This is one of the conclusions drawn by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) following its first study on the development of the domestic software industry in 2005. The survey was conducted with 800 IT professionals from China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The key findings from this research emphasize that the government needs to play a significant role in facilitating the development of the domestic software industry, particularly in the fields of education and training. For IT professionals, the industry’s ability to self-regulate is deemed more appropriate than policies put forth by the government.
“They believe that the government’s role is to encourage and create a free environment where all participants can compete equally in the market,” said Seow Hiong Goh, the BSA’s Director of Software Policy.
This study also reflects the genuine interest of Asian IT experts in the readiness of open-source options when developing software; however, the level of knowledge and experience regarding open-source and commercial software is still inconsistent. Many are hopeful that open-source solutions will offer better choices. The majority believe that open-source and commercial software can and should coexist.
The assessments and opinions of Vietnamese IT experts in the survey are not significantly different from their regional counterparts. However, it is noteworthy that 100% of the Vietnamese respondents indicated that high prices have hindered their choice to use software products. In contrast, respondents from other countries, such as Singapore, pointed out that the biggest limitation is company policies. Meanwhile, Malaysian respondents cited that the functionality of the software does not meet their needs.
When evaluating the factors that could boost the domestic software industry, 45% of Vietnamese experts surveyed voted for education and training (20% higher than other countries). 16% believe that government support is crucial, while 25% assert that there is a need for deeply knowledgeable experts in the field.
According to BSA representatives, this research includes statistics from across Asia, reflecting the broader landscape and needs of IT practitioners throughout the region, along with specific national statistics that highlight each country’s unique prospects and advantages.
Nguyen Hang
