Industry Insights

In response to Rose' query for inputs to the PSITE convention, Jig Pedro has this spot-on insights:

a) Industry is even more focused on operational cost due to increasing material cost and peso evaluation. Thus, IT solutions and services need to be truly cost effective. Unfortunately IT solutions providers are still expensive and are not yet taking advantage of the industry's need for low-cost solutions. IT solution providers should race to customers and offer solutions that will really lower their customers' operational cost. One exception is open-source technology (Linux, java, etc.)

b) Microsoft still dominating the industry in the office productivity space (Outlook, MS Office, etc.). Industry is still wary of Vista and do not want to jump on the Vista band-wagon yet. Acclamation of Vista may be between late 2009 and 2010.

c) Open source is still the trend. It lowers cost of ownership. It is also a good business opportunity for leading software vendors in terms of recurring maintenance fees.

d) Mobile solutions and wireless technology are becoming mainstream in the industry. Tablet PCs, wireless barcode scanners with Windows Mobile, RFIDs, etc. help reduce cost but are not yet cheap either. Mobile phones are productivity tools and unimaginable to not have.

e) VOIP solutions are also becoming mainstream because of globalization, outsourcing, and its cheap rates.

f) SAS and Oracle are leading ERP solutions competitors.

g) Old stuff are still in demand. PCs of old architecture (Pentium III, ISA bus, with Windows 95 and up) are expensive. Old manufacturing equipment, which uses these type of PCs, are still used in factories.

h) Java developers and DBAs are highly in demand. IT executives are younger and have less than 5 years working experience as a manager, which is an indicator that the country is lacking in seasoned IT executives.

i) Assertiveness, business insight, and proficiency in speaking and writing English are premium behavior/skills for IT professionals especially managers to have because businesses are more global than ever.

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