The price of software is just one issue for the developing world to consider as it takes up high tech, according to a pair of Microsoft executives.
Gerald Ilukwe, the general manager of Microsoft Nigeria, said that although the average annual salary in the West African country is only $160, software cost is not what's important.
"It's easy to focus on cost, but at the end of the day, it's the total impact that's important. You can give people free software or computers, but they won't have the expertise to use it," Ilukwe said in response to a question on the role of open-source software in Africa. "Microsoft is not a helicopter dropping relief materials; we're there in the field."
Neil Holloway, the president of Microsoft for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said training in IT skills is the most important issue in emerging markets.
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