Ibec global technologyhub_2013

The
Global
Technology
Hub
How Ireland enables success
for international and indigenous
technology companies

Vision statement

To make Ireland
a global ICT
powerhouse

Contents
01/Introduction
02/Background

08

03/How Ireland is facing the global technology sector challenges

10

04/Future prospects for the technology industry in Ireland

20

05/Recommendations

26

06/How to measure success

30

07/Conclusion

The Global Technology Hub

04

34

01

Excellent
country
to do ICT
business in

Location
of choice
for global
business

Engine of
Irish jobs
growth

Over the past three decades we have worked
closely with the government and its agencies as
we have grown, evolved and deepened our roots
through a continued programme of investment.
Cathriona Hallahan, Managing Director, Microsoft Ireland

02


ICT Ireland and the Irish Software
Association (ISA) are the technology
sector representative bodies within
Ibec. Our mission is to:
+ Raise awareness of the importance
of the ICT sector to the Irish economy
in all sections of society
+ Ensure that Ireland is an attractive location
for ICT investment by multinational and
indigenous companies, by promoting an
environment that encourages innovation
+ Develop linkages between component parts
of the ICT industry in Ireland, including both
indigenous and multinational companies

Ireland provides a test bed for market experience
and enables companies and countries to gain a
true understanding of user needs and therefore
help specify future products.
Eamonn Sinnott, General Manager, Intel Ireland
Vice President, Technology Manufacturing Group, Intel Corporation


03

01/Introduction

The technology sector
in Ireland is thriving, with
exports and employment
in indigenous and
multinational technology
ﬁrms continuing to grow.

Development agencies in many other countries
talk about building “clusters” of businesses in a
particular sector and introducing various forms of
government support to aid cluster development.
Ireland has a strong track record in attracting and
retaining high-tech businesses like ours.
Sonia Flynn, EMEA Director for User Operations, Facebook

04


The technology sector in
Ireland is thriving, with exports
and employment in both
indigenous and multinational
technology firms continuing
to grow. In order to meet
the demands of this rapidly
expanding sector, ICT
Ireland and the Irish Software
Association (ISA) have worked
with our member companies
to devise a blueprint strategy
for the sector. This document
sets out our vision as to how
Ireland will retain and build
upon its reputation as a global
technology hub and a location
which underpins the growth of
international and indigenous
technology companies.
While mapping the success
factors which have led to the
technology sector flourishing
in Ireland, this strategy also
examines how Ireland is
responding to the international
challenges faced by the
technology industry. These
challenges are ever present
across all industry sectors as
technology has become a
cornerstone of today’s world.


This strategy provides
a roadmap to future
opportunities and trends for the
industry which, if supported,
will deliver further investment,
growth and jobs. A number
of key recommendations are
detailed for Government,
academia and industry in the
implementation of this strategy.
ICT Ireland and the ISA
will monitor the strategy’s
success by regularly reviewing
Ireland’s rankings for specific
metrics in the IMD World
Competiveness Yearbook and
the World Economic Forum
Global International Technology
Report. This will ensure an
accurate measure of how
successful our efforts are in
growing the technology sector
and its knock-on positive
impacts on the wider economy.
Given the breadth and depth of
technology companies already
established here, Ireland is
uniquely placed to become
a global technology hub. We
must take a leadership position
in guiding the future direction

of the industry. ICT Ireland
and the ISA have developed
this strategy to assist all
stakeholders connected
with the industry to achieve
this goal.
ICT Ireland and the ISA would
like to sincerely thank all their
members for their valuable
input and time in creating this
report. We would also like to
acknowledge a number of key
technology experts for their
participation in the formation
of this report.
Ronan Harris
Vice President,
Google
Chairperson,
ICT Ireland

Edel Creely

Managing Director,
Trilogy Technologies
Chairperson,
Irish Software Association

Paul Sweetman

Director,
ICT Ireland &

05

Ireland as
a place for
technology
investment

10 of the top 10 global
ICT companies

software companies

Irelan
hom

security software
companies

Ireland has a growing
population with 50% of the
population under 34 years old

1st for availability of
skilled labour

1st in Eurozone for
ease of doing business

1st for inward investment
by quality and value

1st in Western Europe
for “Best to Invest”
06

What
others
see in
Ireland...
93% of multinational
companies rate their
investment in Ireland
a success


enterprise software
companies

4 of the top 5 IT
services companies

nd is
me to...

