Microsoft Reorganizes Wireless, Office Units

Microsoft has reorganized its Windows CE and Office structures, creating a new Mobile Services Division and appointing former Visio CEO Jeremy Jaech as vice president of a new Business Tools Division. According to Bob Muglia, group vice president for the Business Productivity Group, the changes give Microsoft the foundation for “the next era of computing: the Internet User Experience,” or IUE, which Microsoft is positioning as the successor to the desktop GUI.

Mobile Services

In the past, most of the work on mobile platforms came under the Productivity Appliance Division, headed by vice president Harel Kodesh. His responsibilities included development and marketing of Windows CE, embedded development kits, and information appliances. Kodesh reported to Muglia.

In the latest reorganization, Kodesh has been moved to the Server Applications Group headed by Paul Gross, who reports to Muglia, and will work on new wireless technologies. Kodesh’s former Productivity Appliance Division has been renamed the Mobile Devices Division, and it is now headed by vice president Ben Waldman, formerly general manager of the Macintosh Business Unit. Waldman will also report to Gross, whose Server Applications Division is likely to be renamed to reflect the additional areas of responsibility.