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Story URL: http://hardware.silicon.com/servers/0,39024647,39372260,00.htm

Microsoft's server boss gets an upgrade
…as unit moves up the ranks

By Ina Fried

Published: Tuesday 06 January 2009

Microsoft started off its new-year executive shuffling by promoting long-time Server and Tools unit head Bob Muglia to president, a title he shares with entertainment boss Robbie Bach and business software chief Stephen Elop.

It's a title elevation for Muglia, whose responsibilities remain the same. It also reflects the growing importance of the server unit, which accounted for $13bn in revenue in the most recent fiscal year, now making up a fifth of Microsoft's total sales.

CEO Steve Ballmer said in an email to employees: "The core of our success at Microsoft has always been great people - people who combine talent, drive, vision, customer focus, and leadership.

"Few people at Microsoft embody these qualities more fully than Bob Muglia and few people have contributed more to the company's success."

The Wall Street Journal article on Muglia's promotion notes that it represents quite the comeback for Muglia, who found himself shuttled off to head management software in a post-HailStorm reshuffling of the Internet unit. Of note, Muglia now heads the Azure Services Platform, components of which look a lot like HailStorm.