Report: Microsoft Could Announce Restructuring This Week

For some time, industry watchers have been expecting a reorganization at Microsoft. Now, multiple sources are telling All Things D that the new company structure could be announced this Thursday.

All Things D’s Kara Swisher reported, “According to numerous sources close to the situation, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer is poised to unveil his plan to drastically restructure the tech giant this week. And, while timing might change, sources said that the current plan is to make it public on Thursday. A number of issues are still up in the air, due to the close-to-the-vest planning by Ballmer over the major reorg — which has caused a not inconsiderable amount of nervousness on the part of top execs at Microsoft.”

Last week, Bloomberg’s Dina Bass wrote, “Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer is considering a reorganization that would put Skype president Tony Bates in charge of acquisitions and relationships with software developers, according to people familiar with the matter. Ballmer may also give Windows chief Julie Larson-Green oversight of hardware engineering for the whole company, said one of the people, who asked not to be named because the plans are private. “

USA Today’s Brett Molina noted, “Ballmer is expected to organize the company based on services and devices within the consumer and business sectors.”

Matt Egan with FOXBusiness added, “Ballmer hopes the moves will create ‘functional coherence’ at Microsoft, allowing the company to concentrate its efforts behind fewer projects, while cutting areas of overlap, All Things Digital reported.”