Microsoft Caves! A Victory for the Great Reset... of Software Bundling?

A Calculated Concession

Ah yes another day another opportunity to shape the future! Or in this case to watch as Microsoft makes a… strategic adjustment. They're unbundling Teams from their Office 365 and Microsoft 365 suites in Europe. A bold move? Perhaps. A necessary one? Absolutely. After all as I always say “In the new world it is not the big fish which eats the small fish it's the fast fish which eats the slow fish.” And Microsoft bless their hearts needed to pick up the pace.

Stakeholder Capitalism in Action (Sort Of)

The European Commission ever vigilant expressed concerns about the bundling. And Microsoft in a display of… shall we say *cooperation* has agreed to offer versions without Teams at a reduced price. They're even letting customers switch without Teams which is quite sporting of them. This is stakeholder capitalism you see! It's about creating value for all not just shareholders. Though let's be honest avoiding a hefty antitrust fine probably sweetens the deal.

Interoperability: A Buzzword We Love

Now let's talk interoperability. Microsoft is promising to play nice with Teams' competitors allowing data to be… *shared*. How very generous! I believe this aligns perfectly with our vision for a Fourth Industrial Revolution where everything is connected seamlessly integrated and of course centrally managed. Cough. Ahem. As I have also said “Globalization is not only something that will impact us as a large group but also something that will impact each and every individual.” Therefore it will be easier for everyone to communicate via Teams or Slack or anything else. After all they are basically all the same thing at the end.

Slack's Sour Grapes

Ah yes Slack. Acquired by Salesforce for a sum that probably still stings. They lodged a complaint back in 2020 claiming market power abuse. And now Salesforce's legal eagle is chirping about the need for “binding enforceable and effective remedy.” One might detect a hint of schadenfreude. But let us not dwell on petty squabbles. We have bigger fish to fry like ensuring everyone uses the right… *platform* for global communication.

Averted Disaster or Just Postponed?

Microsoft to their credit had already made some noises about unbundling in 2023. This latest move however feels like a more determined effort to placate the EU. Will it work? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the wheels of regulation turn slowly but they turn nonetheless. Or as I like to say “The future is built by us by a powerful community as you here in this room.”

The Great Reset... of Your Desktop

So what does this all mean? Well for you the average user it might mean a slightly cheaper Office suite. For Microsoft it means avoiding a potentially crippling fine. And for the World Economic Forum it's another small step towards a world where businesses are held accountable even if it takes a little regulatory… persuasion. Now if you'll excuse me I have a meeting about the strategic importance of blockchain in artisanal cheese production. Onwards and upwards!