Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft Corporation is a United States-based multinational computer technology corporation that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of software products for computing devices. Headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA, its most profitable products are the Microsoft Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office suite of productivity software.

Business organisation and environment

Internal environment

Objective

* Our mission is to enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential.

Finacial resources (March 31, 2009, In millions)

* Asset $ 68853

* Liabilities $ 23823

* Stockholders¡¯ equity $ 36943

* We generate revenue by developing, manufacturing, licensing, and supporting a wide range of software products and services for many different types of computing devices.

Skills and capabilities

* As of June 30, 2008, we employed approximately 91,000 people on a full-time basis, 55,000 in the United States and 36,000 internationally. Of the total, 35,000 were in product research and development, 26,000 in sales and marketing, 17,000 in product support and consulting services, 4,000 in manufacturing and distribution, and 9,000 in general and administration.

External environment

Market environment

* Our customers include individual consumers, small and medium-sized organizations, enterprises, governmental institutions, educational institutions, Internet service providers, application developers, and OEMs.

Competitor

* We have five operating segments: Client, Server and Tools, Online Services Business, Microsoft Business Division, and Entertainment and Devices Division.

* Client: Competing commercial software products, including variants of Unix, are supplied by competitors such as Apple, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, and Sun Microsystems.

* Server and Tools: Our server operating system products face intense competition from a wide variety of server operating systems and server applications, offered by companies with a variety of market approaches.

* Online Services Business: OSB competes with AOL, Google, Yahoo!, and a wide array of Web sites and portals that provide content and online offerings of all types to end users.

* Microsoft Business Division: Competitors to the Microsoft Office system include many software application vendors such as Apple, Corel, Google, IBM, Novell, Oracle, Red Hat, Sun Microsystems, and local application developers in Europe and Asia. IBM (Smartsuite) and Corel (WordPerfect Suite) have measurable installed bases with their office productivity products.

* Entertainment and Devices Division: Our Xbox hardware business competes with console platforms from Nintendo and Sony, both of which have a large, established base of customers.

Intermediaries

* We distribute our products primarily through the following channels: OEM; distributors and resellers; and online.

* OEM: Our operating systems are licensed primarily to OEMs(original equipment manufacturers) under agreements that grant OEMs the right to build computing devices based on our operating systems, principally PCs. Under similar arrangements, we also market and license certain server operating systems, desktop applications, hardware devices, and consumer software products to OEMs. We have OEM agreements covering one or more of our products with virtually all of the major PC OEMs, including Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard, Lenovo, NEC, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba.

* Distributors and resellers: We license software to organizations under arrangements that allow the end-user customer to acquire multiple licenses of products.

* Online: We distribute online content and services through Live Search, Windows Live, Office Live, our MSN portals and channels, the Microssoft Online Services platform, which includes offerings for business, and other online channels.

* Consumers and small- and medium-sized organizations obtain our products primarily through resellers and OEMs.

Political implication

1. Collaborating with Industry and Law Enforcement

Microsoft Corporation actively pursues cybercriminals through vigorous civil enforcement in the United States and it works in partnership with law enforcement agencies worldwide to deter cybercrime and bring criminals to justice. Since 2003, Microsoft has supported more than 550 enforcement actions worldwide against spammers, phishers, and distributors of spyware and other malicious code. Microsoft has also engaged with the Federal Trade Commission and attorneys general in California, Florida, Massachusetts, Texas, and Washington State, to investigate and pursue cybercriminals.

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Microsoft works to ensure that governments and law enforcement agencies receive the appropriate tools, necessary training, and extensive technical and investigative support to assist in their efforts to combat global cybercrime and work to make the Internet a safer place for everyone.

Training. Microsoft is deeply committed to assisting law enforcement with the identification, location, and prosecution of online fraudsters.

* Microsoft has worked with the attorneys general in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Utah State to provide comprehensive training about Internet investigations to law enforcement officials.

* Microsoft hosted LE Tech 2006 (October 2006 in Redmond, Washington), a conference to introduce law enforcement officials to new Microsoft software and services that will affect cybercrime investigations over the next few years.

Tools and technical support for investigations. Microsoft supports law enforcement agencies around the world with advanced investigative technology to address cyber threats.

* In France, Microsoft participates in Signal Spam a platform (created with public and private sector entities) through which Internet users can report suspected spam. Data that is collected through Signal Spam is shared with Internet service providers (ISPs) and French law enforcement authorities to assist in antispam investigations and prosecutions. In the first ten days after the program’s launch, users reported nearly 300,000 instances of spam.

