• MC is an American public multinational corporation • develops, manufactures, licenses, supports and sells computer software, consumer electronics and personal computers and services. • Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen on April 4, 1975 • It is also one of the world's most valuable companies
• • • Skype is a telecommunications application software that specializes in providing video chat and voice calls from computers First released in August 2003, Skype was created by Dane Janus Friis and Niklas Zennström Skype allows users to communicate by voice using a microphone, video by using a webcam, and instant messaging over the Internet.
Strengths: Weaknesses: ü ü ü ü Poor acquisitions and investments ü ü ü Criticism over security flaws Market leader Brand loyalty Brand reputation Easy to use software Robust financial performance Acquisition of Skype Opportunities: ü ü Cloud based services Mobile advertising Mobile device industry Growth through acquisitions Dependence on hardware manufacturers Mature PC markets Slow to innovate Threats: ü Intense competition in software products ü ü ü Changing consumer needs and habits Open source projects Potential lawsuits
Strengths: ü ü Simplicity to use Major community of interest Free video conference Great quality service Weaknesses: ü Malicious links-Skype URL ü Slow internet connection ü Attackers spying third party calls ü Used mainly by early adopters Opportunities Threats: ü International e-commerce ü Encryption system ü Mobility and fixed-mobile union ü Competition from all sides ü The next generation peer-to-peer ü Companies offering international technology- P 2 P calls ü Difficulty developing nontelephony
ü Skype installed on virtually all operating systems, and all who wished it already installed. ü the number of Skype users in more than twice the number of users of Windows 7. ü Microsoft could make an attempt to integrate Skype with their online businesses and sell advertising there ü Microsoft can link Skype with their mobile gadgets ü Skype gives an option to Microsoft using which all mobile operators can access Skype through 4 G technology. ü Microsoft is the partner and investor of Facebook and in order to add video chatting option to Facebook, it acquired Skype. ü Microsoft is going to use Skype features in developing name and fame of the company as it was earlier.
Microsoft acquired Skype Technologies for $8. 5 billion in its largest acquisition to date (2011) Results: Ø Microsoft got millions of users Ø has a tremendous opportunity telecommunications Ø opportunity to promote Ms. Office through Skype
