There are probably many people who would like to deepen their understanding of what the “software industry” is all about.
In this article, a career change agent will thoroughly explain the structure of the software industry, job types, and the outlook for the software industry. This is a must-see for anyone looking to work in the software industry!
Table of Contents [ Close ]
- What is the software industry?
- What is software?
- Software industry business model
- Examples of companies representing the software industry
- Software industry outlook
- Software industry market size
- Software industry trends
- The future of the software industry
- List of occupations belonging to the software industry
- 7 engineering jobs
- 3 sales-related jobs
- 1 other occupation
- Software industry career path
- We also recommend using a career path diagnosis to see your career possibilities.
- How to work in the software industry
- People suitable for the software industry
- Skills useful in the software industry
- Deepen your understanding of the software industry and get a job in the software industry
What is the software industry?
Many people want to work in the software industry, which has become more familiar with the advancement of IT, and those who want to deepen their knowledge of networks.
First, let’s deepen our understanding of the software.
What is software?
Software is a program that runs devices such as computers.
It is the antonym of “hardware”, which is the part that can be touched such as the external appearance of a device and can be said to be a general term for the invisible parts.
Broadly speaking, it can be divided into two types: system software such as the operating system (OS) that runs a computer, and application software for specific tasks or tasks, within this, there are two types of software: ToB and ToC software.
If we compare it to a building, a house or building is the application, and the land that forms the foundation of the building is the OS.
In general, in the software industry, it often refers to five types of software that are further classified, so we will explain each one in detail.
Operating system (OS)
Software is necessary for computer operation itself and is an essential infrastructure for devices such as smartphones and computers. It is software that manages CPU and memory allocation, files, etc., and provides a user interface.
・Smartphone OS example
Apple (iOS)/Google (Android)
・PC OS example
Microsoft (Windows)/Apple (MacOS)/Intel (iRMX)/Mozilla (Firefox OS)
application software
Software that operates specific functions depending on the user’s purpose. This application software includes software that we use daily, such as document creation, spreadsheets, email, and image editing.
・Application software example
Microsoft…office system (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Adobe…Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects
middleware
Middleware is located between the OS and application software. Its role is to provide functions necessary for application software that cannot be covered by the basic OS.
For example, general-purpose software used in many applications, such as databases, is positioned as middleware.
In addition, there are also things called web servers and application servers.
device driver
Software that controls the internal devices and external hardware of a computer. Examples include mice, keyboards, and printers.
Device drivers play the role of connecting the OS and hardware and are included in the OS in a broad sense.
There are an increasing number of specifications that automatically complete the installation of device drivers when the hardware is connected, and it can be said that this software is often not recognized.
firmware
Control software built into IT equipment. Because it is pre-programmed into an integrated circuit and incorporated into electronic devices, it controls the hardware even closer than the OS.
This includes things called IC chips and memory.
Software industry business model
There are two business models in the software industry: ” package development ” and ” contracted development .”
Package development is a form of developing software products in-house and selling them to an unspecified number of people. Packaged software includes software for businesses such as sales management software and software for individuals such as game apps.
In contract development, we develop systems upon receiving orders from companies. Many companies in the software industry fall into this category. Also called a system integrator (SI, SIer) or outsourcer.
Examples of companies representing the software industry
We will introduce representative companies with top sales in the software industry, divided into the two business models mentioned above.
package development
Many companies sell packaged software whose names are well-known to general consumers.
For example, Microsoft is famous for Windows and Office, Oracle is a database company, LINE Corporation is a smartphone app company, and Trend Micro is a security software company.
Contract development (SIer)
Famous major companies include NTT Data in the telecommunications industry, Hitachi, Toshiba, and Fujitsu among manufacturers, Nomura Research Institute, Mizuho Information & Research Institute, and Mitsubishi Information Research Institute in the financial industry.
Software industry outlook
Software industry market size
The market size of the software industry is increasing every year, and it occupies a large proportion of the service industry.
In fact, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the annual sales of the software industry are 11,025.5 billion yen (18.2% increase from the previous year).
By type of information technology investment (a general term for the expenses companies spend on purchasing information-related equipment and building information systems), software accounts for nearly 60% of the total, and this is also on the rise.
Software industry trends
Recently, advances in technologies such as AI and big data have made it possible to utilize vast amounts of data (search history, purchase history, etc.).
Analyzing this data allows you to approach customers more appropriately. On the other hand, handling a large amount of customer information requires stricter management of personal information than ever before.
Additionally, when employees can access company servers from their homes due to the introduction of telework, the risks of virus infection and information leaks increase.
For these reasons, security measures are becoming increasingly important, and information security-related budgets are on the rise. The security software market is expected to grow further in the future.
Furthermore, in the area of software for individuals, new apps are being developed every day due to the proliferation of smartphones.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the smartphone usage rate has further increased, reaching 87.0%.
In the future, communication apps and games for smartphones will lead the field of personal software development.
The future of the software industry
The software industry is included in the IT industry in a larger framework, and the software industry is expected to grow as the IT industry as a whole progresses.
Cloudization in particular will continue to create needs for companies and individuals, including virtualization software for migrating systems to the cloud.
In addition, advanced technologies such as AI and IoT are making significant progress, and the demand for software that uses these technologies is increasing.
In addition, demand for software development is expected to continue due to the migration of users from PCs to smartphones and the rapid spread of SNS.
Another area of interest with a high growth rate is CRM software, which collects and analyzes customer information to improve customer satisfaction and discover new needs, leading to improved business performance.
As industry demand continues to rise, it can be said that there will be an increasing demand for human resources who create corresponding software.
List of occupations belonging to the software industry
We will explain what types of jobs there are and what kind of work is done in the software industry.
