Wired Magazine: Microsoft officially entered the era of Nader
Beijing time January 23 news, United States line magazine network version writer jiexi·haipeier (Jessi Hempel) today wrote pointed out that, satiya·Nadela (Satya Nadella) helm Microsoft has near a years time, during he has been in efforts recovery this software giant in innovation aspects of reputation, and yesterday debut of holographic image head wearing equipment HoloLens is Nadela in this article road Shang took of first step, while also marks Microsoft Official entered ” Nadela era. “
Following is a summary article:
Microsoft’s secret laboratory
In a reputation for secure and confidential campus, 92nd floor (Building 92) wrapped in a veil of mystery, rarely open to foreign people. No Microsoft documents while guests can enter the visitor reception centre, watch the introduction to the history of the company, or into the company store purchased cups bearing the Microsoft Logo and onesies, but just below the reception centre in the basement, there is a top secret laboratory, even the most Microsoft employees are never heard. Along the way, yalikesi·jipuman (Alex Kipman) constantly pulled out his employee ID card in one two-door access control system brush, then went up the stairs to the basement.
The past five years, Ji Puman and a Microsoft team of engineers, designers and researchers, silently hiding in the windowless space, developing a top-secret product–code-named “Project HoloLens” augmented reality head-mounted devices, it may also be in 2010, motion-sensing game consoles since the release of Kinect, Microsoft’s most ambitious project. HoloLens looks like a space-age sunglasses, and Oculus Rift virtual reality helmet is a little similar. However, Oculus Rift is to allow users to be totally immersed in the digital environment, while Project HoloLens is to the real world into the digital elements – virtual and reality become one in a magical way.
In the next few hours, I played a game. In the game, a character in the real hopping around the room, picked up the coins floating down on the sofa, Springs bounce up from the ground. First I drew a virtual toy (a distribution of fluorescent green snowman), and print them using a 3D printer. I also via Skype with Spain a motorcycle Designer, at a realistic prototype 3D is drawn on the fenders. I, along with NASA scientist across the Martian surface.
However, I truly appreciate the vast potential of the Project HoloLens, but a more mundane task: repairing lighting switch. Ji Puman Project HoloLens device on my head, pointing to the hole in the wall with a diameter of 3 inches to me. It turns out that there are wires sticking out from the small hole, while nearby sideboard with I’m not familiar with the tools (no way, I am not an electrician). An engineer suddenly appeared on my screen, introduce themselves through Skype from another room. All that he could clearly see what I see. Voltage detectors above the sideboard he drew a holographic circle around, patiently teaching me how to install the switch and quickly drew some holographic arrows and diagrams, they shine on the wall in front of me. After 5 minutes, I pressed the switch, bedroom light was turned on.
The first litmus test
Project HoloLens is an ambitious project, it is also a test of Microsoft’s new CEO satiya·Nadela (Satya Nadella) could restore the company’s reputation for innovation and creativity in the first litmus test. Nadela to Microsoft CEO post, 48 years old hit his mark, his own past more than 20 years experience gained from working at Microsoft and integrated talent management. Microsoft Executive in charge of Windows business Teli·meiersen (Terry Myerson) said: “his product ideas everywhere, and still be taken seriously. In a big company like Microsoft, which is commendable. “Merson has worked at Microsoft since 1997.
When Microsoft was founded, its mission is to promote the popularity of PCs in homes, this sounds like Project HoloLens today mission is equally important. But 40 years later, the current prevailing perception in Silicon Valley is that Microsoft’s glory is gone. Last October, with Marc Andreessen (Marc Andreessen) of a public conversation, the renowned investor bide·taier (Peter Thiel) said Microsoft stood a “technological innovation” in opposition. Despite Microsoft’s revenue is still high – sales rose nearly 12% to 86 billion dollars last year-but the core business line performance was slipping, that began more than 10 years ago, when almost all businesses have a Windows PC and server systems.
