THE consumer market’s attitude, application and most importantly, purchasing, of homegrown software has markedly improved in recent years, say a number of industry figures.

Myanmar’s homegrown software industry began developing products in the mid-1990s but several industry figures said the market was, at first, unreceptive.

“Most businesspeople assumed that specific software would not benefit them initially. However, the business community has gradually accepted that industry-specific programs can provide valuable assistance, especially in making the right decisions quickly,” said Daw Ni Ni Tun, the senior general manager of Myanmar Information Technology Pte Ltd. Her company was formed in 1996.

The domestic software industry mainly focuses on developing Myanmar-language programs for accounting, stock management, human resources and sales. But the best seller is focused on accounting.

Daw Ni Ni Tun added that the major buyers of these programs are trading and retail companies, which choose between off-the-shelf and customised products.

Daw Khin Khin Saw, the deputy general manager of Ace Data Systems Ltd, said purchasing habits have also changed over time.

“Most customers hardly asked detailed questions about what the software could do. Now, most customers will only buy a program after careful consideration that includes plenty of questions, physical demonstrations and the use of demo versions,” she said.

She added that domestic software companies are paying serious attention to the quality of their service and products because the market is extremely competitive.

While pirate copies of foreign-made programs and legally imported versions are available, several industry figures – including Integra Systems’ Ko Sai Nay Htut – said customers are choosing those made in Myanmar.

He explained why: “We offer customised services for our products, which customers are telling us they want. At least 20 percent of our programs will be customised by us at some point,” said Ko Sai Nay Htut, the sales manager.
Depending on the size of the job, this customisation usually takes from two weeks to three months.

He added that customers are choosing software that meets their needs and not worrying too much about the cost, even though homegrown products are relatively cheap anyway.

“Pirated copies of foreign-made programs are quite cheap but most of them do not meet the needs of domestic customers.

“Locally made versions are written for the systems we use here and are more convenient for customers,” he said.