The global proliferation of phenomena of the internet and mobile communication technologies has physically and irreversibly changed the way we work, play and communicate. Geographical gaps filled beyond our understanding or imagination in as little as twenty years. Today, we are almost indifferent by the fact that an e-mail message appears on the screen of the recipient - in another part of the world in a few seconds as if it was sent to the adjacent room. Similarly, it is difficult to remember how we lived without mobile phones.

The Moore law concerning the exponential speed at which technology improves has now become almost a cliche. Not only we we not surprised that technology continues to improve by becoming faster, better and more reliable and affordable, but we almost have to expect such improvements.

It is clear that the accessibility, affordability, speed and reliability of the technologies of the communication, coupled with the relentless expansion of support networks, will continue to add more flexibility to each of us enabling us to be in motion and lead our companyprofessions, and the life of our laptops, mobile computers and PDAs, where we are, at any time of day or night - our mobile office tools are unlikely to weigh to an aggregate of weight exceeding 3 kilos, which means that we can take their everywhere we go.

In addition, the internet has brought with it a higher degree of transparency-it represents the closest thing to a perfect market in that consumers have access to information, prices and comparison sites put at your fingertips. Internet sites are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ready to provide any product or service that can be imagined. This translates more opportunities for online businesses and many more great convenience for their customers.

These developments do not, however, give fruit automatically. There is a process of empowerment enterprises must undergo to harness the power of available technology and maximize their use to make their operations more efficient - more done in less time, perhaps with the advantage of savings! Do not make this quantum jump effectively businesses fail to jump on the "technology staircase" and may be taken by the wayside to make way for more dynamic competitors, forward-looking, efficient.

In this context, modern companies are taking full advantage of benefits and the efficiencies presented by technological innovation. Business processes are analysed and disaggregated, interviewed, tested and demolished to identify which parts of the business process can be outsourced to specialised operators, thus offering better quality output for the company, and allowing the contractor to focus on core business activitiesleaving the non-essential services or support for third-party external to treat. Thus, for example, call centres are committed to provide customer and technical support services; software developers are contracted to improve and innovate existing systems; Regroupement des centres hosting servers so essential to the effort of sales and marketing of the company; companies of the Back-office administration to treat regular payment transactions, administration of the payroll, preparation, management, interim and annual accounts, and other specialized administrative services; and General and professional services providers are entrusted to manage issues legal, regulatory, tax planning, administrative and integrated to tend to the continuous compliance with formalities. Set - up similar, with participants from all corners of the world, is indeed the order of the day, throwing more large doors open for the provision of innovative and specialized services.

Malta has a central role to play in this new world order, with its workforce educated and flexible, continuous improvement of its technological infrastructure and the business environment attractive ly. It is not a coincidence that the remote gaming operators, call centres, investment funds, financial institutions and other providers of financial services and captive insurance companies have found Malta foot solid for their operations.

With this vision in mind, everything must be done by the public and the private sector and to encourage these industries through new investment, financial and in terms of resources human training, further complemented by the introduction of adequate legal bases, incentives attractive commercial implementation of technological and organizational infrastructure and additional. In this regard, the importance of the commitment of the public sector to make the administration of the process more efficient for companies considering Malta as a possible basis for some or all of their services support remote business cannot be underestimated.

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Background

Those amongst us, who were born at least before 1970, must have witnessed the dotcom boom of the late 1990s, as well as seen and been affected by the bust that followed soon enough. When the boom began, the media was inundated, day in and day out, with news of dream tie-ups between venture capitalists and just-out-of-college, still-wet-behind-the-ears young twenty-something boys and girls. The entire dream was woven around what the internet could do for folks like you and me. And when the boom busted, boy! How it busted! A quick review of the top ten dotcom businesses that gobbled up millions of VC dollars and took them down the drain really makes interesting, if introspective, reading.

A few years down the line, and the next generation of entrepreneurs and businessmen are ready, yet again, to take the software highway. This time around, however, they have the power of hindsight with them. All the dotcom stories are now neatly chronicled in the form of case studies and enshrined in the libraries of business schools and available on the web to browse through and draw lessons from. Internet, the backbone which dotcom businesses based their strength upon, has quietly gone from strength to strength since the boom/bust. Newer technologies and newer hardware have made the internet more robust, more reliant, and more user-friendly than ever before. Software companies, most notably Microsoft, Yahoo, Google and their ilk, have realigned their manpower and restructured their products, rejigged their business model to make internet their center of gravity, and have come up with far better ways to both transact and seek pleasure on the web than ever before. Blogs, RSS, Merchant Accounts, dropshipping, podcasting, AdSense, online local advertising, are terms that have found coinage as a result of some creative footwork by technocrats and savvy businessmen and women like you and me. Marketing channels and consumer strategies are creatively tapping into the newfound interest in computers and the web, generated by the convenience that they bring to day-to-day life. Entrepreneurs are veering once again towards Internet in general; and software development in particular, as a possible option around which to build a business and career.

