Ballmer: Microsoft sees the Linux challenge
ZDNet | at | by Mike
The emergence of Linux as a serious competitor to Windows has forced Microsoft to change the way it approaches customers, according to Microsoft chief executive Steve Ballmer. At Monday's closing keynote speech to Fusion 2002, the company's annual symposium for its partners, Ballmer said that because of Linux, Microsoft is "going through a whole new world of thinking." Instead of a straightforward sales pitch touting more features, better ease-of-use and a lower price, Ballmer said, Microsoft has now been forced to focus on the concept of total cost of ownership (TCO). "We're actually having to learn how to say we may have a higher price on this one but look at the additional value. Look at how the value actually leads to lower total cost of ownership despite the fact that our price may be higher," Ballmer said.