Microsoft’s decline comes from making mistakes while attempting to lock a user on their products, on the other hand refuse to cooperate with competitors. Due to the long-term question of the arrogant thinking led the market, Microsoft followed rivals launched a range of hardware products, thinking that it will continue to be loyal customers of Microsoft. Launched after the Apple iPod, Microsoft Zune MP3 player, while the Tablet Surface replication iPad,Kin is come a cropper, this was hyped in 2010 mobile phone designed specifically for social networking to build, but go on sale after 48 days of Microsoft and Verizon announced it was discontinuing.
The riskiest project
Consumers to embrace design experience with better equipment, these devices are locked in with no links to other Microsoft software ecosystem, which makes the software giant outsider. Meanwhile, the computer industry is also changing. Processing tasks more and more in the cloud, businesses choose to hire software. Users are increasingly shifting work on mobile devices, but most of these devices to Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android operating system. In 2014, Microsoft’s share of the global Smartphone operating system market is only 4%. a Nader often talks about the “mobile first, cloud-first” world, Microsoft not only missed the mobile revolution, in the cloud computing market is long overdue.
This is Nader’s helm a year ago when Microsoft faced the harsh reality. Shortly after taking office in a conference call with analysts, Nader CITES philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche’s words, said Microsoft must “come up with the courage to face.” since then, Nadela is holding this attitude to transform Microsoft. His predecessor, Steve Ballmer (Steve Ballmer), Microsoft referred to as equipment and service companies. Nadela abandoned this position, arguing that Microsoft has full capacity around any platform (even competitors control platform) to create products to help users become more efficient.
He let Office Office suite supports iOS and Android OS Tablet and Smartphone, and Windows is also free to 9 inches for equipment manufacturers. In addition, Nadela company established a cooperation with Microsoft as the enemy, and also take time to interact with startups, understanding of how innovative business models play a role. In the Nadela strategizing under Microsoft takeover at a price of $ 2.5 billion a hot game developer of the my world Mojang, accompanied by the new generation of Microsoft software was growing up.
However, Project HoloLens is Microsoft’s entry into “NA de la era” in place since the most daring and risky projects. It is not a copycat product, it is a truly unique experience. It is that companies other than Microsoft will not implement projects: putting years of implementation, while costly, mainly done through internal research and development efforts, which are aimed at expanding the coverage of Windows users.
Nadela view Project HoloLens fully represents a new generation of computing interface. He said: “it feels like the first time you use the mouse and keyboard on the PC using Excel. “The Nadela, it is even more important, even if Project HoloLens early in his tenure as CEO of the project were implemented before, but it defines him at the helm of Microsoft’s efforts in the first year – either announce the coming of Microsoft’s innovative new age or in a recession, the company opened another disappointing chapter in the history of.
Corporate culture become short Board
Nadela describes to me Microsoft’s plans for the future. Nadela was in his Office and I–34 its simply furnished rooms on the first floor, where the master was Steve Ballmer, and before Steve Ballmer was Bill Gates (Bill Gates), which seemingly changed little–the same IKEA furniture shelves are still against the wall. Nevertheless, there are still some signs that changed hands here. For example, iPad mini box on his desk, box has been opened, there is no thing, next to the cricket bat.
Nadela sat behind a black coffee table, in a note and draw three concentric circles. He explained that the outermost circles represent the “concept” (Concepts)-Microsoft launched new projects such as Project HoloLens vision. The circle in the middle of “capacity” (Capabilities)-developed product engineering and design capabilities needed. The innermost circle (that is, approaching Central), Nadela says it stands for “culture” (Culture). “You need a fundamentally new concepts and capabilities do not contradict the culture,” he said.
Two circles on the outside (that is, concepts and capabilities), Microsoft has not encountered any problems. Its vision has been integrated with breakthrough technology, to create a stunning series of prototypes. But far fewer prototypes to the market. This is because, in the past 20 years, Microsoft’s corporate culture has become instant success, becoming more and more closed, more inclined to acquire and maintain competitive advantage, rather than greater risk involved in the new business. In this corporate culture under the guidance of Microsoft employees only know to develop a product they thought that the management would like to, rather than take any risks on the possible failure of the creative.
