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The Pros and Cons of Microsoft Software
Virtually every business uses
Microsoft products. But by doing so are they missing out easier-to-use,
cheaper and more efficient software?
Since the first versions of the modern microcomputer, or personal
computer (PC), became widely available in the early 1980s, the small
business landscape has undergone some significant changes.
Among other things, having access to a computer has allowed small
enterprises to minimize operating costs, reduce employee numbers, keep
in touch with customers more easily and automate many processes that
previously required pen, paper and many hours of unnecessary toil.
While you may have just replaced your IBM PC with a faster, more
reliable alternative from Compaq however (or vice-versa), it’s highly
likely that Microsoft products remain your business software of choice,
for better or for worse …
Founded in 1975 by school friends Paul Allen and Bill Gates to provide
software to the emerging home PC market, the success of its Windows and
Office tools has seen Microsoft grow to become one of the largest
corporations in the world.
Will Nitschke, a 20-year veteran of the personal computer industry and a
director at Capital Office Business Software, believes a major reason
for Microsoft’s success has been the massive free publicity the company
gets for almost everything they do.
“If a new version of their operating system or productivity software
comes out, it is analyzed, reviewed, criticized, and is front page news
in nearly every major computer publication in the world,” he says.
“That kind of marketing could not be purchased by their competitors even
after spending hundreds of millions of dollars.”
On the other hand, Microsoft
Australia’s small business director Kevin Burke says that small
companies in particular have stayed exclusively with Microsoft because
they can achieve a “lower learning curve as a result of a common look
and feel across all products.”
“We also believe that the easy set-up and extensive integration between
Microsoft products make it easier for small businesses to use,” Burke
adds.
Nitschke agrees that, historically, most people have tended to stay with
Microsoft products because they are so widely known. “Most small
businesses need support at some point, typically to fix a network
problem that develops as equipment ages,” he adds.
“It’s more difficult to locate a Novell technician or someone familiar
with Linux or other operating systems, compared to locating technicians
familiar with Microsoft.”
But as software requirements become more and more specific to each
individual small business, the ability (and desire) of Microsoft to
cater for this market is being increasingly questioned.
“To give you some idea of just how much Microsoft is now milking the
small business community, consider that in 1986 a basic office computer
cost around $3,000 and the operating system software cost about $99, or
3 percent of the cost of the equipment,” says Nitschke.
“These days you can go out and purchase a basic PC for around $1200, but
a full version of Windows XP costs around $600 (discounted) which is 50
percent of the cost of the equipment”.
“Microsoft strongly believes that its small business offerings are
compelling in terms of features and competitive in terms of price,”
argues Kevin Burke.
“The ease of use of Windows XP, for example, also lends itself to more
users as it can be set-up and maintained without the need for an IT
person with programming knowledge.”
It is important to keep in mind that software development is still a
very immature industry, and the failings of Microsoft are just as liable
to be found in any other company’s products.
“Small business has been trained to expect low quality in the same way
mobile phone companies have trained users to accept frequent poor
reception,” says Nitschke.
“Unfortunately, Microsoft’s competitors’ products are often no better or
worse.”
Not surprisingly, Kevin Burke advocates XP Professional and Office XP
Professional or Standard for every desktop, “as they form a strong base
for any small business.”
“Windows XP provides a stable and reliable operating system, with Office
XP the backbone for the work small businesses do every day such as
spreadsheets, sending emails, writing letters etcetera.”
He also recommends Microsoft bCentral as a one-stop-shop for small
businesses to learn about the use of Microsoft technology in business.
“It is specifically focused on the needs of small business and is
written in a practical, easy to understand manner,” he says.
“If you want to do basic spreadsheeting or write basic letters or send
simple emails, then overall the quality is satisfactory,” agrees
Nitschke.
“But if you need to use some of the less common features, then expect
problems regularly.”
Small business owners considering the wisdom of investing exclusively in
Microsoft software should keep in mind that the company is the biggest
of its type in the world, has the most development resources and is more
likely to offer regular upgrades of its products.
The sheer size of its operations means that the individual needs of a
small business can be overlooked however, and the services of a more
specialized software developer could be your best option.
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