Developing the Future

Developing the Future - a report on the challenges and opportunities facing the UK software development industry

Developing the Future is an annual report examining the impact of the software development industry on the UK economy, from both a local and global perspective. The report is a collaborative work with partners from the IT industry and academia. By exploring emerging trends, the report stimulates debate between stakeholders and calls for positive action to support the UK software industry.

Developing the Future 2008

The third edition of Developing the Future, commissioned by Microsoft in collaboration with BCS and Intellect provides a view of the challenges and opportunities that face the UK software development industry and captures this in a “Software Economy Barometer” which, together with the detailed research that underpins it, represents the most comprehensive insight into the UK software industry to date. It includes commentary on the state of the industry from:

•Richard Anton, British Venture Capital Association (BVCA)
•David Clarke, British Computer Society
•Gordon Frazer, Microsoft UK
•Ian Livingstone, Entertainment & Leisure Software Publishers Association
•Gerry McAlister, Subject Centre for Information and Computer Sciences at the Higher Education Academy
•Ian Robertson, National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship
•Charles Ward, Intellect

The key findings of the report are:

•The UK’s position at the top of the European software industry is under threat
•The smallest companies have been left behind in the overall growth of the UK software industry
•Public sector backed software companies contribute to regional regeneration
•The software industry “knowledge gap” is not being closed
•UK universities are increasingly transferring software technology and knowledge through spin-out and licensing activities

The report includes analysis of:

•Skills and employment prospects of STEM graduates in the software industry
•Venture capital investment in software companies by region and by public/private sector investments
•Links between university research and venture capital investment
•Trends in outsourcing and offshoring
•Opportunities and challenges for the UK Digital Media and Video Games sectors

Developing the Future 2007

•Download the Developing the Future 2007 report now
•Download Microsoft’s response to Developing the Future 2007

The second edition of Developing the Future, produced in conjunction with Intellect, City University and the BCS opens a fresh debate on the future of the UK economy and offers some startling insights into the way in which technology is about to impact all our lives:

•Developing the Future 2007 shows how the UK is undergoing economic changes just as far reaching as those of the first Industrial Revolution of two hundred years ago.
•Will Hutton, former editor of the Observer and author of 'The Writing on the Wall', and Ian Brinkley, of the Work Foundation, examine the economic impact of off-shoring work from the UK to developing economies.
•The report reveals the ways in which technology will continue to destroy traditional value chains in a growing number of business sectors.
•Julie Meyer, founder of First Tuesday and chief executive of Ariadne Capital, reveals why London is becoming a major engine driving UK innovation.
•The report details how the UK is facing a skills gap in those parts of its economy that are growing fastest and what can be done to address the problem.
•Sir Digby Jones, former head of the CBI, says why he thinks the UK education system is failing the economy as a whole.

Presentations from the DtF 2007 launch event

Gordon Frazer, Microsoft: Introduction to Developing the Future

Ben Page, Ipsos MORI: The State We’re In

Dr Andrew Tuson, City University: The Future: DtF 2015 Preview

Ian Brinkley, The Work Foundation: Globalisation and the Knowledge Economy

Professor Keith Mander, Council of Professors and Heads of Computing: Skills and Education

Developing the Future 2006

•Read Developing the Future 2006
•Read Microsoft’s response to Developing the Future 2006

‘Developing the Future 2006’ explores current industry thinking and data to define and analyse the major issues and challenges facing the UK software development industry today. In so doing it aims to stimulate debate and help new initiatives from the key stakeholders in Government, academia and commerce. The report suggests that if these challenges are met there will be a substantial positive impact on UK GDP.

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