VietNamNet Bridge – The unhealthy competition has exterminated the creativeness of enterprises and discouraged them to spend money to develop software products.

The outstanding features helped the “information system for land management” of Nhan Y Information Technology Firm obtain the only 5-star Sao Khue Prize in 2012. However, even when receiving the honorable prize, the 100 percent made-in-Vietnam product still has been refused by state agencies.

Sao Khue, the name of a star, in minds of Vietnamese, is the symbol of the cleverness, intelligence and knowledge. Sao Khue prize, presented by Vinasa, the Vietnam Software Association since 2003, therefore, is an honorable prize; which aims to recognize and glory the excellent products of Vietnamese enterprises in the software and information technology industry.

Why state agencies shake their heads to the product?

Analysts commented that the software piece deserved the Sao Khue prize for its outstanding features. It helps local authorities undertake the works relating to the land use right certificate granting, information updating and cadastral filing. It also helps land management agencies connect with taxation and treasury agencies to better the management works. Especially, it allows people to check the legal documents to update the policies applied by the State.

However, Pham Thi Phuong Lan, Director of Nhan Y Company, the author of the software piece, said that the product has only been used in only 10 districts in HCM City only.

“We have introduced our product to Hanoi and other provinces. But the product still has been refused,” Lan said.

“They said our product is very good and it is even better than the software product built up by the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment. However, they are not in the right position to decide what software products to use,” Lan explained.

Lan implied the so called “the hindrance” from some influential power.

Ministries and branches, which also have information technology centers of their own, also make up the software products to serve their works. It is understandable that the agencies and enterprises belonging to the same ministries and branches should prioritize to use these products instead of the products provided by independent IT firms.

“Many clients told me that they want to use Nhu Y’s products, but they dare not,” she said. “We are facing an unhealthy competition in marketing our products.”

Lan said that when introducing the product to agencies and enterprises, she always hears a question: “Have the ministries recognized and accepted to use the product within their networks?” This should be understood that the agencies or enterprises would be willing to use the products if they get the go-ahead from the ministries.

A source has said that even HCM City, where 10 districts’ authorities are using Nhan Y’s software product, is also considering whether to continue using the product, once the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment is planning to utilize a similar product.

What to do?

Dr. Mai Liem Truc, former Deputy Minister of Information and Communication, has affirmed that there always exists the unhealthy competition between the enterprises backed by ministries and branches and independent IT firms.

Truc, who many times acted as a member of the organization board of Sao Khue prize, said while the Vietnamese Communist Party has called on to “buy Vietnamese.” Vietnamese investors still use foreign products in their projects, partially because of the private benefits of the projects’ leaders.

Buu Dien