Major software delivery platform developer Borland Software Corporation is to create 50 new technical support jobs in Belfast as part of a multi-million pound investment backed by Invest NI.
Borland’s Open Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) software helps IT organisations transform software delivery into a managed, efficient and predictable business process.
It is envisaged that the Belfast base will become one of Borland’s three worldwide support centres, alongside Atlanta and Singapore.
By 2008 Borland expects to increase the number of high level technical support workers in Belfast from the current 30 to 80 workers.
“We have ambitious plans for the Belfast operation and working with Invest NI, we plan to take this initial investment beyond technical support by exploiting other business development opportunities in the future,” explained Dave Packer, president of field operations with Borland.
He said that the quality of ICT graduates in Northern Ireland was a key factor in Borland’s decision.
Invest NIO worked closely with Borland to ensure that existing jobs – resulting from Borland’s acquisition of Segue Software Corporation – would be safeguarded.
“Borland’s reputation for innovation and quality will fit well with the expertise and capability of our rapidly growing software sector,” explained Invest NI chief executive Leslie Morrisson.
“It will add significant value by utilising our highly skilled workforce and will highlight Northern Ireland’s ability to develop and support advanced software solutions for a competitive global market,” added Morrisson.
Headquartered in Texas, but with Danish origins, Borland was set up in 1983 and has revenues of around US$277m per annum.
By John Kennedy
