Microsoft’s chief software architect, Ray Ozzie, is leaving the company although he hasn’t announced exactly when his last day will be. CEO Steve Ballmer broke the news in a memo to employees posted on the company Web site.
Mr. Ozzie was instrumental in pushing Microsoft into cloud-based services on the Internet. Mr. Ballmer said he “helped catalyze our drive to the cloud.”
Microsoft’s Ray Ozzie
Mr. Ozzie will help with the transition as he moves on, and he’ll spend some time “focusing his efforts in the broader area of entertainment where Microsoft has many ongoing investments.”
He joined the company in 2005 as chief technical officer following Microsoft’s purchase of Groove Networks where he was working at the time.
Just who will fill Mr. Ozzie’s shoes once he leaves is a bit of a surprise: no one. “I won’t refill the role after Ray’s departure,” Mr. Ballmer said.