Mobiles now serve as our books, health monitors, payment transfer devices, social connectors and tour guides. Mobile technology is embedded in our cars, homes, appliances, governments and utilities. Mobile World Congress 2013 is the premier exhibition and network event worldwide for this vital industry.The Mobile World Congress will take place in Barcelona, Spain. Click here for details re location, dates and Times.
EI client companies exhibiting at the Irish Pavillion:-
Dublin GameCraft is a game-jam held in the city centre. What that means is that around one-hundred game developers (designers, writers, coders, artists, sound engineers and so on) come together in teams or as lone-wolves and try to make a game from scratch in twelve hours.
At the start of the day the judges announce a theme and then you’re let loose to make the most fun game you can think of based on that. Use any technology, any equipment and any number of people you want to squeeze onto your team; essentially do whatever it takes to turn that theme into a fun game inside of your twelve hours!
When is it?
The next GameCraft is being held on Saturday the 17th November from 9am to, well, to the end of the day (twelve hours of developing, followed by some mingle and judging time).
Nothing! Thanks to our kind sponsors, such as Digit Gaming, Microsoft, BatCat Games and BitSmith –Games, all you have to do is register (which you can do from the website) and bring along whatever gear you want to use on the day (laptop, desktop, whatever).
Why come along?
Well, you’ll get an intensive day of experience. You may even get a game out of it. You’ll be surrounded by folks from the industry (organisers, judges and other participants) with whom you can network. Heck, two companies formed because of last Gamecraft; you could be next! Also, while the judges judge you can mingle and show off your day’s work. And of course, prizes!
This is a guest post from Cian Ó Maidín, of Irish Mobile Web and Apps development company Nearform. Cian is promoting a conference called NodeDublin on 18-19th October (www.nodedublin.com) which should be of interest to many EI client companies in ICT.
What is Node.js?
Node.js is a revolutionary new system for building cloud based services, Node.js uses the JavaScript programming language.
Revolutionary – how?
(1) Node.js allows JavaScript (the common programming language of the web) to be used to develop cloud services, enabling web programmers to do much more than ever before.
(2) Services built using Node.js have performance characteristics which are in line with the C programming language.
(3) Node.js utilises tiny amounts of computer system resources when compared with other systems like .NET and Java, this means that services written in Node cost significantly less to run.
(4) Node.js will run on everything from a low power device to a big server which means it can be deployed in a huge range of environments.
(5) Node.js is designed for building high volume high concurrency cloud services
It considered the perfect system for implementing real-time-web applications, which are at the forefront of the next generation of start-up web companies.
Matthew Ernesse (Lead Node.js Engineer for Yammer), speaking shortly after Microsoft acquired Yammer for $ 1.3bn said;
“We would like to thank the Node.js project, as we can directly attribute a large amount of our acquisition value to our widespread use of the Node.js system. Node.js allowed us to outpace our competitors (iterating faster) which ultimately lead to the acquisition of Yammer by Microsoft.”
Other companies using Node include Linkedin, Joyent, EngineYard, AppFog, Amazon Microsoft (the Windows Azure team) as well as some Irish startups.
Why NodeDublin?
There is no other major Node.js conference in Europe in 2012. All the major names in the worlds Node.js community are coming to Dublin to talk to the European Node.js community for 2 days – establishing Ireland as the focus point for the Node.js community in Europe.
Who’s Attending?
Key influencers in the future of cloud and online services such as Google, Microsoft, Joyent, Mozilla, Engine Yard, Intel, and many others will be there. The conference will be held in an intimate setting where both speakers and attendees will be able to hang out together.
Use the Code EIBCON for a €100 discount on a ticket to NodeDublin on October 18-19th (www.nodedublin.com). Contact details for Cian on that the site for more information.
Aislinn Mahon explains how Enterprise Ireland can provide retailers in the UK, and across global markets, with access to emerging technologies from Irish companies with world class solutions for retail. Aislinn is a member of the New Market Entrants Team in Enterprise Ireland UK, and supports the Retailer Solutions Initiative. For more on Retailer Solutions, check out this short video. eTail, the practise of selling products to consumers over the Internet, is a key area for focus for retailers in the UK and across global markets. The UK is Europe’s leading eTail economy and, at £68.2bn in 2011, now accounts for 17% of all UK retail sales. According to IMRG (Interactive Media in Retail Group), eTail sales are expected to reach £77bn in 2012, and there are now 37m online shoppers in the UK.
