IBM Makes 46m Euro Investment In Dublin Technology Campus

IBM Corporation is to invest 46 million euros in its technology campus in Mulhuddart, Co. Dublin over the next three years, with the support of IDA Ireland, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheal Martin has announced.

The investment, which marks IBM's 50th year in Ireland, will significantly grow its Dublin-based software development operations, establish a Business Incubation Centre and enhance the company's supply chain capacity.

The Dublin Software Laboratory will be expanded to create a number of 'Centres of Competencies' in Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and SAP applications, enabling IBM clients worldwide to implement more efficient, flexible and responsive business solutions. IBM will also expand its industry models portfolio with new offerings for the healthcare and financial markets. A Centre of Competency in Biomedical Search will also be created in order to develop a clinical trials portal for the medical profession.

The new Business Incubation Centre has been designed to combine IDM research technology, services and consulting expertise with skills and knowledge of local industry partners, developers, universities and government organisations to identify and advance emerging business opportunities. It will also provide Ireland's R&D community with access to IBM's newly-established Technology Collaboration Solutions business unit. This will facilitate collaboration with business associates, partners and clients to integrate advanced digital technology into what they bring to market, creating new revenue opportunities and expanding channels across multiple industries.

The initiative follows on from the successful incubation and launch of a RFID & Wireless Centre of Excellence at the campus, which draws upon IBM's existing hardware, software and supply chain skills and the deep knowledge base in the Irish ecosystem to develop customer focused solutions.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Martin said: "This further investment by IBM is extremely important for Ireland, ensuring further diversification of IBM's Dublin Technology Campus Operations. The Business Incubation Centre will empower IBM in Ireland to identify emerging opportunities and develop them into commercial businesses for the company, its clients and business partners.

"The new software development investment will complement and greatly strengthen IBM's existing software group operations. Overall, the investment helps facilitate IBM's on-going transition to a globally integrated company, drawing upon the right combination of skills and expertise to meet its clients' needs. This is a tremendous achievement for the company's 50th anniversary in Ireland."

These combined activities are expected to generate 300 high skilled positions.

Bob Moffat, Senior Vice President, IBM Corporation, said: "Competitive advantage today come both from being able to attract the best skills and talents wherever they are in the world and the ability to integrate them globally to innovate for clients. There is a wealth of technology and business expertise in Ireland and our goal is to harness that talent and link it to our capabilities around the world on behalf of our clients."

IBM now employs over 3,200 people in software operations around Dublin, in manufacturing, eProcurement, sales and marketing, software development, consultancy, services and customer support and treasury operations.

(KMcA)