CYBERJAYA: Independent software vendors (ISVs) in this country can look forward to a helping hand from software giant Microsoft Corp to improve their businesses.

Microsoft and Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) – custodian of Multimedia Super Corridor Malaysia initiative – jointly launched the MSC Malaysia OneISV Programme last week.

The progamme falls under the MSC Malaysia Software Initiative, which aims to nurture and strengthen the local software economy by spurring successful quality Malaysian-made products.

Under the programme, Microsoft will guide selected ISVs to improve and market their products locally and internationally.

WORKING TOGETHER: Dowd (right) exchanging documents with MDeC general manager for software development cluster Rizatuddin Ramli to mark a partnership between MDeC and Microsoft for the MSC Malaysia OneISV Programme. With them are Badlisham and Microsoft Malaysia managing director Yasmin Mahmood.

MDeC chief executive officer Badlisham Ghazali said certification from a well-known company such as Microsoft is important for local ISVs that want to be recognised internationally.

He said customers and users would be more confident of the products if the ISVs were certified by a recognised industry player.

"Our ISVs want to be global players but before that they will need to be recognised as producers of world-class software," he said.

Tyson Dowd, senior director at Microsoft Malaysia, said successful marketing on a global scale is the main challenge faced by local ISVs.

"To market here, they need to build a brand that will inspire local companies to buy their products," he said, adding that ISVs would need international recognition to go beyond the Malaysian market.

Microsoft will also be guiding local ISVs on how to better run a software business based on its experience gained from working with partners around the world.

"An MBA doesn't tell you how to run a software company so we will teach you how to do that," Dowd said.

However, Microsoft said it won't be holding the hands of ISVs all the way. "The thing is to teach and then let them take on their own skills," Dowd said.

Six Malaysian companies have been selected for the programme; they are Tricubes Bhd, CWorks System Bhd, Covalent Technology Bhd, Strategic Benchmark Sdn Bhd, Authentic Ventures Bhd and Sina Technologies Sdn Bhd.

Hamdi Mokthar, CEO of Covalent Technologies hopes to learn as much from the programme as possible.

The programme, he said, would also help him get software tools that are crucial for his business, but which are too expensive for the company now. "That takes care of my lack of resources," he quipped.

Aziz Ismail, CEO of Authentic Ventures, welcomed Microsoft's help.

"Local ISVs face problems, such as shortage of skilled programmers, lack of marketing and distribution know-how ... this programme will help us tackle these," he said.

The Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia (Pikom) also gave the thumbs up for the collaborative move.

"We welcome any programme that aims to help develop our local ISVs," said Simon Seow, chairman of Pikom's special interest group for software.

He said local ISVs are generally perceived as being not as good as their international counterparts, which is not true. "Those that go through this programme will be able to improve their image in the market," he said.

"The endorsement from MDeC and Microsoft will also give the ISVs a "branding" advantage," Seow added.