The sponsors of this years Irish eGovernment Awards, now in its seventh year, are leading companies from a range of backgrounds. Here we give you some details about each of the companies and what they do.

Eircom

eircom is the leading provider of voice and data communications networks and services in the Republic of Ireland, supplying the most comprehensive range of advanced voice, data, Internet, broadband and managed services to residential, business enterprise and Government departments and public sector agencies. With 68% revenue market share of the fixed line market and over 1.2 million customers, we are the telecommunications supplier of choice.

We have designed, implemented, and currently support a managed MPLS network for the Irish Government. This network provides support for over 120 Government Departments and agencies across 2,000 sites. In addition to voice and data services, we are also the market leader in managed ICT services, with a proven track record in hosting and managing the most vital technology infrastructure used by Irish private and public sector organisations.

As part of our ongoing commitment to bring the most advanced technology solutions to our customers, we are investing an additional €1 billion in Ireland’s telecommunications infrastructure through to 2009. Included in this investment is the development of a Next-Generation core IP network, as well as our recently announced €100m+ investment in a state-of-the-art Managed Services Datacentre in Clonshaugh, Co. Dublin.

This flagship Datacentre is Ireland’s newest and most advanced Datacentre for hosting and managed ICT services. At 125,000 square feet it doubles our hosting space, linking with our existing three centres in Citywest, Dundrum and Crown Alley. It features the most advanced facilities, support framework and managed service portfolio available in Ireland, making it the ideal choice for your mission-critical IT systems.

Whether you are seeking basic communication services, website and server hosting, end user support or application management, you’ll find the expertise and reliability you need from eircom.

Foras na Gaeilge

Foras na Gaeilge is the all-island statutory body for the promotion of the Irish language and through our current ‘Gnó Means Business’ support programme we offer financial assistance and free advice to the Private Business Sector in utilising the Irish language on a bilingual basis as a business and marketing tool, regardless of personal ability in the language. In particular, bilingual website design is one area of increasing popularity through which businesses effectively use the Irish language as a key indicator of difference and indigenous branding and we are proud to sponsor this innovative award.

Is é Foras na Gaeilge an eagraíocht reachtúil uile-oileánda leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. Cuirtear tacaíocht mhaoinithe agus sainchomhairle in aisce ar fáil don Earnáil Ghnó Phríobháideach trínár gclár tacaíochta ‘Gnó Means Business’ ar mhaithe leis an Ghaeilge a úsáid mar uirlis ghnó agus mhargaíochta, go háirithe ar bhonn idirlín mar a úsáidtear í go héifeachtach i gcomhair leis an Bhéarla chun brandáil an Éireannachais agus brandáil nuálach faoi leith a léiriú.

Irish Internet Association

The Irish Internet Association is the professional body for those conducting business via the internet from Ireland. It has been and remains one of the driving forces behind the adoption of the medium. Established in 1997, the IIA provides leadership to enterprises and society conducting business in Ireland. The IIA is a strong voice for its 550 plus company members. The aim of the Association is to Connect, Inform and Promote.

The IIA is a non-profit business association. Members of the association includes suppliers of Internet services and products as well as those using the medium for communication, marketing and commerce.

Visit www.iia.ie for more information.

Web Factory

Webfactory are Ireland’s largest web design and development consultants. We have extensive web development experience gained over the past 14 years.

Founded in 1994 Webfactory has become a byword for excellence in online execution. We embrace the Internet as a medium that can perform for clients in many different ways. We are in the business of demonstrating just how much value a client can get from investing in an online project.

Our current client list includes the Quinn group, IDA Ireland, The Irish Times, MyHome, Bord Gais Energy , Greenstar, the E.S.R.I., Magnet and Aviva Health.

Visit www.webfactory.ie for more information.

Irish Domain Registry

The IEDR is the registry for .ie Internet Domain Names and maintains the database of .ie registered Internet names. The IEDR (www.iedr.ie) is an independent not-for-profit organisation that manages the .ie country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD) namespace in the public interest of the Irish and global Internet communities.

The IE Domain Registry is not a governing or regulatory body, but provides a public service for the .ie namespace on behalf of the Internet community.The IEDR is a member of CENTR, the Council of European National Top-Level Domain Registries. In line with the Best Practice Principles of IANA, ICANN and CENTR, the IEDR is committed to the concept of administering .ie throughout the 32 counties of Ireland in an open and transparent manner