US firm to create 150 jobs in Cork

US-based firm Quest Software is to expand its Irish operations, creating 150 jobs in Cork over the next three years with the opening of a new shared services centre at Mahon.

Quest Software designs, develops and supports enterprise systems and network management software products.

The new centre, which will open later this month, will cover finance, software renewals and software development.

Cork was chosen as the location for the new operation after a global evaluation of Quest's sites. The company already has a sales office in Dublin.

"After a strategic review of our international operations, it was clear we could best position ourselves for future growth by centralising key aspects of our international business activities to better serve our customers and increase operational efficiency," said chief executive Doug Garn.

"Ireland was chosen due to the significant presence of other software technology companies; the high quality infrastructure; the availability of experienced and highly qualified professionals, multilingual talent and a pro-business environment."

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation Batt O'Keeffe said the new jobs were "strategically important" for Ireland's information communications technology (ICT) sector.

"Eight of the world's top 10 technology firms are based in Ireland and Quest Software's move to choose Cork for the international shared services centre following a global evaluation of sites shows that we have the local talent pool, infrastructure and business environment to draw high-tech investments," he said.

"About three-quarters of our exports are now from the multinational sector, signalling that recovery in the domestic economy is under way and our foreign direct investment sector is outperforming many other countries in the euro zone area."