The top 10 ‘born
on the internet’
companies

Over 105,000 people are
employed in the technology
sector in Ireland

What ICT
means to
the Irish
economy...

Exports worth €72 billion
per annum (40% of total
national exports)

4 of the top 5 exporters
in Ireland are technology
companies


07

02/Background

The technology
industry in Ireland
employs over 105,000
people across an array
of diverse companies.

Overall the number of employees has grown to
over 300. The quality and professionalism of the
people we employ and the business community
we work with in Ireland is more than a match for
any of our locations worldwide.
Adam Greenan, Country Manager, Cisco

08


These include leading
technology multinationals,
indigenous start-ups,
telecommunications firms,
scaling software companies
and digital innovators.
Ireland has one of the highest
concentrations of ICT activity
and employment in the OECD.
We have an enviable history of
success in the technology field,
attracting and retaining many of
the world’s leading technology
companies. The emerging
technology ecosystem has
flourished in Ireland because of
the following intrinsic economic
factors:
• A young, innovative and
resourceful workforce;
• A flexible and probusiness environment;
• A track record of high
education standards;
• Competitive corporate
tax rates;

• Political stability and
social cohesion;
• Cultural and geographic
advantages;
• A flexible workforce;
• A proven track record of
business development;
• Ireland’s membership
of the EU, acting as a
gateway to Europe.
All of the top ten global
technology companies have
a significant Irish presence
and the country is one of
the premier global locations
for technology companies.
The technology sector is
responsible for €72 billion of
Ireland’s exports – 40% of the
national total - and 4 of the
top 5 exporters in Ireland are
technology companies.
Highlighted in the recent
Forfás report ‘The Costs
of Doing Business 2012’,
business costs have reduced

significantly in recent years with
overall prices in the economy
falling back to the levels last
seen in 2002. There have been
improvements in labour costs,
dramatic reductions in property
related costs and falling prices
across a range of professional
and business services.
As well as a strong
multinational presence in
Ireland, there is a scaling
indigenous digital technology
sector. This sector alone
employs over 30,000
people with total sales of
over €2 billion per annum.
Opportunities now exist for
greater collaboration between
the indigenous technology
sector and the burgeoning
companies. This collaboration
will allow the technology
community to be greater than
the sum of its parts, enabling
the country to become a true
global technology hub.

S3 Group is export-oriented. We find the business
culture and the people we have in Ireland are perfectly
suited to this environment. They are naturally
outward-looking, flexible, and well educated.
John O’Brien, Chief Executive Officer, S3 Group


09

03/How Ireland is facing
the challenges

The technology industry
globally faces a number
of challenges which we
must respond to.
While the on-going success of
the technology sector is a cause
for optimism, we must avoid
complacency. The technology
industry globally faces a number
of challenges which we must
respond to. Ireland is addressing
these challenges in order to give
companies new reasons to base
major facilities and projects in
Ireland and to enable indigenous
companies to succeed at home
and abroad.

Ireland is winning the global race
to enact real solutions to the
technology sector’s challenges.
What sets Ireland apart is the
commitment by Government,
academia and industry to tackle
the issues quickly, nimbly and
ﬂexibly. However, we must
be vigilant. Ireland is securing
key investments in the face of
competing economies that are
also adapting to the challenges of
the technology sector.

