Microsoft Seeks Rare Search Panda

September 2, 2010

I was not too surprised when I read “MS Seeks Net Search Partner.” The story said that Microsoft wanted to find a search partner for the China market. I thought Microsoft had Bing.com and nifty translation, Unicode, and lots of engineers with considerable China-related experience. My knowledge of Chinese search is shallow, but what do you expect from a goose? A Harvard Business Review person? According to the write up:

Simon Leung, Microsoft’s Chief Executive for greater China, told the Journal in an interview that the company plans to invest about US$100 million (S$ 134.8 million) in Chinese companies. Mr Leung told the paper that Microsoft will target companies in sectors including software, cloud computing and possibly even gaming.

I am not certain that Microsoft has enough dough earmarked for this new Chinese adventure. Spending less on the Windows 7 Phone marketing might be a good idea. Google and China have found a way to create an opportunity for Microsoft. Will Microsoft pull off a coup? I hope so. The timing is okay, but I wonder why Bing.com does not do what needs to be done? Microsoft needs a rare search panda, preferably one that is not nocturnal and one that is not unacceptable to the Chinese officials.

Stephen E Arnold, September 2, 2010

Freebie

Written by Stephen E. Arnold · Filed Under Business strategy, Microsoft, News, Search

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Stephen E. Arnold monitors search, content processing, text mining and related topics from his high-tech nerve center in rural Kentucky. He tries to winnow the goose feathers from the giblets. He works with colleagues worldwide to make this Web log useful to those who want to go "beyond search". Contact him at sa [at] arnoldit.com. His Web site with additional information about search is arnoldit.com.