Microsoft Part 4
1990
April 2, Microsoft announces the appointment of Michael R. Hallman as Company President and Chief Operating Officer. He replaces Jon Shirley who is retiring June 30, 1990. Hallman will also become a member of the Board of Directors. He was formerly with The Boeing Company.
April 9, Microsoft introduces Russian MS-DOS 4.01. MS-DOS is the first Microsoft product localized for the Soviet market. The Russian version brings the total number of foreign-language versions to 13, including versions in Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese (Kanji), and Korean (Hangeul).
Featuring a major redesign of its user interface, Microsoft Windows version 3.0 was a number-one hit almost from the first day it arrived.
More than four million copies of Windows were distributed in its first year, sparking the release of more than 1,200 Windows-based applications from other developers. Another six million copies sold the following year -bringing the installed base to more than 10 million- and total commercial applications reached 5,000. It was a phenomenon unlike anything the industry had ever seen.
A great graphical environment deserved a great colorful look. The Microsoft Windows logo, brought out as part of the version 3.0 introduction, became the standard by which customers identified the product. It appeared on products from Microsoft and other software companies, as well as on hardware products, identifying that they were "Ready to Run" Windows.
Along with Windows itself, Microsoft made a major commitment to updating its Windows-based applications, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. In 1991 the company achieved a major milestone, with more than half of all revenues coming from applications instead of systems products.
Two years after the introduction of Windows 3.0, the company provided a fresh update with Windows version 3.1, introduced at Windows World in May 1992. This newest version of Windows introduced hundreds of enhancements in areas such as file management and overall performance. The result? In just six weeks, the company shipped three million copies of the new version..
In view of the international acceptance of Windows, the company simultaneously introduced version 3.1 of Windows in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish.
The Visual Basic programming system for Windows gave developers -particularly in corporate environments- a fast and easy way to create graphical Windows-based applications. At Microsoft it was used for prototyping purposes in the new usability labs, allowing developers to quickly try out different implementations of possible features.
May 22, Microsoft announces the immediate, worldwide availability of Microsoft Windows 3.0, at the City Center Theatre in New York. This version offers dramatic performance increases for Windows applications, advances in ease of use and aesthetic appeal, and straightforward integration into corporate computing environments.
"Windows, Windows, Windows," as Steve Ballmer would say
Graphical computing begins to realize its full potential with the announcement of Windows 3.0 at a major New York event on May 22. Supported by the largest single marketing campaign in the company's history -more than $10 million over a six-month period- Windows 3.0 sells 100,000 copies in two weeks. Steve Ballmer excites everyone at the company meeting with a continual chant of "Windows, Windows, Windows." (His enthusiasm damages his vocal cords, but Steve is only silenced temporarily.) With revenues reaching $1.18 billion, Microsoft becomes the first software company to exceed the $1 billion sales mark -a fitting celebration for the company's fifteenth anniversary. Mike Hallman joins Microsoft as president.
July 25, Kicking off its 15th anniversary celebration, Microsoft, with revenues of $1.18 billion, becomes the first personal computer software company to exceed $1 billion in sales in a single year.
August 30, Microsoft announces the formation of a Consulting Services Group aimed at helping large corporate customers better use Microsoft products to build complex information systems. The group, Information Technology Integration Services (ITIS), is headed by Robert McDowell. The group's initial offerings will include: executive education, planning, design, custom development, and systems and applications support. (The group is later renamed Microsoft Consulting Services.)
September 17, Microsoft launches the Microsoft Windows Computing Marketing Program, the largest single marketing campaign in the Company's history to date.
November 12, Bill Gates unveils his vision of the future of computing in his keynote address,"Information at Your Fingertips,"at Fall/COMDEX '90.
Presidents
June 30, 1990 Shirley retires from Microsoft on , but continue to play a role in the management of the company, both as a member of the board of directors and as a consultant for strategic projects. Shirley still remains on the board of directors.
March 19, 1990, Michael R. Hallman, 44, is appointed president and chief operating officer, replacing Jon Shirley. Hallman, who joined Microsoft as president three months before Shirley's retirement, also becomes a member of the board of directors. Halman will serve Microsoft from April 2, -- March 1/92. Prior to Microsoft, Hallman spent two and a half years as president of Computer Services at The Boeing Co., where he was responsible for a staff of 13,000 and all of Boeing's computing and communications systems. Before joining Boeing, Hallman spent 20 years at IBM, where he held a variety of executive positions.
Stats
Revenues: $1,183,446,000
Employees: 5,635
Bill Gates demonstrates his vision of the future of computing with an interactive keynote address, "Information at Your Fingertips," at Fall COMDEX.
International
Microsoft adds distributors in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. MS-DOS 4.01 is the first product localized for the Soviet market. Thirteen foreign-language versions of MS-DOS are now available.
Opening of Far East Research and Development Center in Japan.
The new Advanced Technology group is established for research and product development.
The Federal Trade Commission begins investigating Microsoft for possible anti-trust violations.
1991
The Incredible Shrinking PC
The age of the "luggable" comes to an end as computer systems size and weight decrease.
The computer industry continues to reflect Moore's law and the components used in computers grow smaller, are less costly and their overall performance improves. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are able to put almost the same power of current processor speeds, storage capacities and other features found only in desktop PC designs into portable lines of products. Most PC manufacturers introduce notebook PCs and now a wide range of model choices are available to users.
