Microsoft: insiders who could be CEO

According To Bill Rigby

SEATTLE (Reuters)-Microsoft Corp has a stable of top managers, who could be candidates to succeed CEO Steve Ballmer, though from the outside have raised most of the discussion so far.

After Ballmer's surprising announcement on Friday that goes to the year the Council leadership independent Director John Thompson, who is leading the search for a new Director-General, said that the planned transformation of the software giant in the fast-moving "devices and services," the company is still on the road.

"It looked as if they want to continue on the path of this equipment and services strategy, which will probably get someone who was part of the formulation of this strategy, or who may fully worth it. I don't know if most of the outside candidates would be willing to do it, "said Sid Parakh, an analyst at McAdams Wright fund company Rigel.

Microsoft is expected to favour the internal candidate.

But insiders would face skepticism from those who have a clean break from Ballmer's personal heritage, as well as other obstacles.

"The problem with internal candidates is that Microsoft has cultivated a culture of very few style holding company execs are generally exposed to all areas of the business," said Al Hilwa, an analyst at tech research firm IDC.

Here is a list of potential candidates, with pros and cons, based on interviews with analysts and insiders. All except Raikes and Thompson are Executive Vice Presidents.

Catherine Nadella, cloud and business

For: 21letý Microsoft veteran, knows the inner workings of the company, especially in hot areas, data center servers and online services. Recently promoted to run a newly created units "cloud and organization", controls the infrastructure for the "services" page of Microsoft's new vision.

CON: even though he was once a Vice President in the unit Office, he tries to save the authority over the Almighty Windows and Office faction, sources of profit of the company, which are famously antagonistic to each other.

Tony Bates, a corporate strategy

For: Microsoft Came two years ago as CEO of Skype online chat, which represents a new wave of internet-centric, consumer-oriented technologies that Microsoft has difficulty replicating. Was so impressed by his new boss, that it commissioned a corporate strategy, Ballmer and relationships with developers and computer manufacturers.

CON: may not be at Microsoft for a long time know how to key into a new shape and its specialization in the field of telecommunications, and the router may not be wide enough so that the big software company.

Terry Myerson, operating systems

For: young entrepreneur whose web software, the company was acquired by Microsoft in the late 1990s, he could bring the start-up mentality at the top post. Recently elected Ballmer run many operating systems-that are still the heart of the Microsoft-range over a Windows PC, Tablet, phones and game consoles Xbox.

CON: His last task was running Windows Phone Unit, which has won praise for its clean, stylish software, but didn't come close to getting Microsoft a big player on the market for a smartphone.

Qi Lu, the search and the Internet

For: former Director of Yahoo Inc. is a heavyweight in the online search and advertising, with 20 u.s. patents. Now he runs "programs and services" group, which is responsible for placing enterprises established Microsoft's software, as well as his Office, on the Web. It is an essential part of Ballmer's reorganization plan.

CON: under his supervision, Bing search engine has cost Microsoft billions of dollars without threat to Google Inc. 's dominance.

Julie Larson-green, a game for the Xbox console and the surface of the Tablet

For: 20letý veteran of Microsoft and acolyte of the recently retired Chief Steven Sinofsky, Windows has an intimate knowledge of Office and Windows drives that led to the redesign of the two products.

CON: he now has to worry about "studies", which leads Microsoft's foray into their own computers and other hardware. The surface of the Tablet has a poor sales, despite initial enthusiasm. Can mark for its close involvement with tepidly received Windows 8.

Eric rudder, research and technology

For: background in Microsoft for two decades, this deeply tech savvy exec now runs Microsoft's long-term research unit and sets the overall technical strategy. It is the closest the company has a big thinker in the mold of Bill Gates.

CON: never having been a business unit leader, does not have the experience to deal with the sudden Microsoft's internal politics to survive as Executive Director.

Kevin Turner, COO

For: Microsoft's Chief Operating Officer for the past eight years, a former exec at Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is the strength of the company's fearsome sales operation.

CON: professional trader and motivation, he does not come from an engineering background, which could be a nuisance.

Jeff Raikes, charity, the former Office of the Chief

To: Bill Gates, who is on the Committee to choose another Microsoft CEO, chose this former unit leader, Director General of the Office of his charitable foundation. How Microsoft approaches the critical transition, its many years of experience, knowledge of the Gates ' thinking and a firm hand can be an effective combination.

CON: Immersed in the world of philanthropy for the past five years, it may be out of touch with the latest technological trends. Of the same generation as Ballmer, his appointment could be seen as a continuation of the old guard.

John Thompson, the Search Committee leader

For: not beyond the possibility that the man leads the Committee to find a new CEO can eventually be considered. The former Director of IBM went on to be the CEO of computer security company Symantec Corp., giving him the experience of large companies, discovering oneself and understanding of the enterprise software market.

CON: only joined Microsoft last year, and the Council has no direct experience in the management of the company. His current work is the CEO of a little-known, privately held company, cloud computing virtual instruments.

(Reporting by Bill Rigby; Editing by Peter Henderson and Leslie Gevirtz)