Software industry among top contributors to IT-BPO growth in the Philippines

Tallwood Venture Capital’s Dado Banatao and industry experts to examine opportunities in IOS 2012

The Philippines is a mature global location for software services, joining the ranks of China, Brazil, India, and Poland, according to a report by the Everest Group. The Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) says software and information technology (IT) outsourcing is a top contributor to industry growth.

“The Philippine software industry is positioned competitively in the global market,” said Benedict Hernandez, BPAP president and CEO. “In 2011, the software industry grew 37% and earned US$993 million in revenues. It also grew its workforce by almost 50,000 full-time employees. These gains clearly demonstrate the potential of the Philippine software industry in an environment in which demand for these value-added services is increasing exponentially.”

Growth of the software sector in the Philippines and in services centers elsewhere is among the key topics on the agenda of the fourth annual International Outsourcing Summit (IOS), a landmark event for the IT-BPO and GIC (global in-house centers) industry. The Summit takes place October 7-9 and organizers say the Summit provides a venue for top executives, domain experts, analysts, and representatives of key industry players to discuss opportunities and challenges for IT-BPO industry.

Around 500 delegates from almost 20 countries and 70 high-level speakers and panelists from around the world are expected to attend the annual Summit.

Session on software industry development
The session on the software sector, “A new vision for growth and sustainability,” will focus on the potential of software and ITO in the context of fast-developing technologies that empower consumers, the pervasiveness of the mobile Internet, and the ubiquitous future of cloud computing. According to Hernandez, the session will feature perspectives from respected and highly influential industry players who have and continue to influence how software and technology sectors evolve.

Dado Banatao, managing partner of Tallwood Venture Capital and a highly regarded Silicon Valley visionary, will be the speaker-moderator for the session. With his vast experience and entrepreneurial savvy, Banatao provides Tallwood with a unique perspective on technology investments. Tallwood invests in unique and hard-to-do semiconductor technology solutions for computing, communication, and consumer platforms.

Prior to Tallwood, Banatao was a venture partner at the Mayfield Fund. He co-founded three technology startups: S3 (SBLU), Chips & Technologies (INTC), and Mostron. He also held positions in engineering and general management at National Semiconductor, Seeq Technologies, Intersil, and Commodore International. Banatao pioneered the PC chip set and graphics acceleration architecture that continue to be two of the foundation technologies in every personal computer today. As an engineer, he is credited with developing several key semiconductor technologies.

Joining Banatao as panelists are Joey Gurango, managing director of Gurango Software Corporation; Alvin Gendrano, director of Microsoft Philippines; and Earl Martin Valencia, president and co-founder of IdeaSpace Foundation and head of Corporate Development at Smart Communications. Co-moderating the session is Nora Terrado, president of the Philippine Software Industry Association (PSIA). Serial entrepreneur Winston Damarillo, venture capital manager Paco Sandejas, and IBM country general manager Mariels Winhoffer are also expected to join the panel.

“Because of increased market demand, we hope to build momentum and sustain the current growth rate of 27 percent. By 2013, PSIA aims to achieve 30 percent year-on-year revenue or US$1.5 billion and increase employment by 25 percent, which corresponds to about 80,000 employees,” Terrado said.

The PSIA is composed of approximately 150 companies engaged in software development and IT outsourcing. It is also among the five partner associations of BPAP. For more information on the Summit and to register, visit www.internationaloutsourcingsummit.com.

About the Business Processing Association of the Philippines
The Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) is the umbrella association for the IT-BPO and GIC (Global In-House Center) industry in the Philippines. BPAP serves as the one-stop information and advocacy gateway for the industry. With approximately 300 industry and allied-industry members, including five associations, BPAP plays a pivotal role in sustaining rapid growth of the IT-BPO and GIC industry by working to ensure an enduring supply of high-quality labor, supporting service innovation, and providing country visibility. For more information on BPAP, visit www.bpap.org.