This he explained to Wednesday Business in an exclusive interview, following the launch of the Microsoft West Indies Developer and Platform Partnership Programme with EduCentres Information Services Limited.

"If I were to give you a figure, I would say it is probably somewhere between J$5million to J$10 million for the first half of this financial year," he said.

The Developers Platform Partnership Programme was launched last Wednesday at the Knutsford Court Hotel.  It is a Microsoft West Indies initiative which targets computer software developers.  The aim is to better equip software developers with Microsoft technologies and save them millions in computer training and software supplies.

MARKETING THRUST

Developer platform leader for the West Indies, Mr. Richard Shaw, pointed out that although Microsoft may be strong in its marketing thrust, users of its technology in the Caribbean are finding it difficult to understand and access the software and tools.  Hence with the help of EduCentres Information Services, Microsoft seeks to correct the problem.

"For years Microsoft has been focusing on marketing.  Now we say, we hear the cries of you developers and will give you the tools and the resources you need to develop your knowledge and competence of the software," he explained.  "We are not asking you to pay," he added.

Mr. Shaw noted that participation in all the training programmes could easily approach US$10,000.00 in cost.  However, the average person going through the programme will not have to pay more than US$500.00. "Training that typically costs US$2,000.00 may now be US$I00.00 to all these different developers in all these different disciplines," he said.

THE LAUNCH

The training programmes will be free for some who fit Microsoft's developer's profile.  The launch was made to sensitise the public that Microsoft is taking steps to get its software developers more competent.  It commits to provide developers with the best tools, programmes and services and enhance support to customers.  Microsoft Jamaica in partnership with EduCentres Information Services Limited will offer training in fifteen to twenty programmes and initiatives to business enterprises, universities, professionals and individual software developers (ISV).  Some of these include:.NET Cells programmes, Imagine Cup, Enterprise.Net, Unidos for ISV, Online Charts and Webcasts and Academic.NET Cell.

EduCentres Information Services Limited is a firm that specialises in computer training, knowledge management, systems consulting and application development.

The launch in Jamaica serves as a pilot programme for the greater Caribbean.  The Honourable Phillip Paulwell, Minister of Commerce, Science and Technology and Mr. Joseph McKinson, country manager for Microsoft Jamaica were among those present at the launch.

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20040929/business/business6.html