Our business is constantly evolving, and to
succeed we need people who don’t just update
their skills but continually transform the value
they bring to IBM and to our customers.
Peter O’Neill, Country General Manager, IBM

10


Education,
Skills and
Intellectual
Capital

Economic
Conditions


Creating
a Digital
Landscape

11

03/How Ireland is facing the challenges/continued

There are a number of challenges faced by the technology
industry under the umbrella of education and skills.
Ireland is addressing each of these challenges and the
below examples demonstrate the improvements to date.
1. Improving the standard
3. Maintaining the provision
5. The availability of language
of education in Ireland
of effective technology
skills and the ability to
and increasing the
conversion courses for
attract skilled workers from
uptake of science,
those from other disciplines
outside Ireland.
technology, engineering
and fields.
Ireland is becoming an
and mathematics (STEM)
The Irish Government and
increasingly multilingual
subjects at all levels in
industry has committed to
society. In attracting
the education system.
the provision of conversion
professionals from a variety
In 2012, there was a dramatic
courses which fast track
of international locations, the
increase in the number of
graduates from other
availability of languages is
candidates sitting the higherdisciplines into the technology
increasing. Through major visa
level Leaving Certificate
sector. Initiatives such as
reform, introduced in 2013, it is
mathematics paper – up from
Springboard, Career Reboot
now far simpler for companies
15.8% in 2011 to 22.1% in
and Momentum and, the
to bring in talent from outside
2012. This increase was
efforts of organisation including
the EU to support their Irish
attributable to the bonus points
FIT and Skillnets have enabled
operations.
for higher-level mathematics
significant numbers to reskill.
scheme, re-introduced in 2012
following representations by
4. The up-skilling of
the technology sector. By the
current employees in
Leaving Certificate of 2013,
the technology sector
the number of students sitting
through formal continuous
the higher-level mathematics
professional development.
paper rose by 50% compared
Experienced personnel
to 2011.
with high level ICT skills
are in short supply globally.
2. Increasing the output of
Therefore, those currently
honours level graduates
employed in the sector must
from college level ICT
continuously develop their
courses.
skills throughout their working
In 2012, college applications
lives. The ICT Ireland Skillnet
for science, including
and ISA Software Skillnet
computer science, increased
are examples of industry and
by 18% nationally. Universities
Government working together
and institutes of technology
to deliver advanced training
recorded increases in the
activities for staff in the sector.
uptake of computer science
Many leading organisations,
courses of up to 60% in some
includingEngineers Ireland and
instances. The work of the
the Irish Computer Society,
joint Government/industry
are also providing world
‘Smart Futures’ campaign
class continual professional
was instrumental in increasing
development activity.
the profile of the technology
industry to second level
students and encouraging
greater uptake of science and
technology related courses.
This year-on-year growth has
continued to date.

12


Education,
Skills and
Intellectual
Capital


13


Economic conditions are continuing to improve in Ireland. We are
out of recession and well on the road to economic recovery.
1. Strength of exports
Ireland’s economy returned
to growth in 2011. Despite
the challenging external
environment, the economy
has continued to expand.
An export-led recovery has
been possible because of the
highly open nature of the Irish
economy. We have a critical
mass in a number of high-tech
sectors, such as ICT, medical
devices and pharmaceuticals.
Many of the world’s leading
companies have selected
Ireland as their international
headquarters.
2. Competitiveness
The significant improvement in
competitiveness that the Irish
economy has achieved since
2008 will prove a cornerstone
of sustained growth. Much of
the economy’s restructuring
has taken place at the level of
the individual firm, highlighting
the flexible nature of the Irish
workforce. Wage restraint has
played its part, but workplace
reform has been the crucial
factor driving improvements
in cost base and productivity.
This improvement in
productivity is reflected in the
dramatic reduction in unit
labour costs. The European
Commission forecasts that by
2014 Irish unit labour costs
will have fallen by over 15%
from its peak in 2008 and
will be at levels last seen ten
years previously.

