IBM to invest €46 million in the transformation of its Dublin Technology Campus

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin T.D., announced today (6^th July, 2006) that IBM Corporation will invest €46 million in its Technology Campus in Mulhuddart, Co. Dublin over the next three years with the support of IDA Ireland.

The investment which marks IBM’s 50^th 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. In addition, a Centre of Competency in Biomedical Search will be created to develop a clinical trials portal for the medical profession.

The new Business Incubation Centre is designed to combine IBM 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.

This 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.

Minister Martin, welcoming the announcement 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.”

IBM will also enhance its global Supply Chain operations in Ireland. Drawing on local, highly skilled supply chain expertise, this move further highlights IBM's strategy of identifying the best source of skills on a worldwide basis. These roles will add to the already considerable pool of supply chain talent at IBM's Technology Campus in Mulhuddart including e-server manufacturing, fulfilment and worldwide procurement.

These combined new activities are expected to generate 300 high skilled positions. Speaking at the announcement today, 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”