In the beginning Microsoft is a multinational company founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico and headquartered in Redmond, Washington in the year 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen. Microsoft is the world leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential. Microsoft's most famous products are the Windows line of operating systems: Microsoft Office and the Internet Explorer browser. Microsoft is considered the largest software maker in the world and also one of the most valuable companies. Its core products are the ubiquitous Windows PC operating system and the Office suite of business productivity applications which are sold in part through PC manufacturers such as Acer, Lenovo, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft have many campuses in different countries around the world. “As a Microsoft employee relocating from Canada, I was able to make a smooth transition to the Italian branch. I soon realized that working for Microsoft in Italy is something to be extremely proud of: many people dream of working here. It's comforting that Microsoft is the same around the world, with a consistent approach and sensibility about values, smart people, flexibility and wonderful benefits." said Melissa Luongo, head of human resources at Microsoft's rivals. Microsoft seeks to be the best in the software market from both a consumer and enterprise perspective. Windows and Microsoft Office would be enough to support most vendors, but Microsoft isn't satisfied with just that, they are expanding in many different ways: databases, cloud computing, email, search, virtualization, unified communications, web browsers, phones cell phones and tablets, even video games. Apple is definitely one of Microsoft's biggest rivals, if not the biggest. Apple is the company that overtook Microsoft in the market, becoming the most valuable technology company in the world. Microsoft is winning the battle against Apple in the Windows PC market, Apple's Mac is a profitable business but it can't challenge the might of Windows, which powers 9 out of 10 desktops and laptops worldwide. Apple still makes more money than Microsoft, mostly thanks to its smartphones