14

3. Flexibility for
business success
The flexibility that makes
Ireland one of the world’s
most attractive locations
for business is supported
by a range of international
indicators. It is this flexibility
that allowed Irish businesses
to respond quickly to the
global economic crisis and
regain competiveness.
The 2013 IMD World
Competitiveness Yearbook
ranks Ireland very favourably
on a number of key measures:
• 1st for flexibility and
adaptability of our
workforce
• 1st for investment
incentives
• 1st for attitudes towards
globalisation
• 3rd for availability of
skilled labour
• 3rd for corporate tax rates
and real corporate taxes
4. Investors are taking note
Strong foreign direct
investment (FDI) inflows are
an illustration of international
investors’ confidence in
Ireland’s economic model.
IBM’s Global Location Trends
2012 ranks Ireland 4th for
FDI job creation and 1st
with regard to average value
of investment projects. As
Ireland’s cost competitiveness
continues to improve, the
positive trend of strong
investment inflows is set
to continue.


Economic
Conditions


15


Creating
a Digital
Landscape

16


Existing and emerging technologies when combined with a strong
digital strategy can be a catalyst for change and growth in Ireland.
1. ‘One-Stop-Shop’ for
technology investments
Ireland is renowned as one
of the best countries to do
business in. Agencies such as
IDA Ireland do excellent work
in attracting investment into
Ireland. When established,
companies can avail of a
number of supports that
are on offer from a variety
of different agencies - from
R&D investment to skills
development. However, a
“one-stop-shop” to enhance
the co-ordination and more
specifically target the many
financial, educational and
technical supports available
from Government and State
agencies is needed. The ISA’s
Irish Software Innovation
Network (ISIN) is a prime
example of an industry
led initiative that acts as a
targeted support network for
companies and academia.
ISIN has proven invaluable
to the industry through
the pooling of all available
information and resources for
the digital technology sector
within a single entity.

2. Building collaboration
between multinational and
indigenous companies
There is a thriving indigenous
digital technology sector in
Ireland. A unique opportunity
exists to harness the
complementary capabilities
of both the multinational
and indigenous technology
companies in a collaborative
manner. Enterprise Ireland
has a strong track record
of supporting start-up,
early stage and scaling
of indigenous technology
companies. Coupling these
supports with the work of
other agencies, such as IDA
Ireland, would accelerate the
overall tech sector’s growth.
This relationship could be
developed through some
specific activities, such as:
• Multinational and
indigenous companies
undertaking collaborative
research;
• Licensing unused IP to
indigenous companies on
preferential terms;

3. Developing a Digital Society
The use of technology
throughout society can greatly
improve a country’s overall
economic performance. Work
is on-going to increase the
level of Government activity
using technology as an enabler
in a wide range of areas from our education system to
services for citizens. Notably,
Government recently published
its Digital Strategy to focus on
enhancing the digital and online capabilities of the business
community and general public.
When fully implemented,
the Digital Strategy will lead
to strong GDP increases
rooted in the application
of technology.
Ireland also has the opportunity
to develop a world class
capability for data protection
and management. Work is
underway through discussions
at EU level regarding the
location of a one-stop-shop
for data protection. Ireland is
ideally suited to successfully
deliver this initiative.

• Championing indigenous
tech companies to the top
level or tier in channel/
partner programmes;
• Joint participation on
in-company executive
education programmes;
• Bundling/licencing
of multinational and
indigenous company
products and services in
a single offering.


17

“ The ﬂexibility that
makes Ireland one
of the world’s most
attractive locations for
business allowed Irish
businesses to respond
quickly to the global
economic crisis and
regain competiveness.”


19

04/Future prospects for the
technology industry in Ireland

ICT Ireland and the ISA
have identiﬁed a shortlist some of the highpotential top trends in the
technology sector that,
if supported by Ireland,
will deliver investment,
growth and jobs.

