Company website | Location of headquarters | Number of employees | Product/Business | Founder | Country | Industry | Date of foundation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
microsoft.com | Redmond, Washington | 181,000 (2020) | Computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services | Bill Gates and Paul Allen | United States | Technology | April 4, 1975 |
Microsoft Corporation is a multinational technology company that develops and sells computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and related services. It is headquartered in Redmond, Washington, United States. Microsoft is known for its Windows operating system, Microsoft Office Suite, and Xbox gaming console. The company has a workforce of 181,000 employees as of 2020, and its products and services are used by millions of people worldwide.
Microsoft Corporation was founded on April 4, 1975, by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Initially, the company developed and sold BASIC interpreters for the Altair 8800, a personal computer kit. However, Microsoft's breakthrough came with the development of its first operating system, MS-DOS, which powered IBM's personal computers. The success of MS-DOS led to the development of Windows, which became the most widely used operating system in the world.
Over the years, Microsoft has diversified its products and services. It has developed a range of software products, including Microsoft Office Suite, Visual Studio, and Skype. The company has also ventured into hardware, with the introduction of the Microsoft Surface line of personal computers and tablets. In addition, Microsoft offers cloud-based services through its Azure platform and has entered the gaming market with its Xbox console.
Microsoft's success has been driven by its focus on innovation and its ability to adapt to changing market conditions. The company has invested heavily in research and development, and its products and services are known for their quality and reliability. Microsoft has also been successful in forging partnerships with other companies, such as Nokia and LinkedIn, to expand its offerings.
Microsoft Corporation was founded on April 4, 1975, by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. The company's first product was a BASIC interpreter for the Altair 8800, a personal computer kit. Microsoft's breakthrough came with the development of MS-DOS, which powered IBM's personal computers. The success of MS-DOS led to the development of Windows, which became the most widely used operating system in the world.
In the 1990s, Microsoft faced antitrust lawsuits in the United States and Europe. The lawsuits alleged that Microsoft had engaged in anti-competitive practices, such as bundling its Internet Explorer browser with Windows. Microsoft was eventually found guilty of antitrust violations and was forced to pay fines and make changes to its business practices.
In the early 2000s, Microsoft faced increased competition from companies such as Google and Apple. The company responded by diversifying its products and services, investing heavily in research and development, and forging partnerships with other companies.
Microsoft has a reputation for providing a challenging and rewarding work environment. The company offers its employees a range of benefits, including healthcare, retirement plans, and stock options. Microsoft also provides its employees with opportunities for professional development, such as training programs and mentorship opportunities.
The company has a diverse workforce and is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Microsoft has established employee resource groups to support underrepresented groups, such as women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ employees.
Microsoft is committed to environmental sustainability and has set ambitious goals to reduce its carbon footprint. The company has pledged to be carbon negative by 2030 and to remove all of the carbon it has emitted since its founding by 2050. Microsoft has also committed to using 100% renewable energy by 2025.
In addition, Microsoft is committed to promoting social responsibility and ethical business practices. The company has established a code of conduct for its employees and suppliers and has implemented policies to prevent human rights abuses in its supply chain.
Microsoft offers a wide range of products and services, including:
Microsoft's key technologies include:
Microsoft has forged partnerships with a number of companies to expand its offerings, including:
Microsoft has faced criticism and controversy over the years, particularly related to its business practices. In the 1990s, the company faced antitrust lawsuits in the United States and Europe, which alleged that Microsoft had engaged in anti-competitive practices.
More recently, Microsoft has faced criticism for its work with the US military. In 2019, a group of Microsoft employees protested the company's $480 million contract with the US Army, which involved providing augmented reality headsets for use in combat.