Microsoft takes aim at home networking sector
G&M | at | by Mike
Software giant Microsoft hopes a new line of products that let people set up computer networks at home will spur sales of personal computers and software the way its mouse did for its Word program nearly 20 years ago. Lisa Brummel, vice-president of Microsoft's home and retail division, said in an interview yesterday that the company launched its mouse in 1983 to help people use its word-processing application more effectively.
"It turned out that it was a great business for us, but when we started we just said, 'Hey this will better the computing experience,' " she said. "It's similar with broadband networking. The easier it is for people to use the PC and get value out of it . . . the more opportunity there is for people to expand and for everyone to grow the business."