entire units would get axed.

Windows Mobile of course, is in a bit of a dire state right now -- so if anything, I'd expect MS to invest heavily there - not axe jobs (unless they are doing that for performance reasons).

[Vegaman_Dan]

@Random_)Walk

If your intent was to appear as an uninformed ignorant person whose only purpose in posting is to make continuous negative comments about any and all things Microsoft without actually researching the facts you quote or even knowing the subject matter at hand, then you have succeeded greatly.

If that was not your intent, then some research may be in order before your next posting.

[Maccess]

@ReVeLaTeD

If it's doing that well, then they should consider spinning it off and doing a public offer for the company while retaining a controlling stake.

[JCPayne]

According to Wikipedia, the Microsoft Flight Simulator game development team also has be cuttback.

[dhavleak]

Correct -- that was during the previous round in January.

[Inconnux]

Ace studios were all canned last January along with Ensemble studios... kinda sad, both were profitable divisions

[t8]

My opinion is that Microsoft was too greedy and competed unfairly with software makers who made software for Windows which made Windows an ecosystem. From an investment stand point, developing Windows software is a huge risk, because if you are successful, you face competition from Microsoft who has more money than you and the advantage of bundling. This is why the Web is the platform where innovation is taking place and the rise of the Web is actually the demise of Windows as far as innovative platforms go.

[Mr. Dee]

But how will people use the Net? Through Windows of course, Windows ain't going anywhere but on your PC.

[Vegaman_Dan]

It's not uncommon in the industry. Your comments apply equally to Apple and their product line, I'm afraid. :/

[t8]

@ Mr. Dee

No. Access to the Net is through a browser.
You don't need Windows to access the Web.
Once it is the browser that people use most of the time, the underlying OS will be less relevant, leading to free OSs being more attractive. Android is well poised to take advantage here.

BTW, I am not a Apple fan boy. I am a Web fan boy and developer.

[NickH]

Hey, t8, the company I work for builds a commercial software application that runs on Windows, and its a solid business. There is risk in any R&D effort but we saw the need in the marketplace and responded.

We've shown the product to Microsoft, and they liked it enough to licence it - not the entire thing, just for there own internal use. They have been very supportive all round. Frankly, I'm a lot more worried about someone like IBM moving in.

So, thanks for sharing your opinion, but as someone who has actually been there, my experience is totally contrary to your opinion.

[coopycob]

Anyone with a Windows App can take advantage of "bundling". Through W3i's Download Network make money with your demand by using our proprietary installer, InstallIQ, to offer other value-added Windows Apps and toolbars that have revenue models that can pay you for distribution. http://www.W3i.com

[Button Boy]

ResponsePoint? They should cut the marketting idiots who dreamed up this idea. I've never even heard of it,and I bet most people could say the same thing. How can you sell something into SMORGs without PR?

[Commander_Spock]

Re: [... Windows ain't going anywhere but on your PC.]"

Did you really meant to say that the (Dead But Still - Running Code-Base OS/2) "Windows ain't going anywhere but on your" (PCs)!

Cool!

[Commander_Spock]

Perhaps; what should have been added is: "[... As It Was In The Beginning.... So Shall It Be In The Ending...]"; and, here is why:

"In the Beginning DOS - 1981"

http://www.os2bbs.com/OS2News/OS2History.html

And, "Never Say Never"!

[t8]

Commander_Spock you are in dreamland if you think OS/2 Wart will be resurrected from the dead.
Instead watch Android rise and rise.

[lewac]

read this: http://www.digitalresearch.biz/CPM.HTM. note the DATE of creation.and too bad that Gary was more interested in coding than in making smart business decisions.

[SkateNY]

It never fails to amaze me how so many people who are so married to the Microsoft business model apologize, defend, and excuse Microsoft's substantial and continuing failures.

The Zune is a failure, yet I continue to read about what a great success it is. The Xbox is a loss leader, yet I continue to read about how much revenue it is pulling in for Microsoft. You can go anywhere on the Web and read about how Windows Vista was a tragic failure...even Microsoft's CEO says so. But Microsoft acolytes continue to tell us how Vista changed their lives so much for the better? Do you not believe the words of your own CEO?

If these things are true, why is the stock price at an abysmal low?

Marketshare does, in fact, have some meaning. But when a company fails its stockholders so terribly for so long, and those same people who invest in the company defend it as though it were their only child, there is something terribly wrong there.

[NickH]

You said "The Xbox is a loss leader, yet I continue to read about how much revenue it is pulling in for Microsoft."

Microsoft reported an operating income of $299m on revenues of $6,564m for the 9 months ending March 31, 2009 in its "Entertainment and Devices Division". Maybe that's why you keep reading about it.

[monkeyfun14]

Eh how is Zune a failure? I've owned a iPod and a Zune and found the Zune more functional. Unless your going to try and claim this is over marketshare.

[stcspider]

It's good Microsoft is recognizing what butters it's bread! Microsoft needs to concentrate on core business functions. This cut will make MS a stronger company and hopefully force Microsoft to focus more on keeping competitive and dominant in the Server software and desktop software maket.

[BogusBasin]

monkeyfun14 = Steve Ballmer

Amen