Microsoft is often pitted against younger tech giants such as Google and Amazon.com in investors' minds, and it frequently comes out in third place. However, while these other tech companies garner the reputation of being more future-focused, there's one clear way Microsoft still separates itself from the herd: confidence.
Put simply, the transition to the cloud is a new one for users and enterprises alike, and as a new technology it comes with its own set of quirks and hiccups. These small "speed bumps" aren't an issue with more established products like Microsoft's Office platform.
Investors who are quick to dismiss this point should reconsider the implications. If cloud-based systems don't instil user or enterprise confidence in these early stages, it could have huge implications for their future viability. The Fool's Jeremy Phillips and Austin Smith have more in the following video.