Is the Surface a failure? Some people seem to think so. I for one find it curious that Microsoft isn’t releasing sales numbers for the device—and I’m hardly alone here.

Not so long ago, Microsoft used to own the enterprise. Everyone used Windows and Office. Big and small companies—and everyone in between. Public and private sectors. Only a relatively few small Mac-shops existed.

We’re not in the 1990s anymore.

Now Microsoft losing ground there to companies like Apple and open source alternatives to operating systems and productivity apps, not to mention Google Docs. What’s more, the consumerization of IT continues means that proper sales to CIOs now mean less than before. It’s one of the key points in the book. BYOD is happening as we speak.

Bottom line: Historically, most people have only used Microsoft products because they had to, not because they wanted to. Big difference. (Kinnect and Xbox are two of Microsoft’s very few successful consumer brands.)

What happens when people no longer have to use your products and services? Microsoft is finding out.