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Colombian software development is being considered and sought after as a solution to the technological needs of various countries and companies around the world.
This was demonstrated at the last business forum organized by PROCOLOMBIA at Softic 2013, with 55 buyers from 13 countries and 74 Colombian exporters reporting business prospects of USD 32 million.
" It' s a positive result, not only because it is a 41.2% increase compared to the 2012 prospects, but also because it confirmed the recognition Colombia is enjoying internationally as a software provider," explained Maria Claudia Lacouture, PROCOLOMBIA president.
Lacouture added that the two days of the fair also revealed market niches that offer business opportunities for Colombian entrepreneurs.
Peru' s penal system and the Dominican Republic' s hotel industry were among these.
For the former, the demand is for software that facilitates tracing information related to Peru' s 69 prison facilities and 68 thousand prisoners. " More than half of the entrepreneurs we met have what we' re looking for. Now, they need to register in Peru' s contract system," explained Renzo Luis Patiño of the National Penitentiary Institute of Peru (INPE). He indicated that his organization will carry out an international tender process.
Specifically, Patiño came in search of software that organizes information " from when the judiciary makes a ruling for detention, to when the prisoner is released. Having their penal records digitized, knowing if inmates need to study or work in order to obtain some type of benefit, whether they can access benefits- all this will also help us prevent corruption."
The Dominican Republic, on the other hand, needs technological solutions for its hotel industry. Javier Perez Montero, a Dominican entrepreneur who provides software to seven hotels on the island explained it like this: " The industry is more developed here. That is why I came, and that is why I can say that I' m leaving with very good options in terms of what I was looking for: a tool that will integrate several hotel functions and services."
In general, the international entrepreneurs agreed that Colombia offers a competitive advantage not found in other countries, such as technical knowledge and competitive prices.
Diego Ferrer, of Orinoco Systems, a company dedicated to developing software for the American financial industry, added that Colombia is even replacing large global providers such as India.
" Of course, India is the pioneer in remote solutions for technology. However, there is a lot of competition and staff turnover. The difference in time zones makes things difficult, especially when it comes to communication. So, since we have a free trade agreement with Colombia that facilitates trade relations, and Colombia has an economy that is among the best in Latin America, has less staff turnover, and is in the same time zone, Colombia is now a favorable place to do business."
