Microsoft distribution channel

In office and Windows or overall in operating systems, the population is homogenous and the target is the complete world which has access to computers. However, in mobiles and developer tools, Microsoft needs to have a differentiated target as these products have a lot of competition and the market is divided based on the features offered.

If we talk about the positioning of Microsoft, then its operating systems and several software are simply top of the mind positioned in the market. Because of the brand value of Microsoft, any product it launches gets a good positioning. But in some cases, it might not be the top of the mind positioning. Example — Microsoft mobiles phones vs Samsung or Apple in the smart phone market.

Marketing mix — Click here to read the Marketing mix of Microsoft. Microsoft is in the business of large no. It has offerings in Microsoft tablet to Xbox console games to software.

Being in meta-market industry is helping the company in using shared capabilities to excel in its functional businesses. One of the most important competitive advantages that Microsoft has over its competitors is its acquisition strategy. Microsoft have acquired some of the best companies in the world like Hotmail, skype , Nokia , Visio corporation, Navision and many other small and big companies. Another competitive advantage which Microsoft has over its closest competitor Apple, is that its operating system is installable on any PC or laptop and there is no hardware binding on the operating system — A key problem in the distribution of Apple Smartphones.

Asahi Electronics Co. Logicom Jordan L. Logicom Kuwait for Computer Co. M-Portal Central Asia Ltd. DealNet S. Medical Computer Communication Caraibe Ltd.

Copaco DC B. Computacion Monrenca Panama, S. Grupo Deltron S. Intcomex Peru S. Wordtext Systems Inc. ABC Data S. Tech Data Polska Sp. PIN Computers D.

Avtera d. DISS d. Ingram Micro, S. Weblink International Inc. Ingram Micro Thailand Ltd. TGM S. Microsoft Authorized OEM Distributors are top-level distribution partners whose business model and size qualify them for a direct contractual relationship with Microsoft.

We have a network of field sales representatives and field support personnel that solicits orders from distributors and resellers, and provides product training and sales support. Although client-based software will continue to be an important part of our business, increasingly we are delivering additional value to customers through cloud-based services. Other services delivered online include our online advertising platform with offerings for advertisers and publishers, as well as Microsoft Developer Networks subscription content and updates, periodic product updates, and online technical and practice readiness resources to support our partners in developing and selling our products and solutions.

As we increasingly deliver online services, we sell many of these cloud-based services through our enterprise agreements and have also enabled new sales programs to reach small and medium-sized businesses.

These new programs include direct sales, direct sales supported by a large network of partner advisors, and resales of services through operator channels, such as telephone, cell, and cable providers. We also sell our products through our online store, microsoftstore.