“In the past five years Microsoft has seen the mobile market take off without being part of the ride. It is not likely that Microsoft will sit idly by and watch the corporate desktop/laptop space be replaced, in large part, by iOS devices. One possible Microsoft response is to make Microsoft’s server and networking products only work with their Windows 7x and 8 devices,” E. Werner Reschke writes for T-GAAP. “While this may seem like a backwards move, it may be what ends up happening. When an animal is in trapped in the corner, that is when they are most dangerous and most irrational. Microsoft will do anything to protect their corporate market share and revenue stream. It’s clear Microsoft’s mobile offerings are no where near Apple, so the next move is to try to cut Apple and others off at the knees.”

Reschke writes, “If Microsoft does take protective action, many IT departments will start to look elsewhere for networking and groupware services. But it’s highly unlikely that IT departments will be successful in switching out iOS devices for Windows 7 products, due to IT teams giving their user choices. To reign in choice sets up ugly fight, one where the VP with an iPad typically wins. One such company that IT departments may look to is Google. Google provides groupware (scheduling and email) as well as Google Docs (office-like products). While iOS devices work with Google’s cloud applications, this trend wouldn’t be something Apple would necessarily cheer. Google could take advantage of this move by making its cloud services work best with Android devices, and in this scenario Apple becomes the odd man out.”

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