Windows NT and the family of BackOffice products are designed for the most demanding business uses.
The design goals for Windows NT included extensibility, portability, reliability and robustness, compatibility, and performance. Windows NT is the ideal system for use in mission-critical applications -those essential “make or break” programs that are central to a company’s business. Examples of where Windows NT is at work in mission-critical applications include:
Bill Gates completely missed the rise of the Internet — the biggest computing trend of the 1990s. But once Microsoft saw which way the wind was blowing, it simply spent enough money to catch up.
So campaning, its slogan became:
“Microsoft leads the way as the world embarks upon the information highway”
What’s your URL? became an often heard line.
And as stated “Microsoft re-invents itself to respond to the fast-growing popularity of the Internet”
MSNBC, the 24-hour news, talk, and information network from NBC News and Microsoft makes its debut on July 15, 1996. MSNBC on the Internet is the companion news and information service designed to deliver in-depth news and information. Slate™, an interactive magazine of politics, culture, and public policy edited by Michael Kinsley, also appears online. MSN™, The Microsoft Network, is re-organized to offer content on the World Wide Web. Microsoft announces the formation of the Executive Committee (replacing the Office of the President) comprised of Jim Allchin, Steve Ballmer, Bill Gates, Bob Herbold, Pete Higgins, Paul Maritz, Nathan Myhrvold, Jeff Raikes, and Brad Silverberg.
Jill Barad, Mattel USA President, is named to the Microsoft Board of Directors, the first woman to serve since 1988.
Microsoft Acquires Vermeer Technologies, Inc.
1/16/1996 Vermeer’s flagship software application, FrontPage, is a tool for easily creating and managing rich Web documents without programming. FrontPage will become a key component of Microsoft’s strategy to provide a full range of tools for both Internet and intranet publishing.
Slate ™, an interactive magazine of politics, culture, and public policy edited by Michael Kinsley, debuts online. Slate aims to provide a timely, decisive, and nonpartisan atmosphere for politically and culturally engaged readers through a mix of editorial features, reviews, columns, and interactive forums.
July 15 MSNBC, the 24-hour news, talk, and information network from NBC News and Microsoft, debuts. MSNBC will initially deliver 14 hours of original programming each day. The number of original program hours will continue to increase as the network expands. MSNBC on the Internet is the companion news and information service designed to deliver in-depth news and information.
July 22 Microsoft promotes Jeffrey S. Raikes to Group Vice President, Sales and Marketing. In his new position, Raikes becomes a member of Bill Gates’ “Office of the President.”
October 29 Patty Stonesifer, Senior Vice President of the Interactive Media Division and the executive credited with building Microsoft’s position as the world’s leading consumer and interactive media company, resigns. After eight years at Microsoft she leaves to pursue personal interests and a new career as a management consultant.
Presidents
The Executive Committee (12/96 — 7/21/98) replaces the Office of the President in December 1996. Senior Vice Presidents Jim Allchin and Brad Silverberg joined Bill Gates, Steve Ballmer, Bob Herbold, Pete Higgins, Paul Maritz, Nathan Myhrvold and Jeff Raikes on the new Executive Committee.
Jill Barad, Mattel USA President, is named to the Microsoft Board of Directors, the first woman to serve since 1988.
Stats
Revenues: $8,671,000,000
Employees: 20,561
Net Revenue (US$)$9.05B %Growth 49%
Net Income (US$) $2.20B % Growth 51%
Tags: highway, microsoft 1996, programs
