The tech business week: GuestLogix to open Dublin centre, job cuts at Microsoft


21 Jul 2014

Software company GuestLogix to open new Dublin centre and create jobs

A digest of the top business technology news stories from the past week, beginning with the news software company GuestLogix Inc is to launch a centre in Dublin and create several jobs within the following two years.

Software company GuestLogix to open new Dublin centre and create jobs

Cloud-based software company GuestLogix Inc is to launch a Global Customer Support Centre in Dublin this autumn and create a number of jobs within the following two years.

Jobs at the company, which provides on-board retail and payment technology solutions to airlines, rail operators and the passenger travel industry, are to be in software development, technical architecture, and client management.

Once up and running in Dublin, GuestLogix Inc is to continue to support more than 80 clients out of its regional head offices in London, Dallas and Hong Kong. The company will also extend its Product Innovation Lab from its Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, location to Dublin, to support both current and developing relationships in the area.

Microsoft to axe 14pc of workforce, 18,000 jobs to go

In the aftermath of its acquisition of Nokia’s Devices and Services business, Microsoft has begun a restructuring plan that will see 18,000 jobs cut, or 14pc of its global workforce.

About 12,500 professional and factory positions in the Nokia Devices and Services business are to be cut while a considerable number of Microsoft jobs at Puget Sound near Seattle are also to be axed.

Microsoft concluded its acquisition of the ailing Nokia device maker this year for US$7.1bn.

It is not yet clear if the restructuring plan is to affect any of Microsoft’s 1,900 workers in Ireland. Microsoft announced 100 new jobs for Dublin last year and 60pc of these roles have been filled.

Apple agrees to pay US$450m to resolve e-books price fixing row

Consumer tech giant Apple has agreed to stump up to US$450m to resolve claims it conspired with five major publishers to fix e-book prices.

According to the New York attorney general Eric T Schneiderman, the court has yet to approve the settlement.

Apple hopes it will resolve claims for consumer damages and civil penalties brought by New York and 32 other states and territories across the US. The company has denied it conspired to fix e-book prices and will appeal its case.

The five publishers include Penguin Group (USA), Inc (now part of Penguin Random House); Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC d/b/a Macmillan; Hachette Book Group Inc.; HarperCollins Publishers LLC; and Simon & Schuster Inc.

Google reports Q2 revenues are up 22pc to US$16bn

Search giant Google has posted second-quarter revenues of US$16bn, up 22pc on last year.

Net income increased from US$3.2bn this time last year to US$3.4bn.

Google-owned sites generated revenues of US$10.9bn, or 69pc of total revenues, a 23pc increase year-on-year.

Partner sites generated revenues of US$3.42bn, or 21pc of total revenues, and a 7pc increase on last year.

Revenues from outside the US totalled US$9.3bn.

Google appoints ex-Ford CEO Alan Mulally to its board

Alan Mulally, the former president and CEO of Ford Motor Company and the man once tipped to be a frontrunner in Microsoft’s search for a new CEO has joined internet search giant Google’s board of directors.

Mulally, whose appointment has been effective since 9 July, will serve on Google’s Audit Committee.

In November, during Microsoft’s search to replace retiring CEO Steve Ballmer, ‘people familiar with the matter’ had tipped Mulally as being a frontrunner for the job, along with Microsoft’s now-CEO Satya Nadella.

Digital Hub appoints Gerry Macken as interim CEO

The Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA) in Dublin has appointed Gerry Macken as its interim CEO following the departure of Edel Flynn, who previously served in that role.

Macken joins the DHDA from Dublin City Council, where he served as head of Internal Audit. Previously, he was CEO of Dublin City Enterprise Board. 

His appointment to the DHDA begins immediately.

The DHDA is the government agency that manages The Digital Hub enterprise and regeneration project in Dublin’s south-west inner city. 

Financial results this week

A few high-profile technology companies are scheduled to release their financial results this week. Netflix is to release its results later today, Apple and Microsoft are to report their earnings tomorrow, Facebook is reveal its results on Wednesday, followed by Amazon on Thursday.

Ireland map image via Shutterstock

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