As Microsoft’s “cash cow”, Windows and Office most attracted Microsoft human resources and popularity, while updating product ideas are totally ignored. Under former boss Steve Ballmer, who lived a life typical of Microsoft employees, using Windows system for smart phones and tablet computers, even if innovation occurs mainly on iOS and Android devices. A Microsoft veteran said: “I think a lot of people really feel Microsoft like Detroit. You have to push hard with the Americans. ”
Have the courage to face the harsh reality
Silicon Valley has a consensus, that is, large technology companies could not successfully reinvent themselves. Many of the declining technology giant tries to regain its past glory, such examples abound in the technology industry: BlackBerry, HP and Yahoo. However, Nadela was inspired to reinvent itself from Microsoft. He remembered he had anxiously sat on Goldman Sachs in 1992 on the parlor sofa, hoping to meet a subordinate CIO of the company.
However, Nadela has seen this man, because Goldman was all companies, Microsoft is a company that would sell the home PC-only software. Nadela recalled: “they are why not take some time to meet people at Microsoft, said ‘PC what industry can do for us? ‘ “He interrupted our conversation, let me think about is how the rise of the enterprise computer, precisely because of this trend, all Microsoft Office software to filter through the global enterprise. “Something has changed,” he concluded.
Nadela parts management style stems from his experience at Microsoft, but he explained to vision and to listen with empathy, but relevant to the thing that happened in his. In 1992, has a master’s degree in computer science at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Nadela joined Microsoft (he later also received a MBA degree from the University of Chicago). Nadela was just about a person in India Hyderabad met to marry women they both grew up there.
In the first few years of the Microsoft work, Nadela these Tailwinds, duties constantly promoted. Later, their first child, Zain (Zain) was born, but he was born with severe disabilities. Nadela is facing a harsh reality is that all tied for life in a wheelchair. At first, too sad Nadela and ask yourself: “why this kind of thing could happen to us. “But a few years later, his view changed. “We are aware that this has nothing to do with us, probably meant he was going to suffer from this fate. “The Nadela said. He has three children.
Zain Nadela had to face the reality, forcing him to make adjustments to the schedule so that while meeting his son, still a very good job–the same skills are also essential to the effective management of the enterprise. Nadela also learned other lessons from this personal experience. Interaction with his wife and son, he said, “I would do in a work carried out before and after thorough consideration, think about what you said, things I’ve done, and what it means to others. How can you really change the atmosphere around you? This is something I thought began to take things, I have to constantly adapt in their daily work. When I got home, it makes me feel different from before. So, to a large extent, this is a psychological effect. “The Nadela and tied on the desk for a black and white photograph, photo, Zha head thrown back, laughing, feeling congenital disability has not left him a shadow.
For cure inflict pain medicine
Long before the helm of Microsoft, Nadela has by virtue of this way of life, beginning in a seemingly unchangeable environment to establish a new culture, and in doing so does not make enemies. For example, when the Nadela is trying to create a cloud computing business (this means that you must learn from the Bing search technology), he faces the hottest Microsoft SQL Server business unit. Under normal circumstances, SQL team would immediately overturn proposals Nadela. Nadela stuck to his guns and eventually persuade the SQL team believes that the rise of cloud computing is inevitable. Market research firm Forrester analyst zhanmusi·sitaen (James Staten) said: “he won this battle. This is tantamount to changing the Council’s major victory at a time. “In the past more than 10 years, superlarge has been studying Microsoft.
After serving as CEO, Nadela reform began to take drastic measures against Microsoft, making it more Microsoft Silicon Valley companies have failed to act. To be fair, Ballmer began as early as the summer of 2013 has done, when will Microsoft reorganized into multiple cross-functional teams, cancellation of the once-mighty product business unit, Ballmer called “Microsoft” (One Microsoft) the integration of strategic change. Nadela and these teams were further streamlined, reduced 14% employees. He also subverts Microsoft’s traditional product development cycles (that is, product development and testing), in favour of a strategy to keep these steps together. To further reinforce this attempt, Microsoft is also open to the public “garage” (Garage), so that outsiders can examine Microsoft’s idea.
