Microsoft: A company on the grow
Written by John Utke Tuesday, 29 September 2009 08:00
Microsoft is alive and thriving in Fargo. Despite recent layoffs, the Fargo campus is the third largest Microsoft facility in the United States with over 1000 employees and nearly 500 vendors, says Microsoft payroll accountant Julie Severson.
The recently completed building, Vision, is North Dakota’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design) certified building, meaning it meets strict green building criteria.
Heating and cooling is done by geothermal energy. All of the wood surfaces are made of bamboo, the most biodegradable building material, the counters are made of crushed glass; even the art sculptures are made of recycled aluminum.
Not only is the building green, but the land surrounding it is as well.
The Fargo campus reflects a philosophy of embracing nature and our native surroundings.
Natural grasslands and original trees surround the campus while domesticated trees thrive indoors. “Even the campus horticulturist was brought in from Disney,” Severson stated.
Microsoft has also taken great steps to ensure Fargo’s campus is comfortable for its employees as well as friendly to the environment.
Natural light streams through the large wall of windows as employees work in bright open areas. To relieve stress, employees are free to use any of the relaxation rooms (complete with foosball, air hockey, and Xbox 360) while enjoying a free beverage, such as Starbucks coffee, milk, juice or pop. Microsoft also offers an indoor/outdoor food court with a team of professional chefs.
According to Microsoft’s website, the campus began as Great Plains Software in the 1980s under the direction of Douglas Burgum. The focus of Great Plains Software was on accounting-based software, which attracted the attention of Microsoft in 2000, and led to the subsequent acquisition in 2001.
Since then Microsoft has continued developing the accounting-based software, renamed Dynamics GP, and has expanded the Fargo campus to include the payroll for all of Microsoft’s 52,000 United States employees-meaning even Bill Gates’ paycheck comes out of Fargo.
