Editing Microsoft Corporation (section)

=== A Dominant Force Faces New Challenges   ===
By the start of 2010, Microsoft Corporation had solidified its position as a global leader in the software industry. Its flagship products, Windows 7 and Microsoft Office, were driving significant revenue growth. The successful launch of Windows 7, combined with a recovering PC market, led to a 22% increase in OEM revenue and a 24% year-over-year rise in Windows PC operating system sales.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.microsoft.com/investor/reports/ar10/10k_fr_dis.html |quote=Microsoft's revenue increased in 2010 due to strong sales of Windows 7 and PC market improvement. }}</ref> The company’s financial health was robust, with cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totalling $36.8 billion as of June 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.microsoft.com/investor/reports/ar10/10k_fr_dis.html |quote=Microsoft's cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments totaled $36.8 billion as of June 30, 2010. }}</ref>  

However, the technology landscape was shifting rapidly. Emerging trends like cloud computing and mobile platforms posed new challenges. Competitors such as Apple, Google, and Amazon were gaining ground in consumer electronics and online services, forcing Microsoft to rethink its strategy.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://panmore.com/microsoft-corporation-generic-strategy-intensive-growth-strategies |quote=Microsoft's competitors in 2010 included Apple, Google, Amazon, IBM, and Samsung, particularly in IT, consumer electronics, and online services. }}</ref> In response, the company began pivoting towards cloud-based solutions, laying the groundwork for services like Azure and Office 365.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.microsoft.com/investor/reports/ar10/10k_fr_dis.html |quote=Microsoft's major products in 2010 included Windows, Office, and Xbox, with cloud-based versions of its products beginning to gain traction. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.microsoft.com/investor/reports/ar10/10k_fr_dis.html |quote=Microsoft's cloud strategy in 2010 involved offering cloud-based versions of its products and services as an alternative to traditional licensing. }}</ref> This marked the start of a transformative period as Microsoft sought to diversify beyond its traditional software roots and adapt to the evolving demands of the industry.