A worldwide phenomenon is underway Personal computer users begin adopting Windows in large numbers -in just one year, Microsoft ships four million copies of Windows 3.0 to 24 countries in 12 languages. Hardware manufacturers include Windows as standard equipment on their computers, as part of the Windows Ready-to-Run program. And Microsoft's hardware group benefits as well, with the Microsoft Mouse selling six million units. The company also returns to its language roots with the announcement of Microsoft Visual Basic, which wins an award for technical excellence from PC Magazine.
1/9/91 Microsoft announces the availability of Microsoft Excel for Windows 3.0. It also announces Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh 3.0 and Excel for OS/2 Presentation Manager which are expected to ship in the next few months.
3/11/91 Microsoft announces the Microsoft BallPoint Mouse, designed especially for use with laptop computers. This mouse represents the culmination of more than two-and-a-half years of development, and incorporates both mouse and trackball technology in a new category of pointing device.
3/18/91 Microsoft announces that it has purchased a 26 percent share of Dorling Kindersley, Ltd., a London-based book publisher and international packager. As part of the agreement, the Microsoft Multimedia Publishing Group gains the rights to license content from Dorling Kindersley for use in future Microsoft multimedia software titles.
5/20/91 Microsoft announces Microsoft Visual BASIC for Windows at Windows World '91 in Atlanta. It is a graphical application development system for Windows 3.0 that combines visual design tools with a powerful, general-purpose programming language and Windows .EXE compiler. French and German versions are expected to ship in August, with other foreign versions to follow.
11/14/91 Microsoft announces the Multimedia Edition of Microsoft Works for Windows 2.0. This is the first business productivity application from Microsoft to incorporate multimedia. This CD-ROM version adds digital sound, animation, and pictures to the Online Tutorial to make it easy for new users to learn the capabilities of Works.
Microsoft acquires an interest in Dorling Kindersley, the British publisher whose library of striking photographic images can be adapted for use in multimedia products.
Stats
Revenues: $1,843,432,000
Employees: 8,226
MS-DOS 5.0-the first version of MS-DOS featuring a retail upgrade-ships.
International
International operations reorganized: Europe divided into three regions, the rest of the world into four (Far East, Intercontinental, Latin America, and AIME). International headcount at year's end: 2,866.
Microsoft Excel 3.0 ships simultaneously for Windows, OS/2, and Macintosh, the first Microsoft product to ship across platforms this way.
Microsoft acquires an interest in Dorling Kindersley, the British publisher whose library of striking photographic images can be adapted for use in multimedia products
1992
Digital Equipment Corporation announces a new architecture with its RISC based ALPHA processor. Designed to accelerate high end graphics functions, the Alpha sets a new precedent for processor power.
2/3/92 With the departure of Mike Hallman, Microsoft creates an "Office of the President" headed by three executive vice presidents: Steve Ballmer, worldwide sales and support; Frank Gaudette, worldwide operations; and Mike Maples, worldwide products. Windows continues to roll, with releases of Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups. The company launches its first television advertising campaign. To bolster its presence in the database market, Microsoft merges with Fox Software, Inc.
3/1/92 Microsoft announces that Michael Hallman is stepping down as the President of Microsoft and as a member of the Board of Directors. He will become a consultant to the Company. His position is filled by the newly created three-member "Office of the President."
3/1/92 Microsoft kicks off its first-ever television advertising campaign. The TV ads are designed to demonstrate the benefits of Windows-based computing to a new, broader audience. The campaign was developed by the Ogilvy & Mather Agency in Los Angeles.
3/24/92 Microsoft and Fox Software Inc. of Perrysburg, Ohio, announce that they intend to merge the two companies. Under the terms of the letter of intent, Microsoft will exchange approximately 1.36 million shares of its common stock for all of the outstanding stock of Fox Software.
4/6/92 Microsoft ships Microsoft Windows 3.1 with over 1,000 enhancements. The new version created unprecedented user demand with over one million advance orders placed worldwide. To help customers, Microsoft has trained thousands of resellers and has in place more than 500 product support personnel
4/27/92 Microsoft announces that its Board of Directors has approved a 3-for-2 stock split. Shareholders will receive one additional share for every two Microsoft shares held on the record date of June 3, 1992. Cash will be paid in lieu of the issuance of any fractional shares.
6/23/92 President George Bush awards Bill Gates the National Medal of Technology for Technological Achievement, at a White House Rose Garden ceremony. The President recognizes Gates "for his early vision of universal computing at home and in the office; for his technical and business management skills in creating a worldwide technology company; and for his contribution to the development of the personal computing industry."
10/27/92 Microsoft announces the worldwide availability of Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1 which integrates networking and workgroup functionality directly into Windows 3.1. The product allows common activities of sending electronic mail, scheduling group meetings, sharing files and printers, managing calendars, and working together on groups projects. It can provide networking capabilities on its own, or it can be used as a client on an existing local area network.
11/11/92 Microsoft announces that the Microsoft Windows NT beta program is shipping to corporations for system evaluation. Also, the Win32 Software Development Kit (SDK) for Windows NT, which includes the same beta code plus additional development tools, is being delivered to developers.
11/16/92 Microsoft announces the immediate availability of Microsoft Access Database for Windows, at Fall/COMDEX '92. The new, fully-featured and fully relational DBMS provides easy, transparent access to data; powerful, usability-tested tools; and a robust development environment.
Presidents
On Feb. 3, 1992, Michael Hallman announces that he is stepping down as the president of Microsoft and as a member of the board of directors, effective March 1, 1992. He continues as a consultant to the company.
