Why UX Should Matter to Software Companies
http://www.uxmatters.com/MT/archives/000077.php

Gabriel-Petit, Pabini
UXmatters
2006

Abstract:

A good--even great--user experience is an essential component of a quality software product and provides a sustainable strategic advantage that differentiates a product from those of a company's competitors. Thus, user experience is a core competency within today's software companies, and an expert in UX strategy and design is an indispensable part of a software product team--just as the product manager and software architect are--particularly if a team is working on a new product.