Workgroups

PR GROUP

The PR Group of the European Software Association brings together PR and Communication experts from the member companies to define and implement the association's communication strategy. This strategy is twofold:

• Promote the Association and its activities: press releases on position papers in the public policy area, communication on events
• Promote the European Software Industry towards its major stakeholders, particularly the public authorities

Public Policy Group

The Public Policy Working Group of the European Software Association brings together public affairs experts from the member companies to discuss European issues that affect the industry. These issues are usually issues, which are going through the European legislative procedures. Some of the issues the working group is currently tackling are: innovation and R&D, skills and employability and intellectual property rights and the European Commission public consultation on patents.
The European Software Association continues the discussion around these points and will participate in relevant policy debates and procedures to further the interests of the ISVs in Europe. Following are key statements around which positions of the European Software Association are developed.

1. Recognize the role of software for SME growth

The European policy level should recognize the role of software on for example the potential to put SMEs on a more equal footing with a multi-national, and how software can help smaller companies partner and collaborate with larger companies. With the right ICT physical infrastructure in place and the right business processes in place around them, SMEs can grow much more quickly.

2. Cross border barriers

The barrier to business expansion in Europe is often not investment expenses. It is often differences between national employment law and tax regimes. According to research, there are 300 companies worldwide in the software industry with a turnover above EUR 30 million. Of the 300 companies only 30 are based in Europe. This shows how very difficult it is for SMEs to grow in Europe. Compared to the US, in Europe each country is smaller and therefore as SMEs grow they need to progress more quickly to trade in another country - this is a challenge to growth

3. Culture and infrastructure for innovation

Lack of ICT hot spots where companies have access to capital is apparent in Europe. There is no infrastructure like Silicon Valley, we need to create a virtual infrastructure in the EU. European culture does not encourage entrepreneurial spirit and there is often a culture that derides entrepreneurship. Practically, this means, for example, making sure every SME has broadband access.

4. Standards (interoperability and data interchange) - R&D

If the aim is to create a connected business society, there is a need for standards for interoperability and data interchange to ensure the creation of an integrated business environment as was foreseen during dot.com boom. This is a golden opportunity for the EU to take a lead – specific R&D programs could help to make a significant difference. The EU together with the industry should also invest to drive initiatives such as a standard for data interchange between business systems to provide the final link in the infrastructure that will allow all SMEs to access the business processes they need, both within their organisation and across the supply chain.

5. Skilled workers

In order to encourage the software industry to develop in Europe, and thus play a part in job creation and in making other industries more competitive, the EU has to recognize that while software demands many highly skilled workers, it is also has a very light foot-print. If the skills are more easily obtained in a different part of the EU, they will move that part of the business to Poland, or Estonia – or even right out of Europe altogether, to China or India.

6. Intellectual property protection

Over the last decade, technological developments have greatly facilitated software piracy. At the same time, IT has increasingly become part of the critical infrastructure of companies, public institutions and society at large, and legitimate demands for greater transparency and interoperability have been made.

The European Software Association considers that those who drive innovation and invest in developing new technologies need and deserve protection. Companies must be allowed to choose between various intellectual property models to best protect their investments. In relation to the Lisbon goals, intellectual property protection is essential for innovation. Investing resources in innovation can only be guaranteed if there is no risk of having the invention being stolen. Innovation is a driving force for the creation of jobs and growth. A well-designed European IP framework would contribute further to this end. Please click here to download the EuSftwAssn IPR paper.