Not so long ago, many of the most successful retailers across the UK had little more than transactional websites to offer customers. Nowadays with the prominence of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, customers expect personalised and interactive experiences across all channels, buying when, what, where and how they like.
Bricks and mortar retailing has evolved, and serving this multichannel customer is at the top of retailers priorities. The concept is relatively new in the retail industry, and investment is essential as retailers compete with each other to offer the best multichannel experience for customers. Irish suppliers offer a plenitude of innovative solutions to help retailers in their quest to stand out from the crowd.
Strength of Irish Companies
Every multichannel strategy is underpinned by an ecommerce solution, which enables retailers to optimise the online experience for consumers. Established Irish company Buy4Now, led by CEO Michael Veale, has been assisting major retailers to build this foundation since 2000, and is behind some of the fastest-growing and most successful eCommerce websites.
The 24/7 consumer is always switched on, with touch screen devices such as smart phones and tablets transforming the way consumers interact with brands and retailers. According to KPMG’s latest annual survey, willingness to compare prices and complete transactions on mobile devices has rocketed. Bricks-and-mortar retailers need to respond to this rapidly changing consumer behaviour by directly engaging with their customers using the mobile channel. Tony Burke of Actus Mobile, who have just launched an App for Dundrum Town Centre, Ireland’s largest premier retail location, agrees: “Branded mobile applications built on Actus Mobile’s “Mobishop” platform assist retailers in building customer engagement before, during and after their shopping experience, thus driving footfall and increasing revenue”.
The rate of adoption of tablet usage is on the rise, with retailers striving to optimise this new consumer buying experience, referred to as “couch commerce”. According to Amplience, who has developed a platform for creating and managing multi-channel retail experiences “The rise of tablets is placing demands on retailers and brand owners to create super-rich merchandising experiences in yet another medium, one that constitutes an entirely new channel, with new technology, customer journeys and content and production demands”.
In a world filled with choices, consumers look to their peers for guidance on what to buy online. Customer reviews play an important role in persuading consumers to part with their money. Conor O’Neill, CEO of LouderVoice, the customer reviews solution provider, points to the benefits of investing in this technology: “Reviews grow sales through confidence, feedback, search engine optimization and social media referrals”.
‘eTail at the Embassy’, one of the many activities run by Enterprise Ireland under the Retailer Solutions Initiative
While online sales are on the rise, retailers are still committed to the value they can derive from the traditional, bricks and mortar experience. Indeed the worlds of online and offline are constantly converging, with many stores now offering consumers experiences that are traditionally found online. Eoghan O’Sullivan, CEO of Von Bismark, confirms this; ‘We have developed The Von Bismark Wardrobe platform which allows consumers to physically try on digital clothing, create biometrics profiles and share their experiences via social networks. It allows retailers to lower costs and returns while increasing customer retention and ultimately sales’.
When it comes to paying, customers expect that their experience is fast, secure and convenient, paying how, when and where they like. Realex Payments, who process payments for some of the largest names in retail, help retailers manage international transactions across multiple channels. Consumer payment habits are fast evolving, and managing multiple sales channels is a key challenge area for any retailer.
Not only are consumers becoming more mobile, retailers are too. Worldnet TPS, a provider of multi-channel online payment solutions, has recently developed Payjack, a mobile solution that enables mobile devices such as iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets to accept payments. According to Will Byrne, CEO of Worldnet TPS: “This means that now all merchants no matter how big or small can accept credit card payments”.
Retail is a fast paced world, with customers dictating the pace of change. Enterprise Ireland client companies can assist retailers in staying ahead of the game, with a host of innovative solutions that can enhance customer experience and raise the level of innovation.
Some of the key companies of the 16 exhibiting on the Enterprise Ireland stand also included:
Accuris Networks, Wi-Fi Offload and Roaming Inter-Working solutions not just for data offload but voice and messaging also.
Brite;bill, provides latest generation EBPP (electronic bill presentment) capabilities to Telecommunications companies to achieve the three goals of reducing cost to serve, improved upsell and cross sell and reducing churn.
