EE
Joined: 16 Jun 2026
Posts: 108
Location: Paranaque City, Phils.
|
 Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2025 10:46 am Post subject: DLSU's New Software Will Boost RP Image |
 |
|
Since we're all hungry for good news about the Philippines, I'm posting this news item sent by batman to me. This only goes to show that Pinoy software developers are truly world-class. I hope gov't will do something to replicate Bangalore here in the Philippines.
EE
| Quote: |
RP software startup attracts
top PC vendors, investors
Posted: 10:35 PM (Manila Time) | Nov. 13, 2003
By Erwin Lemuel G. Oliva
INQ7.net
A PHILIPPINE-BASED software company currently developing a middleware that would allow Microsoft Windows applications to run on Linux has attracted top computer vendors like IBM and Hewlett-Packard and some foreign investors.
During a presentation at a local university, officials at Softabs revealed that apart from IBM, Hewlett-Packard, software company Oracle Corp. has expressed interest to market and bundle the middleware dubbed "David" with its own products.
Fred Lewis, chief executive of Softlabs said IBM, through its local subsidiary, was among the first vendors to communicate its intent to license the middleware and bundle it with its own set of products.
The local subsidiary of HP has also recently written the software company expressing its interest to market the software, he added.
Lewis also disclosed that Peter Valdes has finally committed his software development firm Vsoft Inc. to help co-develop the middleware.
Softlabs has for the past six months been in negotiations with Valdes, co-founder of the software firm Tivoli which IBM eventually bought for 750 million dollars.
Valdes, who now sits as a director/partner in the company, also pledged to infuse an additional 1 billion dollars to Softlabs as additional funding to the commercial development of the middleware, Lewis added.
"Valdes wants this software to be the next Tivoli," the executive said during a briefing that was attended by executives from Oracle, Acer, Technopaq, Alphabeans Systems, MSI-Digiland, and Bitstop Network Services Inc.
In a company brief, it was noted that Vsoft intends to acquire a substantial share of Softlabs. Lewis said that Vsoft, through funding from a group of US-based investment bankers, wanted a 75-percent stake of the company.
However, Softlabs declined an initial offer made by Vsoft.
The company is expecting another offer from Vsoft by the end of this month, Lewis said.
Softlabs is currently working with the De La Salle University (DLSU) in the development of the prototype of David.
About 40 to 50 students have been tapped to work on the system design and the prototype that is set to be ready by first quarter of 2004, according to Caslon Chua, graduate school director of the College of Computer Studies of DLSU.
"DLSU is doing this as part of a major research project for students. My involvement here is more academic than business driven," Chua admitted.
Chua is now considered the "chief software architect" of David, while Valdes will take on the role of project manager, Lewis said.
Meanwhile, Lewis said that Softlabs is also in the final stages of signing a tri-party development agreement involving the National Computer Center, DLSU, and the company itself.
Softlabs is currently trying to raise about 500,000 dollars in three months to cover for its operations for a year. |
|
|
