National Software Strategy for Scotland : The Way Forward : Productisation

Initiative 8; Expertise and Mentoring

Give the vital importance of growing Scotland’s product development capability as a key strategic thrust it is notable that specialist expertise and experience is required develop software products, access appropriate finance, and work with channel partners and hardware suppliers requires. As with other proposed programmes, we see a requirement for a mechanism to make the connection between firms’ requirements in productisation and specialist skills.

The aim of this initiative would be to:

• provide a wider, more accessible pool of commercial skills with experience of the high technology/software sectors;
• create a forum to develop initiatives that address the changing needs of start-up software firms in Scotland.

These skills are rare and in significant demand in Scotland. The pool needs to be developed through the creation of a mentoring network. We believe the network could include individuals with direct experience from the US, and indeed from our exemplar regions. This would provide:

• better international linkages;
• access to a wider range of solutions;
• rapid knowledge and access to contacts.

There are various ways that networks could be established but clearly a bulletin-board and news feature within a web site (including Scottish firewall) might provide the most appropriate media.