Baltimore Technologies

Established in 1976, the company operates in the field of encryption technology and its products provide solutions for secure mail, Web and electronic commerce. Baltimore's software was used by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and US President Bill Clinton to attach electronically generated signatures to a joint communique during Mr Clinton's visit in September.

Eurologic Systems

The Dublin-based developer of datastorage systems has already signalled its intention to float on the Irish stock market and the Nasdaq. Set up by Mr John Maybury, the company employs more than 100 people and is based in the Clonshaugh Industrial Estate. It also has offices in Boston and Colorado Springs.

Flexicom

The company was established in 1993 by Mr Pat Sheil and Dr John Clarke to develop and market electronic payment solutions for the card-payments industry. Last August, the company announced plans to float up to 25 per cent of its equity on the DCM and the AIM by the end of 1998 but later postponed the flotation following the downturn in stock markets worldwide.

Peregrine Systems

Founded in 1992 by Mr Bill O'Connor and Mr Brian Caulfield, the Dublin-based company is the only producer of creditcard charge-back software carrying Visa's endorsement. The company has been recruiting recently to sustain growth into new markets, particularly the US, and is tentatively aiming for a Nasdaq listing within two years.

Trintech

Established in 1986 by Cyril and John McGuire to develop solutions for processing and authorising credit-card payments, Trintech is expected to opt for a Nasdaq listing. The company's headquarters and manufacturing facility is located in Dublin but it also has offices in Britain, Germany, the US and Singapore.