Global software testing industry to reach US$71bil in 3yrs: MSTB

• Malaysia emerging as a favoured outsourcing destination for software testing
• Broadened scope for Softec Asia conference, to take place Sept 8-10

THE global software testing services market was valued at US$41.84 billion in 2013 and is expected to reach US$70.98 billion by 2018, growing with a compound annual growth rate of 11.15%, according to the Malaysian Software Testing Board (MSTB).
 
The figures are from an independent report by Technavio, a technology research and advisory company under the UK-based Infiniti Research group, MSTB said in a statement.
 
There is increasing demand for SQA (software quality assurance) and testing services from global companies, as a way to ensure the quality of their products and services as well as their operational effectiveness, it added.
 
“The same Technavio report also stated that Malaysia is rapidly emerging as one of the most favoured outsourcing destinations for global companies in the realm of software testing,” said MSTB president Mastura Abu Samah.
 
“This is testament to the efforts under the Malaysia Software Testing Hub (MSTH) programme,” she added.
 
MSTH is an initiative under the purview of the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister's Department. It is being implemented through public-private collaboration with MSTB as an industry representative, with Standards Malaysia – an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation – providing operational support.
 
Through MSTH, Malaysia intends to establish a sustainable software testing ecosystem and transform the country into a preferred destination for software testing services, MSTB said.
 
In a 2013 study on the global software testing market, commissioned by the EPU, market research company International Data Corporation (IDC) indicated that Malaysia has what it takes to capitalise on the global software testing opportunity.
 
The IDC report suggested that with the right kind of investment and intervention programmes, Malaysia could rake in revenue of up to US$4.7 billion by 2020, MSTB said.
 
An important part of realising this potential is to place Malaysia prominently in the global software testing map.
 
Broadened scope for Softec event
 
It will not be easy to achieve this, but will require a strategic and well-planned approach, with all stakeholders working cohesively, Mastura said at a press conference announcing the eighth edition of MSTB’s annual Software Testing Conference (Softec).
 
Softec Asia 2015 will take place at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Kuala Lumpur from Sept 8-10, and will have its theme Spearheading Business of Testing, which MSTB said reflects a broadened scope of discourse.
 
Discussions and presentations will include business facets of software testing, in addition to the technology, skills and techniques aspects of the discipline. A business networking session is also in the pipeline.
 
“Softec Asia 2015 is an ideal regional platform to further strengthen Malaysia’s position in the global software testing market, while encouraging collaboration and cooperation amongst industry stakeholders,” said Mastura.
 
“At the same time, this conference is also an avenue to raise the standards in software quality assurance and promote software testing a viable business,” she added.
 
Softec Asia 2015 will feature over 20 speakers from the international software testing fraternity,  including Professor Ken Sakamura, inventor of the TRON real-time operating system; Chris Carter, outgoing president of the International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTB); Erik van Veenendaal, founding member of TMMi Foundation; and Dorothy Graham, world’s leading expert on test automation.
 
In a lead-up to the event, MSTB is also holding the second edition of its Software Test Design Competition, which calls for participants to develop an original test design based on specifications for a real software application.
 
Modelled after a similar event held annually in Japan, the competition is divided into the Open and University categories. The competition offers a cash prize of RM10,000 for the Open Category and RM5,000 for the University category. [RM1 = US$0.27]
 
For more information and online registration, visit www.qportal.com.my.
 
Related Stories:
 
MSTB out to develop home-grown software testing industry
 
Software testing: Time for industry to play greater role
 
 
For more technology news and the latest updates, follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or Like us on Facebook.