Ireland is continuing to win its share of technology expansions, with healthcare technology firm Cerner creating 40 highly skilled jobs at a new multi-lingual software tech support operation.
The new service, which is focused on the European market, could create up to 40 high-tech jobs by the end of 2009, with the potential for further growth as the operation develops.
The jobs require software skills, some with multi-lingual ability. IDA Ireland worked strenuously to attract Cerner to Ireland initially, and is currently working closely with the company to assist in the implementation of this expansion.
“Cerner is an example of a company involved in convergence technology between the information technology and healthcare sectors, which is an area of strategic focus for IDA Ireland in its attraction of foreign direct investment into Ireland,” the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Mary Coughlan TD, explained.
“Ireland has a proven reputation for satisfying the needs of international companies, such as Cerner, which operate in high technology areas of business.
“This Cerner investment is a further significant endorsement of this reputation and of Ireland as an emerging European innovation leader in multi-lingual, technical and customer support activities for client-focused international companies.”
The expansion of Cerner in Ireland is due to the centralisation of activities at the Dublin operation and Cerner’s need to provide centralised capacity for its technical Cerner Millennium support services from a location within the European marketplace.
The rapid growth of Cerner’s client base in Europe and Ireland has spurred this demand.
The Dublin operation, established in 2007, employs 14 people, and is the company’s localisation and customisation headquarters for its solutions and services deployed in Europe.
“Cerner chose Ireland for the initial operation and for this expansion due to the availability of a highly skilled workforce with multi-lingual capabilities, a competitive cost regime relative to a number of other European locations, and a very favourable business environment,” explained Amanda Green, managing director, Cerner Ireland.
“By having a presence in Ireland, Cerner is well-positioned to support its growing global business. Creating centralised multi-lingual technical support jobs for our Cerner Millennium system puts Cerner in a strong position to capitalise on the growth in healthcare information technology spending,” Green added.
Cerner solutions optimise processes for healthcare organisations ranging in size from single-doctor practices, to health systems, to entire countries for the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, and for the healthcare commerce system.
These solutions are licensed by more than 8,000 facilities around the world, including approximately 2,100 hospitals; 3,300 physician practices covering more than 30,000 physicians; 500 ambulatory facilities, such as laboratories, ambulatory centres, cardiac facilities, radiology clinics and surgery centres; 600 home-health facilities; and 1,500 retail pharmacies.
“Through the success of our existing operation in Ireland, we are confident that Dublin is the right location to help us grow our international market presence,” Green continued.
“Greater integration and convergence among the various segments of the healthcare industry, and a growing need for increased efficiencies and lower healthcare costs are the main driving forces behind this heightened demand,” she said.
By John Kennedy
