IPA Provides Useful Information about the Software Publishers Industry
Software Publishers
SIGNIFICANT POINTS
- Employment is projected to increase 68 percent between 2002 and 2012, ranking software publishers as the
fastest growing industry in the economy.
- Computer specialists account for half of all workers in this industry.
- Job opportunities will be excellent for most workers; professional workers enjoy the best prospects,
reflecting continuing demand for higher level skills needed to keep up with changes in technology.
NATURE OF THE INDUSTRY
All organizations today rely on computer and information technology to conduct business and operate more efficiently.
Computer software is needed to operate and protect computer systems and networks. Some 8,200 establishments are engaged
primarily in computer software publishing or publishing and reproduction. Software publishing establishments carry out
operations necessary for producing and distributing computer software, such as designing, providing documentation,
assisting in installation and providing support services to software purchasers. These establishments may design,
develop, and publish or publish only.
Software publishing establishments that design and publish prepackaged software may develop operating system software
as well as word processing and spreadsheet packages, games and graphics packages, data storage software and Internet-
related software tools such as search engines and Web browsers—the software that permits browsing, retrieval and viewing
of content from the Internet. Some establishments may install the software package on a user’s system and provide
customer support.
Software is often divided into two main categories—applications software and systems software. Applications software
includes individual programs for computer users—such as programs for word processing or for developing and maintaining
spreadsheets and databases. Systems software, on the other hand, includes the operating system and all of the related
programs that enable the computer to function. The Internet has vastly altered the complexion of the software industry
over the last decade. Much applications and system software is developed for use on the Internet and for connections
to the Internet.
Organizations are constantly seeking to implement technologies which will improve efficiency. Enterprise resource
planning (ERP) software is such an example. ERP consists of cross-industry applications that automate a firm’s
business processes. Common applications include human resources, manufacturing, and financial management software.
Examples of more recent applications are software to manage customer relations and a firm’s sources of supply, known
as customer relationship management (CRM) and supply-chain management software. Enterprise resource planning software
has traditionally been implemented by large organizations with vast computer networks.
Electronic business (e-business) is any process that a business organization conducts over a computer network.
Electronic commerce (e-commerce) is that part of e-business that involves the buying and selling of goods and services.
With the growth of the Internet and the expansion of e-commerce, there is significant demand for e-commerce software
that enables businesses to become as efficient as possible.
This widespread use of the Internet and Intranets also has led to greater focus on the need for computer security.
The robust growth of e-commerce increases this concern, as firms seek to attract as many potential customers as possible
to their Web sites. Security threats range from damaging computer viruses to online credit card fraud. As a result,
organizations and individual computer users are demanding software that secures their computer networks or individual
computer environments. Examples of such software are firewalls and antivirus software.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Most workers in this industry work in clean, quiet offices. Given the technology available today, however, more
work can be done from remote locations using modems, fax machines, e-mail, and especially the Internet.
About 9 percent of the workers in software publishing firms work part time, compared with 16 percent of
workers throughout all industries. For some professionals, evening or weekend work may be necessary to meet
deadlines or solve problems. Professionals working for large establishments may have less freedom in planning
their schedule than do consultants for very small firms, whose work may be more varied.
Employees who work at video terminals for extended periods may experience musculoskeletal strain, eye
problems, stress or repetitive motion illnesses, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
EMPLOYMENT
In 2002, there were about 256,000 wage and salary jobs in the industry. While the industry has both large
and small firms, the average establishment in software publishing is relatively small; over half of the
establishments employed fewer than 5 workers. About two-thirds of jobs, however, are found in a small number
of establishments that employ 50 or more workers. Many small establishments in the industry are startup firms
that hope to capitalize on a market niche.
Relative to the rest of the economy, there are significantly fewer workers 45 years of age and older in
software publishing establishments; this industry’s workforce remains younger than most, with large proportions
of workers in the 25-to-44 age range. This reflects the industry’s explosive growth in employment since the early
1980s. The huge increase in employment afforded numerous opportunities to younger workers possessing the latest
technical skills.
OCCUPATIONS IN THE INDUSTRY
Providing a wide array of information services to clients requires a diverse and well-educated workforce. The
majority of workers in the software publishing industry are professional and related workers, such as
computer software engineers and
computer programmers. This occupational group accounts for nearly 60 percent of the jobs in the industry,
reflecting the emphasis on high-level technical skills and creativity. By 2012, the employment share of professional
and related occupations is expected to be even greater, while the employment share of office and administrative support
jobs, currently accounting for 12 percent of industry employment, is projected to fall.
Programmers write, test, and maintain the detailed instructions, called programs or software, that computers
must follow to perform their functions. These programs tell the computer what to do—which information to identify
and access, how to process it, and what equipment to use. Programmers write these commands by breaking down each
operation into a logical sequence of steps, converting the instructions for those steps into a language that the
computer understands. While some still work with traditional programming languages like COBOL, object-oriented
programming languages such as C++ and Java, computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tools, and artificial
intelligence tools now are being used to create and maintain programs. These languages and tools allow portions
of code to be reused in programs that require similar routines. Many programmers also customize purchased software
or create better software to meet a client’s specific needs.
