RUSSOFT and Fort-Ross Merged to Form The Largest Association of Russian Software Development Companies

In our first survey of the Russian Software Outsourcing Industry, realized in 2003, we predicted the consolidation of software development companies under the umbrella of the leading IT-associations. And our forecast comes true: in June the two largest IT-association, Moscow-based National Software Development Association RUSSOFT and Saint-Petersburg-based Fort-Ross Consortium, announced that they are merging to form what will become the country's largest software development association. The final conference devoted to various aspects of newly formed organization was held on 10th of September 2004.

New organization was called "Software developers nonprofit partnership RUSSOFT". With headquarters in Saint-Petersburg and Moscow the unified organization unites more than 70 companies from Russia, Ukraine and Byelorussia with more than 5000 highly qualified, professional software engineers.

The merging of two largest associations is undoubtedly the important step in the maturation of the Russian software outsourcing market. Concentration of the professional resources will definitely help to promote Russia as a country with high outsourcing capabilities.

As was mentioned at conference, RUSSOFT will strive to develop and promote the Russian software development market, especially offshore outsourcing software development market. First of all new partnership will concentrate their efforts on the questions of government support of offshore programming, common industry's maturity and politics and many other questions.