Microsoft more nimble, exec says
Eight months after announcing a corporate restructuring designed to allow Microsoft Corp. to make decisions more quickly, a top executive insists the technology industry’s 800-pound gorilla has become more nimble.
“There’s more to be done, no question, but I feel like we’re moving and focused in the right way,” said Kevin Johnson, who in the restructuring was named co-president of the division that includes Microsoft’s Windows operating system, online efforts and server software.
The restructuring came as Microsoft faced criticism about whether the hulking company could move fast enough to beat back the growing threats from younger or smaller companies that offer software as a service over the Internet. These offerings, which range from Google Inc.’s free, Web-based e-mail to Salesforce.com Inc.’s online business products, could eventually threaten two of Microsoft’s most lucrative businesses: its Windows operating system and Office business software.
•Hewlett-Packard Co. shares rose more than 3.3 percent Wednesday as investors signaled their approval of Chief Executive Mark Hurd’s moves to cut costs and boost profit in divisions where sales had stagnated for years.
HP’s stock jumped $1.05 to close at $32.16 on the New York Stock Exchange, a day after the maker of printers and computers reported a 51 percent jump in fiscal second-quarter profit.
The higher-than-expected earnings and a forecast that profit in the coming year would exceed Wall Street expectations prompted a flurry of positive reports from financial analysts.
•UPS Inc. announced plans Wednesday for a second $1 billion expansion at its main air hub in recent years, this time adding 5,000 jobs as the world’s largest shipping carrier anticipates strong growth in global commerce.
The latest project will add 1.1 million square feet to the sprawling air hub known as UPS Worldport, making it bigger than 113 football fields.
The computerized sorting system installed four years ago will feature 197 miles of conveyors.