Computer software engineers design, develop, test and evaluate software programs and systems. Although programmers
write and support programs in new languages, much of the design and development now is the responsibility of software
engineers or software developers. Software engineers must possess strong programming skills, but are more concerned
with developing algorithms and analyzing and solving programming problems than with actually writing code. These
professionals develop many types of software, including operating systems software, network distribution software,
and a variety of applications software. Computer systems software engineers coordinate the construction and maintenance
of a company's computer systems and plan their future growth. They develop software systems for control and automation
in manufacturing, business and other areas. They research, design, and test operating system software, compilers—software
that converts programs for faster processing—and network distribution software. Computer applications software engineers
analyze users' needs and design, create and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs.
They analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Video game programmers are software engineers who plan and write
video game software.
Computer support specialists provide technical assistance, support, and
advice to customers and users. This group of occupations includes workers with a variety of titles, such as technical
support specialists and help-desk technicians. These troubleshooters interpret problems and provide technical support for
software and systems. Support specialists may work either within a company or other organization or directly for a computer
software vendor. They answer telephone calls, analyze problems using automated diagnostic programs and resolve difficulties
encountered by users.
Other computer specialists include a wide range of professionals who specialize in operation, analysis, education,
application, or design for a particular piece of the system. Many are involved in the design, testing and evaluation
of network systems such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), the Internet, and other data communications
systems. Specialty occupations reflect an emphasis on client-server applications and end-user support; however, occupational
titles shift rapidly to reflect new developments in technology.
A growing number of marketing and sales workers also are employed in this industry. In order to compete
successfully and gain customers and clients in the online world, the presentation and features of software
and other content related to information technology becomes increasingly important. For example, publishers
of software that provides connections to the Internet must be able to differentiate their products from
those of their competitors. Marketing and sales workers are responsible for promoting and selling the
products and services produced by the industry.
TRAINING AND ADVANCEMENT
Occupations in the software publishing industry require varying levels of education. The level of education
and type of training required depend on the employer’s needs. One factor affecting these needs is changes in
technology. As demonstrated by the current demand for workers with skills related to the Internet and computer
security, employers often scramble to find workers capable of implementing "hot" new technologies.
Another factor driving employers’ needs is the timeframe within which a project must be completed.
Computer programmers commonly hold a bachelor’s degree; however, there are no universal educational
requirements. Some hold a degree in computer science, mathematics, or information systems, while others have
taken special courses in computer programming to supplement their study in fields such as accounting, inventory
control, or other areas of business. Because employers’ needs are so varied, a 2-year degree or certificate may
be sufficient for some positions so long as applicants possess the right technical skills.
Most computer software engineers have at least a bachelor’s degree and broad knowledge and experience with
computer systems and technologies. Usual degree concentrations for applications software engineers are computer
science or software engineering; for systems software engineers, usual concentrations are computer science or computer
information systems. Graduate degrees are preferred for some of the more complex software engineering jobs.
Persons interested in becoming a computer support specialist generally need only an associate degree in a
computer-related field, as well as significant hands-on experience with computers. They also must possess
strong problem-solving and analytical skills as well as excellent communication skills because troubleshooting
and helping others are such vital parts of the job. And because there is constant interaction on the job with
other computer personnel, customers or employees, computer support specialists must be able to communicate
effectively on paper, using e-mail, or in person. They also must possess strong writing skills when preparing
manuals for employees and customers. As technology continues to improve, computer support specialists must
constantly strive to stay up to date and acquire new skills if they wish to remain in the field.
The size of the firm and the local demand for workers also may influence training requirements for specific
jobs. Smaller firms may be willing to train informally on the job, whereas larger organizations may pay for
formal training or higher education. For example, many marketing and sales workers are able to secure entry-
level jobs with little technical knowledge but quickly acquire knowledge of their company’s products and
services through on-the-job training. With more formal education, employees may advance to completely different
jobs within the industry. Education or training in a specialty area, such as information security, may provide
new opportunities for the worker and allow the establishment to offer new services.
Continuing technological advances in the computer field have led to demand for workers with a higher level
of skill and expertise. Employers, hardware and software vendors, colleges and universities, private training
institutions, and professional computing societies offer continuing education and professional development
seminars. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society, for example, recently created
a certification process for software development professionals who possess a bachelor’s degree and work
experience that demonstrates a body of knowledge and who pass a written examination.
Software publishing offers advancement opportunities for all workers who keep up with changing technology. For
example, computer support specialists may move into computer programmer positions and, later, into computer
software engineer jobs. This advancement usually results from work experience and continued training and education.