Nader pulled a new business philosophy also extends to the Microsoft Organization, he gives to its executives in the power of cooperation between different departments, which Mr Ballmer is fighting each other. He was appointed Executive Vice President in charge of products like Xbox, Surface zhuli·laersen-green (Julie Larson-Green) as Chief experience officer. Judging by the Microsoft organization structure, this appointment is upstairs, because she now put the Nadela’s Assistant, one of Microsoft’s Qi Lu, head of the group reporting applications and services, instead of reporting directly to the Nadela.
“NA de la era” comes from in many ways, this is a bold attempt, making Larson-green Nader’s new focal point for the development strategy. Larson-green can now determine how the Xbox, Office, and other Microsoft products to support each other, how to collaborate with other popular applications and services company. Such changes also set an important precedent for other Microsoft employees, and seems to have worked because Nadela, Qi Lu and Larson-Green has a common goal, their trust in each other. In fact, early in the induction, Nadela or reporting to Qi Lu.
To employee morale, Nadela invited Bill Gates coming out, let him spend 30% time as Microsoft technology consultants. Nadela Gates’s moral authority is an important management tool. “When I said ‘ I want you to finish the task proposed by the Bill, ‘ and I know they will do their best to do the task. “However, Gates did not regularly attend Microsoft Management Conference. He interacts mainly with Qi Lu, Executive, made his comments on Microsoft technologies.
Nadela on Microsoft’s research and development strategy to make adjustments. For a long time, Microsoft will more than 11% of revenue into research and development, but at the same time the company with investments known not possible to market practical project. Microsoft Courier, for example, it’s Microsoft 2008 launch of a tablet with two touch screen products, but it has not yet been introduced to the market. Microsoft Courier development team members are leaving, founded the design application startup FiftyThree,iPad Paper and digital pen Pencil is developed by the company.
Nadela requires Microsoft researchers engineers cooperate closely with other sectors, to help them bring products to market more quickly. Microsoft launches new product success of Skype Translator, this product can translate conversations in multiple languages in real time. Nadela Skype Translator called a “critical moment”, because this project requires employees from different departments to work together to integrate Skype, Azure developed by different teams, such as cloud computing and Office functions. Such cooperation in the era of Steve Ballmer’s Microsoft never happened.
Opens the door to new worlds “keys”
As a Project of HoloLens project title: Chief inventor, Ji Puman Nadela is attempting to create the “new Microsoft” poster child. Although Ji Puman’s formal title is the Microsoft operating system group technical staff, but he has collaborated with various departments. Nadela’s versatile appreciation to Ji Puman added: “Alex was outstanding, looks like an engineer in the traditional sense at all. ”
Ji Puman was born in Brazil, after graduating from the Rochester Institute of technology to join Microsoft. In 2007 he made the Kinect’s idea. “When I told the company introduced Kinect,, was just an idea. “Ji Puman believes that Project HoloLens marks the arrival of a new era of computing, it is like opening a door to the world, was completely changed” keys. “in this new world, the sensor will be everywhere, generating huge amounts of data.
Today, the big technology companies and venture firms are trying to create next-generation computing interface. Facebook has Oculus, Google has Google glasses, while in Florida, the Magic Leap, a startup company won a $ 542 million in financing for the development of intelligence is said to have more than the Oculus and glass products. However, these rivals if they want to succeed, but it still takes time.
Ji Puman believes that if the user and Developer Project HoloLens took another route, or simply does not like the product, Microsoft will not be disappointed. Project HoloLens real beneficiaries are the Microsoft Windows operating system 10, Azure and cloud computing products Office suite Office 365. Project HoloLens cannot improve the functioning of Windows 10, Azure, Office 365, they themselves will also continue to improve. It is important, more and more people will find more ways to use them. Is also important, with the emergence of next-generation technology platform–whether or not the Platform Project HoloLens–Microsoft can be ahead of the game.