ICT Industry
Microsoft, USA
ABOUT MICROSOFT
- Based in the very heart of Belgrade, Microsoft Development Center Serbia (MDCS) exists since September 2005. It started as a small operation focused exclusively on projects related to Tablet PC technology under the name Tablet PC Development Extension. Since then Microsoft invested millions of dollars in its Development Center.
- Today, MDCS has more than 45 professionals contributing to the global efforts of Microsoft Corporation by developing software components built in Windows, MS Office, SQL, and Live Search software.
- By participating in the development of Live Search - MDCS is actually on the front lines of technological development shaping and influencing the world as we know it.
WHY SERBIA?
- After realizing that a disproportionally high number of their software experts in USA come from this region Microsoft decided to come to this spring of IT talents and utilize Belgrade's central position in the region for the benefit of their global efforts - hence MDCS was opened.
- The additional incentive was the lowest corporate tax in Europe (10%) and the fact that there is no VAT on importing IT related technology.
SERBIA - THE EXPERIENCE
- Serbia has an abundance of e-ducated and talented young professionals and a developed taxation system favorable to investors.
- Compared to other Microsoft Centers in the world the MDCS progress reports were always amongst the most impressive ones, a result that came from dedicated work of the local professionals.
- Local talent made it possible for MDCS to develop Cyrillic handwriting recognition software for tablet PC, On Line Book Search component for Live Search, Math Equation Recognition Software and many more software solutions incorporated in Windows and MS Office packages.
- MDCS praises their local partners for providing top of the range services and finds them extremely professional and an immense and reliable support to MDCS operations.
FUTURE PLANS
- Microsoft will certainly continue to invest in their Development Center in Serbia by increasing number of employed IT professionals and number of projects developed at MDCS for Microsoft Corporation.
- MDCS plans to stop the national brain drain and invite even more young professionals to return to Serbia and work at Microsoft Office in Belgrade.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- MDCS can recommend Serbia for its abundance in IT talent, tax climate and various investment incentives provided by the Government.
