Editing Microsoft Corporation (section)

=== A Legacy of Innovation and Transformation   ===
By 2018, Microsoft Corporation had solidified its status as a global tech titan, building on decades of innovation and strategic evolution. Founded in 1975, the company had transitioned from a pioneer in personal computing to a multifaceted leader, dominating the PC market with its Windows operating system and Microsoft Office Suite, which held market shares of 76% and 87.5%, respectively <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marketing91.com/microsoft-competitors-alternatives/ |quote=Microsoft held a dominant position in the PC market in 2018 with its Windows OS and Microsoft Office Suite. }}</ref>. Under CEO Satya Nadella’s leadership, Microsoft had pivoted decisively towards cloud computing, with its Azure platform emerging as a formidable competitor to Amazon’s AWS. Azure’s rapid growth was driven by its hybrid consistency, developer productivity, and robust SaaS applications, reshaping the cloud sector <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/microsoft-not-amazon-is-the-company-gaining-market-share-in-the-cloud-2018-05-10 |quote=Microsoft was gaining market share in the cloud sector in 2018, particularly with Azure, potentially from Amazon and other competitors. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cascade.app/studies/how-microsoft-innovations-made-it-technology-giant |quote=In 2018, Microsoft emphasized cloud computing as foundational to digital transformation, focusing on Azure’s hybrid consistency and developer productivity. }}</ref>. This shift was part of a broader strategy to integrate cutting-edge technologies like AI, Machine Learning, and IoT into its offerings, ensuring Microsoft’s relevance in an increasingly digital world <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobevans1/2017/11/01/how-microsoft-is-revolutionizing-the-cloud-satya-nadellas-strategy-to-blow-past-20-billion/ |quote=Microsoft's strategic initiatives in 2017 included end-to-end architectural consistency and the integration of AI, Machine Learning, and IoT into its products. }}</ref>. Financially, the company was thriving, having surpassed $100 billion in annual revenue in 2017, largely fuelled by its cloud and business services <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cbinsights.com/research/report/microsoft-strategy-teardown/ |quote=In 2017, Microsoft surpassed $100 billion in annual revenue, driven by its cloud products and business services. }}</ref>. Microsoft’s focus on security innovation, showcased at the RSA Conference with new cyber defence and threat protection strategies, further underscored its commitment to staying ahead of industry trends <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/blog/2018/04/11/microsoft-to-deliver-new-products-and-strategies-for-security-innovation-at-2018-rsa-conference/ |quote=At the 2018 RSA Conference, Microsoft revealed new products and strategies for security innovation, focusing on cyber defense and threat protection. }}</ref>.