Discover the Bold Ambitions of 79pc of Irish Businesses: Expanding at Home and Abroad

Ireland is surpassing the global average in expansion plans, with a significant number of Irish businesses aiming to grow despite global economic uncertainty, according to a recent report by Equinix, a US tech company.

The report, based on a survey conducted by Equinix among more than 2,900 IT leaders worldwide, including over 100 in Ireland, reveals that 79% of Irish enterprises have expansion plans either within Ireland or internationally.

The study further highlights that 42% of Irish businesses surveyed intend to expand internationally within the next year, a 10% increase from the previous year and 10% higher than the global average.

When it comes to supporting this growth, businesses are increasingly turning to technology solutions. The report indicates that 44% of businesses with expansion plans will hire IT staff in their new locations, while 42% will leverage cloud technology for virtual expansion.

Peter Lantry, Managing Director of Equinix Ireland, expressed his confidence in Irish businesses' growth potential and highlighted the shift in how enterprises view international expansion. He emphasized the benefits of digital infrastructure, which enables businesses to scale their operations virtually through hybrid multi-cloud solutions, thereby eliminating the need for a physical presence.

While the future looks promising for Irish businesses, Equinix's survey also revealed concerns among IT leaders regarding data sovereignty laws and the potential impact on their expansion plans. Data sovereignty refers to the notion that data is subject to the laws and regulations of the country where it is stored.

Discover the Game-Changing Innovations Unveiled at IBC 2023: ZTE and dbx-tv Revolutionize Home Entertainment

The survey indicates that 84% of Irish IT leaders expressed worry about stricter data sovereignty laws affecting their expansion goals.

John O'Donoghue, Senior Global Solutions Architect at Equinix, emphasized the critical role data sovereignty plays in expansion plans but acknowledged the challenges that arise from evolving legislative landscapes. He stressed the importance of robust digital infrastructure to navigate these complexities and meet the needs of enterprises looking to expand internationally or comply with data legislation.

Unveiling the Future: Qualcomm's Game-Changing 4nm Chipset for the Midrange Is Here

In a separate development earlier this year, Equinix partnered with UK-based Oxford Quantum Circuits to bring one of the most powerful quantum computers commercially available to Irish businesses. The aim is to offer quantum computing as a service to Irish businesses by the end of this year.