"What Mr. Chen means is that we sell it together?" Bill Gates asked.
"It can't be said that they are sold together. It can only be said that we work together to form a complete supporting solution. In the end, it is up to the customer to choose which software they want or not. They still have freedom, whether it is office software or computer games. It’s all the same, and there will also be a discount, but we still need to study how to operate it specifically.” Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.
In later generations, operating systems, office software and even many games are free in China, but in fact, this is not the case abroad. Each item has to be charged. Historically, after Microsoft monopolized operating systems and office software, these few The combined price of all software is more expensive than the computer hardware itself. In other words, the combined revenue of global computer companies cannot match that of Microsoft, and computer hardware has costs. Although Microsoft's software also requires research and development expenses, Shipping in large quantities will even out all costs.
High revenue and high profit margins made Microsoft the world's largest company by market capitalization in the 1990s, with more than $600 billion at its peak. As a result, Bill Gates has remained the world's richest man for many years.
Since history cannot be changed, then embrace history and reach cooperation with Microsoft early so that all users can get used to using Midea's office software. Once they are used to it, others will bypass the patent unless there is revolutionary innovation. Unlikely to change user habits.
"In this case, it's not bad." Bill Gates and Paul Allen said after the former looked at each other.
"Is there any problem with IBM?" Chen Zhiwen asked again.
"Probably not. IBM only cares about R&D in the hardware field. Software is basically outsourced, and they also encourage software companies to develop various software for them." Bill Gates said.
"Well, in this case, our cooperation will be much simpler. As long as we join forces, we can provide complete software solutions. As long as the price is right, I think we can capture a large market share soon." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.
In the early 1980s, there were really no computer companies that paid much attention to software. Apple, IBM, and Hewlett-Packard were all the same. In the current era of low computer production capacity and short supply, the profits of hardware far exceed that of software, and if software wants to sell well, it needs Making adjustments for different hardware manufacturers is very troublesome to operate. This naturally led to the fact that no giant cared about software. Apple was the first to launch the concept of an image display system, but it always invested money in hardware, which led to Microsoft releasing the finished product first. After IBM saw Microsoft's results, it directly transferred its own All computer operating systems are outsourced to Microsoft.
It was not until the mid-1980s that various computer giants discovered the importance of operating systems, but it was too late. Microsoft launched window 1.0, which perfectly solved many problems in terms of performance. In addition, Microsoft was still iteratively upgrading and raising patent barriers. , no one else can catch up, not even IBM.
In the end, the largest profit in the entire computer market was monopolized by Microsoft.
"Mr. Chen, IBM's operating system is already in use in the world. IBM should not agree to major changes. If Midea wants to develop this market, it can develop various software based on it alone. The next operating system that Microsoft is developing can Embed Midea's various software in advance." Bill Gates added.
"Yes, we are already developing games and office software based on current IBM computers." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said. There is no unified operating system on the market today, so we can only develop different versions for different platforms. IBM's personal computers , it was also one of the largest brands in the 1980s, with sales no less than Apple. It was also a market that Midea's software and game departments could not give up.
"That's great," said Bill Gates.
"Mr. Gates, I would like to ask, can Microsoft accept investment now?" Chen Zhiwen asked again.
"Mr. Chen, do you want to invest in Microsoft?" Bill Gates asked.
"Yes, I am optimistic about the future of Microsoft, and Midea is preparing to cooperate with Microsoft, so I also want to invest appropriately." Chen Zhiwen said.
"Mr. Chen, Microsoft is not short of funds now, so it has no plans to introduce other capital for investment for the time being." Bill Gates shook his head and said.
"There are not many companies in the world that are short of funds. After all, as long as they want to survive, it is not difficult, but if they want to grow and develop, they will definitely need a lot of funds, either in research and development or marketing. Otherwise, The opportunity will be given to others." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.
"What Mr. Chen means is that if we don't accept investment, he won't cooperate with us?" Paul Allen said suddenly.
"It's not that, Mr. Allen thinks too much." Chen Zhiwen shook his head and said: "Cooperation will naturally lead to cooperation, but our cooperation itself is not exclusive. Your operating system can introduce other software, and my software can too. Choose a different operating system.
I am very optimistic about the future of operating systems, so I will definitely choose one to invest, and in order to ensure the success of the investment, I will definitely invest a lot of money to make up for the technical disadvantages. However, in this way, Microsoft may face other competitors. Well, you might as well accept my investment. "
"Mr. Chen's proposal is really hard to refuse." Bill Gates said with a frown. He naturally knew what Chen Zhiwen meant. In today's computer market, Microsoft is indeed not the only operating system, but currently the strongest That's them, but if others obtain a large amount of funds, they will naturally have the ability to seize the market. No matter how much they can seize, as long as there is a strong enemy, their customers will have many choices. This is a big deal for Microsoft. Very poor choice.
"This is just normal business logic. You two can consider it. My conditions will definitely satisfy you." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.
One of the most basic logics of Internet investment companies in later generations is that when you don’t want me to invest, I will invest in other people. It feels very overbearing, but in fact it is just normal operation. If you don’t let me invest, why don’t you let me invest? Invest in your competitors?
"How many shares does Mr. Chen want?" Bill Gates asked. If it were a general investment fund, 90% of the time he would refuse. But Chen Zhiwen is different. The person in front of him has capital, vision, ability, and a close relationship with Apple. , a dominant player in the field of entertainment electronics. If such a person supports Microsoft's competitors, it will not be comparable to a small investment fund.
"I don't want much, just 10% is enough. I can invest at 130% of Microsoft's current valuation. At the same time, if you need it, I can lend you a sum of money at low interest as a major shareholder. How about supporting your R&D and marketing with a maximum amount of US$10 million?" Chen Zhiwen put forward his own conditions.
This condition is actually very generous. It is unlikely that ordinary investment funds will offer this price, but ordinary funds also need to spend a lot of time to slowly negotiate. He is not willing to do so. It is not that professionals cannot be invited to negotiate, but in the era of technology, No one knows what will happen in a few months. Compared with Microsoft's future market value, being able to decide early now is the most important thing.
"10 million U.S. dollars? Mr. Chen is so generous." Bill Gates couldn't help but feel moved. Microsoft's turnover last year was only 8 million, but this year because of its relationship with IBM, it shouldn't be a problem to easily double it, but regardless of Well, $10 million is a lot, and it comes with a low interest rate.
"In this case, you also need to discuss such a big matter internally. This is my business card. You can contact me at any time." Chen Zhiwen took out a business card and handed it over.
Microsoft's products are not civilian products, so the retail terminals they build are ineffective for them. However, money can bring magic, and using money can also solve problems.
(End of chapter)
