Computer technology just like other technologies has developed overtime and has also influenced our lives in different ways. The research in human-computers interaction has been very successful and has influenced the computing system all over the world. When we compare the evolution of computer technology and the several inventions that has taken place, it is evident that this industry is growing very fast and at a very high speed. This has been attributed to different challenges that have been faced by the players in this industry. Information technology often shortens as IT is the common term that is commonly used to refer to the entire computer industry. It involves the use computers and software in the to mange information. However different companies use different terms to mean computer technology with some companies using terms like management information systems.
The history of information technology is very interesting.
This can be traced from the time when a department of information technology used a single computer operator especially for data storage to the modern time with complex communication between computers across the world. For business people, this has altered the business field in which the business field has been level and most businesses and customers are able to communicate freely despite time and location (Schwabach 2006 p87).The major players in this field are always in constant research in order to come up with the most current products for the competitive market. This is because this industry has become the backbone of the development of all the other industry. Information technology and computers are mandatory requirements for all the organizations in the current business world (Schwabach 2006 p87). However, players in this industry still experience major challenges with regard to piracy and conspiracy of most of their products. Major players which include Microsoft international, Toshiba, Acer, Compaq, Dell, and Hp among other players have not been able to control this illegal act despite their worldwide operations.
Computer technology industry is majorly concerned in the facilitation of communication, data storage, data processing and data delivery to the right people at the right time. This function is essential to every organization that is involved in business activities across the world. Currently, there is intense competition in this industry and the major player, Microsoft international is no longer enjoying the monopoly power that it used to enjoy before. However, this has led to the reduction in the cost of different products if compared to the past. This has also been attributed to partly by the advancement in the technology as well as due to the upcoming new products.
Computer technology has also been popular across the world and the field of expertise has been developed to a new level. Professionals in this field are many and the services that called for highly trained professionals can now be handled by ordinary people due to the production of computer programs that are user friendly (Geisst 2006 p.28). The availability of computers and the reduction in the cost of computers as well as training has also contributed to exposure IT by almost everybody unlike in the past when computers were for the rich and the middle income earners. Many individuals have become IT professionals are now helping in the executing different tasks like, computer networking and information processing, data management, data base and software design, engineering of computer hardware as well as the administration and management of the entire systems at affordable cost. One of the companies the major player in this industry is the Microsoft Corporation which has also transformed this industry at a great deal.
Microsoft Corporation
Background
Microsoft is a multinational company that is located in Redmond, Washington in the United States of America. Microsoft is a company that has world wide business operations and supports the computing industry in licensing, manufacturing and supporting a wide range of product and services in this industry. Through its product division, Microsoft Corporation consists of a variety of products that includes both services as well as tangible products. Microsoft was constituted I the United States of America on 4th April 1975 with the major objective of developing and selling BASIC interpreters mainly for Altair 8800. However, Microsoft has since dominated the operating system market by developing different products which it has dominated do date. Microsoft home computer operating systems are the most and the commonly used operating in different parts of the world. It has also dominated the office suite with the popular Microsoft office, recently ventured into the video game industry with the introduction of Xbox as well as in the electronics when they introduced Zune into the market (Shelly 2008 p.56). However, Microsoft Corporation has been criticised that it has for a long time used its monopolistic practices in business which they claimed included anticompetitive strategies. The European commission as well as the department of justice in the U.S. also confirmed that they violated the antitrust laws.
Product division
Microsoft Corporation offers a wide range of products into the markets both in the United States and internationally in other countries. These products include Server and tools, windows and windows live division as well as online services in their company clients section. These include a variety of server products, web application programs, software distribution, path management as well as software inventory (Schwabach 2006 p87). This division also provides consulting services in Information technology such as in the certifications of programs hence help in the development of programs and software by other partners.