On March 1, 1992 The Office of the President (3/1/92 -- 12/96), which reported directly to Bill Gates, filled Hallman's vacant position. The Office of the President was filled by three existing executive vice presidents:
* Steven A. Ballmer, formerly senior vice president, systems software
* Francis J. Gaudette, formerly senior vice president, finance and administration, and chief financial officer
* Michael J. Maples, formerly senior vice president, applications division
Stats
Revenue: $2,758,725,000
Employees: 11,542
Microsoft Windows for Workgroups wins an award for technical excellence from PC Magazine.
International
Word 2.0 for Windows is offered in 22 languages.
1993
The number of licensed users of Windows now totals more than 25 million, making Windows the most popular graphical operating system in the world.
1/1/93 Microsoft announces the 10th anniversary of Microsoft Word, which first shipped for MS-DOS in 1983, on the Macintosh platform in 1984, and on the Windows platform in 1989. Based on data recently released by Dataquest, Inc. there are now more than 10 million Word users worldwide.
1/27/93 Microsoft announces that it has introduced a new product support program, Microsoft Select, designed to make it easier for large organizations to acquire and maintain Microsoft products. The program offers flexible new product acquisition, licensing, and maintenance options.
3/22/93 Microsoft announces the availability of Microsoft Encarta, the first multimedia encyclopedia designed for a computer. The product contains a high-quality collection of articles, animations, sounds, illustrations, graphs, and photographs, as well as, an atlas and interactive timeline all on a single CD-ROM.
3/30/93 Microsoft introduces and announces the availability of Microsoft MS-DOS 6.0 Upgrade. This version has integrated data compression, called DoubleSpace, which can safely and easily double the PC's available disk space, free conventional memory, protect data from viruses and accidental deletions, and increase performance.
3/30/93 Microsoft announces five new multimedia titles at the Intermedia Conference in San Jose. Shown for the first time are: Microsoft Dinosaurs; Multimedia Mozart: The Dissonant Quartet; Multimedia Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring; Microsoft Musical Instruments for the Macintosh; and Microsoft Bookshelf, 1993 Edition on CD-ROM.
4/14/93 Microsoft reports that the number of licensed users of Microsoft Windows now totals more than 25 million, making it the most popular graphical operating system in the world.
4/27/93 Microsoft announces the immediate availability of Microsoft Mouse 2.0, with a sophisticated new ergonometric design for maximum comfort. The new Mouse is equally effective for both right- and left-handed users. It includes the enhanced-performance driver software 9.0, which ensures full compatibility and reliability with Microsoft Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS.
5/24/93 Microsoft formally launches Microsoft Windows NT at Windows World in Atlanta. Windows NT delivers a powerful, reliable and open platform for client-server solutions - business applications ranging from inventory management to sales automation to financial analysis. It can also scale to meet the user's increasing processing needs because it has no internal system constraints on resources and provides consistent support for Intel, RISC and multiprocessor systems. It is scheduled to be released in 60 days.
Designed for mission-critical corporate applications, Microsoft Windows NT is launched, winning an award for technical excellence from PC Magazine.
Microsoft also announces Microsoft Home, a complete line of inexpensive, easy-to-use software products for personal use. Judge Vaughn Walker rules in favor of Microsoft in the Apple vs. Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard copyright suit, the closing of an important chapter after 63 months of litigation.
Microsoft introduces a better mouse, code named "Carrera."
6/1/93 Microsoft announces that Judge Vaughn R. Walker of the U.S. District Court of Northern California ruled today in Microsoft's favor in the Apple vs. Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard copyright suit. The judge granted Microsoft's and Hewlett-Packard's motions to dismiss the last remaining copyright infringement claims against Microsoft Windows 2.03 and 3.0, as well as, the HP NewWave.
7/6/93 Microsoft announces that it has become an official member of the EPA's Ally program to promote energy-efficient computer systems. Microsoft currently ships software to enhance energy efficiency, and continues to conduct additional energy-efficient research.
11/8/93 Microsoft ships Windows for Workgroups 3.11. This new version has already gained major support from more than 30 top OEM systems manufacturers worldwide. It has improved support for Novell NetWare and Windows NT; I/O performance gains of more than 100 percent; and new capabilities for mobile computing, such as remote access and built-in fax capabilities.
12/6/93 Microsoft is named the "1993 Most Innovative Company Operating in the U.S." by Fortune Magazine, as part of its Fifth Annual Study of America's Best Cities for Business.
12/7/93 Microsoft announces its first software products designed especially for children: Creative Writer and Fine Artist>. Combining full-featured tool sets, lively characters and offbeat humor, these products have been designed to inspire and stimulate children's natural creativity in writing and art with many engaging project ideas.
Stats
Revenue: $3,752,701,000
Employees: 14,430
The number of licensed users of Windows now totals more than 25 million, making Windows the most popular graphical operating system in the world.
International
Microsoft Windows version 3.1 now available in Japanese.
1994
Microsoft announces five new multimedia titles at the Intermedia Conference in San Jose. Shown for the first time are: Microsoft Dinosaurs; Multimedia Mozart: The Dissonant Quartet; Multimedia Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring; Microsoft Musical Instruments for the Macintosh; and Microsoft Bookshelf, 1993 Edition on CD-ROM.
Microsoft reports that the number of licensed users of Microsoft Windows now totals more than 25 million, making it the most popular graphical operating system in the world.