Entry-level computer programmers usually start working with an experienced programmer to update existing code,
generate lines of one portion of a larger program, or write relatively simple programs. They then advance to more
difficult programming and may become project supervisors, or move into higher management positions within the
organization. Many programmers who work closely with systems analysts advance to systems analyst positions.
Computer software engineers who show leadership ability also can become project managers or advance into management
positions, such as manager of information systems or even chief information officer. Technical support specialists
may advance by developing expertise in a particular program or software that can lead to opportunities as a
programmer or software engineer
Many experienced workers also have opportunities to move into sales positions as they gain knowledge of specific
products and services. Computer programmers who write accounting software, for example, may use their specialized
knowledge to sell such products to similar firms. Also, computer support specialists providing technical support
for an operating system may eventually market that product, based on their experience and knowledge of the system.
EARNINGS
Employees in the software publishing industry generally command higher earnings than the national average. All
production or non-supervisory workers in the industry averaged $1,258 a week in 2002, significantly higher than
the average of $506 for all industries. This reflects the concentration of professionals and specialists who
often are highly compensated for their skills or expertise. Given the pace at which technology advances in this
industry, earnings can be driven by demand for specific skills or experience.
As one might expect, education and experience influence earnings as well. For example, annual earnings of computer
software engineers ranged from less than $47,160 for the lowest 10 percent to more than $114,630 for the highest
10 percent in 2002. Managers usually earn more because they have been on the job longer and are more experienced
than their staffs, but their salaries, too, can vary by level and experience. Accordingly, annual earnings of
computer and information systems managers ranged from less than $62,380 for the lowest 10 percent to more than
$145,600 for the highest 10 percent in 2002. Earnings also may be affected by size, location, and type of establishment,
hours, responsibilities and level of sales.
OUTLOOK
Employment in the software publishing industry has more than doubled over the past decade, 1992-2002. Despite
the recent economic downturn among firms involved in information technology, software publishing is, nevertheless,
projected to be the fastest growing industry in the U.S. economy over the next decade. Wage and salary employment
is expected to increase by 68 percent between 2002 and 2012, more than four times the 16 percent growth projected
for all industries combined. Even in difficult economic times, organizations continue to make investments in software.
Software boosts productivity, increases efficiency, and, in some cases, reduces the need for workers. Growth will
not be as rapid as it was during the previous decade, however, as the software industry begins to mature and as
routine work is increasingly outsourced overseas.
An increasing reliance on information technology, combined with falling prices of computers and related hardware,
means that individuals and organizations will continue to invest in applications and systems software to maximize
the return on their investments in equipment and to fulfill their growing computing needs. Such needs include the
expansion of electronic commerce, a growing reliance on the Internet, faster and more efficient and secure internal
and external communication, and the development of new technologies and applications. Given the rate at which the
software publishing industry is expected to grow, and the increasing integration and application of software in all
sectors of the economy, job opportunities should be excellent for most workers. Professional workers should enjoy
the best opportunities, reflecting employers’ continuing demand for higher level skills to keep up with changes in
technology. However, employment growth may be tempered somewhat as companies contract out more of the routine tasks
to foreign countries, where labor costs are lower, in an attempt to remain competitive.
Today, there is demand for software products ranging from Web browsers, home networking software, and firewalls to
maintain security to video games and other entertainment-related software products. Yet, new growth areas will
continue to arise from rapidly evolving technologies and business forces. The increasing uses of the Internet, the
proliferation of websites and mobile technology such as the wireless Internet have created demand for a wide variety
of new software. The market for educational software and entertainment software, which includes video games, is also
expected to experience robust growth over the next decade.
The way the Internet is used is constantly changing, and so is the software required to run the new and emerging
computer applications. Expanding electronic commerce, for example, has changed the way companies transact business.
Business-to-business commerce is automating many steps in the transaction of business between companies, allowing
many firms to operate more efficiently. Businesses are moving their supply networks online and participating in and
developing online marketplaces. The sustained growth of electronic commerce as well as the growing uses of intranets
and extranets will drive demand for increasingly sophisticated software tools geared towards these technologies. And,
as the amount of electronic information stored and accessed continues to grow, new applications and security needs will
increase demand for database software. Demand for an even wider array of software applications also should increase as
companies continue to expand their capabilities, integrate new technologies and develop new applications.
One significant factor contributing to growth in software is computer security. Organizations invest heavily in
software to protect their information and secure their systems from attack. And, as more individuals and organizations
are conducting business electronically, the importance of maintaining computer system and network security will increase,
leading to greater demand for security software.
Given the increasingly widespread use of information technologies and the overall rate of growth expected for
the software publishing industry, most occupations should grow very rapidly, although some faster than others.
The most rapid job increases will occur among computer specialists such as computer software engineers, as firms
continue to install sophisticated computer networks, set up Internet and intranet sites, and engage in
electronic commerce and as consumers continue to explore and use vast amounts of applications software.
Industry data is republished with permission by the Bureau of Labor Statistics