Author: Shuidong Yeyu

"Does Mr. Chen mean that they sell it together?" Bill Gates asked.

"It can't be said that they are sold together. It can be said that they work together to form a complete supporting solution. In the past, it was not up to the customer to choose which one or which software to choose. There was no freedom. Is there any office software?

This is not true for computer games, and there will also be a discount in there. How to operate it needs further study." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

In later countries, operating systems, office software, and even many games were free. But in fact, in foreign countries, each item was charged. In the past, after Microsoft monopolized the operating system and office software, how many games did it have?

The total price of such software is much more expensive than the computer hardware itself. In other words, the combined revenue of global computer companies is greater than that of Microsoft. And computer hardware has a cost. Of course, Microsoft's software also requires research and development expenses.

, but 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 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 get used to it, even if they bypass patents, unless there is revolutionary innovation, it will not work.

It is unlikely to change users' habits.

"In that case, that's not bad." Bill Gates and Paul Allen said after they looked at each other wrongly.

"Is there any problem with IBM?" Chen Zhiwen asked again.

"Probably not. IBM only cares about the research and development in the hardware field. Basically, the software aspect cannot be outsourced, and they also encourage various software companies to develop various software for them." Bill Gates said.

"Well, in that case, it will be much easier for them to cooperate. If they join forces, they can provide a complete software solution. If the price is right, he wants to get a large market share soon." Chen Zhiwen laughed.

He said.

In the early 1980s, there were really no computer companies that paid much attention to software. Neither Pingchi, IBM, nor Hewlett-Packard did. In the current era of low computer production and short supply, the profits of hardware far exceed that of software, and if software wants to sell well,

It requires different hardware manufacturers to make adjustments, which is very troublesome to operate. This naturally leads to the fact that no giants care about software. Pingcheng was the first to launch the concept of image display system, but it has always spent money on hardware, which led to Microsoft's first

The finished product was produced, and after IBM saw Microsoft's results, it directly outsourced all its own computer operating systems 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 with its functionality. In addition, Microsoft was very iterative in upgrading.

If you build your own barriers to success, others will no longer be able to catch up, not even IBM.

In the past, the largest profit in the entire computer market was monopolized by Microsoft.

"Mr. Chen, the world is now using IBM's operating system. IBM will not agree to major changes. If Midea wants to develop that market, it can develop various software based on it alone. And Microsoft is developing an operating system that can

Embed Midea's various software in advance." Bill Gates said again.

"Yes, they are already developing games and office software based on current IBM computers." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said. If there is no unified operating system on the market, different versions can be developed for different platforms. IBM's

Personal computers were one of the largest brands in the 1980s, with sales no less than Pingcheng. It was also a market that Midea's software and game departments had no choice but to abandon.

"That's really great," Bill Gates said.

"Mr. Gates, I would like to ask, is Microsoft acceptable for investment now?" Chen Zhiwen asked again.

"Mr. Chen, do I want to invest in Microsoft?" Bill Gates asked.

"Yes, he is more optimistic about the future of Microsoft, and Canada is preparing to cooperate with Microsoft, so he also wants to invest appropriately." Chen Zhiwen said.

"Mr. Chen, Microsoft is not short of funds right now, so we have no plans to introduce other capital for investment at the moment." Bill Gates shook his head and said.

"In that world, there are not many companies that are short of funds. After all, it is not difficult to survive, but if you want to develop and grow, you will definitely need a lot of funds. You need to invest in research and development, and you need to invest in the market.

Marketing, otherwise, the opportunity will be given to them." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

"Mr. Chen, do you mean that if they don't accept investment, you won't cooperate with them?" Paul Allen said suddenly.

"That's not true, Mr. Allen thinks too much." Chen Zhiwen shook his head and said: "Cooperation will naturally lead to cooperation, but their cooperation itself is not exclusive. Our operating system can introduce other software, and his software

Other operating systems can also be selected.

He is very optimistic about the future of the operating system, so he will definitely choose a company to invest, and whether it can guarantee the success of the investment, he will definitely invest a lot of money to make up for the disadvantages of the technology. Otherwise, Microsoft will have to face other companies.

The competition is on the wrong foot, so it would be better to accept his investment."

"Mr. Chen's proposal is really hard to refuse." Bill Gates frowned and said. He naturally knew what Chen Zhiwen meant. In today's computer market, Microsoft is indeed not the only operating system.

The strongest ones are them, but if others obtain a large amount of funds, they will naturally be able to seize the market. Not to mention how much they can seize, as long as there is a strong enemy, then their customers will have more choices. That is wrong.

For Microsoft, this is a very bad choice.

"That's just normal business logic. You two can consider something. His conditions are absolutely right and we will be satisfied." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

The most basic logic of Internet investment companies in later generations is that when I refuse to ask him to invest, he will invest in other people. It feels very overbearing, but in fact it is just a normal operation. Isn’t it very unacceptable if I don’t let him invest?

He invested in my competition wrong leg?

"How many shares does Mr. Chen want to ask for?" Bill Gates asked. If it were an ordinary investment fund, he would 90% refuse. But Chen Zhiwen is different. The person in front of him has capital, vision and ability, and he has connections with Pingcheng.

After all, there is a dominant company in the field of entertainment electronics. If such a person supports Microsoft's competition, it will not be comparable to a small investment fund.

"He doesn't ask for much, just 10% is enough. He can invest at 130% of Microsoft's current valuation. At the same time, if we need it, he can lend us a penny at low interest as a major shareholder.

How about supporting our R&D and marketing with a maximum amount of US$10 million?" Chen Zhiwen put forward his own conditions.

That condition is actually very generous. It is unlikely that ordinary investment funds can offer that price, but ordinary funds also need to spend a lot of time slowly negotiating. He is not willing to do so. It does not mean that he cannot invite professionals to negotiate, but in the technological age

, no one knows what will happen in a few months. Compared with the market value of Microsoft in the future, whether it is the most important thing to settle down now is to come to Dongdong as early as possible.

"10 million U.S. dollars? Is Mr. Chen really generous?" Bill Gates couldn't help but feel moved. Microsoft's turnover last year was only 8 million. But next year, because of its relationship with IBM, it should not be a problem to easily double it.

But no matter what, 10 million US dollars is a lot, and it is not a low interest rate.

"Well, for such a big matter, we also need to discuss it externally. If so, if you have his business card, we can contact him 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 it builds are ineffective against them. Money can help the gods, and using money can also solve problems.
Chapter completed!