Microsoft Encarta Ships
Microsoft announces the availability of Microsoft Encarta, the first multimedia encyclopedia designed for a computer. The product contains a high-quality collection of articles, animations, sounds, illustrations, graphs, and photographs, as well as, an atlas and interactive timeline all on a single CD-ROM.
Microsoft products continue to evolve to keep up with how people work and live, and with what our customers demand from the constantly changing, constantly improving possibilities of technology.
As part of the continuing evolution of personal computer technology we and our industry have entered a new era of integration -in part by integrating different types of technology (e.g., sound, pictures, video, and text) in elaborate multimedia presentations as well as uniting formerly independent applications into powerful new combinations.
The first version of Microsoft Word came bundled with a Microsoft Mouse, but customers were not ready to adopt the mouse.
While Word offered advanced features and sophisticated output for its era, and the Mouse provided Point-and-click simplicity of use, the slow market reaction to the combination of the two products proved that this was definitely an idea ahead of its time.
To help spark interest in Word, Microsoft arranged for a demonstration version of the product to be bound into PC Magazine -the first "disk insert" ever by any company. Word was the first word processor to support laser printers when they arrived on the market, and it introduced a host of new features, such as style sheets and outlines.
By bringing together word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation programs, Microsoft created a new category: the office suite. The announcement of Microsoft Office for Macintosh on CD-ROM came on June 19, 1989; a Windows-based version followed in 1990. At first, some customers saw only the packaging as different. But there was a lot more going on -integrating the interface so these multiple applications really worked like one. The result? In less than two years, Microsoft Office represented more than half of the company's total office applications sales. And Office itself grew to include Microsoft Office Professional, incorporating the Microsoft Access database.
With more than 60 titles available under the Microsoft Home brand, the company's push into the consumer market takes off. Microsoft announces a merger with Intuit, developer of personal finance and tax preparation packages; the merger is not completed. The company also acquires SOFTIMAGE, Inc., the leading developer of computer animation software, whose programs helped bring dinosaurs to life in Jurassic Park
1/31/94 Microsoft announces Microsoft Plus, a product support program designed to increase users' satisfaction with Microsoft and its products by offering them extended services, cost savings, and timely information.
4/18/94 Microsoft announces that Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11 has become the world's best selling retail operating system, edging Windows 3.1 into the No. 2 spot. Sales totaled just over 300,000 copies worldwide in January 1994. International success has led the way, with some European markets such as Sweden and the United Kingdom (U.K.) seeing more than 70 percent of their retail volume of Windows move to Windows for Workgroups 3.11.
4/25/94 The Lexmark WinWriter 600 laser printer, the first office device based on Microsoft At Work printing software, wins the CeBIT Highlight '94 Award for the Top Product in the Printer category. Microsoft and Lexmark worked closely together to develop the WinWriter 600, which is making its European debut at CeBIT.
6/10/94 Microsoft announces the immediate availability of Microsoft Complete Baseball, a multimedia reference CD-ROM that details Baseball's history, players, teams, season summaries, and statistics. This is the first multimedia CD-ROM program with an on-line feature, Microsoft Baseball Daily, that provides integrated, up-to-date information daily.
6/28/94 Microsoft completes the acquisition of SOFTIMAGE Inc., the leading developer of high-performance 2-D and 3-D computer animation and visualization software.
9/8/94 Microsoft announces that Microsoft Windows 95 is the official name for the next version of Windows, code-named "Chicago." This name was chosen to make it easier for customers to identify the most current version of Microsoft Windows. It is a fully integrated 32-bit operating system replacing Windows 3.11, Windows for Workgroups 3.11, and MS-DOS as the mainstream desktop operating system.
11/8/94 Bob Herbold joins Microsoft as a new Executive Vice President and the Chief Operating Officer. In this position, he will serve as a member of the Office of the President and report directly to Bill Gates. He will be responsible for worldwide operations including, Finance, Manufacturing, Distribution, Logistics, Information Technology (ITG), Human Resources, Corporate Services, Real Estate and Development, and Microsoft Press. He was previously with The Procter & Gamble Company.
11/14/94 Microsoft debuts its new international advertising campaign, "Where Do You Want To Go Today," at actor Robert DeNiro's trendy SoHo restaurant in New York. Microsoft plans to spend $100 million on a global campaign to build brand awareness with a non-technical audience.
11/14/94 In a dramatic multimedia presentation entitled "Information At Your Fingertips - 2005," Bill Gates calls the industry to action with a vision of how integrated technology solutions can improve the quality of life in the next decade. In his keynote address at Fall/COMDEX '94, he presents a complete framework of how continued advancements in technology will increase consumer benefits and drive industry growth during the next ten years.
12/2/94 Wal-Mart is marketing Microsoft products on "power-aisles" in its stores during the Holiday season. The stores are featuring a special fixture - dubbed the Microsoft tower - containing 46 software programs and one piece of hardware, the Microsoft Mouse. The displays are placed in areas with the highest traffic, near checkout stands and in busy aisles, instead of the electronics section of the store. This is the first time that Microsoft software is being treated as an "impulse" buy item.
Stats
Revenues: $4,648,981,000
Employees: 15,257
Microsoft Office is the #1 product in its category, with sales of more than seven million units in little over one year.
International
Opening of Latin American office in Florida puts the business close to its customers and business partners.
