Comprehensive Analysis of Microsoft Cloud Computing Services

This report delves into Microsoft's cloud computing services, examining its vision, mission, and client segments. It explores how Microsoft determines customer needs through validation and promotional strategies, including the use of Boolean operators for research. The report analyzes Microsoft's segmentation approach, highlighting its multi-segment and standby positioning strategies, and discusses alternatives to cloud computing services like AWS, PAAS, and SAAS. It also outlines steps to assist clients in determining their cloud computing needs and addresses client rights in case of unsatisfactory services. Furthermore, it covers referral strategies and recommendations for maintaining client records, concluding with a distribution plan for the report and relevant references.

Running head: MICROSOFT CORPORATION 1
Microsoft Corporation
Student’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

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Table of Contents
1.Introduction……………………………………………………………………………...3
1.1 Purpose…………………………………………………………………………….…..3
2. Microsoft’s Client Segments……………………………………………………...…….3
3. Determination of Client’s Needs……………………………………………………......4
4. Role of Promotional Approaches……………………………………………………….4
5. Microsoft’s Segmentation………………………………………………….…………….5
6. Alternatives to Cloud Computing Service…………………………………………….…6
7. Assisting a Client to Determine What They Need From Cloud Computing Service…….7
8. Rights of Clients In Case of Unsatisfactory Services …………………………….……...8
9. Steps Someone Can Follow to Ensure Referrals for a Service are Relevant……………..8
10. Recommendations……………………………………………………………………….9
11. Conclusion………………………………..……………………………………….…….9

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Microsoft Corporation
1. Introduction
Microsoft is a multinational firm that originated in America, founded by Paul Allen and
Bill Gates in 1975. Although the firm has established into a global tech firm, its headquarters are
in Redmond, Washington. The corporation’s vision is to develop its enterprise towards the
desired future form. Notably, its corporate vision also includes what the firm can do for
organizational and individual clients. Contrary, its mission presents the overall strategic
measures the business implements to achieve its intended vision. Importantly, its mission
stipulates what the corporate targets to do to empower its clients. Conversely, Microsoft offers
cloud-based computing services, and consultation services to its clients.
1.1 Purpose
The report focuses on Microsoft and its cloud computing service. According to the findings of
the research, the firm has various consumers who utilize its cloud computing services that
business operation.
2. Microsoft’s Client Segments
Most of Microsoft’s customers are active users of tech products and services. Presently,
the firm has about 1.2 billion users globally. These users are divided into two segments: multi-
segment positioning and standby positioning. In order to obtain these results, the researcher
utilized Boolean operators that comprise simple words such as “and,” “or,” “not,” to combine
keywords that assisted in broadening, or to narrow his research results. For instance, to narrow
down his research, the latter used “and” to retrieve search results containing Microsoft and the

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client. On the other hand, in order to broaden his research, he used “or” to obtain results
containing either Microsoft or clients.
3. Determination of Client’s Needs
Microsoft can determine the needs of its clients through progressive validation that helps
it to develop, and assess different options for its client base to add value. Due to this fact, the
firm has achieved accelerated growth compared to its rivals. For instance, Microsoft utilized the
same approach when its Netherlands branch wanted not only to inspire designers, but also the
next generation business people with its cloud platform, Azure. To meet its clients’ needs,
Microsoft marketed Azure during a significant market transformation. The market enabled
Microsoft to shift from an indirect player on the Netherlands market to a direct one. Currently,
most clients want to buy directly from the supplier due to the high demand for technical power.
As a result, Microsoft launched Azure to allow consumers to minimize digital services and
products.
Microsoft uses a simplified portfolio to promote its cloud adoption strategy by moving at
least 2,000 “line-of-business” applications to a cloud platform. Notably, these apps are spread
across eight data centers globally, and comprise of more than 40,000 unique functioning system
instances (Microsoft, 2016). Through the cloud adoption process, Microsoft achieves a deep
understanding of the portfolio by identifying and optimizing applications that are aligned to its
enterprise function, and client needs.
4. Role of Promotional Approaches
Microsoft understands the importance of keeping its promotional strategies up to date
because it helps them achieve client needs more effectually. Thus, they like to assist sellers to

