For the record 23 April

23-04-2007

by Maxim Kelly

Minister Martin opens Amazon centre in Cork | Backpacker mag goes online

The Irish Software Association has advised indigenous companies to consider alliances with global firms in order to gain access to new markets. Speaking after an ISA master class disseminating global best practice to Irish companies, Tony Murphy, chief operating officer of ISA member firm Daon, said "Success breeds success when it comes to attracting larger international organisations to partner with. You must demonstrate that you are capable of adding value to the partnership through previous successes. The best approach is to focus on the value you bring to any sale; this will do the talking for you in dealing with potential customers."

Nostra Systems account manager Rebecca Murtagh has been shortlisted for the Young IT Person of the Year, as part of the ICT Excellence Awards 2007. The 23-year-old figures in the Irish Computer Society's category for recent entrants into the IT profession whose contribution has had a relevant impact on his or her company's business.

Network security software firm Equiinet has announced an Irish distribution partnership with Dublin-based Renaissance. Renaissance will be supplying the British firm's network security appliances and back-up systems for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Mobile network Three Ireland has appointed Elaine Carey as its new head of sales. Carey's objective will be to manage 80 sales staff and aim for Three's target of 28 retail stores across Ireland, up from its current base of eight shops. Prior to joining Three, Carey held the position of head of Eircom's IT products and services and before that was based in the Caribbean as head of sales and distribution at Digicel.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Micheal Martin officially opened Amazon's new customer service centre at the Airport Business Park in Cork on Monday. The new centre handles both internet and telephone customer queries for Amazon's UK and French websites, Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.fr. "I had the pleasure of announcing this investment for Cork just over a year ago and I am delighted to see nearly a third of the 450 new positions planned for this facility are already recruited," said Minister Martin.

The Destination North West tourism project has linked up with the PropertyNews.com real estate website in a three-month online advertising drive to promote the North West region. Destination North West Project is a cross-border tourism marketing initiative funded by Failte Ireland North West, Derry City Council, Fermanagh District Council, Strabane District Council, Omagh District Council, Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, Cookstown District Council and the North West Region Cross Border Group through the EU INTERREG fund.

To coincide with its sixth birthday in April, Backpacker Magazine has relaunched its website. The online resource will now include every article from over 60 issues since the publication was established in 2001.

Waterford Technologies has launched a standalone e-mail management solution. MailMeter Storage Manager works with Microsoft Exchange and Lotus Domino systems. It works by removing attachments to e-mails when archiving them in order to reduce data storage capacity requirements.