* In August 2006, Microsoft launched the Law Enforcement Portal, a secure, centralized resource that provides law enforcement with access to Internet crime-related information as well as tools, training, and technical support to assist in investigations.

Anti-phishing efforts. Microsoft is dedicated to stopping phishers and works in alliance with groups to implement anti-phishing measures worldwide.

* Microsoft is the founding member of Digital PhishNet (DPN), which fosters cooperation among industry and law enforcement agencies to share information, provide training, and educate consumers about phishing sites. Microsoft encourages worldwide participation in DPN by Internet service providers, online auctions, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies.

* Microsoft acts with the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) and the Authentication and Online Trust Alliance (AOTA) to promote good public anti-phishing policies and best practices for enforcement of those policies.

* In March 2006, Microsoft launched the Global Phishing Enforcement Initiative (GPEI), a worldwide consumer protection campaign in which industry and law enforcement joined forces to combat phishers. The GPEI works to protect the public from fraudulent sites and provides worldwide investigative support to help prosecute phishers.

Antispam efforts. Microsoft supports law enforcement with cutting-edge technical and investigative techniques developed specifically to address cyberthreats. To that end, the company has provided technical support to governments around the globe, including in the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America.

* Microsoft has been a leader in promoting SpotSpam, a project co-funded by the European Commission, which aims to limit the spread of spam. The project seeks to establish antispam hotlines in France, Germany, and Poland.

* Microsoft also participates in Signal Spam. Created with public and private sector entities, Signal Spam provides a platform through which Internet users can report suspected spam.

2. Promoting a Safer Internet Experience for Children

Child Exploitation Tracking System. Microsoft worked closely with Canadian police and international law enforcement agencies to develop Child Exploitation Tracking System (CETS), a unique software tool that enables investigators to store, search, share, and analyze large volumes of evidence and to share that evidence with other police agencies. Following its development in Canada, CETS has been implemented in Brazil, Chile, Indonesia, Italy, and the United Kingdom; Colombia and Spain have announced their intent to adopt it. Microsoft continues to promote CETS to governments and law enforcement agencies throughout the world.

Global Campaign Against Child Pornography. Microsoft joined with Interpol and the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC) in 2004 to initiate this campaign. Since then, Microsoft has worked with ICMEC and Interpol to help provide training for law enforcement personnel about computer-facilitated crimes against children. As of October 2007, more than 2,400 law enforcement officers from 106 countries have received training to help them identify suspects, investigate offenses, and deal with victims of online child abuse.

3. Supporting Important Legislation

Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. Microsoft has joined industry partners to encourage countries to adopt and ratify the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime. This global legal tool requires signatory countries to adopt and update laws and procedures to address online crime. Microsoft also provides technical assistance and consultation to help countries comply with their obligations under the convention.

Model legislation. In April 2006, Microsoft joined ICMEC in announcing its model legislation, which seeks to modernize child pornography laws for the 184 member countries of Interpol. Microsoft has pledged to support worldwide efforts to develop and enforce these laws.

4. Successes in the Fight Against Cybercrime

Operation Bot Roast. Microsoft provided technical information and analytical support to aid the FBI in Operation Bot Roast. Announced in June 2007, Operation Bot Roast is an ongoing investigation and operation that aims to disrupt and dismantle botnets.

Lawsuit against Bizads UK. In December 2006, the English High Court ruled in favor of Microsoft in a lawsuit against Bizads UK, which had fraudulently sold lists of up to 10,000 e-mail addresses at a time to spammers. The court restricted Bizads UK from further spam-related activities and awarded damages to be assessed later.

129 legal actions against phishers. In November 2006, Microsoft took action against phishers who were targeting users of MSN Hotmail. These legal actions included 97 criminal complaints and three civil settlements in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Anti-spam prosecution in Australia. In October 2006, Clarity1 Pty Ltd. became the first company convicted under Australia’s tough new anti-spam laws and was fined more than US$4 million for sending hundreds of millions of junk e-mail messages. Microsoft supported this historic prosecution by providing evidence of e-mail messages received by spam-trap accounts to the antispam investigators at the Australian Communications and Media Authority in 2005.

