SOA filling the Gaps

Three years ago I published a post titled: Will Microsoft Survive Until 2018? .  During the past 3 years a lot was changed, so the probability that it will not survive is higher than it was three years ago, although still it is a low probability.  The following bullets highlight some of the issues facing Microsoft : Microsoft is not a leader in the growing Cloud Computing market. Its position in the growing Smart Phones and the Tablet computers markets is far from being good.   The Skype acquisition is at least questionable. For more details read  Microsoft's Skype acquisition: Warning Signs ahead   as well as the comments to this post. Apple  Is Now Worth More Than Intel And Microsoft Combined  Will Windows 8's  new Smart Phone like interface stop Microsft's Desktop Operating Systems dominance? According to John Dvorak's post titled:  Will Windows 8 Kill Microsoft?    the answer to this question is positive. ...

Microsoft and Skype announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which Microsoft will acquire Skype , the leading Internet communications company, for $8.5 billion in cash from the investor group led by Silver Lake . The agreement has been approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and Skype . There are mixed opinions concerning the expected acquisition.  I see the warning signs ahead .  I do think that analyzing important factors such as the number of months Microsoft's profit's sum to 8.5 billion USDs or tax reduction due to acquisition of a Luxemburg based company are irrelevant or at best secondary. Even if a company profits are high, the company could find better investment alternatives, e.g. spending more on R&D , buying other companies or investing in companies without acquiring them. The last option was chosen by Microsoft in order to invest in Facebook . The significant factors are: What Strategy is used for increasing...