The qualitative research component included executive interviews, focus groups and a survey of software firms. The survey was placed on our website starting in mid-March and emails were sent to company executives requesting them to respond to the survey. The member organizations of this cluster changed the name of the cluster as of June 1999. It is now called the Software and Information Industry Cluster. Components of the software cluster, as defined in this report, are described on pages 16 through 24 and are graphically presented in the cluster map on page 16.
Software is one of the most dynamic and promising drivers of Arizona's economy.
It has become a critical ingredient in the success of many industries, particularly in information technology, but also in a wide range of services and manufacturing industries. The answer lies in how well Arizona meets the workforce, financing and other requirements of this emerging cluster. The number of firms in the software industry is increasing at a relatively rapid rate, reflecting Arizona's favorable business climate and entrepreneurial spirit. Currently, there are nearly 2400 establishments, representing over 28,000 workers directly involved in software products and services. Software wages are significantly higher than the average across all industries and educational attainment of the typical software worker is relatively high, with most workers attaining at least some college.