Softool'99, the annual show of information and communication technologies, is being held in Moscow on September 28 to October 2, 1999. This will be the 10-th exhibition in a row. Its goal is demonstration and promotion of Russian high-tech products, ready to compete for world markets. These products range from electronic chips to information technologies.

The event took place for the first time in 1990, when it was entitled Softool-USSR. At that time, it enlisted 63 participants, primarily state and joint ventures; most of them presented imported products and automatic control systems for industrial processes.

By 1993, the number of SOFTOOL participants reached to about 200. Since that, it stabilized at about 200 to 220, with 90% of them being Russian companies. Organizers of the event highlight the increasing popularity of the show among Russian software developers. Every year 40 to 50 new vendors make their debuts at Softool. Since 1997, Softool has become a nation-wide Russian exhibition.

The show presents a variety of computer technologies, including CASE technologies, CAD systems, software development tools, operation systems, automatic enterprise control systems, neuro-networking, turnkey office solutions, databases, information and reference systems, data protection, multimedia, computer graphics, gaming, and others. A number of solutions is addressed towards specific vertical markets, such as telecommunication, trade and banking, publishing, accounting, insurance business, document management, warehousing, construction, finance and stock market, tax and municipal offices, etc. Hardware products are also presented, including computers, peripheral devices, parts, cabling systems, scanners, power sources, modems.

The program of the show includes a number of conferences and seminars. On top of that, the awarding ceremony of the Softool Debut '99 nation-wide contest of software products will be held during the event. It is aimed at revealing original, intellect-based and perspective products and assisting their developers in promotion of these products to domestic and worldwide markets. The contest is held by Russian Ministry of Science and Technologies, Moscow Government and Division of Informatics, Computer Technologies and Automatization of Russian Academy of Sciences.

There were 36 works submitted to the contest by both individuals and software developing companies. Ten of them were awarded with laurel titles, thus being allowed to be presented at Softool '99 show free of charge. Another five works were highly appreciated by the jury of the contest and will be awarded by diplomas.

Organizers of the contest say that its results match their expectations. Despite the fact that Western companies are aggressively hunting for Russian programmers, there is still a lot of talented developers in Russia. They often manage to perform the delightful projects based virtually on pure enthusiasm.

Source: InfoArt News Agency

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