Deals done this past week


20 Sep 2010

An overview of the week in deals in the Irish technology sector, including Digital Reach Group’s new partnership agreement with Metro Herald.

Digital Reach in QR code partnership with Metro Herald

Mobile internet services company Digital Reach Group (DRG) has formed a new partnership agreement with Metro Herald to provide Quick Response (QR) codes as part of the newspaper’s advertising portfolio.

Metro Herald will work exclusively with DRG to enable advertisers in Ireland to incorporate an interactive digital response into their print campaigns, through the use of QR codes.

Last April, DRG launched the QR code service ScanLife in Ireland, giving smartphone owners instant access to extra information on their handsets when they scan a 2D barcode within a printed advert or editorial.

As well as giving users additional content, a simple point and scan can enable them to download mobile apps, enter competitions, receive a special offer or voucher, call or text.

Together with Metro Herald, DRG will provide strategy input, create unique QR codes and mobile landing pages, as well as measure and report on the digital aspect of the campaign.

Colm Grealy, CEO of DRG, said the results from recent campaigns with Metro Herald show that mobile marketing has exponential advantages for advertisers, ad agencies, retailers and traditional media publishers.

Irish tech company signs deal with Tourism Wales UK

Cauwill Technologies in Limerick and Tourism Wales UK have signed a deal that will see Cauwill provide tourists to Wales with location-based service technologies through http://wales.info. The deal will also create jobs in the developer and marketing sectors.

The services will allow visitors to Wales to navigate to their hotels, B&Bs or hostels using their mobile phones.

Visitors will also be able to explore and learn about the local attractions.

The deal will allow for several new developer and marketing jobs in Cauwill’s Limerick office over the next 6-12 months.

The deal came about through Inventorium, a National Digital Research Centre (NDRC) and Centre for Advanced Software Technology, Bangor (CAST) initiative aimed at stimulating digital sector innovation between Ireland and Northern Wales.

HP to buy cyber security firm ArcSight for US$1.5bn

HP has revealed it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire security and compliance management company ArcSight for an enterprise value of US$1.5bn, or US$43.50 per share.

The acquisition, it seems, is being spurred on by the continuing consumerisation of IT with workers choosing which technologies best suit their workstyles. This, it said, puts enterprises under pressure to provide their employees, partners and customers with more access to applications, services and information.

This access and connectivity exposes enterprises to escalating threats, increasing complexity and regulatory challenges.

“From a security perspective, the perimeter of today’s enterprise is porous, putting enormous pressure on clients’ risk and compliance systems,” said Bill Veghte, executive vice-president, Software and Solutions, HP.

“The combination of HP and ArcSight will provide clients with the ability to fortify their applications, proactively monitor events and respond to threats,” Vechte said.

The acquisition will be conducted by means of a cash tender offer for all of ArcSight’s outstanding shares of common stock. The closing of the acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to occur by the end of the calendar year.