Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer to announce restructuring plan in Thursday

Microsoft CEO Ballmer Steve Ballmer will announce a restructuring plan in Thursday, according to AllThingsD, an American technology blogger.

The timing is subtle, as Microsoft is currently holding a global partner conference in Houston and has attracted 16,000 of people. Participants are companies that rely on Microsoft products to survive, including value-added distributors and channel providers.

Microsoft faces challenges in every business area and needs to expand its channels to develop new business directions.

Mr. Ballmer is reported to have focused Microsoft's focus on "equipment" and "services" through the reorganisation, and will have a significant strengthening of the rights of four executives: Skype President Tony Betz (Tony Bates), service and tools director Satea Nadra (Satya Nadella), Windows Phone software Director Trie Meiersen (Terry Myerson) and Windows Director Julia Lie Rassen-Green (Julie Larson-green).

People familiar with the matter also said that the rights of Lurkey, the head of the network services department, could also be promoted, as office could be merged into the department under his jurisdiction. He is currently in charge of Bing search engines. In addition, the Windows CFO and Chief Marketing Officer Tami Reyles (Tami Reller) may also be promoted to gain greater marketing authority.

It is unclear what will happen to Cotte Darbeni, Kurt DelBene, the current head of Microsoft Office.

In addition to management changes, people familiar with the matter said Mr. Ballmer might adjust the way Microsoft's quarterly publication would be published, rather than publish the data separately. The move helps slow or stagnant sectors evade scrutiny on Wall Street.

If so, it is also regrettable, after all, Microsoft's earnings has been the software industry benchmark, its transparency in the industry first-class. But if it helps Microsoft accelerate its growth in the post-PC era, investors will still have long-term benefits.