Question 4

Theoretically speaking, being that Microsoft has plenty of software and hardware to go around, what they really need to advance the Surface product would be data, procedures and people to get that software and hardware to the consumers it interests. In my opinion, the right procedure would collect data and the people required to accomplish this task. For instance, a type of registry for those interested in Surface, and what they would use it for. You then have a plausible consumer pool from which you can take ideas of how and where to market this product and what type of development applications that are needed to create the products. You can then implement other procedures, administer staff and requisition facilities that could further advance Surface in the market.

Thoughts? Questions? Other Ideas?

I think your assessment is absolutely right, in that the focus should be on data, procedures, and people. Taking your registry one step further, perhaps they could use that in conjunction with a testing facility in order to create a sort of partnership program that would allow various developers to visit and work directly with Microsoft in order to develop new applications for Surface that Microsoft (through the registry) has identified high demand for. This would make Surface accessible to smaller developers with high talent and low budgets, who cannot afford to actually purchase a console of their own. When innovative new applications are created by Microsoft and the partner developer, they could then use the data they've collected through the registry to determine where best to demo the new applications for interested customers. This would provide profit for Microsoft when Surface consoles are sold, and might even help the small developer, who could receive contract work from the company that purchased the console(s) to further customize the application for its specific needs.

I agree with you both. Microsoft needs to gather outside information on the product to improve it. In the end it is us, the user, who will be buying the product anyway. I have an Apple Developer account for there mobile operation system. What they do that works is they provide programs to developers so they can do there thing and develop for the product. They also have a large community that brings the developers together to collaborate on issues and improvements that need to be made. When reading they restrict the sale of the product, they need to revise that and get Surface out there so it can be adopted!

Question 4.

In considering the "five-component framework", Microsoft can generally be assumed to have Hardware and Software concerns under control. It is therefore necessary for them to focus on Procedures, Data, and People. The idea we came up with here is that procedures must be implemented using the hardware and software already at Microsoft's disposal to collect data and ultimately, people. this would be done via the procedure of creating and entering in a registry data on interested parties Who are the? What kinds of Applications are they looking for? This procedure would need to cast a wide net, as it's not only looking for specific demands and potential customers, but also for developers who're eager to create applications for Surface. Using the Data gathered through this registration Procedure, Microsoft could develop facilities and procedures for bringing developers together to brainstorm and work on new Surface applications, as well as bringing developers and potential customers together for a demo of the product. The selective selling procedure does need to be very closely examined, and perhaps discontinued, or at the very least, temporarily suspended from use on a case-by-case basis by authorized members of management.