April 2, Microsoft announces the appointment of Michael R. Hallman as Company President and Chief Operating Officer. He replaces Jon Shirley who is retiring June 30, 1990. Hallman will also become a member of the Board of Directors. He was formerly with The Boeing Company.
April 9, Microsoft introduces Russian MS-DOS 4.01. MS-DOS is the first Microsoft product localized for the Soviet market. The Russian version brings the total number of foreign-language versions to 13, including versions in Arabic, Chinese, Hebrew, Japanese (Kanji), and Korean (Hangeul).
Featuring a major redesign of its user interface, Microsoft Windows version 3.0 was a number-one hit almost from the first day it arrived.
More than four million copies of Windows were distributed in its first year, sparking the release of more than 1,200 Windows-based applications from other developers. Another six million copies sold the following year -bringing the installed base to more than 10 million- and total commercial applications reached 5,000. It was a phenomenon unlike anything the industry had ever seen.
A great graphical environment deserved a great colorful look. The Microsoft Windows logo, brought out as part of the version 3.0 introduction, became the standard by which customers identified the product. It appeared on products from Microsoft and other software companies, as well as on hardware products, identifying that they were "Ready to Run" Windows.
Along with Windows itself, Microsoft made a major commitment to updating its Windows-based applications, including Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. In 1991 the company achieved a major milestone, with more than half of all revenues coming from applications instead of systems products.
Two years after the introduction of Windows 3.0, the company provided a fresh update with Windows version 3.1, introduced at Windows World in May 1992. This newest version of Windows introduced hundreds of enhancements in areas such as file management and overall performance. The result? In just six weeks, the company shipped three million copies of the new version..
In view of the international acceptance of Windows, the company simultaneously introduced version 3.1 of Windows in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish.
The Visual Basic programming system for Windows gave developers -particularly in corporate environments- a fast and easy way to create graphical Windows-based applications. At Microsoft it was used for prototyping purposes in the new usability labs, allowing developers to quickly try out different implementations of possible features.
May 22, Microsoft announces the immediate, worldwide availability of Microsoft Windows 3.0, at the City Center Theatre in New York. This version offers dramatic performance increases for Windows applications, advances in ease of use and aesthetic appeal, and straightforward integration into corporate computing environments.
"Windows, Windows, Windows," as Steve Ballmer would say
Graphical computing begins to realize its full potential with the announcement of Windows 3.0 at a major New York event on May 22. Supported by the largest single marketing campaign in the company's history -more than $10 million over a six-month period- Windows 3.0 sells 100,000 copies in two weeks. Steve Ballmer excites everyone at the company meeting with a continual chant of "Windows, Windows, Windows." (His enthusiasm damages his vocal cords, but Steve is only silenced temporarily.) With revenues reaching $1.18 billion, Microsoft becomes the first software company to exceed the $1 billion sales mark -a fitting celebration for the company's fifteenth anniversary. Mike Hallman joins Microsoft as president.
July 25, Kicking off its 15th anniversary celebration, Microsoft, with revenues of $1.18 billion, becomes the first personal computer software company to exceed $1 billion in sales in a single year.
August 30, Microsoft announces the formation of a Consulting Services Group aimed at helping large corporate customers better use Microsoft products to build complex information systems. The group, Information Technology Integration Services (ITIS), is headed by Robert McDowell. The group's initial offerings will include: executive education, planning, design, custom development, and systems and applications support. (The group is later renamed Microsoft Consulting Services.)
September 17, Microsoft launches the Microsoft Windows Computing Marketing Program, the largest single marketing campaign in the Company's history to date.
November 12, Bill Gates unveils his vision of the future of computing in his keynote address,"Information at Your Fingertips,"at Fall/COMDEX '90.
Presidents
June 30, 1990 Shirley retires from Microsoft on , but continue to play a role in the management of the company, both as a member of the board of directors and as a consultant for strategic projects. Shirley still remains on the board of directors.
March 19, 1990, Michael R. Hallman, 44, is appointed president and chief operating officer, replacing Jon Shirley. Hallman, who joined Microsoft as president three months before Shirley's retirement, also becomes a member of the board of directors. Halman will serve Microsoft from April 2, -- March 1/92. Prior to Microsoft, Hallman spent two and a half years as president of Computer Services at The Boeing Co., where he was responsible for a staff of 13,000 and all of Boeing's computing and communications systems. Before joining Boeing, Hallman spent 20 years at IBM, where he held a variety of executive positions.
Stats
Revenues: $1,183,446,000
Employees: 5,635
Bill Gates demonstrates his vision of the future of computing with an interactive keynote address, "Information at Your Fingertips," at Fall COMDEX.
International
Microsoft adds distributors in Singapore, Indonesia, and Malaysia. MS-DOS 4.01 is the first product localized for the Soviet market. Thirteen foreign-language versions of MS-DOS are now available.
Opening of Far East Research and Development Center in Japan.
The new Advanced Technology group is established for research and product development.
The Federal Trade Commission begins investigating Microsoft for possible anti-trust violations.
1991
The Incredible Shrinking PC
The age of the "luggable" comes to an end as computer systems size and weight decrease.
The computer industry continues to reflect Moore's law and the components used in computers grow smaller, are less costly and their overall performance improves. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are able to put almost the same power of current processor speeds, storage capacities and other features found only in desktop PC designs into portable lines of products. Most PC manufacturers introduce notebook PCs and now a wide range of model choices are available to users.
