Microsoft is one of the most influential technology companies around. The Redmond-based software giant is competing with others in a number of areas like operating systems, mobile, cloud computing, software and now hardware.
And Fortune is quick to acknowledge Microsoft’s reputation.
The 2013 Fortune 500 rankings have just been released today, and reveal that Microsoft has managed to climb up to the 35th position, well-ahead of an important rival, Google.
Wal-Mart Stores continue to top the rankings, and is followed by Exxon Mobile and Chevron. The top-ranked technology company in the list is Apple — placed on the sixth position.
The rankings mentioned this about Microsoft:
“As PC sales decline, Microsoft must come to terms with the coming of a new world order, one in which Windows may not be dominant, or at least not as dominant as it has been. The Redmond, Wash.-based tech giant brought in $17 billion in net income for its fiscal year 2012, a 27% decline from the previous year’s results.”
Yup, tougher battles are in store for Microsoft, but then again, the company has never shied away from a fight. The only difference is that the company’s competitors this time around have a head start in several areas, particularly the mobile domain.
And speaking of competitors, Google has managed to reach the 55th spot — still behind Amazon ranked 49th, but well ahead of Facebook. The social network barely made it with 482nd position in the list.
