Microsoft Computers (Place)

Microsoft Corporation

Microsoft . That company 's name brings many things to mind . It may conjure up the familiar sounds and sights of the many variants of Windows - its flagship computer operating system . It may also bring up thoughts of Bill Gates - the computer nerd drop out whose business making and selling software made him into the richest man in the world Or it may make you recollect the government 's extensive anti-trust litigation of Microsoft during the late 1990s . Whatever the thought , one thing is certain , that Microsoft products have enough size

and scope to make the company ubiquitous in the social consciousness

DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL

At the turn of the millennium , Microsoft software , especially its flagship Windows had a 90 percent share of the market - a figure which led critics to call Microsoft a modern day monopoly . To get all those software into 90 percent of computers in the world , Microsoft has two routes - via original equipment manufacturers (OEMs ) and Value Added Resellers (VARs . OEMs are companies like HP who manufacture complete computers from scratch and then sell these to the consumer . These OEM products usually contain a pre-installed copy of Windows and other Microsoft software as these pieces of software are needed for the end user to use the computer . VARs are like OEM 's except that instead of building computers , they build software systems . One example would be a VAR contracted to make a custom accounting and payroll system for a restaurant . The VAR may make the accounting and payroll software , but it is building these on top of products made by Microsoft

LOGISTICS

Since Microsoft products are mostly software , there is little need for manufacturing and shipping . Indeed , a single Microsoft disc can be used multiple times to create multiple running instances of Microsoft software . For example , a VAR may only have a single copy of Windows to install on all the computers of an office . The key for Microsoft is not to make ' copies of its product but rather to restrict their product from spreading out of control . This is done through a series of licenses and registrations . Consumers cannot simply use Microsoft products , thety have to get permission from Microsoft to use the product . This is usually done using an online activation system through the Internet Microsoft products which aren 't authenticated online will by itself reduce its functionality or in some cases , deny its use . Back to our example , the VAR will have to purchase multiple licenses from Microsoft in to use their installation over multiple computers . Indeed , with the appropriate license , a user can simply download entire Microsoft products from the company 's website

PHYSICAL FACILITY

Again , as a software company , the concept of a retail facility is not completely applicable to Microsoft . Software cannot be touched , or felt The best way for Microsoft products to present itself to the user is through their user interface . Computer and electronics stores which carry computers for demonstration would have a copy of Windows running...