The digital business week


13 Feb 2012

A digest of the top business and technology news stories from the past week.

Digital Realty Trust acquires 10-acre site in Dublin for new data centre

US data centre provider Digital Realty Trust has acquired a 10-acre site in West Dublin that will be capable of supporting a massive 193,000 sq-foot data centre requiring 11.5 megawatts of electricity.

The site at Profile Park is 24 kilometres southwest of Dublin Airport. It is part of a growing digital cluster in Clondalkin that includes Telecity Europe as well as Microsoft’s US$500m data centre and the latest US$75m data centre built by Google.

“Dublin remains an important data centre market for both local and multinational corporations, including large technology and internet companies, as well as IT service providers,” said Michael F Foust, CEO of Digital Realty.

“Using our phased development approach, this site will enable us to support our customers’ expanding data centre needs by bringing data centre space online efficiently in terms of both time and cost.”

US likely to OK Google acquisition of Motorola Mobility

The US Department of Justice is likely to formally approve Google’s acquisition of Motorola Mobility as early as this week.

Last year, internet search and advertising giant Google and Motorola Mobility entered into an agreement whereby Google was to acquire Motorola Mobility for US$40 per share in cash, or about US$12.5bn.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the US Department of Justice is poised to OK the deal.

Since beginning the acquisition process, Google has been clear that it does not intend to become a clone of Apple in controlling the hardware and software ecosystem of new devices like smartphones and tablet computers end to end, but would rather seek licensing agreements.

Govt and firms could save €240m through e-invoicing

The Irish Government and Irish businesses could save up to €240m a year by moving to electronic invoicing, it emerged as the State launches its first e-invoicing pilot. This will mean fewer administrative hurdles in Government agencies and firms will benefit by getting paid on time.

Brian Hayes, TD, the Minister for State with special responsibility for the Office of Public Works, has kick started a Government e-invoicing pilot involving a number of public-sector bodies and several technology companies.

The National Procurement Service will oversee the project and the Institute of Technology in Sligo will provide research and technical co-ordination.

Nokia to cut 4,000 manufacturing jobs globally

Nokia will cut 4,000 manufacturing employees at factories in Hungary, Mexico and Finland in order to shift device assembly to Asia, where most of its component suppliers are based.

The three factories in Komarom in Hungary, Reynosa in Mexico and Salo in Finland will now focus on smartphone product customisation for consumers in Europe and America. As a result, the amount of work carried out at these sites will decrease significantly, impacting 4,000 employees.

Staff cuts will be phased through to the end of 2012 and Nokia will offer a support programme for affected employees, such as financial support and assistance with local re-employment.

Microsoft appoints new corporate VP of Worldwide Public Sector

Laura K Ipsen is joining software giant Microsoft as corporate vice-president of its Worldwide Public Sector organisation.

Ipsen will lead the company’s sales and marketing organisation serving government, public safety and national security, education and non-privatised healthcare customers in more than 100 countries.

She will report to Susan Hauser, corporate vice-president of the Worldwide Enterprise & Partner Group.

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