The Brazilian market for software development and IT services is growing fast, supported by the outsourcing of activities carried out in house for companies in the Brazilian Software and IT Services Industry (IBSS). “The IT demands do not stop and become increasingly necessary, leading companies to realize that the support of external suppliers can contribute to speeding up their computerization process. In addition, they need to focus on their business, reducing unnecessary costs arising from maintaining their own IT department”, says Ruben Delgado, president of Softex and coordinator of the seminar “Global Competitiveness of Brazilian IT Companies”, during Rio Info 2015 , which takes place from September 15th to 17th, in São Conrado, Rio de Janeiro.
According to IBGE data, during the period 2007 to 2012, the net revenue of the BISS grew, on average, by 8% per year. Based on these data, Softex's intelligence area estimates that, in 2014, the industry's net revenue reached R$ 100 billion. “Within the scope of the IBSS, the activities of IT technical support/maintenance and the development of portals and the provision of information for the Internet are the ones that have shown the greatest growth over the last few years”.
According to Ruben, the growth of the industry is also related to the natural tendency to computerize an increasing number of small and medium-sized companies. “The emergence of new business models, driven by the mobility scenario and the advent of cloud computing, with the adoption of SaaS (Software as a Service) solutions, facilitate the computerization process of small businesses. The B2C market has also grown, driven by the fascination that new technologies have on people, especially the younger ones. An increasing number access apps and services via cell phones and other mobile devices.”
The export of Brazilian software and IT services also grew. In 2007, there were 149 companies. The number reached 273 in 2012. Softex's intelligence area estimates that, in 2014, the industry had 315 exporting companies. Revenue also grows year on year. In 2007, net revenue from exports was R$ 3.6 billion, increasing to R$ 4.1 billion in 2012 (PAS/IBGE data, at 2013 prices). For 2014, Softex estimates that the exported value will be closer to R$ 5 billion, representing something around 4.5% of the sector's total revenue.
challenges and opportunities
New technologies, including big data, cloud computing, mobility and social networks, bring a series of opportunities, but also pose a great challenge: the need for companies in the sector to rethink their business, review their portfolio of products and services. , evaluate their partnerships with other companies in the sector, with suppliers and customers. “The scenario is one of paradigm shift, change in the way people live and work and use IT. Our companies have to be aware of this movement”.
In order for the sector to continue to grow and to keep up with the rapidly changing scenario, another important difficulty that the sector has to face refers to the training of human resources. Small companies, which make up most of the national software and IT services industry, have the advantage of easily adapting to new scenarios, but they need to bet on new market opportunities in partnership with large ones. “They need to gain muscle and expand their area of operation, in general, still very focused on local markets and small businesses. An alternative to growth would be its organization in consortia or other business arrangements, seeking to combine its own products with those of partners, allowing the offer of end-to-end services to customers, in general large ones”, concludes Delgado.
To assess the industry's internationalization potential, Softex uses a methodology that considers several factors: commercial results, accumulated knowledge, attitude towards the foreign market and operational capacity. The methodology was applied to companies participating in the Softex/Apex-Brasil Sectorial Project and the results are being evaluated.
SERVICE:
Rio Info 2015 – 13th National Meeting of Technology and Business
Date: September 15th to 17th
Location: Hotel Royal Tulip, Rua Aquarela do Brasil 75, São Conrado, Rio de Janeiro.
Information and registration: www.rioinfo.com.br
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