Bridging Entrepreneur gung-ho With Software

Yet, despite all the promise of business success and prosperity that Software Business holds out, there are still quite a few who find it beyond their reach. The moment you mention S o f t w a r e, the mind immediately visualizes a group of nerds who are furiously banging out some gobbledygook on their keyboard. Some entrepreneurs simply fail to make the connect between their wealth-creating ability and software. Which is a pity, actually.

People who come to me for counseling on new businesses are invariably people with a lot of entrepreneurial vision and grit. They are people with an ingrained perseverance and stamina to withstand the rough and tumble of lean days that a career as businessperson invariably involves. They are people who don't mind dirtying their hands and feet in the trenches, so that they understand the nitty-gritty of their business. These are the guys and gals for whom the golden cage of a cushy, nine-to-five job holds no meaning, and they yearn to fly the skies and test the limits of endurance of their wings. The breed of entrepreneurs is a breed apart. And yet, whenever I would broach the subject of this exciting new opportunity to them, they would baulk at the idea. "But, Software Business, Sanjay? Isn't it supposed to be so damn technical? Can't you suggest something that is more conventional? Something that is within my limits? Something that does not involve a steep learning curve, and where I can invest my time and money and begin to see results in the fastest possible time? Huh?"

Sigh. Here is one exciting opportunity - Software Business. At the time of writing this article, Microsoft is on the verge of launching its most awaited operating system, the Vista, E-commerce is elevating to the next higher level of operations, more and more customers are getting hooked up to computers and the internet, with even mom-and-pop stores looking for a piece of the cake .... And here are these entrepreneurs, the people who can make things happen - the people who have the ability to change the world. And they say - "Tell me about a more conventional business"!

There are so many things that you can do with a computer. The machine that sits on your desktop is like a monster that needs forever more work to do - and it is within the grasp of your ingenuity and creativity to think up things that you can make it do for you. When these "things" are something that positively affect the lives of thousands and millions of ordinary folk - boy, will they flock at your door on all fours! Such a mouth-watering thought! But - this Business of Software development; this programming; this gobbledygook - how does one come to terms with this monster? Heck, I am an entrepreneur, not a programmer!

It was this quest to bridge the gap between a software-illiterate entrepreneur and the exciting, moolah-rich Business of Software, that made me scour the net. And scour I did. Quite a few of the solutions on offer were downright imbecile and premature, and quite a few others I dismissed as thoroughly impractical.

Insights From Ben Prater's Book

It is a book written in 2001. And it was crafted by someone who is already into the thick of the business of developing and selling software, and is willing to share his insights with the rest of the world. This man is Benjamin Prater. His sales page on the web actually begins with a blunt and hyped-up statement - "How to Create Hot Software - Even if you've never touched a line of code!" Marketing spiel, eh? The price tag said USD 97, and I bought it online.

The content has hype in its pages, which is something that I can forgive Mr. Prater for (he has to sell his book, after all). But once he settles down to the core content, the book begins to unveil, layer by layer, all that it takes to set up a neat business in the domain of software. Right from idea inception, through to developing the software, setting up a website, down to selling it and maintaining / upgrading it: in short, the entire works. And best of all, the entire content is presented in a very lucid style, without introducing any business management mumbo-jumbo.

Test Your Entrepreneurial Skills

Which of the entrepreneurs who come to me will I recommend this book? As I mentally shortlist the probables, I think I am looking at the following qualities:

- You must really, _really_ want to build a career in software business, for you really, _really_ see the potential that this domain has in the years to come. Remember, the book acts as a guide. You are being shown the way; but it is you who has to do the walking!

- You must have the openness of mind to absorb new techniques of doing business. If you are used to your established methods of dealing with people and handling transactions, to the point that the thought of trying out something new gives you the goose bumps, then what to talk about software business, any new venture with its own model might be difficult for you to consider. I know I am putting it bluntly, but it *is* a cruel world out there.

If you think you fit the bill, go ahead. Your decision might really change your bank balance for the better; take care of the mortgage; help your kids through college ... fulfill your dreams ....