With a legacy of over 40 years in Ireland at the
forefront of ICT innovation, Fujitsu recognises
the strategic importance of Irish collaborative
research opportunities as a key driver of global
company growth.
Regina Moran, CEO, Fujitsu Ireland

20


The final shortlist was the
outcome of a detailed analysis
that focused on the following
areas:
• Global ICT trends as
identified by industry
leaders and consultants;
• Areas of strength in
academic research
and indigenous talent
in Ireland, as identified
by the existence of
research clusters with
both a national and
international profile;
• Priority areas for
research investment
with a national focus
(for example Science
Foundation Ireland)
and a European
focus (Horizon 2020
investment);
• Strategic areas of focus
for ICT Ireland and ISA
member companies with
an emphasis on future
growth areas within
these companies.


In all, six trends were identified
as strategic investment
opportunities for Ireland.
1. Digital services in
every business
The presence of the top ten
global internet companies
in Ireland, coupled with the
market and political drive for
European SMEs to embrace
the internet, offers Ireland
an opportunity to service a
market predicted to make
up nearly 8% of European
GDP by 2015. Ireland has
the potential to emerge
as the digital centre for
SMEs from across Europe.
Initiatives such as ‘Activating
Dublin’ will provide a
valuable insight into how
a national programme can
be developed to facilitate
thousands of businesses
trading online successfully.
Ireland can then export this
digital services capability
globally.

2. Smart Infrastructure
and Smart Cities
Smart Infrastructure and
Smart Cities are key
elements of both the Digital
Agenda for Europe and the
Irish Government’s plan
for economic recovery. In
addition to the opportunity
around job creation and
service revenue, there are
also wider benefits to the
economy. These include
the implementation of
infrastructural upgrades to
our energy, water, transport
and traffic management
systems. Our areas of
competitive strength are in
design, data analytics and
event detection. These are
areas where Ireland has
been successful in drawing
down major EU framework
programme funding,
as well as developing
leading international
research institutes. The
recommendation is to
further invest in these areas
focusing on education,
research and infrastructure.
A particular emphasis
should be placed on
applications that are most
relevance to Ireland’s
programme for economic
recovery, i.e. energy, water,
transport and traffic.

21

04/Future prospects for the technology industry in Ireland /continued

Smart Infrastructure
and Smart Cities
Digital
Services
in Every
Business

Analytics and
Big Data

High Tech
Manufacturing
Cloud

22

Apps,
Content
and
Mobility


3. Analytics and Big Data
There is a genuine
opportunity for Ireland in
the area of data analytics
and big data, building
on existing clusters at an
industry and academic level.
This area is strongly aligned
with funding initiatives within
Enterprise Ireland, Science
Foundation Ireland and EU
Horizon 2020 frameworks.
We recommend pursuing
the services component of
big data and data analytics
as well as maintaining
Ireland as a central bigdata management and
warehousing location in
Europe. Big data and
data analytics are key
disruptive reforms identiﬁed
in the Government’s 2013
Action Plan for Jobs, ﬁrmly
supported by industry.

4. Apps, content and mobility
Content and application
development is currently
a global $300 billion
per annum business
and expected to grow
$650billion per annum by
2020. This is a multi-faceted
industry and Ireland already
has existing strengths in
gaming, eLearning and
digital content creation.
There is an emerging
opportunity in this space,
without a clear dominant
global player as yet.
The industry is also highly
attractive to the growing
tech-graduate workforce
in Ireland.

It is the view of industry that
the mobile apps explosion
will continue as the number
of smart devices and
machines connecting
to mobile networks rise
dramatically. There is an
opportunity for any country
which has a healthy mix of
creativity and application
development skills to
take full advantage of this
growing market. Ireland
needs to ensure we have
the necessary skill-clusters
and development courses
to complement the existing
international business
models in the creative
sector.

Ireland remains a key location for technology
companies to invest, its ability to innovate and
creativity in Intellectual Property offers companies
the opportunity to grow their business through a
highly skilled and talented workforce.
Lionel Alexander, Vice President and General Manager, HP Ireland


23

04/Future prospects for the technology industry in Ireland /continued

5. Cloud
Cloud computing has
become established in the
sector and will be a key
enabler of any ICT strategy.
There is an opportunity
to ensure Ireland has
the necessary systems
integration and software
development skills required
to take full advantage of this
new IT consumption model.
While infrastructure as a
service and cloud security
services are considered to
be strong growth areas,
Ireland should continue to
invest in the skills required to
expand beyond these niche
sectors which are currently
globally competitive.

