Software/Information Technology Sector

This high-tech cluster began with the formation of 'analytics' companies focused on development of tools for 'automated decision-making', initially for the government and later, for use in business settings. Early examples included Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and Integrated Software Systems Corporation (ISSCO), founded in 1969 and 1970 respectively. ISSCO was one of the world's first independent companies developing visual software information systems and provided some of the first such graphics software permitting high quality graphics for use in business, government and academic settings.

Growth of this sector resulted in the creation of several hundred software and IT companies and the success of innovative companies in this cluster inspired several established companies to also locate offices in San Diego. Sanyo, Sony, Hewlett-Packard and Cymer are just a few examples of companies drawn to the depth of innovations and the world-class academic research programs and supporting service entities of the region.

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