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Q&A with Bob Slapin, executive director of the SDSIC posted on April 30, 2008

As executive director of the San Diego Software Industry Council, Bob Slapin is entrenched in San Diego’s technology industry. Here, Slapin warms up for the SDSIC's Managing Innovation Conference in May by discussing the future of software.

Interview by bizSanDiego staff

bizSD: What are the hottest areas in software right now and what is stimulating those sectors?

Slapin: The software industry has been transitioning to the Software as a Service (SaaS) for some time. This is sometimes referred to as a "subscription model." This has changed the revenue models and created new opportunities for software companies.

bizSD: Where do you see the largest potential for growth in the industry?

Slapin: Because of increased SaaS, and the use of the internet in general, we are creating more and more data. Every mouse click is a new data point. Every transaction is new data point. As the world moves more and more to digital interaction we create more data. The biggest challenge is to be able to create meaningful analysis of that data. The current trend is to use mathematical models and models based on neural networks. This field is referred to as "analytics" and is the hottest area of software development. It is an area where San Diego has considerable expertise and a significant number of emerging analytics software companies.

bizSD: What is the SDSIC currently doing to promote the San Diego’s software industry?

Slapin: We do a lot educational and networking events and promote the activity of the industry in San Diego. We promote our job-board extensively. We do this through targeted email across the United States. We have a lot of job opportunities in the software area in San Diego.

bizSD: How does the San Diego software industry compare to other hotbeds nationwide and globally?

Slapin: Relative to Silicon Valley, San Diego is a small player in the area of general software. But in the analytics software area we are a global leader. We have a long history here with HNC which was acquired by Fair Isaac. We also have an excellent relationship with the Jacobs School of Engineering at UCSD. The Jacobs school is also very committed to the field of software analytics.

The San Diego Software Industry Council presents its annual Managing Innovation Conference on May 15. The event will feature speakers from IBM, Qualcomm, Intel, Frog Design and others. Guest keynotes, panelists and workshop facilitators will speak on their unique approaches to business growth through innovation.

When: May 15, 2008 from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: AMN Healthcare Auditorium
What: San Diego Software Industry Council (SDSIC) Managing Innovation Conference brings together technology innovators to explore the art and methodology of innovation and how it impacts business success. Speakers, panels and workshops.
Cost: $75 for SDSIC members, $95 for non-members.
Information: www.sdsic.org or call (858) 793-6655

Check back after May 15 for post coverage and takeaways from the Managing Innovation Conference.