Microsoft Searching for Bill Gates v3.0 as Ray Ozzie Leaves the Company

In an unexpected move, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Ray Ozzie announced that he is leaving the company, just a few days after he had started blogging again by posting an article titled “I’m back.”

It appears that not only is Ozzie not back, but he’s out of Microsoft altogether. In an email sent to employees, Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer explained that there will be a transition period for Ozzie’s departure from the company.

Starting off, Ray will give up the role of Chief Software Architect which he inherited from Bill Gates. Still, Ozzie will first transition to another position with the software giant before leaving for good.

“He will remain with the company as he transitions the teams and ongoing strategic projects within his organization - bringing the great innovations and great innovators he’s assembled into the groups driving our business,” Ballmer said.

“Following the natural transition time with his teams but before he retires from Microsoft, Ray will be focusing his efforts in the broader area of entertainment where Microsoft has many ongoing investments.

“We have tremendous opportunities in the entertainment space overall, and I’m excited about what we can accomplish.”

No details were made public as to Ozzie’s post-Microsoft plans. Moreover, no timetable was provided for the transition out of the CSA role, or the amount of time that Ozzie will spend helming the entertainment efforts for the software giant.

Ballmer simply noted that Ozzie has no current plans following his divorce from Microsoft, and gave absolutely no indication as to the future CSA.

“While he’ll continue to report to me during the transition, the CSA role was unique and I won’t refill the role after Ray’s departure. We have a strong planning process, strong technical leaders in each business group and strong innovation heading to the market,” Ballmer said.

Microsoft is left searching for Bill Gates v3.0. Together with Ozzie, Craig Mundie replaced Gates, dividing his responsibilities, after the company’s co-founder gave up his day to day role in mid-2008.

“While Ray will be onboard for a while, I’d like to thank him today for his contributions to Microsoft, both as a leader and as a long-time Microsoft ISV,” Ballmer added.

“As an early ISV, Ray contributed significantly to the early success of Windows. Since being at Microsoft, both through inspiration and impact he’s been instrumental in our transition toward a software world now centered on services.

“He’s always been a ‘maker’ and a partner, and we look forward to our continuing collaboration as his future unfolds. Ray has played a critical role in helping us to assume the leadership position in the cloud, and positioned us well for future success.”

Many regard Ozzie as instrumental in the new direction that Microsoft has embarked on half a decade ago.

Ozzie’s Internet Services Disruption memo which was published almost five years ago ushered in a new era for the company, taking it into the Cloud.