International software engineering standards: facing the challenge

The global dominance that US software producers have enjoyed for many years faces many new challenges. The marketplace places increasing emphasis on product interoperability and quality systems. Vendors are being challenged to document compliance with standards which the EC, along with many other countries, have now adopted and enforce. Proprietary systems have provided an inertial 'luxury' which must be overcome. Understanding and satisfying the changing global software market will become crucial to maintaining a significant US market presence. The authors stress that the US software community must increase its awareness of international standards activities, and they advocate strong personal and corporate support for, and involvement in, these important activities.<>