Microsoft overhauls Windows group

New management could make for more timely Windows releases

Tom Sanders in California, vnunet.com 24 Mar 2006

Microsoft has launched a broad restructuring of its Platform and Services group that includes the Windows operating system and MSN online services.

Windows is Microsoft's premier revenue generator, followed by its Office suite.

Current Office boss Steven Sinofsky will head up the Windows and Windows Live Group. The division was previously led by Jim Allchin, who is due to retire next year.

The restructuring is unrelated to the latest delay to Vista disclosed earlier this week, according to Rob Helm, director of research at analyst firm Directions on Microsoft.

Allchin will remain responsible for the completion and launch of Windows Vista, and Sinofsky will handle the process and planning of future Windows versions.

"Windows Vista is on the final approach. Microsoft needed to take some early steps to start thinking about the next version," Helm told vnunet.com.

Sinofsky is known for a high level of predictability in delivering new versions of Microsoft Office. The Windows division, meanwhile, has been struggling to meet promised release dates and could benefit from a more rigorous planning process.

"There is a basic conservatism in Sinofsky's record at this point that could make Windows more predictable," said Helm.

Helm credited Sinofsky's reluctance to rely on different groups within Microsoft for feature enhancements.

The delays in Windows Vista were caused in part by attempts to incorporate database technology from Microsoft's SQL Server and the .Net framework into the operating system.

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