The fact that many customers are shifting from running their own e-mail servers to getting mail as a hosted service doesn't have to spell doom for Microsoft, insists Rajesh Jha, the man who heads the Exchange business.
In an interview on Monday, Jha said that, although many see the rise of services as more of a benefit to companies like Google, he sees it as an opportunity for his business.
"I feel we will grow our share overall with the move to services," Jha said. In particular, Jha said that Microsoft has a better option for small and midsize businesses than it did when its only option was for those companies to run their own Exchange servers. "I think we have a huge opportunity for growth. I don't think we are in a defensive position at all."
In a year in which many software businesses--including a number within Microsoft--took a hit, the Exchange business continued to grow last year, Jha said, saying that revenue for the product nearly hit $2 billion and has 70 percent market share among corporate users.
Jha acknowledged, though, that competition for the in-box is definitely heating up.
More: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10311245-56.html
In an interview on Monday, Jha said that, although many see the rise of services as more of a benefit to companies like Google, he sees it as an opportunity for his business.
"I feel we will grow our share overall with the move to services," Jha said. In particular, Jha said that Microsoft has a better option for small and midsize businesses than it did when its only option was for those companies to run their own Exchange servers. "I think we have a huge opportunity for growth. I don't think we are in a defensive position at all."
In a year in which many software businesses--including a number within Microsoft--took a hit, the Exchange business continued to grow last year, Jha said, saying that revenue for the product nearly hit $2 billion and has 70 percent market share among corporate users.
Jha acknowledged, though, that competition for the in-box is definitely heating up.
More: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13860_3-10311245-56.html