Gianni Sebastiano
October 2013
1. Introduction
The Information Technology Production District was established under the regional law 23/2007. It was
granted by the regional junta n.629 on April 21 2009. As of today it is a non-profit association made up of
over one hundred companies including the IT division in Puglia, University, Research Centers, Employer and
Union Associations.
2. The Information Technology Production District and the Pitagora Project
As already mentioned (Pitagora Project, WP4: Research on the spreading of ICT in the Province of Bari), according to a recent SDA Bocconi and MIP Milano Polytechnic study Puglia registers a decisively higher use of ICT in Public Administration than other Southern regions. Puglia has higher ICT infrastructures than other Southern regions and is amongst the highest in the Italian region with regards to communication infrastructures.
The Information Technology Production District , a network of over 100 businesses of all different sizes,
founded under the regional law 23/07, is today one of the main driving forces of the Puglia economy
and reaches a turnover of approximately 1 billion euros and more than 3000 employed and
(www.distrettoinformatica.it) has been adopted in the Pitagora project. This is the proof effective
policies aimed towards Sector Industrial Policies planned with actual market and production
operators.
3. District Functional Model of the IT District
It has already been 3 years since the beginning of the District and it has created strong foundations, observing and following the law, to favor the competitiveness of Puglia Systems. It also collaborates with the innovations and internationalization and the development of entrepreneurial ability and training which is a fundamental element for the boosting of the economy and spreading towards new markets. It is without a doubt a strategic partner of the Puglia Region, together with Innova Puglia, Puglia Sviluppo and ARTI.
The Information Technology Production District is the expression of the ability of the Puglia Business Systems to develop a shared strategic project, which creates a District of Planning and development for the growth not only of the associated businesses, but all of Puglia Systems, according to legislative instruments and regional programs in force.
To participate or to be part of the District each member must subscribe with a contribution of 500,00 euros towards the association fund.
Industrial and Artisan Industries which operate in the Puglia territory which plan and develop Software services can participate. In order to create a homogeneous profile of the members the activities must be based primarily on software.
In the District there is a Directive Committee made up of 13 people who are chosen by the representatives indicated by the members and who work on program analysis creating a development plan aiming at the realization of the main objective which is to create a higher level of competition with regards quality, innovation, and a collaboration in the creating of a network. In order to reinforce the Directive Committee’s actions the Working Group (GST, in Technical Support Group) has been working to create concrete, feasible and financial project.
So far the close collaboration between the Directive Committee, the Working Group and the members
has created a sense of value, with a positive competition and collaboration between businesses, in a
sort of laboratory of ideas to initiate policies which support the businesses, the territory and to increase
good permanent employment. This positive bonding has stimulated the creation of strong
collaboration not only between the businesses, but also towards the world of research.
4. The Development Program of the District
The District operates according to a precise and developed plan which has been approved by the regional government. It has created action in fields that regard the following:
1. Research and Innovation 2. Infrastructures
3. Internationalization
4. Training and Human Resources 5. Capitalization
6. Creation of the District Identity Research and Innovation
From a technical point of view Research and Innovation has bet on SaaS, Software As A service, with the recognition that shortly there world have been a radical transformation in the distribution of software services.
With this in mind there are Puglia Digital 2.0 and also SMART and LEAN projects.
Puglia Digital 2.0 is a very important project for the Puglia chain of Software, with a value of 25 million euros, able to increase business in Information Technology companies in Puglia with the planning of new services to be developed with SaaS: a great challenge to prepare for the promoting of new competences and successful examples. SMART Projects (Strategies, Methodology, and Technology for Agile Review and Transformation) and LEAN SOFTWARE PROCESS, have won the open competition “Assistance towards Regional Partners in innovation.” The two projects have grouped together District Computer Businesses and Universities.
Infrastructures
Puglia Digital 2.0 also collaborates with another District Project, the DiSeF- District Service Farm -, because of the logical/physical infrastructures needed: a complex infrastructure able to supply data on Internet but also innovative computer services, making it a so called “Service Farm”.
Internationalization
The District presented and has also created “Toolkit for internationalization”. Innovation allows for the opening of foreign markets, and internationalization is a fundamental element to push businesses towards a change and greater innovation. In the same way all the Districts “external” activities are evident. They are promoting exchanges within the transnational businesses, and are also involved in the participation in national and European exhibitions which have contributed to increase the visibility of the District and the businesses associated to it beyond the regional boundaries.
Training and Human Resources
According to the District the strengthening of the union between training and employment represents the main aim in the development of the Districts and the local economy. Even in this area the District has organized different training projects: “Pac-Man” (Human resource Package for Information Technology in the Puglia District), and has received positive recognition for the Puglia region.
There have been numerous partnerships stipulated with the members regarding public announcement for financed training, protocol partnerships with Training Businesses and with ARTI (Regional Agency for Technology and Innovation).
Capitalization
On the theme of capitalization, the District has presented a project entitled “Increasing the capitalization of businesses in the Information Technology Puglia Division”. With the aim of contributing to the spreading of a business culturally oriented towards dimensional growth through all the business and laws available, bringing closer together the world of business to that of the banks activating at the same time new forms of dialogue based on medium and long term planning. With this in mind a national conference was held entitled “SE MI LASCI NON VALE”, “IF YOU LEAVE ME IT’S JUST NOT FAIR”. New forms of dialogue between the banks and businesses. Capitalizing and strengthening the entrepreneurial patrimony, which has had as partners UniCredit, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Borsa Italiana, Confindustria Puglia and Polytechnic of Bari.
Building of a District Identity
A web site has also been created www.distrettoinformatica.it Presented to Small Businesses of Bari in February 2011. The project, entirely financed by the Districts Businesses is contributing to build an identity and a national effect of unity in Puglia. Furthermore, the website has also been created entirely in English.
In conclusion, the ability to bring together, Small, Medium and Large businesses with positive competition, the desire to have written a shared Strategic Plan, the recognition of qualities in all the companies participating, the transferring of experience from one to the other , the sharing of each persons’ ability in the pursuit of higher level businesses, are all the best practices in the field of the Production District.
