Version 1 reels in €1.2m marine system contract


2 Dec 2003

Dublin-based IT consultancy Version 1 Software is expanding on the back of a €1.2m contract win with the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources to develop an integrated fisheries management system.

Version 1, which employs 45 people, has created 15 new jobs on the back of the new contract and other key strategic wins in recent months and is still in recruitment mode.

It is understood that the Temple Bar-based company beat off competition from global IT players such as HP, Accenture, IBM, Fujitsu and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young to scoop the key public sector win. The contract win follows on from a major six-figure deal with the Irish Sports Council against 50 companies.

Version 1 managing director Justin Keatinge told siliconrepublic.com that the project involves the implementation of a completely bespoke system that connects the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources with all of Ireland’s ports, fisheries boards, the Navy and the European Union. The system will be deployed in browser format using J2EE code that will enable department executives, ports authorities and naval personnel to keep an accurate record of fish stocks as they are caught and landed.

According to Keatinge, the tender process lasted almost a year. “The first phase of the design of the system is currently being finalised and we expect to have it implemented in 2004. The project will involve 10 Version 1 consultants at any one time.”

Keatinge continued: “The system is effectively a registration of all the fisheries in the country and ensures effective capacity management for the various types of fish being caught. All of this has to be monitored to make sure that the quotes allowed are being adhered to. It provides links to the Irish Navy and the EU to enable them to keep an eye on both the security and co-ordination aspects of the system.”

The crucial e-government win follows hot on the heels of a major implementation worth €500,000 for the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland, which links all the address home and business databases in Northern Ireland government departments with geographical information.

By John Kennedy