it@cork

ICT Industry praises South Cork Enterprise Board’s 2009 IT Business Development Programme.

South Cork Enterpise Board awards seven indigenous technology companies with Business Development Certificates for taking part in a nine month IT Business Development Programme which finished this month.

Guest Speaker, Tom Moore, Chair of it@cork, praised the South Cork Enterprise Board on the success of its second IT Business Development Programme and the seven technology companies who have successfully completed the programme. Joe Burke, Assistant CEO of the SCEB stated: “Up-skilling owner-managers with programmes such as these will drive innovation, enhance competition, increase productivity and provide a base to grow the businesses and increase jobs in our economy”.

The seven IT companies, who were presented with their awards by Joe Burke are; Brendan Dempsey, Managing Director of DPI; James Morris, Director of MessageTrusted.com; Frank Sharpe, Managing Director of Genesis Circuits; Kieran Moore, Director of ImokillyWebs; Ivan Murray, Director of InVates; Tricia Balfe, Director of Nomos Software; and Martin Connolly, Managing Director of Vertoda.

On receiving his award, Brendan Dempsey of DPI in Youghal, which provides document digitisation and scanning services for archivists stated: “DPI’s newly launched pioneering on-site scanning service is as a direct result of the knowledge and assistance gained from the programme.”

James Morris of MessageTrusted.com, which specialises in user trusted mobile phone marketing, found that the hard work involved in the programme was worthwhile, he stated: “The programme has helped MessageTrusted open-up their full mobile marketing services to the SME market as well as the corporate market.”

For Frank Sharpe of Genesis Circuits, which provides PCB bureau design services to customers in the USA, India and China, as well as Ireland, stated: “Having access to mentoring in all aspect of business development, particularly in relation to areas outside your own area of expertise, has been invaluable.”

Kieran Moore of ImokillyWebs in Midleton, which provides website development and hosts five local on-line directories said: “We have grown our business significantly over the time we have been involved with the programme and, with the support of the enterprise board, will continue to grow.”

Ivan Murray, of InVates, who have designed and developed a software testing tool that can cut testing time by up to 40% as well as automatically generating the testing documentation said: “Our software has been proved successful in the industry and we are now in a great position to steadily grow our sales in Ireland and internationally.”

The programme has had a positive impact for Martin Connolly of Vertoda, he said: “Vertoda is a security and data management software system that is now being used in the USA, Europe and the Middle East. The SCEB programme has helped us to identify and pursue market opportunities and focus us on our core competencies.”

The IT Business Development programme consists of three one-day best practice workshops in sales, marketing and project management as well as one-to-one mentoring over a nine month period. Prior to acceptance as a participant in the programme each company was audited and given a written report to make absolutely sure that each would benefit from, and be proactive in, the programme.

Joe Burke also thanked the contracted programme professionals Tim O’Leary of Derryshal Sales Consultancy and Tom Connolly of itac enterprises who ran the programme on behalf of the board, and mentors Joseph Kelleher of WMJ Kelleher & Associates and HR Specialist Doreen Freeman of Insight Solutions.

The IT Business Development programme is funded by the Irish government and part-financed by the European Union under the National Development Plan 2007-2013.

The South Cork Enterprise Board is currently recruiting for the next IT Business Development Programme. A maximum of just eight participants will be allowed on this Programme. Due to the limited number of places, potential participants will be required to complete a detailed IT business audit before being considered for the programme.

For more information please contact Joe Burke, South Cork Enterprise Board on 021 4975281 or Email joe@sceb.ie