IBM Celebrates 50 Years in Ireland With Additional Investment and Jobs

DUBLIN, IRELAND - 06 Jul 2006: Marking its 50th year in Ireland, IBM today announced it will invest EUR 46 million in the country over the next three years, creating more than 300 highly-skilled roles.

IBM plans to expand its Dublin-based software development operations; launch a newly-established Business Incubation Centre to promote collaborative innovation around emerging business opportunities; and further invest in supply chain skills.

These investments underscore IBM’s commitment to work with governments, universities and institutions around the world, cultivating the right conditions to secure a robust supply of high-value skills.

“Competitive advantage today comes 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,” said Bob Moffat, senior vice president, Integrated Operations.

“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.”

Software Development

IBM will create new software development roles at its Dublin Technology Campus in Mulhuddart, Co. Dublin, recruiting graduate and doctorate level engineers and programmers.

IBM will expand its Dublin Software Laboratory operations by:

-- creating a Centre of Competency for SOA (Service Oriented
Architecture), where clients and business partners can learn about and test new solutions. SOA is a fast-growing technology approach to transform companies’ software applications into reusable services that improve business operations.

-- establishing a Centre of Competency for SAP. IBM Workplace for SAP
Software integrates SAP applications and IBM collaboration solutions,
combining capabilities to deliver high-performance work environments.

-- expanding its Industry Models portfolio -- which already targets
financial services and retail market segments -- with new offerings for
healthcare and financial markets. The Dublin Software Laboratory will
develop advanced software to help clients deploy business intelligence
solutions that manage risk, compliance requirements and customer
relationships.

-- founding a Centre of Competency in Biomedical Search focused on
advanced analytical software that helps doctors and patients make more informed medical decisions based on existing results. This new effort complements IBM’s development of a Clinical Trials Portal that enables doctors and patients to access clinical trial information in one place.

IBM Business Incubation Centre

The new IBM Business Incubation Centre will combine IBM research, technology, services and consulting expertise with skills and knowledge of Irish industry partners, developers, small and medium size businesses, universities and government organizations in a collaborative mission to identify and advance emerging business opportunities -- both locally and internationally.

Located on the IBM Dublin Technology Campus, the centre will also provide Ireland’s research and development community with access to IBM’s newly-established Technology Collaboration Solutions business unit.

This will enable deeper IBM collaboration with third parties, including business associates, partners and clients to help them more aggressively integrate advanced digital technology into what they bring to market, creating new revenue opportunities and expanding channels across multiple industries.

Establishment of the centre follows the successful incubation and launch earlier this year of the IBM RFID & Wireless Centre -- a test-bed for new solutions for business issues in various industries.

Supply Chain

IBM also announced plans to add new jobs in its supply chain operations, drawing on Ireland’s highly-skilled supply chain expertise and adding to the already considerable pool of supply chain capability IBM has at its Dublin Technology Campus, which supports IBM e-Server manufacturing, fulfillment and worldwide procurement.

Minister Martin, welcoming the announcement said: "This further investment by IBM is extremely important for Ireland, ensuring further diversification of IBM’S 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.”

Michael Daly, country general manager, IBM Ireland said: “Today’s announcement is an excellent way to mark 50 years of IBM innovation in Ireland. The investment demonstrates IBM’s commitment in Ireland as a key location to help fulfill IBM’s global research, development and business strategy.”

IBM in Ireland - 50 Years of Innovation

IBM in Ireland is celebrating a half century of business in Ireland. Having started with three employees working from the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, it has grown to be one of the largest employers in the country.

Over the decades, IBM’s business in Ireland has undergone major transformation. In 1980, IBM was the first company to set up a software facility in Ireland -- a move that helped establish Ireland’s reputation as a premier location for software development.

In 1996, IBM announced an investment of $350 million in the IBM Dublin Technology Campus at Mulhuddart, Co. Dublin which hosts its world-class Dublin Software Laboratory; IBM e-Server manufacturing for markets worldwide; and the recently-established IBM RFID and Wireless Centre.

In 2004, IBM invested EUR 22 million in Ireland as it increased its software research and development operations.

Contact Information

Mark Guan

IBM Media Relations

IBM

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