Experts Decry Low Patronage of Indigenous Software
SOFTWARE experts in the country have decried emphasis organizations in the country lay on certification for locally made software rather than
seeking the ability of such programmes to perform assigned task, which has led to low patronage of indigenous software.This is coming against the backdrop of growing preference by big organizations and government agencies for foreign made software over indigenous developed ones on the ground that they have not attend certain foreign certification.
James Agada, chief technology officer, Computer Warehouse Group plc, while agreeing on the need to emphasis on competence, explained that certification is not meant for software product but the company that develops the software, stating that it is difficult to certify software.
“What software requires is quality, ‘can it do the work’, and user interface”.
He cited instances of Microsoft word, mobile phone software among others that are not certified but are working for its purpose.
He added that software requires general recommendation such Cobit for control objective, he noted that certification issue apply in an environment where companies are doing contract software development such as in India to proof that they can do it.
Supporting Agada, Mr. Yele Okeremi, managing director, Precise Financial Systems, said that it is acknowledged that certification is a very good thing to have, particularly, those that have to do with assurance of quality.
He added that, software houses all over the world should strive to obtain necessary certifications in order to guarantee a continuous improvement of their products and services.
“I will, however, like to state that just like the possession of a University certificate does not guarantee competence in the field, so does the possession of myriad of certifications by an organization not guarantee its competence and capacity. Remember, we have several examples of terribly failed project handled by companies with a bag full of certifications. In all, I will say that certification is one of those things a good software company should possess.”
“On the other hand, when I hear lazy and sometimes incompetent Chief Information Officers giving excuses of the non-possession of certifications as a means of disqualifying Nigerian software from projects, it confirms their laziness and incompetence because great companies emerge because the environment gives them opportunities to prove their mettle even when the companies are still at start-up stage.
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