Deseret News | Reader comments: Microsoft to hire in Lehi

Reader comments
Microsoft to open office in Lehi

BJ | 12:37 p.m. June 17, 2009

nice, I'm always happy with new software development positions, even if it is Microsoft

cc | 1:03 p.m. June 17, 2009

Old news - anyone in high tech could have told DN last year that Microsoft had already hired several engineers and they were actively interviewing more.

re: cc | 2:18 p.m. June 17, 2009

Might be old news to a niche profession like high tech, but us commoners appreciate the heads up.

Comments continue below

Hey cc | 2:26 p.m. June 17, 2009

Chide MS for this old news. They are the ones who announced it TODAY.

Camel | 3:27 p.m. June 17, 2009

Here comes the camel, again, having already kicked WordPerfect out of its share of the software market into near distinction, and still threatening Novell - both of Utah County. The greater irony is Microsoft occupying part of Thanksgiving Point which is associated with the Ashtons, founders of WordPerfect. Well theres no heart in business anyway! ..LOL!

Way to go... | 4:02 p.m. June 17, 2009

...Ashton and Bastion...the only two original software pioneers who sold a company out from under it's employees (I got two movie tickets when I got laid off and they walked off with 850 million) and bolted the business and are the only two "founding fathers of the PC" who aren't still impacting the industry.

While Microsoft has made over 10,000 millionaires because they went public, WordPerfect made 5.

How appropriate this all happened today at Thanksgiving Point...to remind everyone of the greed.

Re: Camel | 4:27 p.m. June 17, 2009

I'm no Microsoft fan, but I did work for Novell during the WordPerfect days, and I can say that Microsoft didn't kick either out of anything. They both lost their markets due to poor vision, WordPerfect didn't see Windows coming, and Novell didn't see the Internet. But both companies established a strong technology base in Utah that is still going strong today.

Why Lehi? | 4:42 p.m. June 17, 2009

Why Lehi?
No one wants to relocate to Utah let alone Lehi.

Isn't that why Intel moved out of Utah because no one wanted to come to Utah?

To: Way to go... | 5:09 p.m. June 17, 2009

Wow! A little bitter are we? Let's see. Novell bought WordPerfect around '92. Man, that was 17 years ago. GET OVER IT ALREADY!

P.S. You're free to start your own software company at any time and reap the rewards for being a founder.

Anonymous | 5:10 p.m. June 17, 2009

are you talking about IM Flash? They have a huge place out in Lehi or Highland. Not sure which city it actually sits in.

People are flocking to Utah in droves.

Sorry for squashing the troll attempt.

utahscrum | 5:24 p.m. June 17, 2009

Microsoft didn't announce anything- Coldwell Banker and Thanksgiving Park announced that MS was moving in as a tenant.

Microsoft's had a place in Draper since last year. It's my understanding that this office park is the only LEED office park in the state, which was desirable to MS. Plus, it's on the border of two counties that have highly-skilled engineers and software designers.

Talk about a bitter audience, this is a good announcement

To Re: Camel | 5:24 p.m. June 17, 2009

To an extent you're right about vision, however, you have to remember Microsoft's deals (back then) with resellers and distributors including preinstalling their buindled software with PC's - yes, Microsoft's vision was pretty cruel and at times unethical, as proven by lawsuits they lost in Europe and at home.
And to Why Lehi?, hey Lehi is a great place. Lehi is also at the center of the area between the Y and the U, hence its strategically favorable location. Lehi also - if all their housing spaces are occupied, as well based on the number of building permits issued - will have been the biggest city in Utah - population wise (no pun intended)...hahahaaa

Of Course Lehi | 5:33 p.m. June 17, 2009

For those of you questioning the move to Lehi, look at the facility. The new office park Thanksgiving Park is LEED-certified at the Silver level. It is a very green building. Microsoft and other major tenants are very much drawn to having corporate offices in green spaces. In fact more large companies pass over Utah when looking for new offices/facilities because in addition to being just a fly-over state there is a lack of 'green' space. Eco-friendly office space is a good PR move. If cities want big growth from big name companies, build green.

BEAR Laker | 5:33 p.m. June 17, 2009

So many negative people. Blows my mind!

Jordan T. | 5:56 p.m. June 17, 2009

Why on earth would anyone want to locate to Utah County?

There aren't any bars in Lehi, not to mention you can't buy beer there on the sabbath, and the green fees to play at Thanksgiving Point are horrendous.

Silva | 6:58 p.m. June 17, 2009

Ashton should disconnect all the utilities, then hook them up one at a time when Microsoft complains. That's Microsoft's business plan.

Remember when Thanksgiving point was going to be a big park open to everyone, as a thank you to Utah?

What might have been ... | 5:35 a.m. June 18, 2009

To Camel and anyone else interested: Long before WordPerfect was acquired by Novell and when MS Word was still a struggling product, an external technical advisory group WordPerfect had formed strongly advised them to develop a Windows based product asap. That advice was ignored in favor of pursuing an OS2 version and the rest is history as you know it.

To: Why Lehi??? | 11:12 a.m. June 18, 2009

uh, nobody wants to locate in Utah, let alone Lehi? If I'm not mistaken, the whole article was about someone, MICROSOFT to be exact, that IS locating in Utah---in fact, smack dab in Lehi.

This is the place to do business.

PJ | 5:24 p.m. June 18, 2009

WHY LOCATE IN UTAH?? As a major business owner (300+ employees) in No Cal and part-time resident in Utah, here are the reasons:
- Lower taxes. California is going through an economic and financial meltdown beyond imagination. Companies are preparing or have exited the state because of the "welfare" climate. Taxes are going up to pay for the years of mismanagement.
- Leadership. No confidence in political leaders. Who wants to pay for incompetency?
- Unemployment. The numbers (10.5%+) speak for themselves. Those with no jobs are leaving and those with jobs are trying to exit before their net worth deteriorates more. Jobs won't be coming back soon because companies are leaving for the reasons above.
- Education. The California school system is broken. Teachers are being fired and resources are cut because of fiscal mismanagement. One of the highest dropout rates in the country.
- Like crowds?? Come to Cali. Quality of life is bye bye.
- Standard of living. Going down.
- Crime. Going up. Better have a good job and good pay to live in a secure area.

So, for those that don't "get it", maybe now you "got it". Try living here, "You'll be baaack."

Sarge | 1:36 p.m. June 19, 2009

Jordan T - I think there are a few folks around who are not beer drinking golfers. That's a pretty narrow focus. Lehi is a great place to live, and no, I'm not LDS.....

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2 photos

Jason Olson, Deseret News

Paul Mayfield, Director of Engineering for Microsoft, center left, shakes hands with Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert after speaking about the company's decision to open a software development center in the new Thanksgiving Park office complex in Lehi Wednesday.

Gallery (2 photos)