A worldwide phenomenon is underway Personal computer users begin adopting Windows in large numbers -in just one year, Microsoft ships four million copies of Windows 3.0 to 24 countries in 12 languages. Hardware manufacturers include Windows as standard equipment on their computers, as part of the Windows Ready-to-Run program. And Microsoft's hardware group benefits as well, with the Microsoft Mouse selling six million units. The company also returns to its language roots with the announcement of Microsoft Visual Basic, which wins an award for technical excellence from PC Magazine.
1/9/91 Microsoft announces the availability of Microsoft Excel for Windows 3.0. It also announces Microsoft Excel for the Macintosh 3.0 and Excel for OS/2 Presentation Manager which are expected to ship in the next few months.
3/11/91 Microsoft announces the Microsoft BallPoint Mouse, designed especially for use with laptop computers. This mouse represents the culmination of more than two-and-a-half years of development, and incorporates both mouse and trackball technology in a new category of pointing device.
3/18/91 Microsoft announces that it has purchased a 26 percent share of Dorling Kindersley, Ltd., a London-based book publisher and international packager. As part of the agreement, the Microsoft Multimedia Publishing Group gains the rights to license content from Dorling Kindersley for use in future Microsoft multimedia software titles.
5/20/91 Microsoft announces Microsoft Visual BASIC for Windows at Windows World '91 in Atlanta. It is a graphical application development system for Windows 3.0 that combines visual design tools with a powerful, general-purpose programming language and Windows .EXE compiler. French and German versions are expected to ship in August, with other foreign versions to follow.
11/14/91 Microsoft announces the Multimedia Edition of Microsoft Works for Windows 2.0. This is the first business productivity application from Microsoft to incorporate multimedia. This CD-ROM version adds digital sound, animation, and pictures to the Online Tutorial to make it easy for new users to learn the capabilities of Works.
Microsoft acquires an interest in Dorling Kindersley, the British publisher whose library of striking photographic images can be adapted for use in multimedia products.
Stats
Revenues: $1,843,432,000
Employees: 8,226
MS-DOS 5.0-the first version of MS-DOS featuring a retail upgrade-ships.
International
International operations reorganized: Europe divided into three regions, the rest of the world into four (Far East, Intercontinental, Latin America, and AIME). International headcount at year's end: 2,866.
Microsoft Excel 3.0 ships simultaneously for Windows, OS/2, and Macintosh, the first Microsoft product to ship across platforms this way.
Microsoft acquires an interest in Dorling Kindersley, the British publisher whose library of striking photographic images can be adapted for use in multimedia products
1992
Digital Equipment Corporation announces a new architecture with its RISC based ALPHA processor. Designed to accelerate high end graphics functions, the Alpha sets a new precedent for processor power.
2/3/92 With the departure of Mike Hallman, Microsoft creates an "Office of the President" headed by three executive vice presidents: Steve Ballmer, worldwide sales and support; Frank Gaudette, worldwide operations; and Mike Maples, worldwide products. Windows continues to roll, with releases of Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups. The company launches its first television advertising campaign. To bolster its presence in the database market, Microsoft merges with Fox Software, Inc.
3/1/92 Microsoft announces that Michael Hallman is stepping down as the President of Microsoft and as a member of the Board of Directors. He will become a consultant to the Company. His position is filled by the newly created three-member "Office of the President."
3/1/92 Microsoft kicks off its first-ever television advertising campaign. The TV ads are designed to demonstrate the benefits of Windows-based computing to a new, broader audience. The campaign was developed by the Ogilvy & Mather Agency in Los Angeles.
3/24/92 Microsoft and Fox Software Inc. of Perrysburg, Ohio, announce that they intend to merge the two companies. Under the terms of the letter of intent, Microsoft will exchange approximately 1.36 million shares of its common stock for all of the outstanding stock of Fox Software.
4/6/92 Microsoft ships Microsoft Windows 3.1 with over 1,000 enhancements. The new version created unprecedented user demand with over one million advance orders placed worldwide. To help customers, Microsoft has trained thousands of resellers and has in place more than 500 product support personnel
4/27/92 Microsoft announces that its Board of Directors has approved a 3-for-2 stock split. Shareholders will receive one additional share for every two Microsoft shares held on the record date of June 3, 1992. Cash will be paid in lieu of the issuance of any fractional shares.
6/23/92 President George Bush awards Bill Gates the National Medal of Technology for Technological Achievement, at a White House Rose Garden ceremony. The President recognizes Gates "for his early vision of universal computing at home and in the office; for his technical and business management skills in creating a worldwide technology company; and for his contribution to the development of the personal computing industry."
10/27/92 Microsoft announces the worldwide availability of Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1 which integrates networking and workgroup functionality directly into Windows 3.1. The product allows common activities of sending electronic mail, scheduling group meetings, sharing files and printers, managing calendars, and working together on groups projects. It can provide networking capabilities on its own, or it can be used as a client on an existing local area network.
11/11/92 Microsoft announces that the Microsoft Windows NT beta program is shipping to corporations for system evaluation. Also, the Win32 Software Development Kit (SDK) for Windows NT, which includes the same beta code plus additional development tools, is being delivered to developers.
11/16/92 Microsoft announces the immediate availability of Microsoft Access Database for Windows, at Fall/COMDEX '92. The new, fully-featured and fully relational DBMS provides easy, transparent access to data; powerful, usability-tested tools; and a robust development environment.