6. High tech manufacturing
Ireland has a long history
of excelling in high tech
manufacturing. The mix
of manufacturing exports
from Ireland places us in
a strong position towards
the manufacture of higher
complexity products. The
recent Intel Galileo board
‘Designed in Ireland’ is a
prime example. In the EU
only Germany surpasses
Ireland in the complexity of
its manufacturing exports.

We must continue to
support investment in
the area of high-tech
manufacturing, coupled with
high-skilled R&D and the
promotion of convergence
across all sectors. Ireland
has an opportunity to enable
the growth of high-tech
manufacturing campuses
that work across an array of
disciplines and activities, in
close collaboration with the
indigenous digital technology
ecosystem and other
established sectors such as
medical devices, ﬁnance,
pharmachem and food.

Ireland’s proximity to our European and US
customers, superior technological infrastructure,
and availability of so many languages and cultures
makes it an ideal business location for SAP.
Liam Ryan, Managing Director, SAP SSC Ireland Ltd

24


“ Smart Infrastructure
and Smart Cities are
key elements of the
Digital Agenda for
Europe and the Irish
Government’s plan for
economic recovery.”

25

05/Recommendations

Outlined in this document
are a set of independent,
industry validated
recommendations that
reinforce current initiatives
and bring forward new
suggestions from industry.

There is a widespread optimism about the
sector’s future due to the global and European
nature of many of the Irish operations based
here, and this in turn is reﬂected in the vibrant
IT employee base within Ireland.
Liam Halpin, General Manager, Dell (Ireland)

26


Many of the obstacles identiﬁed in this strategy are not new.
A range of reports have identiﬁed areas of concern and set out
strong recommendations to alleviate these issues. In numerous
cases initiatives are underway to address the challenges.

Key recommendations
for Government:

Key recommendations
for industry:

Key recommendations
for academia:

1. Meet the target of doubling
the annual output of
honours degree ICT
undergraduate programmes
by 2018;

1. Engage with academia on
ICT course content – ensure
graduates are ‘work ready’;

1. Increase number of places
available for tech-conversion
programmes;

2. Provide work placements as
part of undergraduate and
postgraduate courses;

2. Work with industry to revise
ICT course content;

2. Increase the number of
students with strong maths
skills choosing technology
related undergraduate
programmes;
3. Provide continuous
professional development
for all maths teachers;
4. Fully implement the new
National Numeracy and
Literacy Strategy;
5. Build on the visa reforms
outlined in the Action
Plan for Jobs;

3. Support Skillnets
programmes and
encourage the up-skilling of
existing staff;
4. Promote ICT as a career
and Ireland as a location
of choice to develop that
career.

3. Include foreign languages as
part of ICT programmes;
4. Actively promote technology
as a career to prospective
and current students;
5. Include substantial work
experience as part of ICT
programmes (minimum
six month placements).
6. Include critical
communication skills
development as part of
academic courses.

6. Implement the
recommendations and
proposed actions of the
report from the Research
Prioritisation Steering Group
in its entirety;
7. Introduce an associate
professional programme
as an alternative route to
beginning a career in the
tech sector;
8. Maintain support for
industry led initiatives,
such as Skillnets and FIT;
9. Increase the use of
technology in the
education system.