7 engineering jobs
System Engineer
A system engineer’s main job is to interview users and design software. In development projects, you will serve as the leader of the development team and guide programmers.
programmer
We create programs based on design documents under the guidance of system engineers. We also perform unit tests on the programs we create. There are also projects where the programmer only develops the program, and the testing is done by a specialized test engineer.
Web engineer
We design and build applications and systems that run on the web. There are two
main categories: front-end engineers and back-end engineers.
Front-end engineers are responsible for the parts of the browser that are visible to users. Back-end engineers develop the server side, such as reading and writing databases and business logic.
game creator
Game creator is a general term for all occupations involved in the planning and production of games.
Today’s games are comprehensive art that integrates many elements such as scenarios, music, design, and programs. A game programmer is a job related to the software industry.
network engineer
A network engineer is an engineer who designs, constructs and maintains networks.
Large-scale web applications consist of servers with multiple roles such as web servers and DB servers, so it is necessary to construct a network.
If we compare it to building a house, a programmer would be a carpenter, and a network engineer would be a plumber or electrician.
database engineer
As the name suggests, this is an engineer who designs, develops, and operates databases.
A database is like a safe for business systems. It contains important data. Data must not be stolen, but it must also be able to be retrieved when needed.
Maintenance/Operations Engineer
The job of a maintenance/operation engineer is to maintain and manage the completed system and keep it operating stably.
Maintenance refers to troubleshooting and restoring the system when a failure occurs. Operation means monitoring to prevent failures and performing maintenance such as replacing equipment if necessary.
3 sales-related jobs
System sales
System sales involve IT-related sales activities such as software products such as software and cloud services, and contract development services.
This is a highly specialized position within the sales profession, as it requires not only sales skills but also specialized knowledge about products and services.
In the case of contract development sales, it is necessary to discover the needs of users, so listening skills are important.
sales engineer
A sales engineer is a job that provides technical support to sales in the sales field.
Sales in the software industry requires specialized knowledge, so you can utilize the knowledge and skills you acquired as an engineer.
IT consultant
An IT consultant is an expert who uses IT to solve corporate problems. Software development is proposed as one of the solutions to the problem.
1 other occupation
configuration management
Configuration management is the job of managing the “assets” that make up a program, such as the source code and configuration files that form the basis of software.
By performing configuration management, if there is a problem with a modified program, you can correctly return it to the state before modification.
Software industry career path
The IT industry can be broadly divided into five categories: the Internet Web industry, the communications infrastructure industry, the software industry, the hardware industry, and the information processing service industry.
Among them, there are jobs in the software industry that are easy to take on even if you have no experience, such as system engineers and programmers.
Many people who start as programmers gain experience and hone their management skills in managerial positions such as leaders before changing their careers to systems engineers.
As a system engineer, you can gain experience in many projects and aim to become a project leader.
After that, those who want to continue working with their hands or work in the field may aim to become more specialized engineers, or turn their attention to management and management and become IT consultants.
We also recommend using a career path diagnosis to see your career possibilities.
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This diagnostic content is available completely free of charge and allows you to learn about possible future careers based on job type, annual income, and required skills.
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How to work in the software industry
We will introduce the characteristics and useful skills of people suitable for the software industry.
People suitable for the software industry
People who are intellectually curious and love learning
In the world of IT and software, the latest technology is always being created. You need to keep learning to catch up and learn new skills.
a person with logical thinking ability
When deciding on software specifications, it is necessary to clarify the basis for all specifications, such as the reason for choosing a particular design and the necessity of functions. Suitable for people who think about things logically.
a person with good communication skills
Software development is a team effort, so it is necessary to communicate closely and cooperate with other members.
In addition, you will need the skills to interview customers and learn about the issues they are facing in their business and their requests for the system.
Skills useful in the software industry
Knowledge of programming languages
It can be said that understanding programming languages is essential in the software industry.
Not only programmers but also salespeople should be aware of the characteristics of programming languages and what they can do.
General IT knowledge
In addition to programming, general IT knowledge such as OS, databases, networks, and security is required and will be useful in the field. To systematically acquire this IT knowledge, we recommend that you take on the challenge of acquiring qualifications.
It is a good idea to start by aiming to pass the basic information processing engineer exam or the software development engineer exam. In the process, you will be able to acquire basic IT knowledge that is common to all occupations.
Related qualifications
Certifications that are useful in the software industry include: Please check it out especially if you have no experience.
The network specialist exam is one of the advanced exams in the information processing engineering exam and an indispensable qualification for network engineers. Demonstrate that you have an eye for the latest network technology and knowledge of service trends.
System Architect Examination …This is one of the advanced exams in the Information Processing Engineer Examination. It is a highly specialized national exam, and the pass rate is approximately 12-15%, indicating that it is highly difficult. This is a qualification that people who are thinking of working in the business application field or who are aiming for a higher career plan should obtain.
Qualifications for smartphone applications: Java programming proficiency certification exam, Android engineer certification exam, App Development with Swift
Java is used for Android app development, and Swift is used for iOS app development. Aim to obtain a qualification that proves the corresponding skills.
Qualifications for web applications: HTML5 professional certification exam, PHP engineer certification exam
The HTML5 Professional Certification Exam is suitable for front-end work, and the PHP Engineer Certification Exam is suitable for back-end work.
Deepen your understanding of the software industry and get a job in the software industry
The software industry is an industry that is expected to continue to grow.
It is suitable not only for people who are interested in the latest trends, but also for those who have ideas for combining existing technologies and products with IT, and for those who have skills and experience in other industries.
If you want to experience the latest technology and get excited, or if you want to create something new on your own, we recommend jumping into the software industry. I’m sure there will be a stage where you can be active.
