The Industrial Giant Reborn

"Mr. Chen means, we sell together?" Bill Gates asked.

"It can't be said that they are sold together. It can only be said that we cooperate together to form a complete and complete solution. In the end, it is up to the customer to choose which software they want or not. They still have the right to freedom, whether it is office software or computer games. It’s all the same, and there will also be a discount, how to operate it needs to be studied.” Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

In later generations in China, the operating system, office software and even many games are free, but in fact it is not the case in foreign countries, everything is charged. In the past, after Microsoft monopolized the operating system and office software, these The combined price of such software is more expensive than the computer hardware itself. That is to say, the combined revenue of global computer companies cannot compare with Microsoft, and computer hardware has costs. Although Microsoft's software also requires research and development costs, but Mass shipments will spread out all costs.

High revenue coupled with high profit margins made Microsoft the world's largest company with the largest market value in the 1990s, exceeding US$600 billion at its peak, and Bill Gates has also been the richest man in the world for many years.

Since the history cannot be changed, then embrace the history and reach a cooperation with Microsoft early so that all users can get used to using Midea's office software. Less likely to change user habits.

"In this case, it's also very good." After Bill Gates and Paul Allen looked at each other, the former said.

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

"Probably not. IBM only cares about R\u0026D in the hardware field. The software is basically outsourced, and they also encourage various software companies to develop various software for them." Bill Gates said.

"Well, in this case, our cooperation will be much easier. As long as we join forces, we can provide a complete software solution. As long as the price is right, I think we can quickly win a large market share." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

In the early 1980s, no computer company really paid attention to software, such as Apple, IBM, and HP. In the current era of low computer production capacity and short supply, the profit of hardware far exceeds that of software. It is very troublesome to make adjustments for different hardware manufacturers. This naturally led to no giants caring about software. Apple first introduced the concept of an image display system, but it has been investing funds in hardware, causing Microsoft to produce finished products first. After seeing Microsoft's achievements, IBM directly sold its own All computer operating systems are outsourced to Microsoft.

It was not until the mid-1980s that the computer giants discovered the importance of the operating system, but it was too late. Microsoft launched window 1.0, which perfectly solved many problems in terms of performance. In addition, Microsoft is still iteratively upgrading and patent barriers , others will never be able to catch up, not even IBM.

In the end, the biggest profit in the entire computer market was monopolized by Microsoft.

"Mr. Chen, IBM's operating system is already in use in the world. IBM will not agree to make major changes. If Midea wants to develop this market, it can develop various software independently, and the next operating system that Microsoft is developing can be Embedding Midea's various software in advance." Bill Gates said again.

"Yes, we are already developing games and office software based on the current IBM computer." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said that there is no unified operating system on the market today, so we can only develop different versions for different platforms. IBM's personal computer , was also one of the largest brands in the 1980s, and its sales volume was not lower than that of Apple. It was also a market that Midea's software and game departments could not give up.

"That would be great," Bill Gates said.

"Mr. Gates, may I ask, can the current Microsoft accept investment?" Chen Zhiwen asked again.

"Mr. Chen, are you going to invest in Microsoft?" Bill Gates asked.

"Yes, I am more optimistic about the future of Microsoft, and Midea is planning to cooperate with Microsoft, so I also want to invest a little bit." Chen Zhiwen said.

"Mr. Chen, the current Microsoft is not short of funds, so there is no plan to introduce other capital for investment." Bill Gates shook his head and said.

"In this world, there are not many companies that lack funds. After all, as long as they want to survive, it is not difficult, but if they want to grow and develop, they must need a lot of money. Either invest in research and development, or invest in marketing, otherwise, The opportunity will be given to others." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile.

"Mr. Chen means, if we don't accept investment, don't you cooperate with us?" Paul Allen said suddenly.

"It's not that Mr. Allen thinks too much." Chen Zhiwen shook his head and said, "We will naturally cooperate, but our cooperation itself is not exclusive. Your operating system can introduce other software, and so can my software." Choose another operating system.

I am very optimistic about the future of the operating system, so I will definitely choose one to invest in, 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. Only in this way, Microsoft may face other competitors Well, it's better to 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 not the only operating system, but the most powerful It's them, but if other people get a lot of money, they will naturally have the ability to grab the market, not to mention how much they can grab. As long as there is a strong enemy, then their customers will have choices. For Microsoft, it is a big deal. A very bad choice.

"This is just normal business logic. You two can think about 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. Invest in your competitor?

"How many shares does Mr. Chen want?" Bill Gates asked. If it was an ordinary investment fund, he would 90% reject it, but Chen Zhiwen is different. The person in front of him has capital, vision and ability, and has a close relationship with Apple. , a dominant player in the field of entertainment electronics, if such a person supports a competitor of Weiwei Microsoft, it is not comparable to a small investment fund.

"I don't want much, 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 a low interest rate as a major shareholder. How about supporting your R\u0026D 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 such a price, but ordinary funds also need to spend a lot of time to negotiate slowly. He is not willing to do so. No one knows what will happen in a few months. Compared with the market value of Microsoft in the future, the most important thing is to be able to settle early now.

"10 million US dollars? Mr. Chen is really generous." Bill Gates couldn't help but feel moved. Microsoft's turnover last year was only 8 million a year, but this year because of the relationship with IBM, it should not be a problem to easily double it, but no matter How about it, 10 million US dollars is a lot, and the interest rate is still low.

"Well, for such a big matter, you need to discuss it 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 commodities for civilian use, so the self-built terminal retail is ineffective for them, but money can make a difference, and money can also solve problems.