Feedhenrycloud-based Mobile Application Platform solutions that enable the development, deployment, integration and management of mobile apps.
Socowave is launching its UMTS-based active antenna with horizontal /vertical beamforming system at this year’s MWC.
A number of Enterprise clients will also be exhibiting on their own stands including Ezetop, Adaptive Mobile and Openet.
This is a guest post from Dermot Daly, of Irish Mobile Apps development company Tapadoo.
The introduction of the iPhone, along with the ability to create applications to run on the device is said to have created a whole new industry. Ireland has been no exception, with a number of new companies sprouting up offering app development services, or creating their own unique apps over the last couple of years.
With such an interest in app development, and with so many new exciting app companies here in Ireland developing for Apple’s iPhone and iPad we realised that there’s enough interest to hold a world-class conference for the app community right on our own doorstep.
Our discussions took us to consider what would make such a conference unique? We wanted to reflect the passion that developers bring to their apps and to do so, we recognised that excellence is what would tie it together. We wanted to ensure that every aspect of the conference would exude this excellence.
There are three important aspects when organising a conference such as this:
The venue - We wanted to ensure that the venue would impress; Historic in nature, centrally located and well appointed for conferences .
The content – People come for the talks. We contacted the very best speakers; world-renowned in their circles of iOS development, Mac Development and Design.
The experience – we’re attracting an audience from all over the world; we feel their needs should be considered – We’ve picked local entertainment on Friday evening, and have engaged Ross Lewis, of Chapter One to design the menu for our gala banquet.
The result ?
Úll is a conference for iOS / OSX / mobile web developers and designers. The three day event will include workshops, keynotes, talks and in-depth presentations on all the aspects of building, designing and marketing your apps; It will be held in Dublin on April 27th-29th in the Coach House, Dublin Castle. See http://www.ull.ie for more information.
There are a limited number of discounted tickets offered on a first come, first served basis for Enterprise Ireland Client companies. Please contact Ruarí Ó hAilín on Ruairi.OhAilin(AT)enterprise-ireland(DOT)com for details.
Enterprise Ireland wants to continue to help grow the Irish economy during 2012 with a focus on jobs and exports. For Software and Service companies, a key success factor in growing export sales is taking part in the right event, in the right market, at the right time.
We need your feedback about which events you rate most highly. Take 10 seconds to fill out the form below, and let us know which events you’re most interested in.
More details on these events are at the bottom of this post (click on ‘more’).
Of course, these events are only a small part of the full list of EI Events that are taking placing during 2012. The RSA (Security) , MWC (Mobile World Congress) and SxSW (IT and Digital Media) events are already well underway. If you’re interested in BestConnected updates on EI Software and Service events, and the other activity in the sector, you cansubscribe for updates via Email or for updates via RSS
The IAMCP is the International Association of Microsoft Channel Partners. It is an independant grouping of people and companies within the Microsoft Ecosystem and offer a major opportunity for EI clients to learn, network, and find the best ‘route to market’
In Brussels on 26-27 March 2012, the major event will bring together up to 140 of your IAMCP colleagues from across Europe to network, create business links, and influence the development of vital policies that affect your business. This is a chance to catch up with IAMCP peers, meet new colleagues and forge exciting new business opportunities, as well as to learn more about developing EU policies that affect your business, such as the Single Market, privacy and data protection.
For more info: David.Smith[at]Enterprise-Ireland.com
Security Software & Services Networking Dinner
April , Date TBC, London
Event size 25 EI clients. A business dinner at the Irish Embassy London for clients operating in the information security sector. Information Security Ireland (ISI) was established in 2009 as a networking body to act as a central force in the industry. In addition to 6 founding companies there are now 50 Irish companies operating in the information security sector. Objective is to increase exports by Tier 1-2 clients and provide business development arena for Tier 3 companies, facilitating introductions, new relationships and positioning of suppliers as well as Ireland as source of high quality info security.
Due to the limited size of this event, the final invitee list will aim to achieve the maximum impact on Irish jobs and exports.
