The partnership follows the announcement, at the end of the third quarter of 2013 - by IDC Worldwide Mobile Phone Tracker - that the four top worldwide operating systems are: Android, iOS, Windows Phone and Blackberry. 

Research by Kantar Wordpanel also announce that Windows Phone now makes up one in 10 smartphone sales across the five major European markets.

Dr Sa’ad Mansoor, Head of School of Computer Science at Bangor University, said: “With the increase of smartphone sales and Windows Phone becoming a key player in the market, it is clear the demand for app development across multiple platforms is a key area for growth for software engineers and developers.”

The first Software Alliance Wales event, to be held at Bangor University on 9 December 2013, will be a ‘taster session’ for Apps developers to find out about the fast growing market for multi-channel platforms and to hear first-hand, from Microsoft, about the design language, framework, tools and Apps store for Windows Phones and Tablets. 

A survey commissioned by Microsoft Ltd, recently revealed how multi-channel platforms; the pace-of-change; and the well documented skills gap; are all impacting on application and software development in the UK.

Dr Sa’ad Mansoor, Head of School of Computer Science at Bangor University, continued: “The skills required to develop and build software applications are completely different to the skills required five to ten years ago. 

 “The future success of the UK applications and software development sector is highly dependent on IT contractors and large organisations being at the forefront of development. And, as importantly, on Software Alliance Wales and other partners putting the time and resource in to facilitating the advancement of software professionals.”

Following the introductory talk in North Wales, the Apps development community will be invited to attend a technical workshop at Swansea University on 23 January 2014.

Liam Kurmos, Software Alliance Wales’ Liaison Officer at Bangor University, concluded: “With the help of Microsoft and other industry partners, Software Alliance Wales aims to develop a community of new talent and experts, within the field, to further develop the multi-channel platform.”