Education,
Skills and
Intellectual
Capital

27

05/Recommendations /continued

Economic
Conditions

Key recommendations
for Government:
1. Adopt technology to
improve efﬁciencies,
working through the
State CIO ofﬁce;

6. Attract new entrants to
the Irish banking market –
review the barriers to entry,
expansion and exit;

2. Reduce the burden of
labour taxation in order to
attract inward investment
and entrepreneurship;

7. Encourage Irish banks to
lower their cost structures
to stimulate investment and
drive growth.

3. Encourage increased cost
competitiveness;

8. Improve the risk/reward
equation for investments
in tech companies.
Further reform the
capital gains tax policy.

4. Complete the National
Broadband Plan to invest in
high-speed broadband at
the national level;
5. Complete the examination
of how utilities are regulated,
by changing the regulatory
environment, which may
lead to reduced costs for
enterprise;

9. A short-term urgent visa
for company VIPs, possibly
administered by the IDA,
should be introduced.

Ireland provides the highly educated, motivated
employees we need to grow, as well as the
government support and ICT industry success
culture to drive us forward.
Niall Norton, CEO, Openet

28


Creating
a Digital
Landscape

03
Key recommendations
for Government:

Key recommendations
for industry:

1. The establishment of a
Central Technology Transfer
Office announced in the
Action Plan for Jobs is a
strong initiative. This Office
should be extended to serve
as a one-stop-shop to direct
researchers, innovators
and companies through
the range of services and
funding opportunities
offered by Government;

1. Collaborate with and
develop connections
between scaling Irish digital
technology companies;
2. Promote the work of
indigenous technology
companies through the
networks of the established
companies based in Ireland.

2. Improve the co-ordination
between the numerous
State agencies that support
the technology community;
3. Continue to promote
Ireland’s reputation for
ICT investment and the
success of companies
who have chosen to
locate offices here. Strive
for a higher international
profile, leveraging highly
placed citizens and the
Irish diaspora in key
corporations.
4. Support the development
of indigenous technology
companies by enhancing
finance and supports
available;
5. Encourage the banking
system to provide credit to
scaling digital technology
companies to help them to
compete and expand to the
next level;
6. Fully implement the National
Digital Strategy.


29

06/How to measure success

Through analysing
speciﬁcs metrics and
data at regular intervals,
an assessment can
be made of Ireland’s
success in each area.

Proactive State support for job creation, and an
education system willing to explore ﬂexible options
to meet changing skills needs, make Ireland an
attractive location for continued investment.
Michael Gallagher, Country Manager, Ericsson Ireland

30


We have identified 6 major
areas where Ireland should
focus attention to gain a
strategic advantage in the
global technology landscape.
Through analysing specific
metrics and data at regular
intervals, an assessment
can be made of Ireland’s
success in each area. A
host of international metrics
exist, which compare
Ireland’s performance against
competing locations. By
identifying metrics which
answer the following questions,
we can assess the areas in
which we are performing well,
and those areas which require
further work.
1. Are the enablers for growth
and development in place?
Have the recommendations
outlined in this strategy
been acted upon? We will
review Ireland’s performance
in terms of the business
environment, digital
infrastructure, standard of
education and availability
of skills.

2. Has technology usage
across businesses,
government and individuals
improved? The increased
use of technology can lead
to benefits for all.
3. What are the social and
economic benefits to the
implementation of the
recommendations outlined
in this strategy? What will
be the impact on numbers
employed, both in the
multinational and indigenous
sectors? Also of interest is
the impact of technology
on other non ICT sectors
and whether improved ICT
services can lead to a more
efficient and cost effective
public service.

The presence of a very well-established ICT
base in Ireland means that the Irish authorities
have changed and adapted systems that help
companies to respond in a flexible and agile
manner to ever-changing customer needs.
David Gilmore, Vice President, Global Operations Enterprise


31

06/How to measure success /continued

32


Key metrics for Ireland 2013
We have selected key metrics from independent global
rankings which will be monitored to track Ireland’s performance.
The selected metrics are sourced from the IMD World
Competitiveness Yearbook and the World Economic Forum’s
Global Technology Report. In each case we must strive to
maintain the top ranking or markedly improve our position.

