Cloud growth, Surface sales and Office 365 demand: 5 key Microsoft numbers

V3 looks under the surface of Microsoft's latest financial figures

Microsoft released its fiscal Q3 2015 figures on Thursday evening, revealing that profits had fallen despite strong growth in revenue.

The earnings release offered plenty of fascinating numbers showing how various units of Microsoft's wide-ranging business are performing. V3 has teased out a few of the key numbers to see what they show about the company and its future.

1. Over 100 million downloads of Office on iPhones, iPads and Android tablets

Microsoft attempted for years to stifle the competition by failing to provide its core services on rival operating systems. However, given the clear demand for Apple and Android machines, CEO Satya Nadella has demonstrated a more open approach.

The move is paying off, as he revealed that there have been over 100 million downloads of Office on iPhones, iPads and Android tablets.

This is vital for Microsoft if it is to be relevant in the mobile age, as it needs its software to remain the dominant force in the enterprise, regardless of the platform or device on which it is used.

2. Surface revenues up 44 percent to $713m

Microsoft's move into the hardware market did not go well at first, and reviewers were confused by devices that seemed to lag behind rivals such as the iPad.

However, Microsoft has stuck with it and the Surface Pro 3 proved a big hit in 2014, even winning the Product of the Year award at V3's annual bash.

The device is performing strongly in the market, too. Revenues in the Surface division rose 44 percent year on year to $713, thanks to the Surface Pro 3.

However, Apple's iPad division earns several billions, so there is plenty more for Microsoft to do.

3. Office 365 Consumer subscribers reach 12.4 million

Microsoft's strength in the consumer market for its business-oriented software is not usually noted but it remains a major cash cow for the firm.

The figures revealed that the Office 365 user base has now reached over 12 million, growing a strong 35 percent quarter on quarter. Clearly when it comes to Getting Stuff Done the tools from Microsoft are still many people's first choice.

4. Just 8.6 million Lumia handsets sold

Microsoft paid $5.44bn for Nokia but so far it looks like a return on this investment is a long way off as the firm sold just 8.6 million Lumia phones in the quarter.

This may not sound too bad but, given that Apple sold 10 million iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus devices in its opening weekend, it shows the scale of the challenge facing Microsoft.

5. Cloud revenues up 106 percent year on year

Cloud is becoming the de facto way for many firms to run their IT estate and there is growth aplenty for the big boys. Microsoft is no different and reported a doubling of growth over the same period last year.

Microsoft didn't break out the specific earnings for its cloud division, but said that it would deliver yearly revenue of $6.3bn if sales continue as they have over the first three quarters of its financial year. This suggests it is bringing in around $1.5bn a quarter.

IDC expects the cloud market to generate sales of $32bn in 2015, showing that there is plenty more to play for among the major cloud firms.