MS-Apple's old school: Microsoft bans iPads and Mac

 

 

A recent leaked email appeared to suggest that Microsoft soon will prohibit employees from spending Apple products. While are not prohibited from purchasing iPads and Macs for their own personal use, the company is banning departments from purchasing Apple products for employees. In addition, Microsoft phasing out any existing Macintosh computers and iPads.

While Microsoft refused to comment on the story or email published by Tom's Hardware, the message is presumably by Alain Crozier and is part of the sales, Marketing and services group at Microsoft. According to his profile Microsoft there is indeed a Alain Crozier listed as Corporate VP and CFO of the group said. So even if this is false, at least the pranksters did their job.

Assuming that the internal communications is lawful, a total ban on any Apple device seems drastic. I can understand that Microsoft probably wants its employees to use homemade products (or at least not produced by their main competitor). On the contrary, I can empathize with few users who are accustomed to perform their job duties using the Apple devices, services and interfaces. If you are Mac users, for example, the adaptation to work in Windows, as they grow up with another operating system can be difficult.

No Mac ClubFrom (Homers) loss of e-mail alone, it is not clear exactly who received the statement. After some consideration of the illogical nature of internal developers and product teams at Apple an obstacle, it is unlikely that Apple's ban could be executed throughout the whole society. After all, Microsoft began developing iOS applications, Kinectimals, SkyDrive, and OneNote, there are teams working on Office for Mac, and so forth. Rather, the email would make more sense when it is applied only to civil servants and clients. Personal PR Marketing team, and the sales force are likely candidates for receiving email, no Apple product. Making sure that the audience sees only the devices used by Microsoft employees, helps to promote an image of standing Microsoft products. Business areas not under public control, Microsoft could continue help developers and engineers to use Apple products. The result of that procedure would give Microsoft the best of both worlds.

A probable cause for the ban is increased presence of Microsoft in the mobile market with Windows Phone 7 and the upcoming launch of the mobile device and the traditional calculation of unification that is Windows 8 interface. The company is still the underdog in mobile, and probably is feeling the pressure from Apple as you try to grab a large slice of the market. Essentially preventing employees from using competitor's products can be a way to keep them focused on ecosystem of Microsoft products. If employees must use MS-in and days off, that might be more likely to have that experience of percolation in and affect their personal lives, including products that are recommended for device and others.

Prevent employees from using Apple products is not necessarily a bad thing for Microsoft to do, mainly because it is footing the Bill for the equipment of the employees. Being able to exert greater control and provide a focused, unified fleet of machines makes happy the IT Department and has the potential to create an environment more closely knitted employees.