What hit the headlines last year in the technology sector, and what might lie ahead in 2006? Some of the most senior figures in the industry in Ireland reflect on 2005 and tell Karlin Lillington about the challenges that their organisations face this year.
Joe Macri, managing director, Microsoft Ireland
Top technology news story of 2005?
I don't think there was one top technology story, but I think there was one technology theme - convergence.We're seeing a lot of innovation in how Irish companies use technology to improve productivity, eg mobile, portals, and business intelligence.
In the home, the vision of "digital lifestyle" is becoming a reality with the convergence of digital photography, music and online gaming.
Biggest challenge in 2006 for your own organisation?
We'refacing arguably the most exciting 12 months in Microsoft's history. Along with recently launched products such as SQL Server 2005, Dynamics CRM 3.0 & Xbox 360 we're looking forward to the release of Windows Vista as well as the arrival of Office "12".
Microsoft's operations in Ireland will have a significant role to play in bringing these products to the EMEA market, so it is going to be an incredibly busy year!
What would most benefit the Irish tech sector in 2006?
I think that agreement on the importance of productivity for businesses would be the single biggest benefit for the technology sector in 2006.There is widespread understanding that Ireland's continuing economic success is dependent on increasing our productivity to compete with other economies and the challenge will be to ensure people understand the role technology plays to help individuals and companies to achieve significant productivity gains.
Personal tech device you couldn't live without?
Without question my Windows Smartphone. The ability to have e-mail, calendar, contacts and tasks, not to mention a phone and an MP3 player, in one single device is indispensable.
Bernie Cullinan, chairwoman, Irish Software Association and chief executive of SteelTrace
Top technology news story of 2005?
The sustained valuation of Google validates the huge importance of the channel to market they offer.There was a view when they went public that they had not fully proven their business model, but that has been blown away.All of us in this sector need to ensure that if we haven'tthe expertise in providing visibility and clarity regarding what we do, to put us at the top of Google searches, we had better put acquiring this skill at the top of the action list.
The software sector, probably more than any other, can struggle with marketing its wares.
Biggest challenge in 2006 for your own organisation?
I think it will be the same for our own organisation, SteelTrace, as most of the other indigenous companies in the sector - getting the mix right between significant revenue growth in 2006 year while developing the company for sustained long-term growth. There is such a small domestic market for our offerings, we have to have an intense international focus.
What would most benefit the Irish tech sector in 2006?
Ireland's economic future will be considerably enhanced if we make a full transition to being a knowledge economy.The tech sector here is dependent on a large number of science and engineering graduates becoming available every year. I would love to see a significant focus on the development of the curriculum at primary and secondary levels to expand the science and computing focus, integrating these areas so that these subjects are continuously relevant for pupils.
Personal tech device you couldn't live without?
My mobile phone.I would need therapy if I had to live without it.
Tim McCarthy, general manager, Dell Ireland
Top technology news story of 2005?
Virtualisation caught everyone'sattention, enabling consolidation and better use of existing investments in hardware, which in turn have helped delivera lower total cost of ownership in data centres. Also, Ireland aligned itself with Europe in terms of increased notebook penetration, driven by the availability and quality of mobile technology.
Another story of note was the purchase of Skype by eBay,an insight into the potential of VoIP.It wasalsoan exciting year for Dell and the home digital experience, helping people enjoy TV, music, internet and photos.
Biggest challenge in 2006 for your own organisation?
Our biggest challenge will be to ensure that our customers, potential customers and the key technology influencers continue to be informed of the depth of the technology solutionsthat Dell now has available.
What would most benefit the Irish tech sector in 2006?
There is a lot of optimism and growth again in the technology sector. We need to ensure that we don't find ourselves back with the problems we had years ago in relation to skills shortages. Also a co-ordinated and strategic approach to drive increased take-up of broadband across the country. The providers are doing their job on the supply side, but more needs to be done to stimulate demand from home and small business users.
Personal tech device you couldn't live without?
My LatitudeD410 notebook. I travel a fair bit and my notebook delivers exceptional power and barely tips the scales at 1.7kg.