For more info: Gavin.McWhirter[at]Enterprise-Ireland.com
CTIA 2012
May 8 – 10 in New Orleans, Louisiana
We will have an Ireland Pavilion at CTIA and will host 7 clients
This is the largest wireless show in the USA with 40,000 attendees
For more info: David.Smith[at]Enterprise-Ireland.com
Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2012
The Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) 2012 takes place in Toronto, Canada from July 8th to 12th and provides a forum for companies to connect with other channel partners and with Microsoft staff, and to learn about the latest Microsoft programs, strategies, and cutting-edge technologies.
The WPC is an annual gathering for the Microsoft partner community to learn about Microsoft’s roadmap for the upcoming year, network and build connections, share best practices, experience the latest product innovations and learn new skills and techniques. The Microsoft WPC week is anchored around keynote presentations from Microsoft’s senior leaders, training sessions led by partners, Microsoft professionals, and industry leaders and thousands of meetings responsible for many new business transactions.
Enterprise Ireland hope to have a stand at Microsoft WPC and are looking for expressions of interest from client companies to be involved. Please visit Digital WPC to find everything you need to know about the event.
For more info: Paul.Browne[at]Enterprise-Ireland.com
IBC
6 to 11th September. RAI Amsterdam
The IBC Conference is the leading international forum for analysis of the electronic entertainment industry. Attended by the most influential thinkers from the world’s foremost companies including The Walt Disney Studios, Sony Pictures, Facebook, Microsoft, Vodafone, Liberty Global and ESPN the IBC Conference gives a unique insight into the state of the industry and a glimpse at the roadmaps that will govern its future.
For more info: JanJaap.Dijkman[at]Enterprise-Ireland.com
Dreamforce 2012
Dreamforce 2012 takes place Sept 18-21, 2012 in San Francisco
Dreamforce is salesforce.com’s annual user and developer conference and the enterprise cloud computing event of the year. This year’s event takes place from September 18-21 at the Moscone Center in downtown San Francisco, and it’s an all-you-can-learn, one-stop-shop for success! There’s no better way to take on the latest advances in cloud computing: sales, marketing, customer service, and social CRM. We’ll have you doing the impossible in no time. The types of companies that attend Dreamforce are just as varied—ranging from large enterprises to small startups. From long-time customers to those just implementing Salesforce CRM. And from ISVs to systems integrators. More than 350 of the leading solution providers in cloud computing. From more than 40 countries across the globe.
For more info: William.Corcoran[at]Enterprise-Ireland.com
Oracle Open World
The Oracle Open World Conference 2012 takes place September 30th to October 4th in San Francisco.
It provides an opportunity for companies to connect with other channel partners and with Oracle staff and keep abreast of the latest Oracle trends through keynote sessions, forums, demos, and exhibitions created by and for Oracle business and technology users. It offers a premier chance to meet partners, industry luminaries, and experts for education and networking. With more than 1,800 sessions, 400 partner exhibits, and hundreds of demos to explore, Use this opportunity to meet with Oracle industry leads and product managers, to understand their strategy and to position yourself in the Oracle eco system.
Enterprise Ireland hope to have a stand at Oracle Openworld and are looking for expressions of interest from client companies to be involved.
For more info: Paul.Browne[at]Enterprise-Ireland.com
Showcase Ontario , Canada
First week of September, dates TBC
Showcase Ontario is the Ontario Government’s primary technology event. Following the interest in Irish companies at GTEC, (the equivalent federal government event), Enterprise Ireland will be taking a stand at Showcase with limited space for a number of Irish companies. This will be an opportunity to find out about potential opportunities in supplying to the Ontario government, and to network with senior IT and technology heads over the course of the conference.
For more info: marguerite.bourke[at]enterprise-ireland.com
Financial Services Networking Dinner
15th November, London
Event size 25 EI clients. Increase exports by Tier 1-2 clients and provide business development environment for key Tier 3 companies, facilitating introductions, new relationships, more effective positioning in a risk averse industry. Position Ireland as source of high quality financial services and solutions and Enterprise Ireland as an important partner organisation to UK institutions.
Due to the limited size of this event, the final invitee list will aim to achieve the maximum impact on Irish jobs and exports.