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spend more time engaging with clients who use or buy Microsoft services and software. In 2015,
the latter changed its promotional approach when it purchased MSX online that assist in
managing single forecasting resolutions. According to figure 1, since the change, Microsoft has
managed to enhance the relationship between managers and sellers by incorporating new
coaching models, and adding new functionality options such as extrapolative machine learning.
As a result, the revenue in 2015 significantly increased compared to that in 2014 since they
changed their promotional approach.
Figure 1: Financial highlights from 2014 to 2018
5. Microsoft’s Segmentation
Based on the aforementioned, Microsoft achieves its multi-segment positioning by
targeting more than one client segment at the same time with various service and product
packages. For instance, Dynamics 365 is a software meant for building and aiding customer
connections, and it starts with 115 dollars per month “Customer Engagement Plan” (CUP) for
the cost-conscious client segment. Alternatively, the “Unified Operations Plan” (UOP) begins
from 190 dollars per month as it is created for a distinct client segment that does not mind paying
extra for an additional set of operations and features within Dynamics 365.

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Microsoft achieves a standby positioning by developing products and services that can
wait for changes in the market to find demand in the future. For instance, when the former
announced its “cloud-first, mobile-first” enterprise approach in 2014, cloud data storage was a
new segment (Dudovskiy, 2018). Notably, Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s current CEO, saw the
potential in cloud enterprise, and focused on developing cloud services using standby positioning
methods. Recently, the demand for the cloud has steadily risen, and in 2018 Microsoft’s
commercial cloud revenue was about seven billion dollars, a growth of 53 percent compared to
2017.
Despite Microsoft taking the necessary measures securing and implementing cloud
computing, the firm still experiences some challenges which may not meet the needs of its
clients. Notably, most of these concerns arise because it is not smooth transfer and secure
existing data to the cloud as it is sophisticated and expensive (Microsoft Solutions, 2019). For
instance, while transferring data to the Azure cloud, an organization may encounter severe issues
in Windows Azure transfer like cyber-attacks, scalability, and compatibility issues.
6. Alternatives to Cloud Computing Service
Advantages of Amazon Web Services’ IAAS
It is cost-saving due to its low infrastructure costs, and it offers the best cloud computing.
Besides, it does not need to upgrade hardware and software.
Disadvantages of AWS’ IAAS
Security is a significant hindrance as businesses do not have control over their security (Taylor,
2016). Moreover, they lack flexibility as service providers only maintain the software, and not
updates are offered to businesses.

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Advantages of PAAS
PAAS provides automated updates that enable users to access the latest versions. Besides, it uses
the payment model of “pay-as-you-use,” which allows users to save without having to install the
necessary databases.
Disadvantages of PAAS
A client can get locked in a particular language, interface, or program that could affect his or her
with the unnecessary system that one does not need. Additionally, it is quite inflexible when one
needs supplies on demand.
Advantages of SAAS
It has a low up-front cost as the SaaS provider controls the IT infrastructure that runs the
software, which, in turn, reduces fees for software and hardware. Consequently, it is easy to
upgrade as the providers regularly provide hardware and software updates.
Disadvantages of SAAS
Clients occasionally experience security concerns as privacy is a major consideration for any
cloud service. Alternatively, customers have a limited range of apps, as most apps do not offer a
hosted platform.
7. Assisting a Client to Determine What They Need From Cloud Computing Service
In order to facilitate a client to determine what he or she wants and needs from cloud
computing, one may need to provide support and recommended updates that he or she may need.
For instance, if a client wants to be aggressive in today’s enterprise environment, he or she must
either have a small, or mid-sized business. Thus, the potential customer must have already

