Microsoft Makes Millions Renting Campus Space to Vendors 95
theodp writes "In a move that would do Bill Lumbergh (YouTube homage) proud, Microsoft has been pulling in about $25 million a year through its unusual practice of charging its vendors for occupying office space on its campus while working on Microsoft projects, according to the real estate firm that manages the program. And that's before a planned July 1st rate increase that Microsoft informed vendors of earlier this week, which will boost the 'chargeback' rate for its 'shadow workforce' from $450 per month ($5,400 per year) for every workstation to $510 per month (or $6,120 per year). So, is there a discount if you're moved downstairs into Storage B?"
Smart (Score:4, Interesting)
I mean, Microsoft is being smart and it seems like what they charge is a pittance and the vendors can probably use this as a tax deductible expense.
After all, vendors are in the business of making money with their products, in this case, Microsoft based products, so, Microsoft gives them a hell of a great deal, and I mean, it seems like a cheap price for them to work on their products, having access to Microsoft themselves. I think it's just smart.
Re:Microsoft Thinking (Score:5, Interesting)
It's arrogance plain and simple and Microsoft is slowly and steadily becoming less relevant in computing today.
You're absolutely right. Microsoft is so totally irrelevant that last year they only had $68 Billion in revenue and only had the highest profits in the company's history. Yep, you nailed it. Microsoft is failing and failing fast.