For more info: Gavin.McWhirter[at]Enterprise-Ireland.com
PhoCusWright Travel Conference
The annual PhoCusWright conference brings the most influential industry leaders together to debate and define the most influential trends shaping the travel, tourism and hospitality industry. Top executives, visionary thinkers and innovators from across the world attend this engaging conference. The Travel Innovation Summit@The PhoCusWright Conference shines the spotlight on the new applications and ideas that change the industry.
For more info: Edel.Coen[at]Enterprise-Ireland.com
Telecom Time
12th and 13td December Expo Houten, The Netherlands
The largest and most visited trade fair for telecom professionals in The Netherlands. The fair gathers suppliers of telecom equipment, system integrators, and telco operators.
We’ve covered Open Data Development before, but with the next ISA workshop, Open Data is moving into the mainstream . It has the potential to spur the development of mobile apps, software products and services – not just for the Ireland, but designed for the European and global markets. It has the potential to drive efficiencies and cost-savings for central and local Government.
The Irish Software Association’s Public Procurement working group will hold its second workshop on Open Data on Feb 28th in IBEC 84/86 Lower Baggot st, Dublin11am – 2pm. If you are interested in attending, please register via www.software.ie/events or contact Patricia.Keogh@ibec.ie , 01-6051582 .
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/
Open Data is the second of six workshops set to take place over the coming months. The ISA Public Procurement working group has met with senior technology specialists at CMOD, Revenue, Agriculture, Social Protection and LMS (formerly LGCSB) to identify the key ICT requirements within the public sector and to investigate ways of improving pre-market engagement with local suppliers. The specialists identified 6 areas of technology, which are of particular interest to them, which form the basis of the ISA’s planned Public Procurement workshop series taking place in Dublin over the coming months.
Time
Item
Speakers
11:00
Registration
11:00:11:05
Opening Address & Introductions
Brendan O’Reilly,
Chairman of the ISA Public Procurement Working Group
There are more than 100 Irish Companies selling next generation solutions into the Retail sector – in addition to the many others who sell through retailers as a ‘route to market’. These retail solutions companies provide services such as payment solutions, store interiors, technology providers, consumer products, packaging, marketing, instore systems etc. and are targetting supermarkets, pharmacies, DIY stores and other retail outlets as their clients.
Given the work that EI and its clients are undertaking in the retail solution area, I am delighted to announce that we are holding a second Retailer Solutions Forum on Thursday 9th February in Eastpoint Dublin. It will include the following topics; Social Media, Retail in Germany and Multichannel Retailing and is aimed at CEO’s of supplier companies targeting the retail sector in the UK and Europe.
You can find the agenda for the day below. Places are limited so contact me allyson.stephen@enterprise-ireland.com or +44 (0) 20 7438 8714 to book.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/robboudon/
‘Social Media in a Business to Business Context’ . Michael O’Brien, Head of Marketing at Celtrino, will share his experiences of the adoption of social media as a strategic part of the company’s marketing mix. Adrian Goodsell and Pete Wood of Steak Digital will add context and background to Michael’s story.
‘Retail in Germany’. Michael Gerling, Managing Director of the German Retail Institute, will provide in-market insight into the German retail scene. He will give a general overview of the German market, type of stores, trends etc. with much opportunity to ask him about this challenging but potentially rewarding market.
’Multichannel retailing in Europe’. Martin Newman, CEO of Practicology, will address the topic of multichannel in Europe. He will use practical examples to describe the retail scene in various European markets, to look at strategies of key European retailers as well as compare trends in e-commerce, m-commerce and f-commerce across Europe.
There will be a chance to interact with and question these speakers through networking over coffee / a light lunch. We will welcome your feedback, and inform you of the planned activity for Retailer Solutions for 2012.
Follow the EI Retailer Solutions Twitter account @retailer_sol for all the latest information about the work EI is doing in this area.
Movidius recently achieved great editorial coverage for its mobile 3D technology in Wired, the UK-based gadget magazine. This is the latest in a long string of strong, on message media coverage we’ve had since we started engaging with the press back in 2008.
Ireland is a hotbed for innovative business. But great ideas do not automatically lead to great coverage. You really have to work at it. Our good friends at Enterprise Ireland asked us if we’d mind outlining a few tips, based on our own experience, to help other Irish companies achieve high end media coverage. We’ve boiled it down to our top ten tips:
1) If you can, employ a PR agency
If budget allows, we’d recommend enlisting a specialist PR company. The quality varies, so make sure you shop around, see a few people, and take recommendations.
