Microsoft has found a powerful incentive to get people to use Windows Mobile--at least those within its own ranks.
The software maker has stopped paying for cellular data plans for those using BlackBerries, iPhones and all manner of non-Microsoft devices.
Plenty of Microsoft workers still have an iPhone, but as of earlier this year, they can no longer be reimbursed for their data plan unless they switch to a Windows Mobile-based phone.
(Credit: Apple)Although the move took place earlier this year, it is only making headlines now, thanks to an article on Silicon Alley Insider.
It's hardly a shocking move. Lots of companies standardize on a particular mobile operating system or two and limit reimbursements to those devices.
A Microsoft representative confirmed on Monday that "the data plan reimbursement for Microsoft employees is limited to Windows Mobile devices."
"This policy took effect as part of the broader cost saving measures announced earlier this year," the representative said in an e-mail. The software maker has trimmed its product line, cut staff, and also pulled back on spending on travel, vendors and contractors.
When Microsoft said on Thursday that it had found more ways to trim expenses, it wasn't kidding.
The software maker notified its workers on Friday that it is canceling its annual summer picnic for Seattle-area workers.
Microsoft spokesman Lou Gellos said that the company made the move as part of its effort to pare its expenses and said workers were notified on Friday because this is around the time of year that the company typically sends out a reminder about the event.
Gellos noted that the event has become a growing logistical challenge as Microsoft's Puget Sound workforce has grown.
"It becomes a bigger and bigger issue every year," he said. The company now has about 41,000 workers in the region.
Gellos did not have an estimate on how much the event costs to produce, or what, if anything, Microsoft might do in its place. "We'll look to investigate ways we can have something to bring folks together, but not in the way we have in the past."
The yearly picnic was one of the few events that brought together the bulk of Microsoft's Puget Sound workforce, which is spread out over many different parts of the region, including Seattle, Bellevue, and Redmond. The company also has a company meeting, typically held in September, that takes place at Safeco Field, the home of the Mariners baseball team.
"We'll still have that because it's very business-oriented," Gellos said.
Microsoft has significantly trimmed its travel budget as well as its large bills for vendors and contractors, as well as announced plans to cut 5,000 workers over the next 18 months.
While leaders at EMC and Intel said they saw signs that the economic woes may have reached bottom, Microsoft's executives said on Thursday that they see continued pressures lasting through at least the rest of 2009.
This one flew under my radar, but Microsoft announced earlier this month that it is scrapping an effort to develop a general purpose Web analytics program.
In a blog posting, Microsoft said it is closing the beta of Microsoft AdCenter Analytics.
"The insights you've contributed through your feedback and your use of the tool have served an invaluable purpose in shaping Microsoft's future in this space," Microsoft said in the March 12 blog posting. "You've helped us work towards making an informed decision about building a general Web analytics solution, and despite the end of life plan, the beta was very much a success. It enabled us to confidently determine that we can be of most value to advertisers and publishers by offering a tailored solution that meets more specialized needs."
Those already in the beta will be able to continue using the tool until December 31.
"We recommend that you use the coming months to evaluate your Web analytics needs and leverage that information to conduct a search for an alternative Web analytics solution," Microsoft said. The software maker has posted a list of alternatives that includes Google Analytics, Yahoo Web Analytics, and Omniture.
Although Microsoft announced layoffs and other cost cuts in January, the company has axed relatively few products. Among the products it has scrapped in recent months are Windows Live OneCare and PerformancePoint Server, a business intelligence product.
Are there any other products that have been cut that I should know about? If so, drop me a line.
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