IBM Expands Software Development Labs in Ireland

IBM (NYSE: IBM) has announced it will expand its operations in Ireland, adding investments to its IBM Tivoli software development labs in Cork and Galway.

This initiative follows IBM’s acquisition of Vallent Corporation and will help accelerate the creation of products for IBM’s Tivoli software group that focuses on the service management marketplace.

IBM will create up to 130 new roles -- including new opportunities for technology graduates and telecoms professionals -- in an IDA (Industrial Development Agency) Ireland-supported IBM investment of up to EUR 24 million over the next three years. Today’s announcement builds upon IBM’s deep R&D commitment focused on the designing and developing first-of-a-kind solutions that respond to customers’ computing challenges.

Michael Daly, Country General Manager, IBM Ireland said: “Today’s announcement highlights Ireland’s role as an important location to help fulfill our global research, development and business strategy. As a globally integrated company, we are committed to drawing on locally established skills and talent to create value for clients worldwide.”

“The Cork and Galway labs are part of more than 80 IBM development laboratories around the world giving these teams excellent access to the latest technology and talent to research and develop the industry leading software,” said Laura Sanders, WW Development for Tivoli software, IBM. “We are committed to extending the Vallent product line and integrating them with the broader Tivoli and IBM portfolio.”

Minister Martin, welcoming the investment, said, “This is wonderful news coming from the largest information technology company in the world. This knowledge-driven investment is highly significant for Ireland and in particular for Cork and Galway. The benefits are tremendous in terms of the highly sophisticated software technology that will be developed in both locations, the highly skilled positions that will be created and the endorsement by a world industry leader that Ireland is providing the requirements for IBM’s future in research and development.”

The Minister continued, “Last year marked IBM’s 50th anniversary in Ireland. It was one of the first global companies to invest in Ireland and it continues to grow here, expanding its value added activities and creating high levels of employment across its diverse range of operations. It is globally renowned for its commitment to R&D and we are proud to provide the technological expertise and innovative people that contribute to IBM’s worldwide evolution.”

In February 2007, IBM completed the acquisition of Vallent, a leading provider of operational support and network management software. Vallent had an established presence in Ireland, employing 120 people. The Vallent technology, now part of Tivoli software at IBM, helps wireless service providers manage the performance of their IT network infrastructure through monitoring and reporting of wireless service quality and potential network problems before they impact a customer’s experience.

Combining Vallent with Netcool and the rest of the Tivoli portfolio gives IBM the most comprehensive service assurance software suite in the industry. IBM is uniquely capable of helping service provider clients manage services end-to-end across wireline, wireless, IP, and IT infrastructure. The addition of Vallent with the Tivoli Netcool portfolio and IBM’s service management technology provides customers with a comprehensive approach for reducing the complexity of their network requirements, lowering operational costs and addressing compliance.