There are numerous advantages working with a good PR agency. A credible, established PR agency will have traction with a wide range of publications and will boast excellent media contacts. While the PR agency help build up your relationships with key media, you’ll have more free time to concentrate on your core business.
2) Define what you want to say and keep saying it
Consistent messaging is key and it’s important for everyone in the company to sing from the same hymn sheet. Messages will change over time and should be reviewed regularly to ensure they reflect where you are as a business. Consistent delivery of these messages in all interactions with the media will ensure that over time your key points filter through.
3) Make your offering tangible
Think of your audience when you speak to a publication. While a gadget magazine is interested in the ‘what’s new and cool’ factor, a national newspaper cater for the man on the street so give them something the man on the street can relate to. Spend money on prototyping an end-form-factor-product for any media briefings, or set up an interactive demo.
It is incredibly important, particularly for the national press, that your product or service has a strong visual element. Production of good concept images to illustrate your product or service, at a few hundred euros a pop, should pay you back in increased coverage.
Even the biggest national papers have websites that are crying out for novel, non-textual content. Good videos, flash animations or games that carry your branding can be made for anything from a few hundred to a few thousand pounds.
4) Respect the journalist
Speaking to journalists is not rocket science. Journalists are people too.
Take the time to understand the focus of a target publication, the journalist’s brief and their personal areas of interest. Bear in mind that journalists are one of the most time-starved groups of people you are ever likely to meet. If they don’t have the time, back off. Introduce yourself succinctly and with content that’s relevant to their interests quickly and with civility. An initial email introduction or an invitation to meet face-to-face is a great way to kick start your relationships with the media.
Promoting a product too directly can be off-putting. Focus on the angle and rely on the journalist accrediting you.
By the way, Wired-level publications rarely accept pre-written articles. Make sure you offer key media an interview and flatter them by offering a high-level executive as your spokesperson.
5) Use the news to reinforce your position
If what you do relates to a topic in the news, use it.
If you produce 3D, and a 3D film has just tanked publicly, talk about why. If you produce engineering solutions and something has been designed badly, offer your expert opinion. If somebody criticises your industry area, defend it.
Before you speak to any journalist take a look at the most recent pieces they’ve written as well as researching current news topics you could possibly reference.
6) Think of new, interesting and unusual angles
Think about how you could pitch your story to make sure you’re using every available opportunity to offer unique commentary and insight. If you are the only company offering a particular service or product that puts you ahead of competitors don’t be afraid to shout about it.
Don’t be afraid to go against the grain and offer your side of the story if you disagree with the general consensus but don’t make comments you can’t back up. Be creative without stretching the truth and damaging your credibility
7) Be a thought-leader
Seek to define the way the industry is going and explain certain concepts to the wider world. This will help to position you as a company that really knows what it is talking about, and win the respect of journalists. This kind of non-direct promotional material is more likely to be of interest to the journalist’s readers, and therefore more likely to get published.
8) Think about where your customers are
National press in your home country is always something to be proud of but don’t be afraid to look wider. In Movidius’s case, we’re proud to be an Irish success story but are target customers are spaced out across Europe, Asia and North America.
If you need to achieve media coverage abroad you should consider working with a PR company with international reach and a proven track record in your key markets.
9) Use every channel.
There’s more to gaining coverage than sending press releases and arranging interviews. Use social media like Twitter or LinkedIn to contact national journalists. Social media offers great insight into a journalist’s personal preferences and bugbears and shows that you care about more than just achieving media coverage.
Last but not least:
10) Be patient
Strong media relationships and reams of media coverage doesn’t happen overnight. You’ll need to continually knock at a journalist’s door with topical and interesting news. Regularly issuing interesting press releases with genuine news and updates will ensure you are top of mind with the media. Email first and then follow up with a call and where possible, try to be flexible. Offer telephone briefings, a chat over a coffee or a visit to their offices to show them your product or discuss your service.
It helps if your product is interesting, of course. And even if it is, it’s important to realise that you might only get one bit of coverage from several meetings with a national publication, especially when you’re first starting off.
Patience is key but in the end, perseverance pays off.
