Amazon

Amazon.com started out as an online book supplier. Soon after they branched out into selling music, DVD’s, computer software, furniture, electronics and videos games to name a few. Google is an internet search company and Microsoft is a company that develops and manufactures software. Amazon and Google have been competing on several platforms. Amazon’s Kindle e-reader is one of the leaders in the e-book readers market. Google has entered the cloud computing platform with the release of Apps Engine. Google’s App engine will be competing directly with Amazon’s Elastic Computing Cloud (EC2). Microsoft is dominant in the Information Technology (IT) field. Microsoft has deals with Bing relating to Twitter, Facebook, and Yahoo. Microsoft gave Bing the options of mapping and image search capabilities. Google’s response was to photo search options, a translator and a dictionary. It is predicted that Google’s Apps will undercut Microsoft’s sales in 2010. In recent years Amazon has tried to find other ways to enhance their profits. Despite Amazon’s offering of unlimited free shipping program they still have razor-thin margins.

Amazon’s 2009 annual report showed that there net sales had increased 28% and they added over twenty product categories in countries such as, China, Japan, and France. Amazon’s strategy is to become the number one online shopping supplier. Amazon’s goal is to be the most recognized and respected global online shopping supplier. Amazon.com has been able to successfully ensure that customers remain loyal to them.

Amazon’s strategy is not wise. Amazon, Google and Microsoft have a few similarities, but far more differences. The basis for each company is vastly different and though they compete on a couple of platforms it is not enough to make a major impact to any one company. Amazon should continue to focus on perfecting itself as an online supplier and leave the major software and search engine products to Google and Microsoft.

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