Presidents
On Feb. 3, 1992, Michael Hallman announces that he is stepping down as the president of Microsoft and as a member of the board of directors, effective March 1, 1992. He continues as a consultant to the company.
On March 1, 1992 The Office of the President (3/1/92 -- 12/96), which reported directly to Bill Gates, filled Hallman's vacant position. The Office of the President was filled by three existing executive vice presidents:
* Steven A. Ballmer, formerly senior vice president, systems software
* Francis J. Gaudette, formerly senior vice president, finance and administration, and chief financial officer
* Michael J. Maples, formerly senior vice president, applications division
Stats
Revenue: $2,758,725,000
Employees: 11,542
Microsoft Windows for Workgroups wins an award for technical excellence from PC Magazine.
International
Word 2.0 for Windows is offered in 22 languages.
1993
The number of licensed users of Windows now totals more than 25 million, making Windows the most popular graphical operating system in the world.
1/1/93 Microsoft announces the 10th anniversary of Microsoft Word, which first shipped for MS-DOS in 1983, on the Macintosh platform in 1984, and on the Windows platform in 1989. Based on data recently released by Dataquest, Inc. there are now more than 10 million Word users worldwide.
1/27/93 Microsoft announces that it has introduced a new product support program, Microsoft Select, designed to make it easier for large organizations to acquire and maintain Microsoft products. The program offers flexible new product acquisition, licensing, and maintenance options.
3/22/93 Microsoft announces the availability of Microsoft Encarta, the first multimedia encyclopedia designed for a computer. The product contains a high-quality collection of articles, animations, sounds, illustrations, graphs, and photographs, as well as, an atlas and interactive timeline all on a single CD-ROM.
3/30/93 Microsoft introduces and announces the availability of Microsoft MS-DOS 6.0 Upgrade. This version has integrated data compression, called DoubleSpace, which can safely and easily double the PC's available disk space, free conventional memory, protect data from viruses and accidental deletions, and increase performance.
3/30/93 Microsoft announces five new multimedia titles at the Intermedia Conference in San Jose. Shown for the first time are: Microsoft Dinosaurs; Multimedia Mozart: The Dissonant Quartet; Multimedia Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring; Microsoft Musical Instruments for the Macintosh; and Microsoft Bookshelf, 1993 Edition on CD-ROM.
4/14/93 Microsoft reports that the number of licensed users of Microsoft Windows now totals more than 25 million, making it the most popular graphical operating system in the world.
4/27/93 Microsoft announces the immediate availability of Microsoft Mouse 2.0, with a sophisticated new ergonometric design for maximum comfort. The new Mouse is equally effective for both right- and left-handed users. It includes the enhanced-performance driver software 9.0, which ensures full compatibility and reliability with Microsoft Windows 3.1 and MS-DOS.
5/24/93 Microsoft formally launches Microsoft Windows NT at Windows World in Atlanta. Windows NT delivers a powerful, reliable and open platform for client-server solutions - business applications ranging from inventory management to sales automation to financial analysis. It can also scale to meet the user's increasing processing needs because it has no internal system constraints on resources and provides consistent support for Intel, RISC and multiprocessor systems. It is scheduled to be released in 60 days.
Designed for mission-critical corporate applications, Microsoft Windows NT is launched, winning an award for technical excellence from PC Magazine.
Microsoft also announces Microsoft Home, a complete line of inexpensive, easy-to-use software products for personal use. Judge Vaughn Walker rules in favor of Microsoft in the Apple vs. Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard copyright suit, the closing of an important chapter after 63 months of litigation.
Microsoft introduces a better mouse, code named "Carrera."
6/1/93 Microsoft announces that Judge Vaughn R. Walker of the U.S. District Court of Northern California ruled today in Microsoft's favor in the Apple vs. Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard copyright suit. The judge granted Microsoft's and Hewlett-Packard's motions to dismiss the last remaining copyright infringement claims against Microsoft Windows 2.03 and 3.0, as well as, the HP NewWave.
7/6/93 Microsoft announces that it has become an official member of the EPA's Ally program to promote energy-efficient computer systems. Microsoft currently ships software to enhance energy efficiency, and continues to conduct additional energy-efficient research.
11/8/93 Microsoft ships Windows for Workgroups 3.11. This new version has already gained major support from more than 30 top OEM systems manufacturers worldwide. It has improved support for Novell NetWare and Windows NT; I/O performance gains of more than 100 percent; and new capabilities for mobile computing, such as remote access and built-in fax capabilities.
12/6/93 Microsoft is named the "1993 Most Innovative Company Operating in the U.S." by Fortune Magazine, as part of its Fifth Annual Study of America's Best Cities for Business.
12/7/93 Microsoft announces its first software products designed especially for children: Creative Writer and Fine Artist>. Combining full-featured tool sets, lively characters and offbeat humor, these products have been designed to inspire and stimulate children's natural creativity in writing and art with many engaging project ideas.
Stats
Revenue: $3,752,701,000
Employees: 14,430
The number of licensed users of Windows now totals more than 25 million, making Windows the most popular graphical operating system in the world.
International
Microsoft Windows version 3.1 now available in Japanese.
1994
Microsoft announces five new multimedia titles at the Intermedia Conference in San Jose. Shown for the first time are: Microsoft Dinosaurs; Multimedia Mozart: The Dissonant Quartet; Multimedia Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring; Microsoft Musical Instruments for the Macintosh; and Microsoft Bookshelf, 1993 Edition on CD-ROM.
