Dublin Software Company Accuris Invests €1.5m in R&D with Enterprise Ireland Support

The Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mary Coughlan T.D. today (10/07/09) announced that Dublin software company Accuris is to invest €1.5m in research and development with support from Enterprise Ireland. The investment will create 27 new high value jobs over the next three years. Accuris currently employs 51 staff in its Dublin headquarters and its offices in Malaysia and the US.

The Tánaiste made the announcement at the launch of Enterprise Ireland’s four-year strategy for the Irish software industry. The strategy aims to drive the sector’s revenues to over €2.5bn by 2013 by capitalising on changes in the global software market.

Research undertaken by Enterprise Ireland, in association with international industry analysts IDC, identified a New Software Economy, driven by the growth of the Internet and changes in end-user demands. The New Software Economy is characterised by demand for greater flexibility, global delivery and cost-effective solutions*. The unique profile of Ireland’s software sector with its strong base of small flexible companies is particularly suited to these emerging trends. The strategy aims to position the Irish software industry to maximise its potential in this new market environment.

Launching the strategy, the Tánaiste said:

“Building Ireland’s Smart Economy is about establishing Ireland as an innovation hub. It involves building the innovation or ‘ideas’ component of the Irish economy and developing a high-value, research-intensive, multinational community alongside thriving innovative Irish companies.

“Enterprise Ireland’s new Software Strategy, reflecting the Government’s Smart Economy blueprint, sets out to achieve that precise model for the software sector. I am confident that this strategy will ensure Ireland’s software industry meets these new market opportunities delivering more highly skilled, sustainable and well paid jobs in our economy.”

Congratulating Accuris on its R&D investment, the Tánaiste said:

“Accuris is a leading example of those Irish companies that are ready to capitalise on the New Software Economy. I congratulate Accuris on this R&D investment which will drive their next phase of export-led growth and help strengthen Ireland’s reputation as a software centre of excellence.”

CEO of Accuris Aidan Dillon said:

“Accuris Networks is investing in developing innovative solutions to maximise our growth in the new and emerging global economy. Our advantage is that we have proven and flexible solutions that allow mobile operators to extend service to their customers across the variety of many different existing and new wireless communications technologies. With this new investment we aim to build on the existing Accuris Networks strengths and be in position to be the market leader as communications providers converge these technologies”

Outlining the key points of Enterprise Ireland’s software strategy, Jennifer Condon, Manager of Enterprise Ireland’s Software Division explained:

“The key to Ireland’s competitive advantage in this new environment will be its networks. The global software value chain is becoming increasingly networked; partnerships and collaboration dominate. The Irish industry is already well connected with the multinationals, the third level sector and the international diaspora. Enterprise Ireland’s strategy will build on these existing networks and foster new connections between all elements of the industry. Our vision is that by 2013, Ireland will be internationally recognised as having a ‘Best Connected’ software industry, delivering innovative solutions on a global scale.”

Enterprise Ireland is working closely with its industry partners, in particular the Irish Software Association and the Irish Internet Association, as well as deploying the full range of business supports to bring about sustainable change and growth in the sector.

Welcoming the Software Strategy for Ireland, Kathryn D’Arcy, Director of the Irish Software Association (ISA) said:

“This is a significant piece of work by Enterprise Ireland that will provide us with the direction and models needed to ensure that Ireland is a serious contender in terms of generating and supporting global software companies.

“Ireland has a unique advantage in having a strong ecosystem of innovative indigenous software companies as well as the leading names in European, American and Asian global software companies. We must capitalise on this ecosystem and continue to be a global leader in software innovation.”

CEO of the Irish Internet Association (IIA) Fergal O’Byrne added:

“Enterprise Ireland’s new Software Strategy will help stimulate the emergence of internet based companies in Ireland. The recognition of internet based companies as part of Ireland’s software ecosystem is an important step. We’re delighted to be part of the development of this strategy and look forward to supporting its implementation.”