Gates or Ballmer, Microsoft will be Microsoft

One of the most powerful corporate designation has been handed over by the incumbent to his deputy and trusted friend. It was an expected move. The media has been talking about it. But, the timing is noteworthy.

The taking over of president Steve Ballmer as chief executive officer of Microsoft Corporation from co-founder and chairman Bill Gates has come in at a time when the software giant is facing many a challenges and problems from a range of people and issues.

Negotiations began on Thursday on the lawsuit case against the company filed by the department of Justice and 19 states of USA, with unconfirmed reports of the DoJ seeking a split in the company. A lot of damage has been done ever since the initial fact finding report of Judge Jackson in November last going against Microsoft and Bill Gates, particularly.

Microsoft’s monopoly on the operating system is being challenged by the increasing tribe of Linux users and developers. The situation became grave when two superpowers, Intel and IBM, said that they would promote more and more Linux solutions. The growth of the Internet and various Web appliances is worrying Microsoft as it is finding increasing number of players in the arena of providing software solutions to them.

Moreover, Microsoft’s bid to become a major player (if not the player) in the Net content area received a server jolt with the Monday merger of Time Warner with America Online (AOL). The February 17 launch of Windows 2000 is expected to give the beleaguered company the much needed good reviews and praises.

It is precisely for these reasons that close Microsoft watchers refused to believe that Gates will no more play any executive role in the functioning of his company. Also, that Ballmer will be any softer in dealing with tough situations.

In fact, Ballmer has been as vocal as Gates himself in his reaction to the reports of a split in the company. In his first speech as chief executive officer, Ballmer had said, it would be reckless and irresponsible of anybody to try and break up this company....a disservice to consumers.

Gates may not be there monitoring the day-to-day operations of the company. But, he is certainly expected to jump in whenever his sharp senses are required to handle the numerous challenges his baby is facing. After all, who else has the ability and experience but, William Gates III, who has seen and succesfully thwarted such challenges while nurturing Microsoft during the last 25 years.