- Despite having profitable companies such as TCS, Infosys and Wipro, Indian software company are associated with service delivery and not development of software products. There is no Indian equivalent of product based software companies such as Google, Microsoft or Oracle.
- Software companies differ greatly from software product companies in size, marketing, sales, customer support, R&D and various other aspects. Rarely ever is the two offered in the same company (eg: Hewlett-Packard)
- Services offered by Software Companies in India:
- Developing new software systems for clients including a set of requirements and a choice of platform, a programming language, an operating system and a database system.
- However, a major part of this involves upgrading and supporting large operational software systems, eliminating software bugs and adding new features as required.
- They also reduce inherent risk of developing and maintain software system for its clients.
- Products of Indian software companies are often ready-made software systems that can be configured and customised according to a client’s needs within no time.
- Reasons for companies to pursue R&D:
- Developing new tools to manage large complex software systems, especially in time-bound projects will speed up software construction, reduce costs and remove defects.
- Since many companies offer the same services, and are only different in skills and staff experience, introduction of a unique differentiator may be a major advantage.
- The tools so developed will enhance the quality of the final software besides decreasing the time required for development.
- R&D can be used to identify future trends and solve anticipated problems before it can impact client’s business, and additionally increase competitiveness.
- Almost always, software products are developed by small, agile companies while product development is by venture capital companies that filter out 90% of the new products to select the ones that may make the cut.
- R&D can provide a link between these two by developing robust tools that can be used effectively. They are likely to have a wider market.
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-sci-tech-and-agri/why-is-there-no-indian-equivalent-of-microsoft-or-google/article6010398.ece
Exams Perspective: