This week, Google and Apple each announced that they will now offer some type of Microsoft support with their apps. Looks like their “do it our way” approach wasn’t working in corporate America—where Microsoft is still king.
While many businesses are discovering the benefits of innovative, online, hosted applications, many businesses still rely primarily on Microsoft apps and Microsoft Exchange. Users aren’t willing to give up the Microsoft features they’ve come to know—and they shouldn’t have to. Companies like Google and Apple are now realizing that the desktop software isn’t going away any time soon. And since businesses aren’t going to leave Microsoft, you need to provide them with the integration tools they need, if you want them to use your products and services.
At Rackspace, we seek to meet businesses where they are. We realize that most users use Microsoft Outlook, and users must be able to live and work in Outlook, even when they’re away from the office. That’s why all of our services are designed to fully support the Microsoft user, from the office, on the road, and from their mobile device.
Looks like Google and Apple are starting to realize that serving businesses is a bit different from serving consumers.
Microsoft has spent a gazillion dollars making business customers products that matter. Apple and Google will always get left over crumbs in this space. And rightfully so; MS has been there from day one hammering business solutions into the market place.
Well the defensive attitude of this blog post may have lost me as a possible customer. I don’t need to know how MicroSludge has dominated the business market, that is obvious. All of my clients are Windows users but I have always preferred designing and developing with Macs. Obviously you have to support the Windows users just like I have to. But I need to know that you will also support the Mac OS as required for functionalty with Safari (I see no mention of that on the site) so I’m not clear on what the tone of the post infers.
If you are PC-centric, just say so! Or are you just hedging your bets because so many people like that “crumb” that Microsoft dropped, the iPhone.
As to the comment by Jack, sounds like a “MS certified” IT guy that needs business people who can’t get their PC’s to work without him. Don’t worry, idiots can’t use Macs without help either.
John – I appreciate your candid feedback and I want to make sure you know that we support Safari 3 on the Mac. You are correct though — we need to make better mention of this on our site.
I’ll be following up with our team on this point to make sure we work towards offering better explanation on our Mac support.