On October 30, 2025, students from the National Taiwan University Global MBA program visited the headquarters of Galaxy Software Services (GSS) in Taipei. The visit provided valuable insights into Taiwan's evolving software industry and GSS's role in supporting the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The presentation began with Ms. Rita Tu, who welcomed the group and provided an overview of GSS and the day's agenda. Ms. Tina Shao then presented GSS's flagship product, VITAL, a comprehensive cloud-based business management solution designed specifically for Taiwan's SMEs. The system integrates knowledge management, CRM, and workflow automation tools to address common operational challenges faced by smaller enterprises.

Ms. Shao showcased compelling customer testimonials from companies like SaulTech Technology and Hai Lu Jya He Co., demonstrating how VITAL has transformed their operations through reduced paper usage and substantial time savings. She emphasized how VITAL helps companies preserve institutional knowledge, reduce repetitive tasks, and improve efficiency. The presentation highlighted recent AI integrations, including natural language search, cross-language translation, and AI-powered proposal generation, which enable sales staff to create comprehensive customer proposals quickly and efficiently.

Dr. Ruay-Shiung Chang, Consultant of GSS, then provided a broader perspective on Taiwan's software industry. Referencing Marc Andreessen's famous essay "Why Software Is Eating the World," Dr. Chang discussed the rapid growth of the global software market, particularly driven by cloud services adoption.

A central theme of Dr. Chang's presentation was Taiwan's strategic challenge: transforming from a "hardware island" to a "software nation." While Taiwan excels in semiconductor manufacturing with companies like TSMC dominating global markets, the country's software industry remains relatively unknown internationally. Taiwan faces obstacles including a hardware-focused mindset, project-based rather than product-driven business models, and limited global exposure.

Dr. Chang also discussed policy initiatives, including Taiwan's AI Action Plan and the establishment of software innovation hubs across the country. He emphasized the importance of international collaboration and encouraged foreign talent to consider careers in Taiwan's growing software sector.

The visit concluded with an engaging Q&A session where students inquired about cybersecurity measures, competitive advantages, expansion plans, and internship opportunities. The GSS team expressed openness to hiring international talent, noting that language barriers are minimal due to staff English proficiency.

This visit demonstrated how companies like GSS are bridging the gap between traditional SME operations and modern digital capabilities, positioning Taiwan for greater prominence in the global software ecosystem.

(Written by GMBA student - Kevin Lin 林愷)