Ireland’s rankings in IMD
World Competitiveness
Yearbook 2013
1st

Flexibility and adaptability
of workforce

Ireland’s rankings in the
World Economic Forum
Global Technology
Report 2013
9th

Quality of Educational System

1st

Investment incentives for
foreign investors

1st

Attitudes towards
globalisation

2nd

Openness to foreign investors

2nd

Adaptability of companies

3rd

Availability of skilled labour

24th Impact of ICT on new services
and products

3rd

Corporate tax rate and
real corporate taxes

27th Business-to-consumer
internet usage


19th Households with internet access
20th Impact of ICT on new
organisational models
22nd Individuals using internet
23rd Knowledge-intensive jobs

33

07/Conclusion

To sustain the continued
growth of the sector
we must build on our
considerable strengths
and seek to maintain
and develop our
global position.

Our customers demand leading edge silicon
products and software tools. The broad ecosystem of our people, academia and industry
that is available to us in Ireland is key to meeting
our customers’ needs.
Kevin Cooney, Managing Director, Xilinx EMEA

34


The technology sector is critical
to the on-going recovery and
growth of the Irish economy.
We have a tremendous
opportunity to harness the
capabilities of the indigenous
and multinational technology
sectors to provide lasting
economic and social value.
This strategy identifies the
global challenges faced by
the sector and outlines how
Ireland is addressing these.
However, in order to sustain
our competitiveness, a number
of key recommendations have
been made to Government,
industry and academia.
Six key prospects for strategic
investments have been
identified that if supported will
deliver investment, growth

and jobs. In order to develop
these high-potential areas for
growth, it is necessary that all
stakeholders are aligned in a
collaborative manner and avoid
duplicating efforts. We must
be smart and efficient.

For more information
and to stay engaged visit
www.ictireland.ie and
www.software.ie

Ireland must build on its
strong history of supporting
and growing its technology
industry. We will regularly
review this strategy with
a particular emphasis on
the metrics identified in the
report. By embracing the
recommendations outlined,
Ireland’s technology sector
will continue to excel. We will
strengthen our international
reputation as a global
technology hub.

Supporting businesses with unique ICT
requirements defines Trilogy Technologies
and we have built our business by partnering
with key industry leaders many of whom are
located here in Ireland.
Edel Creely, Managing Director, Trilogy Technologies


35

ICT Ireland
84/86 Lower Baggot Street
Dublin 2
T: + 353 (0)1 605 1500
E: info@ictireland.ie
W: www.ictireland.ie

Dublin 2
T: + 353 (0)1 605 1500
E: isa@ibec.ie
W: www.software.ie

ICT Ireland and the Irish Software Association (ISA) are part of Ibec which
represents Irish business; home grown, multinational, big and small,
spanning every sector of the economy. Ibec and its sector associations,
work with government and policy makers nationally and internationally, to
shape business conditions and drive economic growth. We also provide a
wide range of professional services direct to members. Visit www.ibec.ie,
www.ictireland.ie or www.software.ie for more information.

36


Ibec Head Ofﬁce
Dublin 2
T: + 353 1 605 1500
E: membership@ibec.ie
W: www.ibec.ie/membership

Galway
Ross House
Victoria Place
Galway
T: + 353 91 561109
E: west@ibec.ie
W: www.ibec.ie/west

Cork
Knockrea House
Douglas Road
Cork
T: + 353 21 4295511
E: cork@ibec.ie
W: www.ibec.ie/cork

Ibec Europe
Avenue de Cortenbergh
89, Box 2
B-1000 Brussels
BELGIUM
T: + 32 (0)2 512.33.33
F: + 32 (0)2 512.13.53
E: europe@ibec.ie
W: www.ibec.ie/europe

Limerick
Gardner House Bank
Place Charlotte Quay Limerick
T: + 353 61 410411
E: midwest@ibec.ie
W: www.ibec.ie/midwest

Donegal
3rd Floor, Pier One Quay Street
Donegal Town Donegal
T: + 353 74 9722474
E: northwest@ibec.ie
W: www.ibec.ie/northwest

Join the conversation

Waterford
Business Park Cork Road
Waterford
T: + 353 51 331260
E: southeast@ibec.ie
W: www.ibec.ie/southeast

Ibec global technologyhub_2013

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