Technology is a critical factor in the development and growth of industrial enterprises.  Adopting best manufacturing and operations practices, putting in place effective, market-led innovation and improved management systems that yield new products and processes and optimising the benefits of information and communications technologies are all essential to firms achieving sustained competitiveness.

Technologists, drawn from a wide range of engineering and scientific disciplines, work with firms using a structured approach to address their issues. The structured approach involves:

• Diagnosis - working with the firm, and as part of the wider Enterprise Ireland team, Technologists help to identify the barriers to growth. Various technology management tools including benchmarking and technology management review are used in this part of the process.

• Action Planning - agreeing with the firm the issues to be addressed. The action plan involves detailing the actions and identifying the resources required. Technologists play a lead role in sourcing knowledge and expertise necessary for implementation.

• Implementation - Technologists work with the firms to provide guidance and support during implementation, particularly when difficulties are encountered during R&D projects and when dealing with third party consultants.

Technologists are organised into four groups covering all the major industrial sectors.

Eddie Commins - Engineering Technologies

Michael Hughes - Electronics & Software

Joe Healy - Food Technology