NEWS IN BRIEF
Daily Digest 21 April
21-04-2009
by Deirdre McArdle
Telecoms firm Intune with Belfast | Andor posts picture-perfect results
Dublin-based Intune Networks, which builds advanced optical networking platforms for high definition video and IT services is to establish a new STG9.27 million research and development centre in Belfast, creating 77 new highly-skilled ICT jobs there by 2010. Invest NI has offered STG983,000 towards the project, which includes part funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Work at the new centre will focus on the development of "key subsystems" of Intune's Optical Packet Switch and Transport Platform, which CEO Tim Fritzley says "has the potential to solve some of the largest cost-performance problems facing the telecoms world today".
Belfast-based high-performance digital camera maker Andor Technology has seen revenue jump 40 percent year-on-year to STG16.1 million for the six months to 31 March. EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) grew by an impressive 95 percent to STG2.3 million from STG1.2 million in the year-ago period, while earnings per share increased by 99 percent to STG0.0512, compared to STG0.0257 in 2008. Andor saw US sales grow by 60 percent during the six-month period, driven primarily by a focus on OEM. Chief executive Conor Walsh was understandably upbeat about the results. "Clearly this has been an exceptional period and it is important we set realistic and achievable expectations for the business going forward. There will be bumps in the road, but the business is now on a sound footing, delivering real profit and cash, with a clear strategy and full product roadmap."
Following in the lead of BBC's iPlayer, RTE has announced the beta launch of its online TV catch-up service -- RTE player (www.rte.ie/player). The service will enable users to watch RTE programmes for up to 21 days after broadcast. For now, soap fans will be able to catch up on their soap fix for up to seven days after broadcast, while the Den, the Late Late Show, Tubridy Tonight, Celebrity Bainisteoir and Podge & Rodge, as well as a number of other programmes, will be available for 21 days. RTE said international programmes will be added "in due course". RTE player is a "click and play" service, and requires no registration, installation or download. It was developed using MPEG4 video compression technology and Flash media player.
CIRS (Chemical Inspection and Regulation Service), a Chinese regulatory company, is to establish its European headquarters at Finnabair Business Park in Dundalk, Co. Louth. CIRS provides chemical consulting services to non-EU manufacturers, European manufacturers and EU importers. It ensures its clients are compliant with the new EU Chemical regulation REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals). The firm is expected to employ up to 26 science graduates at its Irish facility over the next 12 months. The investment is supported by IDA Ireland.
Dublin-based web agency Strata3 has won a contract with Tourism Ireland to provide web services including web development, hosting and management to Tourism Ireland's Central and Eastern European websites across seven countries, initially focusing on the Polish, Czech, Hungarian and Slovakian markets. The contract is valued at EUR200,000. Strata3 will also provide annual support to Tourism Ireland for three years with the opportunity to extend this agreement.
IT management software company CA announced the appointment of Frank Kennedy as vice president of sales for UK and Ireland, while Gary Hollowed was selected as director of sales for Ireland. Kennedy was previously CA Country Manager in Ireland, and will now be responsible for UK and Ireland sales into Enterprise Accounts, with immediate effect. Hollowed will manage all day-to-day sales activity in Ireland.
BT has announced it has struck a deal with coffee house chain Starbucks that will see it provide Wi-Fi across over 650 Starbucks outlets throughout the UK and Ireland. The first stores will have the service installed this week and the roll out will be completed by the end of the summer 2009. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 