Microsoft hardware strategy

However, for hardware products like the Xbox, Microsoft must ensure nearness and accessibility to target markets around the world. For example, the company maintains business partners, such as authorized sellers. In addition, the firm adds more distribution channels by increasing the number of its Microsoft Store locations worldwide.

Layout Design and Strategy. Operations management optimizes resources in this strategic decision area for the purpose of achieving efficient movement of human resources, information, and materials. For example, efficient movement of information is achieved through network technology, such as online computers in the workplace.

Business partners are also provided with technological solutions to achieve operational efficiency and high productivity. Job Design and Human Resources. This decision area of operations management considers the recruitment, retention and development of human resources. On the other hand, to develop its human resources, the company uses training programs. Through these approaches, Microsoft ensures productivity and operational efficiency in its expanding computer hardware and software business.

Supply Chain Management. Operations managers address this strategic decision area by maintaining streamlined integration of the supply chain with other business activities. For example, personnel regularly input current supply status, which is transmitted to regional and corporate offices for monitoring. In addition, strategic decisions are based on real-time data representing the supply chain, distribution network, and other areas of the business.

The approach also optimizes the productivity of supply chain personnel. How to lock down your Microsoft account and keep it safe from outside attackers. Windows 11 setup: Which user account type should you choose? Latest Windows 11 update: Your Phone app and key indicators get a visual refresh.

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Preferences Community Newsletters Log Out. Special Feature Inside this Special Feature. Written by Mary Jo Foley , Contributor. Full Bio. Credit: ZDNet The predictions business seems more precarious than usual this year. My Profile Log Out. Join Discussion for: Five Microsoft technologies to watch in Add Your Comment. Please review our terms of service to complete your newsletter subscription. See All. There was a lot to digest at yesterday's Microsoft Surface event.

Some stuff was predictable, such as the updates to the existing Surface line , while others, such as Microsoft's new dual-screen Android smartphone and Arm-powered Surface Pro X , came as a bit of a surprise. There was also some randomness in the form of Surface Earbuds. It seems everyone wants in on the earbuds market.

The first thing that jumped out at me was that Microsoft is relying less and less on Intel. According to AMD, these are the "most powerful mobile processors for ultrathin laptops we ever created," and appear to be customized versions of AMD's nanometer Ryzen 7 U and Ryzen 5 U silicon.

While Intel still gets a look-in, it should be of concern to the chip giant that Microsoft is broadening and diversifying its chip line, and not only getting more deeply involved with Arm but also boasting about the benefits that AMD's Ryzen chips bring to the table. This is an interesting strategy, and it's also noteworthy that Microsoft has developed an interesting and innovative AMD Ryzen-based portable, which is rare and will hopefully encourage other OEMs to get creative.

The other thing that made me sit up was Microsoft reentering the smartphone arena with quite a standout Android device, complete with heavily customized UI and dual screens. No one can claim that Microsoft is copying Apple here. It's clear that Microsoft wants to move into quite a niche market in a very aggressive way, perhaps with the idea of making dual screens mainstream, and putting Apple on the back foot.

The real question here is how determined is Microsoft to make an aggressive push into the smartphone market? It's a tough market to crack -- as Microsoft already knows -- with stiff competition from all sides. Five years ago, I'd have said that Microsoft had no chance against the twin titans of Apple and the big names in Android.