Skys the limit for cloud company

THE top cloud software company that announced 200 new jobs in Dublin 7 last week has expressed its delight at being located within 500 meters of “horse fairs, a law library, crypts with mummies, a centre for the homeless, fruit markets and Ireland’s Four Courts”.

US firm Workday Inc, a leader in enterprise cloud applications for finance and human resources, has based its new European headquarters at King’s Building on May Lane in the heart of the North Inner City.

Workday has also highlighted the city’s cultural diversity, which it says will be a real benefit to the company.

“Diversity is one of the critical ingredients for innovation,” Workday’s CEO, Annrai O’Toole, said on the company’s official blog.

“Differences of opinion, background and skills lead to better decision making and business outcomes.

“Our Dublin office employs people from more than 30 different countries in Europe and beyond.”

O’Toole also explained why the company had decided to avoid popular locations for tech firms like industrial parks outside the city or Dublin’s redeveloped Dockland.

“King’s Building is an amazing place in a great location and we knew we could turn it into a terrific and fun place to work,” he said. “We mapped out where our employees live and determined this location was central for most, thereby shortening their commutes.

“We needed this much bigger space in King’s Building.”

Local TD and Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Paschal Donohoe said the decision by the Workday to locate in Dublin 7 demonstrated the attractiveness of the area.

“Dublin 7 is a great location for growing businesses,” he said.

“Workday Inc is now ideally situated to take advantage, not just of city centre amenities, but also of the Smithfield and Stoneybatter areas, which themselves are thriving and rapidly developing.

“This announcements signals significant opportunity for Dublin 7.”

Tánaiste Joan Burton also attended the opening of Workday’s new European headquarters last week.

“The company has very ambitious plans for their future growth here, and it’s reflective of a wider confidence in the economy,” she said.

“It’s great for Dublin 7 to see a company build on its presence here, and look to recruit 200 more workers to fill highly-skilled roles. It’s a vote of confidence in Dublin, and in the Irish economy and our workers.”