Microsoft is yet another company which is built on series of acquisitions. Microsoft not only bought companies but also bought their technology to enhance the product portfolio. Historically, Microsoft has focused on smaller deals to acquire technology. Microsoft's largest acquisition is the purchase of aQuantive, a digital marketing company for $6 billion. Microsoft before acquisition of aQuantive never focused on established businesses. Microsoft is, of course, eying a multibillion dollar Yahoo.
1986
Dynamical Systems Research , Operating system which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Windows
1987
Forethought , Graphics software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft PowerPoint
1991
Consumers Software , Computer networking which helped Microsoft develop E-mail service provider
1992
Fox Software , Database which helped Microsoft develop Visual FoxPro
1994
Softimage , 3D computer graphics software which helped Microsoft develop DirectX
One Tree Software , Revision control which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Visual SourceSafe
1995
NextBase , Route planning software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Streets & Trips
RenderMorphics , Reality Lab which helped Microsoft develop Direct3D
Blue Ribbon Soundworks , Digital audio editor which helped Microsoft develop DirectSound
Bruce Artwick Organization , Personal computer game which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Space Simulator
1996
Vermeer Technologies Incorporated , HTML editor which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft FrontPage
Colusa Software , Object-oriented programming which helped Microsoft develop ActiveX
EXOS , Video game which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Game Studios
eShop , Electronic commerce which helped Microsoft develop MSN Shopping
ResNova Software , Web server which helped Microsoft develop MSN
NetCarta , Content management system which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft FrontPage
1997
Intersé , Web analytics which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft BackOffice Server
WebTV Networks , Internet television which helped Microsoft develop MSN TV
Dimension X , Multimedia which helped Microsoft develop DirectX
Cooper & Peters , Software framework which helped Microsoft develop Application Foundation Classes
LinkAge Software , E-mail which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Exchange Server
Vxtreme , Streaming media which helped Microsoft develop Windows Media Player
Hotmail , Web-based email which helped Microsoft develop Hotmail
1998
Flash Communications , Instant messaging client which helped Microsoft develop MSN Messenger
Firefly Network , Recommender system which helped Microsoft develop Windows Live ID
MESA Group , Instant messaging client which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Exchange Server
Valence Research , Computer cluster which helped Microsoft develop Windows NT
LinkExchange , Advertising network which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft adCenter
1999
FASA Interactive , Video game which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Game Studios
CompareNet , Price comparison service which helped Microsoft develop MSN Shopping
Numinous Technology , Computer graphics which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Game Studios
Indie Built , Game development which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Game Studios
Jump Networks , Calendaring software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Outlook
ShadowFactor Software , Voice over Internet Protocol which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Game Studios
OmniBrowse , Mobile software which helped Microsoft develop MSN Mobile
Sendit , Mobile Web which helped Microsoft develop MSN Mobile
ZOOMIT , Identity management which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Identity Integration Server
STNC Enterprises , Mobile Web which helped Microsoft develop MSN Mobile
Visio Corporation , Diagramming software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Visio
Softway Systems , Customer relationship management which helped Microsoft develop Interix
Entropic Research Laboratory , Speech recognition which helped Microsoft develop Windows Speech Recognition
2000
Peach Network , Interactive television which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft TV
Driveoff.Com , Online Car Shopping which helped Microsoft develop MSN
Bungie , Video game developer which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Game Studios
NetGames USA , Online game which helped Microsoft develop MSN Games
MongoMusic , Media player which helped Microsoft develop MSN Music
Pacific Microsonics , Media player which helped Microsoft develop Windows Media Player
Digital Anvil , Video game developer which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Game Studios
Great Plains Software , Accounting software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Dynamics GP
2001
Maximal Innovative Intelligence , Information management which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Outlook
NCompass Labs , Content management system which helped Microsoft develop .NET Framework
iCommunicate , Customer relationship management which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Dynamics CRM
Ensemble Studios , Video game developer which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Game Studios
2002
Navision Software A/S , Enterprise resource planning which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Dynamics NAV
Sales Management Systems , Point of sale which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Dynamics GP
Rare , Video game developer which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Game Studios
Vicinity , Internet marketing which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft MapPoint
2003
Connectix , Virtualization which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Virtual PC
PlaceWare , Web conferencing which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Office Live Meeting
