Philippines software outsourcing increases

The software services outsourcing industry in the Philippines recorded positive growth as it reached a robust 37% in 2011, translating into $993 million with an 11% growth rate on employment of some 50 000 information technology professionals, based on a recent study conducted by the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA), philSTAR.com reveals.

The nearly $1 billion figure is attributed to an increase in demand from international clients to tap local firms for their specific IT and software requirements.

PSIA president Nora Terrado said improved utilisation of the current talent pool enabled companies to increase efficiency and revenue per full-time employee, while close collaboration between industry players and the government in training fresh graduates and career switchers has helped augment the much-needed technical workforce, The Manila Times reports.

Moreover, some local players are seen to be transitioning from full services to product development companies.

“Capability development and product and services innovation are important factors to sustain this growth trend amidst the globally competitive environment, the advent of cloud computing, the convergence of BPO (business processing outsourcing) and ITO (IT outsourcing) services, among others,” Terrado said.

Terrado further noted that the positive growth of the industry in recent years encourages the IT organisation to offer more long-term programmes to develop IT professionals through the initiatives of its capability development committee such as industry-academe linkages, skills development, near-hire scholarship programmes, and IT teacher development, InterAksyon says.

The PSIA said it is looking at the areas of application enhancement, maintenance and support, independent software testing and remote infrastructure services as potential growth areas for the sector in 2012.