Microsoft® Discusses
Commitment to Wireless

Recently, Synchrologic™ sat down with Vince Mendillo, Director of Worldwide Product Marketing for the Microsoft Mobile Devices Division, to discuss Microsoft’s commitment to wireless.

Synchrologic (SL): So give us the big picture look at Microsoft’s wireless strategy: where is the company headed overall, and how does the Mobile Devices Division fit in to this bigger picture?

Vince Mendillo (VM): Microsoft sees an enormous opportunity in the wireless data market. Today, the wireless industry stands at the crossroads where challenge meets opportunity. The opportunity lies in the convergence of wireless voice and data, which will improve the way we work and live.

Overall, the company’s long-term goal is to get relevant services to customers anytime, anywhere, any device. We believe software does not start and end on a mobile device, but should connect people to information and services with wireless, regardless of where the information starts or ends.

SL: How does Microsoft's core business relate to wireless?

VM: Microsoft's mission statement says it all -- to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. To get to any time, any place, you need wireless. Microsoft aims to enable "intelligent communications".

The goal for wireless communication is not just connecting devices. It’s connecting people - to each other and to their most relevant information - so they can make informed decisions while maintaining their mobility. A key word here is "relevant". Our goal is not to connect users to all of their information, all of the time, but rather, keeping them in touch with their most relevant information and delivering it in a way that is optimized for the device they are using. Our other assets and businesses -- from Office to Exchange to Windows -- play a key role here.

SL: Microsoft touts itself as an ‘enabler’ within the wireless industry. What specific value are you bringing to the table?

VM: We hope to do our part to empower a thriving wireless ecosystem by building on our traditional strengths in software and applying them to the future of mobile communications.

We believe that the combination of smart software, powerful devices, industry standards, and increased connectivity will introduce a wave of innovation in the wireless industry. Microsoft is committed to working closely with our partners to provide Windows Powered smart devices that realize the potential of wireless data and deliver new connected scenarios for customers.

SL: How much of a priority is wireless for Microsoft?

VM: Microsoft has made – and continues to make – a significant investment in wireless, from mobile devices to infrastructure to services to tools. It's not an island, however, but something that touches on everything we do. And it's also a huge opportunity. Today wireless isn’t just voice, it’s also wireless data. We believe our success in the future will be directly related to the ability to deliver innovative wireless services. To that end, Microsoft – along with industry partners – is bringing a variety of great software solutions to market to keep customers connected so that they can bring balance to their lives. Wireless data takes software and software is what Microsoft does best.

SL: How does what Microsoft is doing open up new opportunities for the rest of the industry?

VM: Wireless is a team sport. To have a winning team we need carriers, hardware manufacturers, software providers and services providers as well as developers, solutions providers and more to work together. We're partnering closely with companies in all of these spaces to bring a variety of software solutions to market to keep customers connected.

We can offer the industry introductions to critical customer sets at Microsoft who need to mobilize their data. For instance, there are over 65 million Exchange e-mail users today. Being able to offer the wireless industry the opportunity to engage with those customers is a very powerful thing.

SL: What are you doing to stimulate market development?

VM: We think the next big wave will be helping companies deploy wireless data solutions. That said, developers are central to the success of any software platform. That’s why we’ve invested in programs like the Mobile Solutions Partner Program and Mobility Partner Advisory Council. In response to the dramatic change we’ve encountered within the wireless space, we found it important to provide our members with enhanced benefits to support the development of Windows Powered mobile solutions. We’ve also started a program called Mobile2Market that is designed to connect those who are building applications with the distribution and partnerships with retailers and mobile operators so they can be successful.

SL: How will Microsoft EXPAND its wireless strategy in the coming years?

VM: From a technology perspective we will continue to ship best of breed solutions for mobile devices, servers and content.

From a market perspective Microsoft is thinking wireless the world over, through customer research in Europe, Asia, Latin America; the mobility solution centers in Stockholm/planned for Asia and North America; working with OEMs and mobile operators in local countries. This is critical since countries are reaching 2.5 and 3G at different paces--we can pull our learning and experience in one country and apply it to another.

SL: What innovations are you working on?

VM: Microsoft is focused on building great software and services for the mobile industry and is working together with partners to bring the most comprehensive and cost effective end-to-end mobile solutions to market. We are always listening to customer feedback to improve our products and services.

You can take a look at all of our products, many of our partner's products and obtain more information on our website at: www.microsoft.com

SL: What does Microsoft need to do to achieve its wireless goals?

VM: Our wireless goals will continue to grow as the industry changes and we see next generation networks light up around the world, so it's hard to say what we need to do to achieve our goals since this will evolve. That said, we need to build great software that enables our customers to gain access to the information they want and need.