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13899 MS Bgrounder V2.Indd Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa Background Information FEBRUARY 2006 Microsoft was founded on the idea that if people have the right tools, they will do new and exciting things. Over the past three decades, we have never lost sight of this vision, and our commitment to helping people realise their dreams and achieve their full potential is greater than ever. Contact Details EMEA Headquarters Microsoft EMEA Cœur Défense, Tour B 100, Esplanade du Général de Gaulle 92932 Paris La Défense France Tel: +33 1 70 99 10 00 Website: www.microsoft.com/emea Microsoft EMEA Press Offi ce Tel: +44 870 2430515 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.microsoft.com/emea/presscentre 2 BACKGROUND INFORMATION Contents The Company 4 Microsoft EMEA Leadership Team 7 Research and Innovation Facilities in EMEA 8 Industry Issues in the Region 10 Milestones 15 Facts and Figures 16 Executive Biographies 18 Subsidiary Offi ces 22 MICROSOFT EMEA • FEBRUARY 2006 3 The Company At Microsoft, we create software that helps people and organisations realise their potential. Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) is a division of Microsoft Corp that encompasses over 60 local offi ces and delivers products and services in 138 countries across the region. Led by President Neil Holloway, Microsoft EMEA sets the direction of the company in this vast and varied region, oversees subsidiary operations, and is responsible for a range of business functions including research, product development and distribution, and partner support. An industry leader, Microsoft also emphasises corporate responsibility and community participation. The company engages with all levels of government and academia and supports numerous programmes for social and economic development. Microsoft’s commitment to the region is further refl ected in the more than 12,000 Microsoft employees in EMEA, over 33,000 independent software vendors (ISVs) that develop products on the Microsoft platform, and millions of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) whose goals for growth and greater business effi ciency Microsoft makes possible with its technology. Regional investments in research and development include Microsoft’s largest software development centre outside of the US, located in Copenhagen, Denmark; Microsoft Research Cambridge in the UK; and the European Microsoft Innovation Centre (EMIC) in Aachen, Germany. Twenty local-language MSN® sites serve EMEA’s culturally and linguistically diverse population. At the European Product Development Centre (EPDC) in Dublin, Ireland, Microsoft developers and linguists specialise in 50 languages and dialects to create local- language products. 4 BACKGROUND INFORMATION Mission and Values Microsoft was founded on the idea that if technologies. At the heart of our vision of the people have the right tools, they will do new and Digital Decade is Microsoft .NET, a set of software exciting things. Over the past three decades, technologies designed to connect information, we have never lost sight of this vision, and our people, systems and devices. commitment to helping people realise their At Microsoft, we know that how we conduct dreams and achieve their full potential is greater our business is as important as delivering than ever. outstanding products and services. How we work From now until the end of 2010 — a period with customers, partners, governments, vendors that Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill and communities worldwide affects every aspect Gates calls the Digital Decade — computing of our success as a company. As Microsoft CEO devices will continue to grow in importance and Steve Ballmer says, “It’s not enough to just do the play an indispensable part in the lives of most right things; we have to do them in the right way.” people. Technologies will continue to converge, making computing a seamless and pervasive i www.microsoft.com/emea experience. This vision inspires Microsoft’s core principles, fuelling the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance its products and develop new Commitment to Our Customers and Partners We are motivated and inspired every day by how Enterprise and Partner Group Microsoft customers use our software to fi nd This customer segment team oversees the creative solutions to business problems, develop company’s relationships with major customers, as ground-breaking ideas and stay connected to well as enterprise partners — systems integrators, what is most important to them. Our customer outsourcers, management consultancies and segment teams are responsible for ensuring that, technology vendors. across all business groups, customers have a seamless experience. Small and Midmarket Solutions and Partners Group Developer and Partner Group Responsible for Microsoft EMEA’s small and Responsible for evangelising Microsoft’s .NET midsize business solutions, this group also drives vision in the region to developers and software the company’s channel initiatives, licensing architects, the Developer and Partner Group is and pricing policies, and licensing compliance also responsible for products that serve software campaigns. developers, including ISVs, systems integrators and corporate developers. EMEA Enterprise Services This organisation is responsible for the fi eld Public Sector Group services team, which provides technical This group pursues ongoing public sector consulting and support services to Microsoft collaboration and technology development, customers in the region. from e-government solutions connecting governments and citizens, through to dynamic e-learning applications that redefi ne the ways students, teachers and parents interact. MICROSOFT EMEA • FEBRUARY 2006 5 Our Businesses In September 2005, Microsoft aligned its = Information Worker Group. This business operations into the following three divisions, unit includes the Microsoft Offi ce system encompassing its seven business groups. of products, including Visio® drawing and diagramming software, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Platform Products and Microsoft Publisher, and new products such as Services Division the InfoPathTM information gathering program This division comprises Windows® client, server and the OneNote® note-taking program. and tools products, and the MSN network of This group also oversees Microsoft Windows internet services. The division’s mission is to SharePoint® Services. enable new user experiences and drive customer value through continued innovation in the = Microsoft Business Solutions Group. MBS software platform and software services delivered offers the DynamicsTM suite of products that over the internet. allow small and midsize organisations to connect employees, customers and suppliers. = Windows Client Group. This business unit is The fi nancial management, customer responsible for Microsoft’s popular desktop relationship management, supply chain operating system, including the most recent management and analytics applications versions of the platform — Windows XP, work to streamline processes across an Windows 2000 and the upcoming Windows entire organisation, giving businesses insight VistaTM. The Windows Client group also to respond rapidly, plan strategically and manages specialised versions of the operating execute quickly. MBS products are customised system such as Windows XP Tablet PC Edition and delivered through a worldwide network and Windows Embedded. of channel partners that provide specialised services and local support. = Server and Tools Group. This business unit manages Windows Server SystemTM Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division integrated server software. The group This division focuses on delivering richer and creates software for streamlining businesses’ more relevant scenarios on a wide range of IT infrastructure and reducing costs for electronic devices — for people at work, at home enterprise administrators. Products include and on the move. Windows Server 2003, developer tools and the MSDN® developer programme. = Home and Entertainment Group. This business unit encompasses Microsoft’s = MSN Group. The MSN group covers all of consumer portfolio, comprising PC gaming Microsoft’s web-based services, including the software and hardware, personal productivity MSN network, MSN Internet Access, MSN TV tools, reference products and digital media and Hotmail® web-based e-mail service. A products such as Windows XP Media Center. world leader in delivering online services to It also includes products such as Xbox 360TM consumers and advertising opportunities to video game and entertainment system, online businesses worldwide, MSN is also committed games and the TV platform. to helping people have a safe, secure and positive online experience. = Mobile and Embedded Devices (MED) Group. MED provides a software platform Microsoft Business Division enabling device manufacturers to develop This division, which includes the Information smart, connected products that offer a Worker and Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) compelling mobile experience. MED products groups, delivers software and software-based include the Windows CE operating system, services that enable organisations to succeed eMbedded Visual C++® development system in today’s constantly evolving workplace by and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. amplifying the impact of their people. Microsoft is uniquely positioned for this opportunity with the new division’s programmes, servers and software-based services addressing the spectrum from structured business processes to personal productivity needs. 6 BACKGROUND INFORMATION Microsoft EMEA Leadership
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