Bill Gates is ready to take on the full-time role of philanthropist, as his last day at the office finally arrived. From now on, Gates will dedicate 80 percent of his time to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in order to deal with issues such as extreme poverty or educational opportunities for people all over the world.

This is it, Bill Gates’ last day at the office has arrived! The most talked about day in the history of Microsoft opens a path for new names to take Microsoft’s future into their hands, while Bill starts a new job as the world’s busiest philanthropist.

Although Bill Gates’ departure is in fact a change in his priorities, everyone now wonders about the capability of the team he leaves behind to fill his shoes.

Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer prepares for the toughest mission yet: to guide the software giant towards the bright future Gates predicted for Microsoft.

Gates will not be fully outside the company, as he will remain Microsoft’s chairman. But from now on, his time will be 80 percent dedicated to his Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

There’s no doubt about it, Microsoft will enter a new era with Gates’ three officers in charge of the company’s best interests: Steve Ballmer, Craig Mundie and Ray Ozzie.

Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer’s friendship goes back 30 years ago, when the two first met. As Gates started a revolution in the personal computer world, Ballmer became his right hand.

The invincible team became one of the best known in the tech world. However, from now on, Ballmer will have to fill in for Gates as well. The company’s internal structure will probably suffer some changes under Ballmer, all for the sake of innovation and progress.

While Bill Gates said he is happy he has two such important and challenging passions, one of which will fill most of his time from now on, Steve Ballmer said he plans to stick around at least 10 more years in his new role at Microsoft.

His first major announcement on the Windows operating system is expected later this year, when more details on Vista’s successor will be made public.

Microsoft will probably continue its efforts in the mobile market as well, as the competition gets tougher every day.

Preparation for the “big day” started in 2006, when Microsoft began a restructuring process of its leadership, giving Gates more time for his work at the foundation.

As Gates pointed out in an interview, his decision was hard to make, but he truly believes that Microsoft, which is strongly positioned at the moment, has a bright future ahead.