Close
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
Read Down
Sign in
Close
Welcome!Log into your account
Forgot your password?
Read Down
Password recovery
Recover your password
Close
Search
Logo
Logo
  • Latest News
  • Big Data and Analytics
  • Cloud
  • Networking
  • Cybersecurity
  • Applications
  • IT Management
  • Storage
  • Sponsored
  • Mobile
  • Small Business
  • Development
  • Database
  • Servers
  • Android
  • Apple
  • Innovation
  • Blogs
  • PC Hardware
  • Reviews
  • Search Engines
  • Virtualization
More
    Home Applications
    • Applications
    • Development
    • Servers

    Europe Has Mixed Reaction to Microsoft Openness

    By
    Sara Driscoll
    -
    February 21, 2008
    Share
    Facebook
    Twitter
    Linkedin

      Officials with the European Union are skeptical of Microsoft’s announcement that it is opening up its technology to the outside world. However analysts in Europe have welcomed the move, claiming Microsoft and users will benefit in the end.

      The software maker announced Feb. 21 its four interoperability principles and said it will open up all APIs in its high-volume products, such as Windows and Office, a move that despite EU rulings in the past, Microsoft has shied away from. The four principles are based on ensuring open connections, data portability, support for industry standards, and creating a more open conversation with customers and the IT community.

      Microsoft officials said they made the move in response to the changing IT landscape and to help it comply with the September judgment of the European Court of First Instance, which ruled that Microsoft had abused its dominant position and fined the company $613 million for infringing on European Commission Treaty rules.

      In a conference call, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said the move was not just about issuing principles but also about actions. He said 30,000 pages of software documentation went up on Microsoft’s Web site Feb. 21 and that there is more to follow. He added that Microsoft has taken the steps independently and that although they comply with the EU ruling, the principles were done of its own accord.

      However, the EU responded that it has heard these words before. In a statement, the EU said: “This announcement does not relate to the question of whether or not Microsoft has been complying with EU antitrust rules in this area in the past. The Commission would welcome any move towards genuine interoperability. Nonetheless, the Commission notes that today’s announcement follows at least four similar statements by Microsoft in the past on the importance of interoperability.”

      Nigel Swycher, head of technology at European law firm Olswang, said Microsoft has been taking steps for a number of years to comply with the EU, so it may have been hoping for a more sympathetic ear. However, he said, “It will be a while before the EU stops looking at companies such as Microsoft that have such large market shares. The EU won’t be anything but delighted with today’s news, but they will want it to continue as well.”

      But the EU statement also said it will “verify … whether the principles announced today would end any infringement were they implemented in practice, and whether or not the principles announced today are in fact implemented in practice.”

      However analysts in Europe told eWeek that they found it tough to be so skeptical about the move.

      “Opening up all of its APIs is more than it has ever opened up before,” said John Abbott, an analyst at The 451Group. “I do think Microsoft was nudged in this direction by the EU rulings, but it was also learning from the social networking phenomenon, such as Facebook and MySpace, and the open-source network that is able to get things done through the community.”

      Abbott also said Microsoft will benefit from the move. “Many users have been frustrated by the lack of interoperability, especially in applications such as SharePoint, which many users see as an anchor application. This may just take the wind out of the open-source sails,” he said.

      Tony Lock, an analyst at U.K. research company Freeform Dynamics, said the move will work in Microsoft’s favor. “Customers are demanding this kind of interoperability – it costs users a lot of money just to make technology work together, and anything that helps this will be welcomed by customers,” Lock said.

      He said it also takes away much of the risk factor for customers and therefore may encourage many into making quicker buying decisions.

      “Microsoft has been under pressure from outsiders, such as the EU and from customers, but if it does this well, it could walk away taking full advantage of the situation,” Lock said.

      Sara Driscoll
      Sara Driscoll began her journalism career at 16 years old on her local newspaper, The Watford Observer. Working part time, she covered a range of beats. Leaving to complete her Journalism Degree at Bournemouth University, UK, Sara then went on to graduate and work for Emap. She began as a reporter on APR, Emap's construction title, being promoted to senior reporter with a year.Sara then joined VNU Business Publications as Deputy News Editor on CRN, the weekly trade title for channel players. She covered industry/business news from vendors, distributors and resellers, product announcements, partner announcements as well as market and trend analysis, research and in depth articles to predict up and coming trends in the sector. She was promoted within a year to News Editor, a year later to Deputy Editor and the following year became Editor. Sara remained editor of CRN for three years, launching the magazine on new platforms including CRN TV and eBooks, as well as several magazine and web site redesigns. She was called on for expert industry comment from various publications including appearing on live BBC news programs. Sara joined Ziff Davis Enterprise as Editor of eWeek Channel Insider. She runs the title in all formats – online up to the minute news, newsletters, emails alerts and events. She also manages the brand of Channel Insider in all formats - events, shows, awards, panel debates and roundtables.Sara can be reached at:sara.driscoll@ziffdavisenterprise.com

      MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

      Big Data and Analytics

      Alteryx’s Suresh Vittal on the Democratization of...

      James Maguire - May 31, 2022 0
      I spoke with Suresh Vittal, Chief Product Officer at Alteryx, about the industry mega-shift toward making data analytics tools accessible to a company’s complete...
      Read more
      Cybersecurity

      Visa’s Michael Jabbara on Cybersecurity and Digital...

      James Maguire - May 17, 2022 0
      I spoke with Michael Jabbara, VP and Global Head of Fraud Services at Visa, about the cybersecurity technology used to ensure the safe transfer...
      Read more
      Applications

      Cisco’s Thimaya Subaiya on Customer Experience in...

      James Maguire - May 10, 2022 0
      I spoke with Thimaya Subaiya, SVP and GM of Global Customer Experience at Cisco, about the factors that create good customer experience – and...
      Read more
      Cloud

      IGEL CEO Jed Ayres on Edge and...

      James Maguire - June 14, 2022 0
      I spoke with Jed Ayres, CEO of IGEL, about the endpoint sector, and an open source OS for the cloud; we also spoke about...
      Read more
      Big Data and Analytics

      GoodData CEO Roman Stanek on Business Intelligence...

      James Maguire - May 4, 2022 0
      I spoke with Roman Stanek, CEO of GoodData, about business intelligence, data as a service, and the frustration that many executives have with data...
      Read more
      Logo

      eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site’s focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

      Facebook
      Linkedin
      RSS
      Twitter
      Youtube

      Advertisers

      Advertise with TechnologyAdvice on eWeek and our other IT-focused platforms.

      Advertise with Us

      Menu

      • About eWeek
      • Subscribe to our Newsletter
      • Latest News

      Our Brands

      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms
      • About
      • Contact
      • Advertise
      • Sitemap
      • California – Do Not Sell My Information

      Property of TechnologyAdvice.
      © 2022 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

      Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.

      ×