Minister Martin announces major expansion of VMware in Cork

Leading US Software Company to create 369 new high-tech jobs

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheál Martin TD today (Thursday 22nd February 2007) announced that VMware, the global leader in software for industry-standard virtualized desktops and servers, is to expand its EMEA Technical Support Centre in Ballincollig, Cork. VMware will extend the range of activities at the centre and create an additional 369 new positions, with the support of IDA Ireland.

VMware is one of the US software industry’s fastest growing companies and produces ‘virtual infrastructure’ software, which allows customers of varying sizes to save millions of dollars in hardware and operational expenses, lower power and cooling costs, reduce downtime expenses, and improve desktop manageability. In 2005, VMware established its EMEA Technical Support Centre in Ballincollig with its sole mandate being the provision of technical support to its EMEA customers. Massachusetts-based EMC Corporation, VMware’s parent company, recently announced its intention to sell approximately 10 percent of VMware via an initial public offering (IPO) of newly issued VMware stock in the summer of 2007.

In order to meet the growing demand for its software products globally, VMware is undertaking this major expansion of its international support centre in Cork to extend its existing technical support service and include four new shared services functions: Finance, IT, HR and Sales. This expansion in Cork has required a move to a new 50,000 sq. ft leased premises at the Barracks Square in Ballincollig.

Minister Martin, performing the official opening of VMware’s new premises, said, “Today is a good-news day for Cork. VMware is a highly innovative, cutting-edge company and is achieving a global reputation that is envied by the whole IT industry. It is an excellent addition to the IT and software technology base in Ireland. VMware’s products are considered to be among the most significant value-added technologies to have emerged in recent years and VMware customers around the world are using them to achieve efficiencies that would not previously have been possible.”

He continued, “The decision by VMware to expand its operation in Cork and create substantial additional employment is very welcome news for the area. My Government and IDA Ireland continuously strive to win the highest quality investments for Ireland to ensure that we continue to be sustainable. We are operating in a highly competitive environment and IDA Ireland has to vigorously compete for the most sought-after, innovation-driven investment such as today’s investment by VMware. It is our ability to attract leading-edge global companies and encourage the addition of core activities within our existing companies that will continue to place Ireland ahead of the competition.”

Mark Stradling, Vice President of EMEA at VMware, said, “Our initial experience in Ireland has been great and it was a logical decision to expand our International support centre in Cork. As a company we pride ourselves on the quality of technology, information and support that we give our customers. As our business continues to grow we are confident that the support requirements of our International customers will be met by the team in Cork, which continues to play an important role in both our current and future development.”

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Note to Editors

Contacts for further details –

VMware: Henry Brake, AxiCom, Tel: +44 (0) 20 8392 4059, Email: henry.brake@axicom.com

IDA Ireland: Ruth Croke, Press & PR Manager. Tel: 603 4000

This release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined under the Federal Securities Laws. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors, including but not limited to: (i) adverse changes in general economic or market conditions; (ii) delays or reductions in information technology spending; (iii) risks associated with acquisitions and investments, including the challenges and costs of integration, restructuring and achieving anticipated synergies; (iv) competitive factors, including but not limited to pricing pressures and new product introductions; (v) the relative and varying rates of product price and component cost declines and the volume and mixture of product and services revenues; (vi) component and product quality and availability; (vii) the transition to new products, the uncertainty of customer acceptance of new product offerings and rapid technological and market change; (viii) insufficient, excess or obsolete inventory; (ix) war or acts of terrorism; (x) the ability to attract and retain highly qualified employees; (xi) fluctuating currency exchange rates; and (xii) other one-time events and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in EMC’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. EMC disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

ENDS