Microsoft Innovation Center Report 2008-2009 vol.9
Microsoft Innovation Day Memorial Lecture at Small/Mid-Sized Business Computerization Fair in Softopia
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December 4th, 2008, Softopia Japan Center Bldg. (Ogaki, Gifu)
On December 4th, 2008, Softopia Japan Foundation
and Gifu Information Industry Association co-hosted Small/Mid-Sized Business Computerization Fair in Softopia, an event to support local industries by the use of IT. Microsoft has one of its local alliance organizations in Gifu, and as part of the Fair, it held a Microsoft Innovation Center Day Memorial Lecture. The lecture on server consolidation with Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V attracted much interest from a number of participants.
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A Computerization Fair to Provide Local Businesses with the Latest Technical Information
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It was the second year that Softopia Japan Foundation andGifu Information Industry Association co-hosted Small/Mid-Sized Business Computerization Fair in Softopia: an event to support local industries by the use of IT. There were 9 sessions and showcases this year, including management strategies, computerization and introduction to cutting edge technologies, which attracted a lot of participants from both Gifu prefecture and other neighboring areas.
“We have had seminars and exhibitions for computerization in various ways,” says Hideaki Ota (Director, IT Training Division, Softopia Japan Foundation), “By organizing them together, we could improve the synergic effect of this event and made the event itself easier to join. People in the local community expect the latest technological information from Softopia Japan. Softopia Japan has so far received a good reputation from the local community, with a remark saying that it provides the latest technological information and valuable sessions. We would like to continue to hold these kinds of events at regular intervals.”
Gifu prefecture has made effective use of the variety of Microsoft Innovation Center programs: there is an alliance organization within IAMAS (Institute of Advanced Media Arts and Sciences /International Academy of Media Arts and Sciences) in Gifu, and the local government works together with the Institute of Building SOA Components and Assembly in Distributed Development Environment at Softopia, Gifu (BCA) for human resource development. Microsoft showcased the Microsoft Innovation Award winning solutions and presented a special lecture on the latest virtualization technology at Small/Mid-Sized Business Computerization Fair in Softopia.
“As we foster .NET development engineers throughout the year,” Ota continued, “we decided the theme for this event would be to support local industries by the use of IT. Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V is a virtualization technology that helps reduce IT-related total cost of ownership, from deployment to management and operation, by consolidating servers. Because it is a very timely theme, we received a great number of registrations for this session.”
Although this technical seminar lasted over five hours, the interest among the audience did not fade until the end of the session.
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Softopia Japan: Central Japan's IT Hub
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Softopia Japan Foundation, one of the co-hosts of the Fair, was established in 1996 and it serves as a central station for the information industry in the region, integrating IT-related local companies. It is also recognized as the IT Hub in Central Japan (where Gifu is located), and is engaged in various activities including human resource development, introducing IT into businesses, supporting computerization in the local communities and R&D.
“In 1996 when Softopia Japan was founded,” recalled Kenji Kumasaka (Chairman, Softopia Japan Foundation), “Japan just began to see computerization or informatization. Without forethought and thoughtful decision making, it was impossible to establish a facility for leading-edge technologies in Gifu where, although not too far from the metropolitan area, no information was accumulated. Ten years from now, I have no doubt that 'Information' will be an important keyword for Gifu if it continues playing a functional role in Central Japan.”
In the first 10 years of its history, Softopia Japan aggressively enticed IT-related companies. Having 140 companies and 1,900 workers within, it now forms the central hub of IT in Central Japan. Softopia Japan says it will keep working to enhance the local industries' competence in the market by the use of IT, as well as help informatization of small/mid-sized businesses and fostering human resources with advanced ICT (information communication technology) skills.
“In the first 10 years, our objective was 'Softopia Japan for the world',” Kumasaka continued, “and we worked really hard for it. Now, we have shifted our focus to this region where we reside. We will be engaged in fostering human resources with advanced IT skills at the Institute of Building SOA Components and Assembly in Distributed Development Environment at Softopia, Gifu (BCA) and IAMAS, promoting IT, and supporting businesses in Central Japan by the use of IT.”
Local Industries Aiming at the Next Level of IT
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Historically, Gifu was known for textile and chinaware. Now its major industry has shifted to manufacturing, characterized by companies related to Aichi prefecture, which holds the largest market share in Japan's manufacturing industry.
“There used to be a lot of major textile factories here,” commented Hideaki Ota (Director, IT Training Division, Softopia Japan Foundation) “but now the manufacturing operation of textiles has moved overseas. To make the best use of the land, Gifu has supported manufacturing and information industries, and worked to entice businesses. Now, manufacturing industry shares 20% of the entire industry in Gifu, and its information industry has greater sales and tax revenue than the textile industry.”
The IT infrastructure in Gifu is now 97% complete, including a deployment plan in Shirakawa Village where a world heritage site is located. A survey Softopia Japan conducted in Gifu prefecture shows that companies use IT primarily to share information in-house, and Ota explains many companies are now looking for information regarding the next use of IT beyond mere information sharing.
“Although IAMAS has presented some lectures based on the local communities' demands,” Ota continues, “when it comes to seminars for small/mid-sized companies, we have received a great demand for Web-based information distribution and information on security. The infrastructure is almost completed here, however, there still are many companies looking for information and human resource to use IT. It is definitely necessary to continue human resource development. On the other hand, the market is open for Gifu's information industry in the area of Web-based information distribution and security.”
The Local Community's Active Efforts Brought Strong Support and Enticement
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In addition to the seminars and showcases like this Fair, Gifu and Microsoft have worked together in a number of activities, including establishing a local alliance organization of Microsoft Innovation Center; supporting IAMAS's entry to Imagine Cup Japan, a global technology competition for the next generation of engineering students; and human resource development at the Institute of Building SOA Components and Assembly in Distributed Development Environment at Softopia, Gifu (BCA).
“Microsoft offers the latest software development environment,” Kumasaka said, “and we use .NET technology to achieve agile development processes. We are also engaged in design and development of SOA components, and fostering engineers capable of agile and iterative development. We have 40 trainees this year, and we anticipate an environment able to receive 100 engineers in three years. As part of our activities, we have entrusted development of software business, and Softopia Japan functions as a hub to bridge across companies to get such jobs.”
"I believe the reason that Softopia Japan is successful in much of its activities," comments Nobuaki Nagai (Senior Manager, Business Incubation (LSE), Developer & Platform Evangelism, Microsoft Co. Ltd., Japan), “is because it has the environment (the infrastructure and facilities) and know-how.” As Nagai says, the engineers in that region work as the instructors in human resource development program at IAMAS and the Institute of Building SOA Components and Assembly in Distributed Development Environment at Softopia, Gifu (BCA). Such kind of support has accelerated the business enticement in Gifu: some companies started business in Gifu and others have moved their HQ's into Gifu.
“There still is a lot of things to do,” Kumasaka notes, “in order to accelerate the advanced informatization and to be the vanguard of technology in Japan. In such a situation, we appreciate that we have this facility and that Microsoft is giving us such great support. Now, many new companies are coming to Gifu because we are engaged in software development with the SOA model, as well as the well-known cell phone software engineers here. With technologies at the core and engineers familiar to them, new industries are emerging in Gifu.”