Microsoft reports that the number of licensed users of Microsoft Windows now totals more than 25 million, making it the most popular graphical operating system in the world.
Microsoft Encarta Ships
Microsoft announces the availability of Microsoft Encarta, the first multimedia encyclopedia designed for a computer. The product contains a high-quality collection of articles, animations, sounds, illustrations, graphs, and photographs, as well as, an atlas and interactive timeline all on a single CD-ROM.
Microsoft products continue to evolve to keep up with how people work and live, and with what our customers demand from the constantly changing, constantly improving possibilities of technology.
As part of the continuing evolution of personal computer technology we and our industry have entered a new era of integration -in part by integrating different types of technology (e.g., sound, pictures, video, and text) in elaborate multimedia presentations as well as uniting formerly independent applications into powerful new combinations.
The first version of Microsoft Word came bundled with a Microsoft Mouse, but customers were not ready to adopt the mouse.
While Word offered advanced features and sophisticated output for its era, and the Mouse provided Point-and-click simplicity of use, the slow market reaction to the combination of the two products proved that this was definitely an idea ahead of its time.
To help spark interest in Word, Microsoft arranged for a demonstration version of the product to be bound into PC Magazine -the first "disk insert" ever by any company. Word was the first word processor to support laser printers when they arrived on the market, and it introduced a host of new features, such as style sheets and outlines.
By bringing together word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation programs, Microsoft created a new category: the office suite. The announcement of Microsoft Office for Macintosh on CD-ROM came on June 19, 1989; a Windows-based version followed in 1990. At first, some customers saw only the packaging as different. But there was a lot more going on -integrating the interface so these multiple applications really worked like one. The result? In less than two years, Microsoft Office represented more than half of the company's total office applications sales. And Office itself grew to include Microsoft Office Professional, incorporating the Microsoft Access database.
With more than 60 titles available under the Microsoft Home brand, the company's push into the consumer market takes off. Microsoft announces a merger with Intuit, developer of personal finance and tax preparation packages; the merger is not completed. The company also acquires SOFTIMAGE, Inc., the leading developer of computer animation software, whose programs helped bring dinosaurs to life in Jurassic Park
1/31/94 Microsoft announces Microsoft Plus, a product support program designed to increase users' satisfaction with Microsoft and its products by offering them extended services, cost savings, and timely information.
4/18/94 Microsoft announces that Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.11 has become the world's best selling retail operating system, edging Windows 3.1 into the No. 2 spot. Sales totaled just over 300,000 copies worldwide in January 1994. International success has led the way, with some European markets such as Sweden and the United Kingdom (U.K.) seeing more than 70 percent of their retail volume of Windows move to Windows for Workgroups 3.11.
4/25/94 The Lexmark WinWriter 600 laser printer, the first office device based on Microsoft At Work printing software, wins the CeBIT Highlight '94 Award for the Top Product in the Printer category. Microsoft and Lexmark worked closely together to develop the WinWriter 600, which is making its European debut at CeBIT.
6/10/94 Microsoft announces the immediate availability of Microsoft Complete Baseball, a multimedia reference CD-ROM that details Baseball's history, players, teams, season summaries, and statistics. This is the first multimedia CD-ROM program with an on-line feature, Microsoft Baseball Daily, that provides integrated, up-to-date information daily.
6/28/94 Microsoft completes the acquisition of SOFTIMAGE Inc., the leading developer of high-performance 2-D and 3-D computer animation and visualization software.
9/8/94 Microsoft announces that Microsoft Windows 95 is the official name for the next version of Windows, code-named "Chicago." This name was chosen to make it easier for customers to identify the most current version of Microsoft Windows. It is a fully integrated 32-bit operating system replacing Windows 3.11, Windows for Workgroups 3.11, and MS-DOS as the mainstream desktop operating system.
11/8/94 Bob Herbold joins Microsoft as a new Executive Vice President and the Chief Operating Officer. In this position, he will serve as a member of the Office of the President and report directly to Bill Gates. He will be responsible for worldwide operations including, Finance, Manufacturing, Distribution, Logistics, Information Technology (ITG), Human Resources, Corporate Services, Real Estate and Development, and Microsoft Press. He was previously with The Procter & Gamble Company.
11/14/94 Microsoft debuts its new international advertising campaign, "Where Do You Want To Go Today," at actor Robert DeNiro's trendy SoHo restaurant in New York. Microsoft plans to spend $100 million on a global campaign to build brand awareness with a non-technical audience.
11/14/94 In a dramatic multimedia presentation entitled "Information At Your Fingertips - 2005," Bill Gates calls the industry to action with a vision of how integrated technology solutions can improve the quality of life in the next decade. In his keynote address at Fall/COMDEX '94, he presents a complete framework of how continued advancements in technology will increase consumer benefits and drive industry growth during the next ten years.
12/2/94 Wal-Mart is marketing Microsoft products on "power-aisles" in its stores during the Holiday season. The stores are featuring a special fixture - dubbed the Microsoft tower - containing 46 software programs and one piece of hardware, the Microsoft Mouse. The displays are placed in areas with the highest traffic, near checkout stands and in busy aisles, instead of the electronics section of the store. This is the first time that Microsoft software is being treated as an "impulse" buy item.
Stats
Revenues: $4,648,981,000
Employees: 15,257
Microsoft Office is the #1 product in its category, with sales of more than seven million units in little over one year.
International
Opening of Latin American office in Florida puts the business close to its customers and business partners.
