Recently I came across a memo that Ray Ozzie had written back in 2005 when he joined Microsoft as Chief Software Architect. Ray joined Microsoft in April 2005 after Microsoft acquired his company, Groove Networks, which specialised in collaboration software.

Bill Gates appointed Ray Ozzie as Chief Software Architect in June 2006, a role Gates himself had held. This transition it seems was part of Gates’ plan to gradually step back from day-to-day operations at Microsoft. Glad that I got to see Bill speak in person at Mix06!

Most of the vision and execution around current collaboration suite at Microsoft (SharePoint, Skype for Business, Office 14 etc) is a result of Ray’s leadership.

Jeff Teper (left) and Ray Ozzie from the SharePoint and Collaboration services at the 2008 conference in Seattle.

The memo titled “The Internet Services Disruption” which was written by Ray to his team when he joined Microsoft (in 2005) is a fascinating read. In the memo he discusses the transformative impact of internet services on the current tech industry and beyond. He highlights how advancements in computing and communications have led to the rise of services-based models, emphasising the importance of adapting to these changes. The memo outlines three key tenets driving this shift: the power of advertising-supported economic models, the effectiveness of new delivery and adoption models, and the demand for compelling, integrated user experiences. He stresses the need for Microsoft to embrace these tenets to stay competitive and deliver seamless, service-enhanced software experiences. The memo calls for a focus on reducing complexity, fostering innovation, and improving execution to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the evolving landscape.

I made a PDF copy of the “The Internet Services Disruption” memo, it’s (preserved) here if you want to read it. The original post is on his site, not sure how it will be maintained in the future, so I made this copy just in case.