A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Gap narrows in internet economies
The gap is narrowing between those countries best positioned to take advantage of internet-based opportunities in the public and private sectors, according to the latest e-Readiness rankings.
Compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit and IBM, the seventh annual rankings find that Europe continues to dominate, with six out of the top 10 positions. Ireland remains in 10th position within Europe, ahead of Belgium, France, Spain and Italy but behind the Nordic countries, the UK and Germany. It ranks 16th out of 68 overall.
Irish telco plans expansion in UK
Irish telecom firm MinuteBuyer has announced plans to expand its operations into Britain and Northern Ireland. The Dublin-based group said Irish companies operating in the UK would be its first target.
The company offers fixed-line, mobile and data solutions to corporate customers. Chief executive Brendan Moran said that the expanded service was aimed at businesses of all sizes and new clients already included retail giant Musgrave Group and global software company QAD.
"This expanded service will examine all the suppliers to develop the most effective telecoms package," he said.
Cork centre opens €9m R&D facility
Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment Micheál Martin has opened a €9 million photonics systems research and development centre at the Tyndall National Institute in Cork.
The centre will allow Irish scientists to undertake major research projects and collaborate with some of the world's leading information and communications technologies (ICT) companies.
The Tyndall institute is Ireland's largest and most significant research centre in ICT hardware with more than 300 research scientists, engineers and students.
Its photonics systems group has established collaborations with companies such as Ericsson, Siemens, Alcatel, BT, France Telecom, Lucent, Intel and Xilinx.
Golfers get course positions by text
Avid golfers will be able to keep track of changing pin positions at courses around the State with the aid of a new web and text service. Golf enthusiast Patrick Ramsyer has created Pinpositions.com, which allows players check the position of a hole on any green.
Players can simply text 57502 to receive positions of holes from the front and left side of any green at a club registered with the site. Texts will cost €2, of which one-quarter will go to the clubs.
The idea is designed to appeal to the State's 138,000 golfing tourists as well as those on golf outings and competitive club fixtures at the State's 400-plus courses.
Damovo signs deal with Nortel
Damovo has signed a deal with Nortel, widening the portfolio of products it can offer the corporate market. Damovo becomes Nortel's fourth Irish "channel partner".
Damovo Ireland managing director John McCabe said the deal would broaden the range of options it could offer contact centre customers. "Nortel also has some very strong products for the SME and branch office markets," he said.
