Microsoft told more than 100 international top
executives yesterday that IT, especially software, is crucial when
it comes to the challenge of running a business in tough economic
times.
Chairman and chief software architect Bill Gates opened the
seventh annual CEO Summit at the Microsoft campus with a keynote
speech focusing on how IT can deliver business value and
competitive advantage in today's economic climate.
"Some may question the value of IT right now, but at Microsoft
we believe we are in the early years of what I call the Digital
Decade," Gates said. He defined the Digital Decade as a time where
the way we work and communicate is transformed by IT.
Communication and collaboration tools, for example, have helped
Microsoft employees be more productive and saved the company money,
Gates told the audience.
He further touched on several internal Microsoft projects to
increase efficiency and productivity at the company.
At last year's event Gates also highlighted the role technology
can play in boosting efficiency and productivity as companies face
an economic lull.
CEO Summit attendees, business leaders from industries as
diverse as finance, electronics and retail, like last year were
given a Tablet PC which, Microsoft believes, is the productivity
tool of the future.
The NEC Versa LitePad devices run a special edition of Windows
XP Professional and have a touch-screen display on which users
can write notes using a stylus.
The summit ends today