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adopted cloud, such that they can determine to what extent one can support them. Nevertheless,
one may offer a client IaaS, PaaS, or SaaS as the alternatives in cloud computing available in the
market. Therefore, if the client wanted up-to-date cloud computing, one may advise them to pick
PAAS as it gives them the liberty to grow their business while getting the regular software and
hardware updates they need.
8. Rights of Clients In Case of Unsatisfactory Services
According to the Consumer Rights Act, if a client complains that a company has charged
him or her more for a service than it was previously agreed, then it is indebted to pay the
customer what is given in the quotation (Citizens Advice, n.d.). Conversely, if no price was
agreed earlier, the client is legally obliged to pay a reasonable amount. Alternatively, if the
consumer agrees on a deadline for completion of service and a firm breaches the contract by not
sticking to the time stipulated, then the customer is entitled to claim compensation for his or her
losses.
9. Steps Someone Can Follow to Ensure Referrals for a Service are Relevant
To generate efficient client referrals, one must first focus on making his or her clients
happy by providing exemplary service. Second, the latter may encourage referrals by
establishing or his or her first contact, and progressively throughout the entire selling and serving
procedure. Notably, one must understand what clients expect from a product, and make a follow
up after sales to ensure that every customer provides feedback.
One may consider buyers for internal referrals because they are the consumers of a
service, which will help a firm get the first-hand experience from users. In contrast, one may rely
on vendors for external referrals as they interact with other clients who give them their response

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after using the service. Therefore, networking is crucial in maintaining credible references, as
they identify the trends in the tech industry, and it enables a firm to meet potential partners,
clients, and mentors. Some of the events one may attend to get adequate information and
referrals include Cloud Expo, Cloud Summit 2020, and Cloud Fest.
10. Recommendations
Currently, firms can use various methods to maintain their clients’ records. For instance,
a company can create a single client master that controls the customer database (Moos, 2017).
Presently, most organizations are growing through partnerships and acquisitions, such that each
of them continues to function with its own master in their legacy structures. Additionally, a
corporate can utilize a third-party validation for demographics and addresses. As a result, the
client records will not have missing zip codes or inaccurate address data. Due to this fact, the
client communication network will always be readily available. In Microsoft’s case, it uses
Azure in maintaining the client’s confidentiality and security. Notably, Microsoft does not
inspect, accept, or monitor apps that clients deploy to Azure. Thus, customers are responsible for
locating their record retention requirements. The recommendations provided can relate to
Microsoft’s approach as they all aim at securing the privacy and data of a client.
11. Conclusion
The report can be distributed to Scott Guthrie as he is the executive vice president at
Microsoft Cloud and AI Group. Despite this fact, he leads Microsoft Azure and cloud platforms.
As a result, he can review alternative means of cloud computing suggested in the report.
Conversely, the researcher may seek feedback from Microsoft’s regional directors to ensure his
or her findings are in line with the company’s requirements.

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References
Citizens Advice. (n.d.). The consumer rights act of 2015. Citizens Advice. Retrieved
fromhttps://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/how-citizens-advice-works/citizens-
advice-consumer-work/the-consumer-rights-act-2015/
Dudovskiy, J. (2019). Microsoft segmentation, targeting, and positioning. Research
Methodology. Retrieved fromhttps://research-methodology.net/microsoft-segmentation-
targeting-and-positioning/
Microsoft Solutions. (2019). 8 Microsoft Azure challenges for cloud migration and their
solutions. Rishabh Software. Retrieved fromhttps://www.rishabhsoft.com/blog/azure-
cloud-migration-challenges-and-solutions
Microsoft. (2016). Microsoft IT cloud computing strategies continue to evolve. Microsoft.
Retrieved fromhttps://www.microsoft.com/en-us/itshowcase/microsoft-it-cloud-
computing-strategies-continue-to-evolve
Moos, K. (2017). Customer master data management: Where to begin. Primitive Logic.
Retrieved from https://www.primitivelogic.com/insights/customer-master-data-
management-where-to-begin/
Taylor, K. (2016). Advantages and disadvantages of IaaS. HiTechNectar. Retrieved
fromhttps://www.hitechnectar.com/blogs/advantages-disadvantages-of-iaas-explained/