Microsoft’s Integration Plan Following $26.2 Billion Acquisition of LinkedIn

Microsoft Office App — MONTREAL CANADA – MARCH 2016 – Microsoft Office mobile application on Samsung device’s screen. Microsoft Office is one of the most popular office software.

Microsoft (MSFT) and LinkedIn (LNKD) announced on Monday that Microsoft will acquire LinkedIn in a deal valued at $26.2 billion. The all-cash deal is the largest acquisition in Microsoft’s history and is an attempt for the technology giant to move into the world of social media.

Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella spoke to analysts on a conference call to discuss the company’s plans for LinkedIn.

The call provided slight insight into Microsoft’s plan for the company, including LinkedIn being ran as an independent company that will continue to operate under the guidance of the company’s current CEO Jeff Weiner. Weiner will report to Nadella.

The two CEOs discussed how the two companies can work and grow together. Synergies that have potential to prosper between the two companies were discussed, too. Nadella dispatched an email to employees about the acquisition that sheds further insight into the company’s plan to integrate LinkedIn into the fold.

In a press release by Microsoft, Nadella stated, “Together, we can accelerate the growth of LinkedIn as well as Microsoft Office 365 and Dynamics.” The bold statement provides a suggestion that Microsoft may try to integrate LinkedIn into the company’s office suite Office 365.

Nadella also discussed Microsoft’s cloud services in the press release, with implication that Microsoft may leverage LinkedIn’s network to help push the company’s cloud products. LinkedIn has a network of 433 million professionals, many of which use Microsoft products in some facet of their work.

Cortana, Microsoft’s digital / voice assistant may also be integrated into LinkedIn in theory. The assumption of Cortana’s LinkedIn connection comes after a presentation from Microsoft, which stated: “In the future, Cortana will also know about your professional organization.”

Microsoft and LinkedIn will share the mission to empower individuals and organizations, according to Microsoft. The company’s ambition is to “reinvent productivity and business processes.” The 433 million LinkedIn users will allow Microsoft to connect directly to millions of potential consumers using the data it collects to better reach its goals.