Why I Think Microsoft Is 1 of the Good Guys 

If this were a session of true confessions, I’d have to divulge my true feelings about Microsoft, apart from the fact from the fact that I work for a Microsoft partner. So the truth is, I've always been a huge Microsoft fan. After all, where would the world be without Microsoft? Bill Gates had a dream: a computer in every home. Certainly in the developed world, we’re not far from that. Yes, I know. Microsoft has been accused of some high handed tactics. And it’s true, I know people who see Microsoft as one of the bad guys. I get it. I just don’t agree.

Are you one of those people who need to be convinced that Microsoft is one of the good guys? If so, there’s an article on The Enterprise System Spectator blog site that you should read. The author, Frank Scavo, offers a pretty objective view and lays out 3 reasons why Microsoft is one of the good guys. But if you’re not interested in reading the long version, I’m here to give you the short version.

1. Paraphrasing Scavo: Logic dictates that Microsoft will be more successful by being a safe platform provider for other vendors, than it will be by hoarding its technologies only for use by its own applications business.
    
2. You might be surprised to know that Microsoft is NOT the leader in moving its business software offerings to the Cloud, but that’s because they’re focused on providing value and they’re taking the time to do it right.
    
3. Quoting Scavo: “Microsoft is enabling thousands of entrepreneurs and small businesses worldwide to grow and compete successfully. In fact, IDC recently estimated the total 2010 revenue of the Microsoft partner ecosystem at US $580 billion. Compare that to Microsoft’s revenue of approximately $60B, and you can see that every dollar Microsoft makes results in about 8 or 9 dollars of revenue for its partners. That’s a big opportunity for Microsoft’s 640,000 partners worldwide.”

Perhaps you should read #3 again. Altico Advisors is one of those partners in the Microsoft ecosystem. Sure, a portion of the revenue we generate by selling Microsoft Dynamics GP and Dynamics CRM licenses goes to Microsoft. But we also get to keep a portion and we keep all of the associated service revenue. We’re small potatoes compared to Microsoft, but we generate jobs and contribute to the community, too.

I'd be terribly remiss if I did not mention the tremendous work of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. You get the point. I’m a fan. Are you ready to join me?

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