| Does Microsoft have the advantage over AOL in marketplace computing? |
| AOL has a browser, content and intends to acquire a Telco network. Microsoft has a browser, software and alliances with professional services and hardware. Who has the advantage in marketplace computing? |
| When compared to its competitors, Microsoft is further along in developing the standardised killer applications and operating system for marketplace computing. Once the same dominance in marketplace computing is achieved as at the desktop, Microsoft will be positioned for a total business monopoly and rival products will cease to exist. |
| Microsoft already has hardware alliances in place and is aligned with Accenture for user needs and business integration. |
| It takes longer to develop highly integrated operating systems and killer applications than it does to create individual elements of content. Content is only the raw data that is formatted and delivered via an operating system and killer applications over networks. Microsoft is better positioned to acquire AOL than AOL is to acquire Microsoft. |
| Telecom networks are absolutely essential to achieving market dominance. AOL is positioning to acquire AT&T broad band. In this respect, AOL has an advantage over Microsoft but what is there to prevent Microsoft from competing with AOL for this strategic acquisition or for any other Telco? |
| If AOL were to over extend itself during the AT&T acquisition, this could actually improve Microsoft's strategic position and provide them with an opportunity to buy the whole lot (Telcos, AOL and its content), all at a bargain price. |
| It can be seen that the sleeping giants in marketplace computing are the Telcos. Whilst it takes time and resources to develop operating systems and killer applications, it is nothing compared with the cost and time of replicating Telco infrastructure. Both AOL and Microsoft are vulnerable to the sleeping giants in the emerging marketplace computing paradigm. |
| Have Microsoft and/or the Telcos outwitted AOL? |
