Microsoft Corp, which has been trying to convince the US Department of Justice that Internet Explorer is an integral part of the Windows operating system, has now integrated the two on a corporate level. Redmond is moving the group responsible for the development of IE into the unit that develops and markets Windows, the Personal and Business System Group. The move will see David Cole – former VP of Internet Client and Collaboration who appeared in Federal Court last month as Microsoft’s witness in the contempt hearing – come under the wing of James Allchin, head of the PBSG. The Internet Explorer group was formerly part of the Applications and Internet Client Group, which has been disbanded and replaced by the new Application and Tools Group, to be headed by server applications chief Bob Muglia. Rich Tong’s Back Office group is also moving into Muglia’s unit, giving Back Office, Office and Tools a common home. Developer Relations, which was also part of the now-defunct AICG, will move to the PBSG along with IE. Former Developer Relations boss Brad Chase will assume the role of VP for Windows Marketing and Developer Relations, while Cole will be responsible for consumer-oriented Windows and multimedia development. Amid all the shuffling of chairs, Brad Silverberg – the senior VP who was pivotal in the development of Windows 95 – has extended his leave of absence originally taken last summer. Word is that he intends to return someday but is waiting for the right job to open up or be created. The realignment is expected to affect roughly 8,000 employees, although most job descriptions are not likely to change.
