In 2010, Apple blindsided Microsoft – and most everyone else – with the phenomenal success of the iPad. That success is now eating away at Windows PC sales. While Apple’s innovation took Microsoft down for the count, the software giant has regrouped and is trying to come back by shifting the battlefield from consumers to businesses.
To turn the tide, Microsoft is counting on business users, a market where Apple remains relatively weak and CEO Steve Ballmer’s crew retains several critical advantages. Microsoft’s counterpunches will include Windows 8 and Office 13, a combination Apple can’t match in the business world.
“This is Microsoft’s edge and either through policy or actual purchases businesses have the capability of being kingmakers here and could cause Apple to be eclipsed again,” said Rob Enderle, principal analyst for the Enderle Group.
Since the iPad’s introduction, businesses have been dabbling with the tablets, mostly because employees were bringing the devices to work and putting pressure on companies to support them. Without a strong alternative, many businesses went along – at least supporting employee devices and creating pilot iPad-adoption programs. While the iPad has found a home in specialized niches such as real estate and hospitality, sales and engineering,
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