With Yammer, businesses can create a private network for
their employees.And, like Facebook, each employee can share files, post
announcements, create events and message each other.The site allows companies
to communicate with its customers and its vendors, too, through a content
manager system.Created in 2008, Yammer has generated $142 million in venture
funding.Its funding was originally raised by Peter Thiel, who was also the
first major investor for Facebook.Even though its purchase of Yammer underscores
(Microsofts) commitment to deliver technology that businesses need and people
love, according to Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, the company was eager to
acquire the network, which by the way, claims to have more than five million
corporate users and eighty percent of the Fortune 500 list.In a joint
statement, the companies informed their users that Yammer, Will continue to
develop its standalone service, and will now provide its clients with complementary
offerings from Microsoft SharePoint, Office 365, Microsoft Dynamics and Skype.Yammer
is to become a part of Microsofts Office division.Though executives of the
company evaded answering questions asked by journalists after the initial press
release, Microsoft did state that Yammer and its staff will remain in its
original location of San Francisco, instead of being required to relocate to
Microsoft headquarters in Redmond, Washington.Microsoft also released its new
tablet last week, Surface.The computer is designed to run on the companys
newest operating system, the highly anticipated Windows 8, and will compete
with Apples iPad.Microsoft is also facing threats from Google, who has created
an assortment of toolbox programs similar to Microsofts but instead of being
located on a single computer, will be accessible via the Internet.Its many
fervent attempts to keep up with the fast paced and viciously competitive
technological environment has not seemed to entice many investors.Microsoft
stock fell by almost three percent, dropping eighty-two cents to $29.88.Microsofts
newest acquisition has not yet released its revenue.Rick Sherlund, an analyst
for Nomura Securities, has estimated that Yammers revenue was anywhere between
fifteen million and twenty million last year.With Facebooks massive screw up on
the IPO market in May, it isnt likely that Microsofts stock will see great
improvement any time soon, either.Yammers CEO and co-founder, David Sacks,
insists that negotiations between the two companies were in the works before
Facebooks unfortunate start.Sacks also claims that the decision was not a result
of shaky market conditions.Our thinking was based on the fit with Microsoft and
the fact that we think Microsoft is a great partner for us in expanding the service
and taking it to the next levelBusiness Management Articles, said Sacks.

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