Ex-Microsoft bigwig Bob Muglia joins Juniper Networks

Ballmer's reject - or Ballmer's point man?

Erstwhile Microsoft server and tools biz boss Bob Muglia has taken a job at Juniper Networks – a company headed up by Redmond's one-time platforms and services division Kevin Johnson.

Muglia, a veteran of the software giant, was pushed out of MS by CEO Steve Ballmer in January after 23 years of service. Although his departure was announced at the time, Muglia is still at Microsoft until later this year. He will join Juniper Networks, which rivals network kit maker Cisco, on 1 October, taking charge of the firm's shiny new software solutions wing.

Johnson quit Microsoft in July 2008, after leading Microsoft's doomed bid to buy internet portal Yahoo!. He had been president of Microsoft's platforms and services division.

Sunnyvale, California-based Juniper Networks said in a statement that it had created a new role for Muglia.

"As we continue to execute on our growth strategy centered on systems and software, we look forward to Bob playing a central role in extending our leadership position in network-powered software solutions," Johnson said.

Muglia is Juniper Networks' latest ex-Microsoftie to join the company.

In January this year the company poached Redmond's Windows consumer marketing boss, Brad Brooks.

Brooks had been with Microsoft since January 2002, when he began work on the company's biz development and marketing for various Windows products.

Speculation

All of which leads to the obvious question: How soon before Ballmer attempts to buy cloudy/switchy Juniper Networks? It's not an unreasonable conjecture given that Nokia and Skype both had ex-Microsofties on their books before Stevie-Boy swooped with talons outstretched. ®