Microsoft originally launched Windows in 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS, the original operating system of the PC. However, in 1990, when Microsoft launched Windows 3.0, it leveraged its relationships with PC manufacturers to preinstall the operating system (rather than shipping it separately). More than 30 manufacturers agreed to include the program for free and preinstalled it with every machine. As a result, Windows rapidly gained in popularity — shipping over one million copies just two months after launch.

 

Once consumers had learned how to use Windows and compatible programs, most of them were reluctant to invest the time, cost, and effort to learn a new operating system and new programs. PC users effectively got themselves locked into the Microsoft ecosystem once they purchased their first Windows-equipped PC.

 

(1) It is multitasking, multi-user and multithreading operating system. 

(2) It also supports virtual memory management system to allow multiprogramming. 

(3) Symmetric multiprocessing allows to it to schedule various tasks on any CPU in a multiprocessor system.

 

·         A reliable market leader that provides software solutions, many of them for free.

·         Compatible apps and software on many platforms, from phones to computers.

·         A trusted source of expertise for consulting and a large user base for advertisers.

2.      What were their Pain Points? (N) 

Early personal-computer operating systems were simple by today’s standards; they did not provide multitasking and required the user to type commands to initiate an action. The amount of memory that early operating systems could handle was limited as well, making large programs impractical to run. The most popular of the early operating systems was IBM’s Disk Operating System, or DOS, which was actually developed for them by Microsoft.

3.      What were their Approach in solving the need? (A) 

Microsoft Windows offered a graphical user interface (GUI) for personal computer users to click on boxes rather than enter commands.

 

4.      What were benefits of their approach? (B) 

Users familiar with earlier versions of Microsoft Windows will probably also find the more modern ones easy to work with. Besides, there is a huge selection of software and hardware available for Windows. This is both due to and the reason for Microsoft's dominance of the world market for PC computer operating systems and office software. Virtually all hardware manufacturers will offer support for a recent version of Windows when they go to market with a new product.

5.      How did they differentiate their innovations from their competitions? (C)

Microsoft has differentiated itself from its competitors by providing competitive pricing and offering flexible deployment options to its customers across different geographical markets.

Its close competitors, such as IBM, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Google Cloud Platform (GCP), offer similar products with differentiated pricing strategies.

Microsoft has what Warren Buffett calls a strong moat: competitive advantages that protect it from rivals and enable its large profits. Microsoft's intellectual property—specifically, its patents and proprietary software code—contribute to the depth of its moat.

With Microsoft’s AI, IoT, and Quantum Computing focus shifting towards newer technologies to enhance its product offerings, it is likely to further improve its position in the market.

The forum focus on critical issues such as:

This forum opened up my eye and mind to the width and breadth of issues in timber in modern construction.

2. Approach

3. Benefits

4. Competitions