Microsoft M'sia Invests RM300 Million To Spur Domestic Software Development
http://newscentre.msc.com.my/articles/794/1/Microsoft-Msia-Invests-RM300-Million-To-Spur-Domestic-Software-Development/Page1.html
By Fadzilah Hj. Muhamad
Published on 6 November 2008
Microsoft (Malaysia
Source : Bernama
Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is to invest RM300 million in the next three years via the Microsoft BizSpark programme to further support development of the local software economy.
Through the programme, start-ups and technopreneurs will have access to RM625,000 worth of world-class tools, technologies and market resources, said Managing Director Yasmin Mahmood.
"We target 500 companies to be equipped over the next three years. Based on the success of our other programmes, we estimate that these companies will create some 5,000 new jobs in Malaysia and generate an additional RM1 billion for the local software economy," she said.
Currently, 319 MSC Malaysia companies are developing their products on Microsoft Platform, contributing RM2.97 billion revenue in 2006.
Malaysia, with 10 start-ups signed to form the pioneer batch, is the third country picked to launch BizSpark.
She was speaking to reporters after launching Microsoft BizSpark programme and witnessing signing of the Multimedia Development Corporation, Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry Malaysia and eight industry stakeholders as network partners to support the programme.
The BizSpark programme is designed to accelerate the success of local technopreneurs and early stage start-ups through software support and a vibrant ecosystems that delivers superior business advantage.
The programme is centred on three key pillars, namely get software, get support and get visibility that provides start-ups and entrepreneurs with fast and easy access to Microsoft's development tools and production licences of server products with no upfront costs and minimal requirements.
It also allows start-ups to get support from Microsoft and BizSpark network partners locally and around the globe who provide a range of support resources for software start-ups as well as receive global visibility to an audience of potential investors, clients and partners.
On Microsoft Malaysia's business, Yasmin said there are pockets of opportunity across the software industry and the country despite the challenging economic environment.
"With the revision in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), there will be some accompanying slowdown in other sectors and software will not be excluded from it, but we do not anticipate the impact on us to be bad," she said.
Yasmin said Microsoft Malaysia has a stronger position as it has firm fiscal fundamentals, adding that the company sees opportunities during the economic slowdown amid companies adopting technology to become more productive and efficient.
"During the economic slowdown, people are trying to get more productive and efficient and information technology is one of the crucial tools to enable them to do that.
"Overall demand is perhaps slowing down but there are specific opportunities for the IT industry, especially software segment," Yasmin said.
She said there is a possibility to further expand the software industry as Malaysia is still hardware-oriented spending as well as opportunities in the software products export.
Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is to invest RM300 million in the next three years via the Microsoft BizSpark programme to further support development of the local software economy.
Through the programme, start-ups and technopreneurs will have access to RM625,000 worth of world-class tools, technologies and market resources, said Managing Director Yasmin Mahmood.
"We target 500 companies to be equipped over the next three years. Based on the success of our other programmes, we estimate that these companies will create some 5,000 new jobs in Malaysia and generate an additional RM1 billion for the local software economy," she said.
Currently, 319 MSC Malaysia companies are developing their products on Microsoft Platform, contributing RM2.97 billion revenue in 2006.
Malaysia, with 10 start-ups signed to form the pioneer batch, is the third country picked to launch BizSpark.
She was speaking to reporters after launching Microsoft BizSpark programme and witnessing signing of the Multimedia Development Corporation, Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry Malaysia and eight industry stakeholders as network partners to support the programme.
The BizSpark programme is designed to accelerate the success of local technopreneurs and early stage start-ups through software support and a vibrant ecosystems that delivers superior business advantage.
The programme is centred on three key pillars, namely get software, get support and get visibility that provides start-ups and entrepreneurs with fast and easy access to Microsoft's development tools and production licences of server products with no upfront costs and minimal requirements.
It also allows start-ups to get support from Microsoft and BizSpark network partners locally and around the globe who provide a range of support resources for software start-ups as well as receive global visibility to an audience of potential investors, clients and partners.
On Microsoft Malaysia's business, Yasmin said there are pockets of opportunity across the software industry and the country despite the challenging economic environment.
"With the revision in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), there will be some accompanying slowdown in other sectors and software will not be excluded from it, but we do not anticipate the impact on us to be bad," she said.
Yasmin said Microsoft Malaysia has a stronger position as it has firm fiscal fundamentals, adding that the company sees opportunities during the economic slowdown amid companies adopting technology to become more productive and efficient.
"During the economic slowdown, people are trying to get more productive and efficient and information technology is one of the crucial tools to enable them to do that.
"Overall demand is perhaps slowing down but there are specific opportunities for the IT industry, especially software segment," Yasmin said.
She said there is a possibility to further expand the software industry as Malaysia is still hardware-oriented spending as well as opportunities in the software products export.