EduCentres Information Services Limited, a professional service firm located in Kingston, in conjunction with Microsoft Jamaica, staged the event for Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to hear more about opportunities that are available.

An ISV develops IT solutions or products using a particular vendor's software.  In Jamaica, the typical ISV has at least a first degree with a technical or business major, and most are computer science programmers, with a strong business interest in the computer industry.

How many ISVs there are across Jamaica is unknown, but Microsoft Developer Platform Programme Lead for the West Indies Richard Shaw estimates that it could easily be more than three times the 35 who turned up at the event.

Shaw believes the potential benefits and income that can be harnessed by local developers through partnership with Microsoft and similar companies, is largely untapped.  "A lot of talent and potential lies in our human resources," Shaw told Sunday Finance.

"What is really important is that we as a country need to make sure that we are not just consumers, but we are also producers.  There is a lot we can contribute to the world, we need to provide access to our people to the technologies and opportunities provided by companies such as Microsoft."

He said the event was held to educate and inform current and potential ISVs about these technologies and opportunities.  "I want to make sure that the developer is aware of these programmes and that they take advantage of them.  There is a lot of money and a lot of support available and sometimes it is that they are not aware of these programmes why you have developers struggling."

The three-hour session gave insights into the Microsoft Empower Programme.  This programme provides developers with a subscription for the Microsoft Developers Network (MSDN), which normally costs approximately US$3,000 but was offered at less than US$600.

They were also notified of special incentives, such as subsidising the cost to certify solutions developed using the Microsoft.Net technology.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/Business/html/20050306T030000-0500_76338_OBS_LOCAL_PROGRAMMERS_SIGNING_UP_WITH_MICROSOFT.asp