Choose Davao I.T. providers!

Davao has come a long way in the world of information technology. Ever since the city became Internet-connected in 1996, we’ve made huge strides towards developing our local I.T. industry. Now we are at a point where we are able to compete gainfully in the international arena. Well, to a certain extent.

One of our weaks points is that, Davao as an I.T. hub or outsourcing destination is still relatively unknown. On the other hand, we have an advantage which we should exploit. As a fledgling industry, we have at our disposal the experiences of — and lessons learned by — other cities. Domestically, there’s Cebu as a model. Abroad, there’s the Silicon Valley in California. We could even take a long look at Bangalore, India.

And one lesson that we in Davao would benefit from is this: develop from the inside out. It’s always been sound practice to develop plans from the ground up, hasn’t it? By the same token, Davao’s I.T. industry must grow and be nurtured by what’s already within the city’s borders. My point is: there is a market right here. Local I.T. providers would do well to focus on building their domestic portfolios. Compared to 5 years ago, Davao companies and businesses are now much more aware of the value of technology.

This is largely thanks to the persistence and foresight of several local I.T. companies that pioneered software development and e-services in Davao. These outfits started operating during the time when the local market was still mostly unaware of the benefits of technology, and were thus resistant to accepting innovation and automation. Back then, business software and I.T. services were a real hard sell.

Now the situation has changed perceptibly. Perhaps it’s due to the fact that the next generation has begun to take over the reins of industry. Perhaps it’s because more Davao companies are now doing business with foreign counterparts that require a certain level of technology acceptance. Whatever the reasons, I.T.-enabled businesses are on the rise.

There is now a drive to espouse a ‘proudly Davao made’ campaign that’s being spearheaded by the Davao Chamber and supported by the local government. I.T. products and services should be included as well! Davao-built software, for one, are in fact world-class. While we may not have the numbers that Manila and Cebu have, nevertheless, the relative handful of software development houses and I.T. service providers in Davao are competitive skills-wise and cost-wise.

My appeal to local businessmen and corporate decision makers is, outsource to Davao I.T. companies. Instead of subcontracting, for example, your company’s accounting application to Manila developers, award it to one of our own. Did you know that one of the software developers here, Lane Systems, has deployed industry-strength business applications to international airlines? Inventory management systems to hotels in Las Vegas? Another local outfit, Hubport Interactive, supplies Davao-made software programs to the U.S. and the U.K.

Support our local I.T. industry. Choose Davao I.T. products and services. This will result in the industry’s development and growth, and will in turn translate to more jobs for our I.T. graduates. (Our I.T. graduates are being lost to Manila, Cebu and abroad because we can’t absorb them here… yet. But that’s for another article.)

In the meantime, why don’t we take a look at what they’re doing in Singapore? In the field of search-engine optimization and marketing, Singapore’s top SEO is Future Gen International. Check it out!