Chris Horn, founder and vice-chairman, Iona technologies; chairman, Irish Management Institute (IMI)
Top technology news story of 2005?
Perhaps the most significant event has been the debut of video casting and video blogging, which surely, is going to have a significant global impact on the media and on civil rights.
Individuals will be able to show, and explain to the world, events which they have witnessed in their own communities and elsewhere: whilst the written word and keyboard blogs were a start, and audio blogging was an improvement, video blogging and video blogcasts are going to open our eyes to what is happening worldwide even when there are no official media reporters in town.
Biggest challenge in 2006 for your own organisation?
I don't work for a single company any more: although I am associated with Iona and am on its board of directors, I am also chair of an SFI/IDA-funded project with Bell Labs, Lucent and several academic research institutes, chair of Sli Siar, a bilateral consultancy company for Chinese and Western companies and chair of the IMI. I think that the most important issue of concern common to all of them is a continuing rise in international business confidence, particularly the US.
What would most benefit the tech sector in Ireland in 2006?
Handsome exits. If the Irish indigenous industry is going to continue to thrive, we must show to the investor community that the venture capital model works in Ireland.
Investors need to make good returns on their investments in the Irish industry, and teams and entrepreneurs need to receive their rewards.
When there are alternatives in the public eye such as the booming property market, we need to show that there is an even better alternative place to invest their money.
Personal tech device you couldn't live without?
I use e-mail, I use a phone on the move, I need a calendar and contact list, I use PowerPoint, Excel and Word, and I still dabble in programming (in Python). So my trusty laptop is my favourite, a Tosh Portege, equipped with Skype and a 3G/GPRS datacard and Wi-Fi.
Danuta Gray, chief executive, O2 Ireland
Top technology news story of 2005?
You'll forgive me for taking a personal slant on this answer but for me, the top technology news story of 2005 would have to be Telefonica's acquisition of O2 which will be hugely positive for our customers, employees and the telecoms market in Ireland. It will enable us to grow with the backing of one of the world's largest mobile groups .
Biggest challenge in 2006 for your own organisation?
In such a competitive marketplace, the biggest challenge undoubtedly for us will be keeping true to what our customers are looking for to keep them with O2.
What would most benefit the tech sector in Ireland in 2006?
I would say making broadband more available to businesses and homes across the country. We have to maintain our position as a high-tech and knowledge economy. We cannot achieve this without high-speed internet access for all.
Personal tech device you couldn't live without?
Without a doubt that would be my BlackBerry. It's a lifesaver for keeping me up to speed on my e-mails when I'm out of the office. After that it would have to be my iPod.
Jim O'Hara, general manager, Intel Ireland
Top technology news story of 2005?
The proliferation of WiMAX. This technology is really amazing - it delivers high-speed, cost-effective wireless broadband access enabling broadband wireless networks to reach locations which were previously impossible or too costly for carriers to pursue. For example, people in rural areas who were previously unable to access broadband can now avail of high speed internet access using WiMAX technology.
Biggest challenge in 2006 for your own organisation?
Starting production in Fab 24-2 which will bring our total investment in Ireland to $7 billion (€5.76 billion). This will run the latest 65 nanometer process on 300 millimeter technology. I am really proud of what we have achieved so far on the Ireland campus and the opening of this new Fab ensures that Intel Ireland will continue to produce the latest microchips using the leading technologies.
What would most benefit the tech sector in Ireland in 2006?
What we really need is a big increase in the number of students choosing science and technology courses when they are filling out their CAO form this month. To ensure the continued investment in the tech sector in Ireland we need a strong pipeline of engineering and science graduates.
It is a major challenge to improve the appeal of science and maths at post-primary level and to revise the decline at third-level of science and engineering.
Personal tech device you couldn't live without?
My smartphone with push e-mail. It allows me to take my calls or text, like a normal mobile, and at the same time I can get my e-mails instantly, check my calendar or access the internet, absolutely essential to keep me in constant contact with work when I am travelling.