Anti-spyware lawsuits. In January 2006, Microsoft and the attorney general of Washington State filed parallel anti-spyware lawsuits. This action was the state’s first legal action under the Washington Computer Spyware Act, which was enacted in 2005. Microsoft filed its own lawsuit that alleged violation of the same law.

Arrests for financial fraud and identity theft. In January 2006, Bulgarian law enforcement officials arrested eight people who were involved in an international criminal network that was responsible for online financial fraud and personal data theft. Microsoft provided Bulgarian officials with information that helped in the investigation and subsequent identification of the alleged perpetrators.

Settlement with “Spam King.” In August 2005, Microsoft reached a US$7 million settlement against self-proclaimed “Spam King” Scott Richter and his Colorado-based company, OptInRealBig.com LLC. Microsoft began the suit in December 2003, in conjunction with a parallel action by the New York State attorney general.

Arrests of Mytob and Zotob worm authors. In August 2005, Microsoft provided United States and worldwide law enforcement agencies with investigative and technical support that led to the arrest of the individuals suspected of authoring and distributing the Mytob and Zotob worms. Turkish and Moroccan law enforcement agencies made the arrests fewer than two weeks after the Mytob and Zotob worms were unleashed.

Individual at work

Microsoft has an innovative corporate culture and a strong product development focus that is designed to keep us on the leading edge of the industry. We believe that our employees are the company’s most important asset. They are the source of our creative ingenuity and success so we empower each staff member to take initiative in solving problems, coming up with new ideas and improving the organisation.

Microsoft values diversity and respects each person’s individuality

When you sell software to 180 million people, in 70 countries, speaking 150 languages, you can’t afford to have a singular point of view. Microsoft employs people from many nationalities and backgrounds.

* Who we looking for

Great people with great values

Microsoft concentrates on hiring people we believe fit into the company culture: people who are driven to succeed, enthusiastic about how they can contribute to the organisation and unafraid of suggesting and implementing new ideas. Our recruits are not always IT professionals; many come from backgrounds such as the banking, law or pharmaceutical industries. What they bring to Microsoft is a diversity of knowledge and understanding of the needs of particular industries that helps them relate to, and provide optimum service to, our customers.

Microsoft needs people who are creative, energetic and bright, absolutely passionate and committed to our mission of helping others realise their potential. These people share the following values:

* Passion for customers, partners and technology;

* Integrity and honesty;

* Open and respectful with others and dedicated to making them better;

* Willingness to take on big challenges and see them through;

* Committed to personal excellence and self-improvement; and

* Accountable for commitments, results and quality to customers, shareholders, partners and employees.

This creates a workforce with a broad range of skills and expertise. We also encourage and nurture lateral thinking. Our workers are given a high level of autonomy to come up with and offer innovative solutions. If this is important to you, it is highly likely you will enjoy the environment Microsoft offers it¡¯s employees. A place where you can get things done and have fun at work!

* Diversity

Microsoft values diversity and respects each person’s individuality

At Microsoft we have made a corporate commitment to the principle of diversity. We believe that diversity enriches our performance and our products, the communities in which we live and work, and the lives of our employees. As our workforce evolves to reflect the growing diversity of our communities and global marketplace, our efforts to understand, value and incorporate differences become increasingly important.

We have established a number of initiatives to promote diversity within our own organisation, including education and training programs that provide employees with the awareness, skills, knowledge and ability to embrace differences. The programs also communicate the importance of a respectful work environment in maximising the performance of every employee. Microsoft employs a diverse workforce representing a broad range of cultural, linguistic, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds including disabled employees and people from all corners of the globe.

We are proudly an equal opportunity employer.

* Community Spirit

Make a difference from day one

At Microsoft, we share a passion for technology and what it can do for people. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you live, technology can make a positive difference in your life. It can help you learn faster, achieve more, simplify your life and have more fun. Technology has helped children and adults acquire a passion for learning, given businesses of all sizes the tools they need to compete in an ever-changing marketplace, and provided people with disabilities the access to a new world of job and life opportunities. And we believe the best is yet to come.

