BUSINESS
Microsoft to open data centre in Dublin
06-11-2007
by Emmet Ryan
Microsoft is to set up a new European data centre in Dublin, creating up to 15 new jobs in the process.
The IT giant plans to invest USD500 million in the construction of the new centre, which will be located at the Grange Castle Business Park in Dublin. The centre's role will be to deliver Windows Live services and store data for the company's online services businesses such as MSN and Windows Live.
Microsoft also plans to make an additional investment planned to kit out the centre with the latest available server technology. Details of that investment have not been revealed yet.
Construction of the new facility is due to begin later this month, and it's expected it will be complete in Summer 2009. Between 10 and 15 jobs will reportedly be created at the 51,000 square foot centre by the time it's finished.
"I very much welcome Microsoft's decision to locate this important facility in Ireland. It is a further example of Ireland being to the forefront when it comes to the cutting edge of technology. I also see it as a further indicator of Ireland's standing internationally as a global knowledge based economy. The Irish Government recognises the importance of being a competitive innovation-driven knowledge economy. We will continue to focus on this as an objective to deliver real and practical benefits for this country and those who live here," said the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern.
Joe Macri, managing director of Microsoft Ireland, said the new centre would raise Ireland's profile within Microsoft. "We are excited about our expansion in Ireland and about the fact that Ireland will now play a significant role in the delivery of online services to customers across EMEA and beyond," he said.
Microsoft first set up shop in Ireland in 1985 and currently employs 1,200 people here in its three local divisions: the European Operations Centre (EOC), the European Development Centre (EDC), and the Irish Sales, Marketing and Services Operation.
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