Software industry

The software industry includes businesses involved in the development, maintenance and publication of computer software using any business model. The industry also includes software services, such as training, documentation, and consulting.The largest and most profitable of software companies are located in the United States. As of 2008, the client software industry is dominated by Microsoft.


Software Magazine's 500 list in 2005 shows the total amount of revenue brought in by software companies per locale, with the highest being California due to Silicon Valley and the number of Fortune 500 software companies residing in that area.
The Software & Information Industry Association is the principal trade association for the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides global services in government relations, business development, corporate education and intellectual property protection to the leading companies that are setting the pace for the digital age.


There are several types of businesses in the software industry. The largest and most profitable publish horizontal proprietary software such as Microsoft, SAP AG, Oracle Corporation, and Adobe Systems. Others develop vertical-market software intended for a particular sector or niche in the economy such as finance, health care, insurance, retail, automotive manufacturing, and so on. A great deal of specialized software is produced for various niches. Other companies do contract programming to develop unique software for one particular client company, or focus on configuring and customizing suites from large vendors such as SAP or Oracle.


The software industry has become a part of everyday life, be it providing solutions for business or entertainment. Ample opportunity does not ensure that the companies listed in the top ten will remain there as tough competition from the ever-increasing number of software companies can completely alter the list. There are organizations like Visualsoft Techonologies Limited, Tata Elxis Limited and Geometric Software Solutions Co. Ltd waiting in the wings. The key to survival in this industry is providing solutions a click away and creating and inventing products before someone else does.