By Computerworld Hong Kong staff
Computerworld Hong Kong
October 15, 2009

HONG KONG - The IT industry will create 21,000 new jobs in Hong Kong over the next four years, among the massive number of 5.8 million jobs worldwide, according to findings of a global study by IDC.

The expected growth rate for IT employment of 3 percent a year is more than 16 times the rate of growth of total employment in Hong Kong and is a strong indicator that investing in IT will contribute to economic recovery and growth, said IDC.

Besides, IT-related activities will generate HK$ 14 billion in taxes in 2009, said IDC, adding that over the next four years that means more than HK$ 8 billion in aggregate net new taxes.

The IDC study, commissioned by Microsoft, investigated the contribution of IT to GDP, job creation in the IT industry, employment in the software sector, formation of new companies, local IT spending, and tax revenues in 52 countries, representing 98 percent of total worldwide IT spending, said Microsoft, adding that the research found that Microsoft and its ecosystem of local partners, vendors and service providers are a major catalyst of local economic growth and opportunity, during both the current economic difficulties and recovery.

Key findings about Hong Kong’s IT and software industry
In addition, IT spending was expected to grow at triple the rate of GDP growth, said IDC, adding that IT spending in 2009 will be HK$38 billion. From the end of 2008 to the end of 2013, IT spending will grow 2.6 percent a year, compared to GDP growth of 0.9 percent a year, the research house noted.

Spending on software is growing faster than the spending on IT overall — 5.8 percent a year between 2008 and 2013, more than double the 2.6 percent growth for all IT spending, the analyst firm said.

Software accounts for a modest slice of overall IT spending but has a disproportionately positive impact on local economies. Therefore, although local spending on packaged software will be only 13 percent of total IT spending in 2009, 47 percent of IT employment will be software-related and its growth over the next four years will be 6.5 percent, more than double the growth of total IT employment, IDC added

The IT market will drive the creation of nearly 600 new businesses between now and the end of 2013, among 75,000 new around the globe, said IDC, adding that most of news firms in Hong Kong will be small and locally owned organizations.

Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is estimated to account for a little less than 1 percent of IT spending in Hong Kong, but the percentage might triple over the next four years, said IDC.

Cloud services could add more than HK$40 billion in net new business revenues to Hong Kong’s economy between the end of 2009 and the end of 2013, IDC forcast.

Microsoft ecosystem to generate nearly HK$15 billion
The IDC study indicated that companies in the Microsoft ecosystem in Hong Kong will generate nearly HK$15 billion in revenues for themselves in 2009. For every HK$1 Microsoft will make in Hong Kong in 2009, companies in the local ecosystem will make HK$11.05, said IDC.

To generate those revenues, companies in the local ecosystem will drive nearly HK$5 billion of investment, most of it in Hong Kong, the analyst house noted.

Companies in the Microsoft ecosystem employ 25,000 people; IT-using organizations employ another 28,000 IT professionals who work with Microsoft software or the products and services based on it, according to IDC.

Together, these employees will account for 42 percent of IT-related employment in 2009 and 47 percent of IT-related taxes in Hong Kong, IDC said.

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By Jenalyn Rubio
Computerworld Philippines

In a world still significantly dominated by male leaders, Accenture top executive Beth Lui, was among the first few women who have managed to prove that IT is, indeed, also a woman’s world.

Although gender is no longer an issue in this type of work nowadays, Lui shares that her manager back when she was just starting her career told her to “be better than the guys to clearly stand out.” “The advice worked because I learned to aim higher,” the IT veteran discloses.

A certified public accountant (CPA) by profession, Lui graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of Sto. Tomas and has been in the IT industry for more than 20 years now. Right after taking the CPA board exam, Lui applied with the audit division of what was then Arthur Andersen (what is now the IT and outsourcing firm, Accenture) and was offered to join the management consulting division. She started as a software developer and eventually moved up the ranks to designer, team manager, and senior executive.

Today, Lui is the country managing director and concurrently the lead for technology of Accenture Delivery Centers in the Philippines, overseeing the overall delivery of technology services such as systems integration, application outsourcing and infrastructure outsourcing.

NO MAGIC FORMULA
According to Lui, when she started her career, she never imagined that she would someday be the country managing director of a giant IT and outsourcing firm like Accenture, sharing that she just took each challenge one day at a time.

“I do not think there is a sure route or magic formula for success. When I started working, my manager told me that in order to stand out; I should strive to be the best. And some 20 or so years later, I still continue to strive to be the best in everything that I do,” Lui says, adding that even in her current position, she still looks forward to learning new things.

According to her, the opportunities to find solutions to problems, to meet, interact and learn from people, and to experience life in various situations are what inspire her to get up each morning and go to work.

Her biggest challenge professionally, the veteran shares, is to constantly look for ways to do better. On the personal side, meanwhile, she says it would be striking a work-life balance. The executive also acknowledged that without a steadfast commitment to client service and a great team to work with, she would not be where she is today.

“At Accenture, we tell our people that there is great power in our personal expectations – we achieve what we believe we can achieve. It is also very important to have a work-life balance so that we can sustain the time and energy commitment to achieve high performance, everyday,” she further shares.

Looking forward, Lui says she wants to continue growing Accenture in the country, for it likewise continues making significant contributions to the outsourcing industry and the Philippine economy.

Asked what legacy she wants to leave behind, Lui says she wants people to realize that Accenture is capable of achievements and industry leadership in the Philippines. “I would like to be remembered as a leader that demonstrated a ‘can do attitude’ and this is something that I would also like my colleagues to espouse. For the industry, I hope that one day, the Philippines will become the globally preferred location for IT and BPO outsourcing.”

SIDEBAR
Favorite Technology: cellphone and laptop (Both allow me to stay connected while allowing me to stay back.)
Favorite non-work pastime: Traveling, playing piano, and being with my pets (of course in addition to my family and friends)
Philosophy in a nutshell: Embrace change. Because change signifies a new beginning.
Something people don’t know about you: I still have to think about this.

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