Ray Ozzie, Microsoft’s chief software architect and prime advocate of cloud computing, has resigned suddenly.
Announcing his departure, CEO Steve Ballmer said Ozzie will work with Microsoft’s entertainment group until he retires, but did not give a specific reason for the resignation.
Ballmer credited Ozzie’s Internet Services Disruption memo in 2006 for driving the desktop focused Microsoft towards the cloud.
“With our progress in services and the cloud now full speed ahead in all aspects of our business, Ray and I are announcing today Ray’s intention to step down from his role as chief software architect,” Ballmer said.
Ozzie joined the firm as CTO when Microsoft acquired his startup Groove Networks in 2005, and became head of software after Bill Gates retired. Microsoft won’t be appointing a replacement.
Ozzie won a reputation in Silicon Valley during the early desktop apps era in the ‘80s, creating Lotus Notes collaboration software.