Palm opens European R&D centre in Dublin

Trade

Mobile device manufacturer Palm, has opened a research and development centre in Swords, Dublin.

The company said the centre would develop software applications for Palm Treo smartphones for the mobile operators in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa) and will create 35 positions, mainly for engineers specialising in wireless-software development, for which recruitment is already underway.

According to the company one of the motivations for locating the centre in Ireland was the differences in global wireless-communications systems. Palm believes mobile solutions are best delivered with targeted R&D activities and close collaboration with European mobile operators.

In a busy week for Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin, which included opening ceremonies at Xilinx and Data Electronics not to mention his cogitations on the Groceries Order, he opened the new R&D centre commenting, “The impact of attracting an R&D investment to Ireland from a company such as Palm, a high-profile brand leader with a reputation for innovation in wireless and communications, underlines this country’s ability to successfully implement such high-end R&D projects. Palm represents an important addition to the emerging wireless sector in this country, a key target area for IDA Ireland.  It is also an ideal fit with IDA’s strategy of adding higher-value knowledge-intensive activities and strategic mandates to existing operations here”.

Ed Colligan, president and chief executive of Palm said, “We are delighted to open this centre in Europe, a significant step-up for our R&D function. This move reflects our intention to accelerate the delivery of next-generation smartphones to European mobile operators and their customers.”

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