FILIPINO IT startups can coax further growth by partnering with global software companies, an IT industry executive said.

In a statement, Joey Gurango, chief executive officer of Gurango Software Corp. (GSC), a local software firm with global operations, said they have seen the value of building a strategic partnership with a global company like Microsoft.

“In many respects, that partnership has been integral to our growth both locally and globally. As a result of this, I have consistently advised technology startups to explore partnership opportunities with ‘superpowers’ like Microsoft,” Gurango said.

He added that the company aims to further strengthen its multilevel partnership with Microsoft Corp. as part of its strategic business objectives for the year.

Gurango also noted that new companies need to learn that they don’t need to start from scratch. “Much has been said about how difficult the road to global success is. However, if you keep an open mind you will see opportunities for leveraging opportunities that accelerate development. The global software industry is very dynamic and fast-paced. To keep up, it’s wise to complement organic growth with some external help.”

For his part, GSC managing director Tarcs Taruc said the value Microsoft Partner Program brings to GSC includes empowerment.

“One of the benefits in our global expansion efforts is access to Microsoft’s global network of partner communities. Microsoft’s worldwide partner and customer conferences also give us the opportunity to network and directly explore business opportunities,” Taruc said in the same statement.

GSC entered the Microsoft program four years ago as an independent software vendor partner developing vertical software for the Microsoft platform. The company later became a Microsoft Dynamics partner that offers implementation and customization of Microsoft Dynamics Enterprise Resource Planning solutions.

Pepeng Rollan, Microsoft Philippines managing director, said that Microsoft’s Partner Program provides the basis for a “synergistic” relationship between Microsoft and its partners to deliver Microsoft-related products and services to clients locally and globally.

“A recent IDC study commissioned by Microsoft showed that in the Philippines alone, every dollar spent on Microsoft products translates to $15.58 of revenue for partners that sell products such as hardware, third-party software packages that run on the Microsoft platform and services that support Microsoft-related software. The growth prospects for partners are even brighter this year. We project IT investment in Asia Pacific to reach $16.4 billion for the year.”

GSC has offices in Australia, Singapore, and South Africa, apart from the Philippines, which provides research and development and support services worldwide, including major developed markets in North America and European Union countries.

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FILIPINO IT startups can coax further growth by partnering with global software companies, an IT industry executive said.

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