We help build our communities to unlock their potential

Amazing things can happen when the right people, tools and resources come together. At Microsoft, our employees and our technology help unlock this kind of potential every day, through our corporate giving program and through donations of personal time and resources by our employees. Since 1983, Microsoft and our employees around the world have donated more than $100 million in cash, $100 million in software and thousands of volunteer hours in our communities around the world. Across our Asia, each Microsoft subsidiary has its own local initiatives for social giving and community outreach. Our employees are passionately involved in many charitable initiatives across Asia that help people realize their potential. To learn more about Microsoft¡¯s giving campaigns you can follow this link: International – www.microsoft.com/giving (US link)

* Work/Life Balance

Make a difference from day one

Our employees are our most valued asset, and in recognition of this, Microsoft provides flexible programs, resources and tools to help them create their own kind of balance in life. In this hectic industry, careers are demanding, but if your work is to be fun and rewarding it must take its place and priority alongside your other life interests. At Microsoft, we aim to make the workplace as flexible as possible to enable our employees to have freedom, balance and autonomy.

The work/life balance initiatives and programs offered to our staff throughout Asia differ depending upon location, local laws and resource availability. Some of the benefits provided to staff in different locations include:

* Onsite and online parenting resources

* Variety of sports and health benefits

* Broadband connection to your home (enabling staff to work from home when required)

* Job-share (where role permits)

* Microsoft counselling service for employees and their families

* Social club

* Career guidance and planning

* Mentoring program

* Employer-sponsored discount program

* Laptop computers and mobile technology

* Community support initiatives for various charities

The programs cover the individual employee, work, family and community. In addition to the specific work/life balance programs available, Microsoft is firmly committed to the goal of creating a healthy, flexible, and productive work environment that allows employees to engage in a challenging career while balancing their work/life needs. For more information about what programs of this nature are offered in individual countries across Asia, please contact a member of our Recruitment team today.

* Women in IT

Make a difference from day one

Microsoft is proudly an equal opportunity employer of women and proactively seeks to ensure our workforce embraces excellence in gender diversity. Microsoft works closely with local government agencies across Asia and other recognized employers of choice so as to ensure we are constantly contributing to the improved status and treatment of women in the IT industry. This ensures our organisation is compliant with the latest legislative requirements and aware of best practices in the industry for women.

Microsoft annually reviews its female diversity practices relating to:

* Recruitment and selection

* Promotions, transfers and terminations

* Training and development

* Work organisation

* Conditions of service

* Dealing with sex-based harassment

* Dealing with pregnant and potentially pregnant employees and employees who are breastfeeding

At Microsoft male and female employees are paid and rewarded on the same measurements based on the role and the merit of performance. There is no distinction based on gender. Furthermore, there is no distinction based on gender with regards to Microsoft’s recruitment processes, promotions and transfers, eligibility for benefits, training or conditions of service.

Growing the female ranks in the IT industry

As a thought-leader in the IT industry Microsoft is committed to the ongoing development of female professionals and encouraging new professionals to the industry. We are actively involved in a number of industry networking groups that focus on Women in the IT industry so we can ensure that our female employees have a voice on important issues and that we continue to develop and attract great female talent to the company. Annually, Microsoft supports and actively participates in the Global Womens Forum and across Asia our subsidiaries have internal networking and support groups for our female employees. Microsoft is also proud to support the development of females in the graduate community by offering Internship placements and various programs to improve the skills of emerging female technologists.

Mothers at Microsoft

Microsoft welcomes the applications from female candidates who are pregnant, planning pregnancy or returning to the workforce following a maternity leave absence. This is a family friendly environment, so don¡¯t be surprised if you visit our offices and meet a few little people! Our employees often bring their children in for a visit to work or to participate in family day events.

Harassment

Microsoft has a zero-tolerance policy for Sex-Based Harassment and strong policies in place to encourage the equal and appropriate conduct of all employees.

* Parents in the Workforce

Microsoft enjoys a family friendly environment so it is not uncommon to see spouses and children dropping by for lunch onsite.

Microsoft supports parents in the workforce and those returning to the workforce. We do have a Parental Leave policy in place for the primary carer of children and your Recruiter can provide you with further details. If you need time away from work to celebrate the birth of your child and provide care, Microsoft supports you and your right to return to fulltime employment when you are ready. Local Labour Laws apply.

Our families are the most important priority in life. Microsoft supports Parents in the Workforce by having flexible and convenient programs in place to ensure you can have balance between your family and your career. Just some of these benefits include:

* Parental leave

* Parents at Microsoft online resource

* Microsoft counselling service for you and your family

* Broadband program to enable you to work from home when necessary

* Laptops and mobile technology

* Discounted software program for private purchase

* Flexibility to consider job-share where position enables

Conclusion