Microsoft's Cloud Computing Strategy
Pros: A surprisingly cohesive migration strategy from traditional software to cloud-based services.
Cons: Partners are cut out when Microsoft hosts its own solutions.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommendation: As its future revenue streams from desktop products dry up and its server products move from on-premise to hosted subscription services, Microsoft needs to profit from cloud computing. Compared to pure cloud-based companies like Google, it has two advantages: decades of experience and millions of customers, and a hybrid strategy that will prove invaluable to its most important customers: The enterprise.
Contact:
Microsoft
800-426-9400
Discussion: SuperSite for Windows
Apple Mac OS X "Snow Leopard"
Pros: Mature, capable OS, excellent performance, free Exchange interop.
Cons: No major improvements, doesn't change the "switcher" value proposition, works only with latest Exchange version.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Recommendation: Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" is a nice refinement to an already solid OS. But we'd call it a service pack in the Microsoft world—and it certainly doesn't offer incentives to switch. Comparing Snow Leopard to Windows 7, Microsoft's is the more substantial offering, providing internal updates just like Snow Leopard but also major updates for users. Still, Apple made some nice performance improvements, getting set for further innovation.
Contact:
Apple
Discussion: SuperSite for Windows