RAV Antivirus , Antivirus software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Anti-Virus
Creature House , Graphics software which helped Microsoft develop Creature House Expression
2004
ActiveViews , Analytical software which helped Microsoft develop SQL Server Reporting Services
Encore Business Solutions , Accounting software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Dynamics
Lookout Software , Desktop search which helped Microsoft develop Windows Search
GIANT Company Software , Anti-spyware which helped Microsoft develop Windows Defender
2005
Sybari Software , Antivirus software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Anti-Virus
En'tegrate Software , Enterprise resource planning which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Dynamics AX
Groove Networks , Collaborative software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Groove
ContentGuard , Digital rights management which helped Microsoft develop PlayReady
MessageCast , Instant messaging client which helped Microsoft develop MSN Messenger
FrontBridge , E-mail service provider which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Exchange Hosted Services
Teleo , Voice over Internet Protocol which helped Microsoft develop MSN Messenger
Alacris , Identity and Access Management which helped Microsoft develop Active Directory
Unveil Technologies , Speech recognition which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Speech Server
media-streams.com , Voice over Internet Protocol which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Office
FolderShare , File sharing which helped Microsoft develop Windows Live FolderShare
GeoTango , Web mapping which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft MapPoint
2006
UMT , Project management software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Office Project Portfolio Server
MotionBridge , Search engine technology which helped Microsoft develop Live Search Mobile
String Bean Software , iSCSI which helped Microsoft develop Windows Server 2003
Onfolio , Information management which helped Microsoft develop Windows Live Toolbar
Apptimum , Software migration which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Windows
ProClarity Corporation , Business intelligence software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft SQL Server
Lionhead Studios , Video game developer which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Game Studios
AssetMetrix , Business intelligence software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Systems Management Server
Vexcel , Satellite imagery which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft MapPoint
Massive Incorporated , In-game advertising which helped Microsoft develop Xbox Live
DeepMetrix , Web analytics which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft adCenter
Whale Communications , Virtual private network which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Intelligent Application Gateway
iView Media , Digital asset management which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Expression Media
Softricity , Application Virtualization which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Application Virtualization
Winternals , Utility software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Windows
Azyxxi , Medical software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Amalga
Gteko , Utility software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Research
DesktopStandard , Group Policy which helped Microsoft develop Group Policy
Colloquis , Instant messaging which helped Microsoft develop Windows Live Agents
2007
Secured Dimensions , Computer security which helped Microsoft develop Windows Live OneCare
Medstory , Medical software which helped Microsoft develop Live Search Health
Tellme Networks , Voice over Internet Protocol which helped Microsoft develop Windows Mobile
devBiz , Web application which helped Microsoft develop Visual Studio Team System
ScreenTonic , Mobile advertising which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft adCenter
SoftArtisans , Reporting software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Office
aQuantive , Digital marketing which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft adCenter
Engyro , Interoperability which helped Microsoft develop System Center Operations Manager
Dundas Data Visualization , Database which helped Microsoft develop SQL Server Reporting Services
Stratature , Database management system which helped Microsoft develop Bulldog
AdECN , Online advertising which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft adCenter
Parlano , Instant messaging which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Office Communications Server
Jellyfish.com , Reverse auction which helped Microsoft develop Live Search
Global Care Solutions , Medical software which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Amalga
Multimap.com , Location-based service which helped Microsoft develop Live Search Maps
2008
Fast Search & Transfer , Enterprise search which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft SharePoint
Calista Technologies , Virtual device which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Application Virtualization
Caligari , 3D computer graphics which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Virtual Earth
Danger , Mobile software which helped Microsoft develop MSN Mobile
YaData , Online advertising which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft adCenter
Kidaro , Desktop Virtualization (VDI) which helped Microsoft develop Microsoft Virtual PC
Komoku , Computer security which helped Microsoft develop Windows Live OneCare
Farecast , Computer reservations system which helped Microsoft develop —
Powerset Search engine which helped Microsoft develop Live Search
The majority of the companies acquired by Microsoft are based in the United States. Microsoft till date have acquired close to 120 companies.
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org
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