MVP’s Eccentric Creation: Microsoft Rebrand Registry
If you’re worn out trying to keep up with Redmond’s relentless product rebranding antics, here’s a site that might be right up your alley: the Microsoft Rebrand Registry. Microsoft MVP Loryan Strant conceived the idea because he believes it’s a useful resource, and he also hopes it brings you a good laugh.
Readers may remember that Strant also created the site Let Me Correct That For You, which enumerates the official names of Microsoft products. It’s a task he mentioned to GadgetLad that he considers valuable because Microsoft, in its infinite wisdom, employs Camel Case for things like PowerPoint yet maintains standard capitalization for Copilot. Another one of his bright ideas showcases Microsoft cloud product logos. Additionally, he has launched HumbledandHonored.com, a site dispensing social media posts for MVPs to declare they’ve earned or retained Microsoft’s awards.
The Banter That Inspired a Registry
Strant shared with GadgetLad that the Rebrand Registry came to life after some banter with his fellow MVP friends about Microsoft’s talent for renaming products. It features a staggering 72 Microsoft products and the 158 names they’ve held over the years. There’s some analysis too; it turns out that a product’s name typically lasts about two years and eleven months on average. Eight products have each undergone the renaming process three times, including:
- Azure AI Search
- Azure App Service
- Azure DevOps
- Azure SQL Database
- Foundry Tools
- Microsoft 365 Copilot app
- Microsoft Configuration Manager
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Fortune Telling the Microsoft Way
Strant has even attempted to predict which Microsoft products might soon receive a new name, utilizing the duration of the current name, previous names, and the rate at which names change within product families. That crystal ball led him to foresee a strong likelihood of name changes for Azure App Service, Azure SQL Database, Azure DevOps, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 Field Service.
Strant’s Tech Wizards & Tools
The site focuses on active products, and Strant acknowledges that his analysis is inclined towards items Microsoft currently markets. He hasn’t resolved how to approach successor products, such as when Microsoft replaced Skype for Business and transferred similar functionalities to Teams. Strant developed Let Me Correct That For You using WordPress, while his Microsoft logo archive originated from a OneDrive folder and utilizes a GitHub repository. For the Rebrand Registry, he employed various coding tools. “I have my own setup that allows me to custom-build things,” he described, ensuring he meticulously verifies data rather than relying on AI tools for accuracy.
Feedback and Microsoft’s Playful Acknowledgment
Strant mentioned that most people offer him positive feedback for his sites, whether on LinkedIn or chatting at events. He’s even caught wind that some Microsoft employees appreciate his efforts since Redmond hasn’t maintained the records that his sites highlight. “I hope that people find them helpful and enjoy a laugh,” he stated.
Summary: The Fun with Microsoft’s Rebranding Circus
The Microsoft Rebrand Registry is a fantastic creation by MVP Loryan Strant, providing a chuckle and an in-depth look into Redmond’s unpredictable naming shenanigans. With forecasts on the next potential name changes, it’s a valuable site for any tech enthusiast looking to stay abreast of Microsoft’s rebranding circus.
