Rewards of Education: Software Industry Hits Hill with Facts, Not Contributions

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While corporations are coming under scrutiny for questionable campaign contributions, the software industry is finding creative ways to influence Washington's policy-makers and winning a few key concessions along the way.

An industry that started in garages may take a little while to learn the ways of Washington, but the Silicon Valley set is learning quickly that education and big economic numbers are often useful tools of persuasion.

"This is still an industry that believes in the power of ideas more than the power of campaign contributions," said Robert Holleyman, the president of the Business Software Alliance. "Don't expect them to become known as a major source of campaign donations."

Mr. Holleyman said that as long …