UPDATED 08:45 EDT / JULY 22 2014

Microsoft cuts continue: Less IT conferences, limits on contractors

4685571737_b13f56339bMicrosoft is to introduce a couple of new policies limiting the number of contracted workers and corporate conventions, according to reports.

In an email sent to partner firms that was first obtained by GeekWire, the company said that an 18-month limit would be imposed on the tenure of all contractors. After which, affected contractors will be asked to take six months off from working at the company before they can come back.

Microsoft says the new policy applies to how it will handle building and network access for contractors. In other words, workers would refused access to Microsoft’s campuses once they’ve completed their 18-month tenure.

The email goes on to explain that the new policy is designed to protect “intellectual property and confidentiality”. However, those contractors who do not need access to Microsoft’s buildings or its corporate network will not be affected. Not surprisingly, Microsoft was unable to comment on the rumors when approached by GeekWire.

Separately, Microsoft has confirmed that it’s planning to reduce the number of corporate conventions it holds each year. From next year, five of its Enterprise user conferences – Microsoft TechEd, Lync, Exchange, SharePoint and Project Conference – will be combined into just one event that the company describes as a “unified Microsoft commercial technology conference.”

The new conference is to be held on May 4, 2015 in Chicago, and will cover Microsoft’s enterprise platforms on a much larger scale while allowing execs to connect with customers more effectively, says the announcement.

“Part of this is a recognition that as our industry continues to evolve, so must our approach to creating valuable experiences for all of you,” said Office general manager Julia White. “Part of this recognition is feedback from attendees across the past conferences asking for more content and product team engagement across Microsoft versus just within one product area. And, part of this is a recognition that Microsoft’s own cloud first, mobile first strategy must carry through to our conferences for all of us to be successful together.”

White also referred to new CEO Satya Nadella’s corporate restructure plan that was laid out earlier this month. That plan calls for Microsoft to adopt a new “cloud first, mobile first” strategy, together with some 18,000 job cuts.

It’s likely that further details of the job cuts and Microsoft’s plans will be announced today, when the company annonces its quarterly and full year results.

photo credit: hey.pictrues via photopin cc

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