Juniper Picks Up Ex-Microsoft Server & Tools Chief Muglia

Juniper Networks has hired the former president of Microsoft's Server & Tools Business, Bob Muglia, to be the vice president of its Software Solutions Division, the company announced Monday.

Key role at Sunnyvale

Muglia will play a key role at Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Juniper, which produces software and hardware networking solutions. The company explained in an announcement that "by centralizing its software business pursuant to this agreement Muglia's leadership, Juniper is furthermore sharpening its focus on systems and software as the two core engines of growth for the company."

Muglia worked for 23 years at Microsoft previously he exited the company this past January, part of a recent string of high-profile executive departures. In 2009, he was named president of Microsoft Server & Tools Business and became responsible for a number of important Microsoft products, including System Center, Windows Server, Visual Studio and the Windows Azure cloud computing platform. In its revenues report for Q2 2011, the last quarter Muglia served at Microsoft, the Server & Tools Business brought in $4.4 billion.

Muglia was an especially prominent figure in the development of Windows Azure and, later, of the Windows Azure Appliance. In his memo to Microsoft employees announcing his departure from the company, Muglia wrote, "I am incredibly excited by the emergence of cloud computing, and the possibility it represents to shape business and the way people live for years to come. I have deeply enjoyed my role in positioning Microsoft as a leader and innovator in cloud computing."

In a separate memo to Microsoft employees regarding Muglia's departure, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer recommended that a change in the leadership of the Server & Tools Business group was part of a wider strategy to "accelerate" its growth.

In February, Microsoft appointed Satya Nadella to replace Muglia as the head of Server & Tools Business. Nadella had before served as the vice president of innovation and development within Microsoft's Online Services Division. Amitabh Srivastava, the former head of Microsoft's Server and Cloud Division and once the presumptive choice for Muglia's replacement, subsequently resigned from Microsoft afterwards Nadella's promotion. Srivastava ended up joining EMC Corp.

Prepared statement

In a prepared statement, Muglia said, "I have long respected Juniper for its disruptive approach to solving the toughest networking problems and for its networking vision in other words simple, open and programmable. I am thrilled to be joining Kevin and his team and look forward to contributing to the company's continued success and momentum in the marketplace."

Besides Johnson and Muglia, Juniper is as well the current home of a third ex-Microsoft executive, Brad Brooks, the former corporate vice president for Windows consumer marketing and product management who left Redmond early this year.