From: InfoSec News (isnc4i.org)
Date: Fri Oct 24 2003 - 02:35:03 CDT

• Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,4149,1362070,00.asp

By Peter Galli
October 23, 2003
 
Microsoft Corp. officials on Thursday admitted that security concerns
had diverted the focus of its customers, sales staff, channel and
partners away from closing deals, resulting in lost or delayed sales.

In an analyst and press teleconference to discuss the Redmond software
maker's first quarter financial results on Thursday, Microsoft's chief
financial officer John Connors outlined the largest risks to
Microsoft's business going forward.
 
"Our efforts to help our customers address the security challenges
they face will absolutely continue. This is the number one priority at
Microsoft.

"[CEO] Steve Ballmer recently outlined some of the new security
initiatives we are taking, and our sales force and support
organizations are focused on taking care of our customers. That could
require in additional time being required to close deals or additional
investments in education, business process and technology," he said.

In addition, Microsoft did not count on any improvement in the economy
for its second quarter forecast, though it did expect some modest
increase in corporate spending in the second half of the year. So, if
things were to deteriorate, its future financial results would be
affected, Connors cautioned.

As regards Linux and other non-commercial software products, Connors
would only say that these continued to be a threat to all commercial
software companies.

Any strengthening of the dollar would also reduce the benefits from
foreign exchange rates going forward, he said, adding that
"litigation, generally, remains a risk. Finally, continuing to be
successful requires great execution on all fronts.

"In closing I want to reiterate that we had a very solid quarter from
a financial results perspective. We have great momentum in our
consumer business and our forecast going forward reflects that
optimism. We have a host of new products being launched this quarter
that deliver real value to customers. The product roadmap over the
next few years looks really promising as well," he said.

-
ISN is currently hosted by Attrition.org

To unsubscribe email majordomoattrition.org with 'unsubscribe isn'
in the BODY of the mail.

• Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ]