Microsoft made its popular Office suite of applications available for iPad on Thursday, marking a tectonic shift in reaching out to customers.
According to BBC, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that the move was part of a strategy to empower users on all devices. "We are taking great focus and great care to make sure Office on any device shines through," he said.
According to Forbes, the move marks a shift from Microsoft's policies under Ballmer, who believed the company's software should remain with Windows.
The Office suite went live on Thursday, allowing iPad users to use the app free for presenting and reading the data. Users will have to subscribe to Office 365 for creating files or editing them through Word, Excel or Powerpoint. Microsoft did not include its email application Outlook in the iPad version of Office, Forbes said.
According to BBC, Office is a major revenue earner for Microsoft, accounting for more than 60% of the company's operating profits last year.
According to USA Today, Forrester analyst, J.P. Gownder, said Microsoft has come to realize the $1.4 billion earning potential by taking Office to iPad. Jefferies analysts have predicted a $4 billion increase in sales earnings through the move, according to Forbes.
The iPhone version of Office, which was launched by Ballmer last year, did not attract many users, according to BBC. Users felt the Office 365 subscription was too high given the inadequacies in the iPhone version. The iPad version, however, is believed to be more powerful, BBC reported.
Thursday's announcement pushed up Microsoft's shares by 0.25 % in morning trading to touch $39.69, according to USA Today. The shares have seen an 8% gain, the highest in the last decade.
