Microsoft is to restructure its business divisions, assigning a president for each division. Group CEO Steve Ballmer said that ‘these changes are designed to align our business groups in a way that will enhance decision-making and speed of execution’. The overhaul collapses Microsoft’s seven business units and follows criticism that the group had become too bureaucratic. The platform products & services division, combining server software, the Windows desktop operating system and MSN online service, will be headed by Kevin Johnson and Jim Allchin as co-presidents. The business division, including servers software and Microsoft Office, has as its new head Jeff Raikes. Robbie Bach was named president of the entertainment & devices unit, to include the Xbox game console. Ray Ozzie will expand his CTO role.
