Because BillG missed the boat in the internet, and everyone knew that the web would crush fat client apps on the Microsoft platform. Java had a ton of traction and drained the Windows moat.
Microsoft’s strategy around identity, browser and Outlook was solid. Outlook cemented Office. AD made Windows Server a necessity. The dominance and stasis of Windows and management of Sun/Java litigation held webapps back for several key years.
That delay meant that Microsoft emerged from that era with .Net, SharePoint, Dynamics and the beginnings of what became O365.
Comments
Because BillG missed the boat in the internet, and everyone knew that the web would crush fat client apps on the Microsoft platform. Java had a ton of traction and drained the Windows moat.
Microsoft’s strategy around identity, browser and Outlook was solid. Outlook cemented Office. AD made Windows Server a necessity. The dominance and stasis of Windows and management of Sun/Java litigation held webapps back for several key years.
That delay meant that Microsoft emerged from that era with .Net, SharePoint, Dynamics and the beginnings of what became O365.