Digital Planet - Executive Summary v1 - WITSA

The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) is the leading tradeassociation of this nation’s information technology industry. ITAA’s 11,000 directand affiliated member companies create and market products and informationservices associated with computers, communications, and data. ITAA sponsors awide range of services, meetings and activities that enhance an IT firm’s ability toremain competitive in the marketplace.Through it’s advocacy efforts, ITAA helps to foster an environment which isconducive to the health, prosperity and competitive nature of the informationtechnology industry and to help its members succeed in delivering the benefits of ITto their customers. With the aid of its four divisions the association represents theIT industry’s interests in issues such as intellectual property protection, governmentprocurement, telecommunications policy, taxation and privacy. The association’sindustry development programs include advocacy on legislative and regulatoryissues, studies and statistics, domestic and international market development andindustry promotion. ITAA also provides extensive opportunities for businessdevelopment and networking. It strives to create an atmosphere for member firmsto seek partnering relationships, joint technology development, marketingarrangements and growing firms an ability to learn about equity financing.ITAA has also established a close working relationship with the Council ofRegional Information Technology Associations (CRITA) which consists of twentyfourregional groups and on the international level with 32 associations locatedaround the world who are affiliated with the World Information Technology andServices Alliance (WITSA).For more information see www.itaa.org.Japan Information Services Association (JISA) has 561 regular members and 83associate members. Regular membership comprises leading software developers,information processing and database/VAN service suppliers. Associate membersfrom leading Japanese hardware vendors, bankers, insurers, variousmanufacturers, traders and common carriers etc. support JISA with theircontributions.Members add up to about 10% of the number of companies in the informationservices industry in Japan, account for nearly 50% of staff employed, and havemore than 60% market share.Its mission is to attain sound and steady growth of the information service industrythrough the promotion of the development of information system technology andconsolidation of infrastructure for computerization, and to contribute to theeconomic and social development of Japan through the promotion ofcomputerization.For more information see www.jisa.or.jp.Digital Planet — The Global Information Economy