The European project LIFE - AUDIT PLUS has opened a call for energy-intensive industries in which it offers a free of charge comprehensive consulting service that will guide selected companies in the identification and implementation of energy efficiency measures.

By requesting this tailored energy consulting service, companies will be able to reduce the energy intensity of their industrial processes and advance their decarbonisation.

The project partners in Ireland, UCC-IERC and Lawler Sustainability, offer this service to companies that request it before next September 20, 2024.

LIFE AUDIT PLUS offers free of charge consulting service in relation to:

1. Technology assessment

2. Cost benefits analysis of energy efficiency measures

3. Engineering support for the installation of energy efficiency measures

4. Identification of public and private financing sources for the implementation of energy efficiency measures

5. Matchmaking between technology/service providers and energy-intensive industries

6. Guidance for implementation of energy efficiency measures recommended by energy audits

7. Development of a corporate energy strategy

Each support voucher consists of up to 100 hours of free-of-charge consultancy service provided to a company of an energy-intensive sector which requests the service.

How to request the service

The project is carried out in 3 countries, Ireland, Spain and Poland, and is focused on energy-intensive industries of certain sectors. In Ireland, the service is offered to pharmaceutical, chemical, healthcare, food processing, manufacturing and other energy-intensive industrial sectors.

To request the service, companies may consult the Services Catalogue and contact the project partners leading the service implementation IERC and Lawler Sustainability:

Catalog and contact LINK

More information at the Project website: https://www.ierc.ie/auditplus/

About Audit plus

The AUDIT PLUS project, funded within the European research framework LIFE-CET-22, began its activity in October 2023 and will last for 3 years. It aims to help energy-intensive industries (EIIs) improve their energy efficiency with a pilot implementation in Ireland, Spain and Poland and also create plans to replicate their learnings in different industrial sectors.

AUDIT PLUS seeks to improve energy audit schemes in energy-intensive industries with a practical approach. The project will support IIEs with operational groups to provide technical, financial, regulatory and training support to begin their energy efficiency journey and accompany them in the implementation of energy efficiency measures to meet EU emissions reduction targets.

The project partners in Spain are A3E, ITC, EnergyLab, In Ireland IERC and Lawler Sustainability and in Poland NAPE.

More information about the project: https://www.ierc.ie/auditplus/

On the back of a very successful first three years, Three Ireland has today announced it is once again investing €100,000 into a bursary fund for SMEs as part of its Grants for Small Businesses programme, which will see Three provide funds, connectivity solutions and mentorship to successful applicants.

The programme, which is now in its fourth year, has provided Irish SMEs with an investment of over €650,000 by Three since 2021 across products and services, marketing and PR support, as well as access to industry expertise.

Funded by Three Ireland and managed by the small business network and support provider, Enterprise Nation, the programme awards 10 small businesses, a portion of the €100,000 bursary. This bursary will comprise of €5,000 cash, €5,000 for device and connectivity solutions for each winner, as well as mentoring and support from Three Ireland's in-house experts.

Padraig Sheerin, judge for Three Ireland's Grants for Small Businesses programme and Head of SME, Three Ireland, said: "Three prides itself on supporting businesses big and small across Ireland to scale and innovate through our connectivity products and solutions. This unique programme enables small businesses to not only avail of funds but also to access a range of hands-on support and mentorship from Three business experts.

Since Three launched this SME Grant Programme four years ago, we have seen incredible growth from winning businesses and we are so proud of the role we can play in supporting them as they scale."

Previous winners of the programme include successful growing Irish businesses like Donegal based Pumpskynz which makes accessories for diabetes devices, and Galway-based accessible gaming specialists ByoWave. Since being awarded a portion of the Three grant in 2021, Byowave have since scaled their business and have become an official partner with Microsoft.

They recently launched their Proteus Controller globally at Gamescom and Byowave have also received further investor funding of €1.5m and continue on their mission to make gaming accessible to all. Three continues to support these businesses and is proud to announce that Niamh Tallon from Her Sport, (who was a 2021 Grant Winner), will also be part of the judging panel this year.

Niamh Tallon, founder of Her Sport and winner of the 2021 Three Ireland Grant, said: "Winning Three Ireland's Grants for Small Businesses programme has been invaluable to us in boosting our growth journey. The bursary and business support from Three has helped us to add people to our team, increase brand awareness through more publicity and ensured we have the right tech in place to thrive as a young business.

I am honoured to be one of the judges this year on the programme as I know how it feels to start your own business and I cannot wait to be inspired by the next generation of businesses coming through the programme in 2024. I encourage all small businesses to enter. You never know, you could be the next winner, just like Her Sport was in 2021."

Sonya Lennon, judge for Three Ireland's Grants for Small Businesses programme and Entrepreneur and Workplace Equality Advocate, said: "What a privilege to see baby titans in the making. Extraordinary young companies get precisely what they need to mould themselves for success through this powerful programme each year. I've witnessed that growth in the years I have been involved. If ever there was a reason to apply for this competition, it's the success of those who went before you."

For more information and details on the application process, visit 3.ie/grants

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Venture capital funding of €494m into Irish SMEs in the second quarter was the second highest on record, up 7% on the same period last year, according to the Irish Venture Capital Association VenturePulse survey published today in association with William Fry.

But with the exception of seed funding, the data reports a gap in deals under €10m. Overall funding for the half year fell by almost a quarter (22%) to €752.7m.

Gerry Maguire, chairperson, Irish Venture Capital Association, said that one needed to drill down into the figures to get the true state of affairs for Irish SMEs looking to expand and raise finance.

"Deals in the €5-10m range fell by 44% to €27m in the second quarter, compared to the same time last year. This worrying trend continued right across all deal sizes from €1-€5m. It suggests that companies are doing well raising early stage seed funding but are struggling to kick on in the next vital growth phase."

Mr Maguire said that while the number and value of deals in the €10m plus range had performed well in the second quarter, over 90% of this funding came from international investors. "This is a testament to the quality and ambition of Irish companies, but points to the importance of having Irish funds of scale that can co-invest or lead these rounds. This really highlights the need to increase the availability of growth finance from local sources."

Sarah-Jane Larkin, director general of the IVCA, said that thanks to long standing Government policies supporting early stage funding, the recovery in seed funding had continued from the first quarter of this year. Seed funding, or first rounds raised by SMEs, in quarter two rose by 18% to €53.2m, compared to the same period last year. Seed funding for the half year rose by 79% to €93.6m.

"While seed funding remains robust, the IVCA is looking forward to the report of the implementation committee set up by Peter Burke TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, on measures to assist these exciting, high potential start-ups take their next steps through greater access to scaling finance."

The life sciences sector with €297m (39%) led the way in funding for the half year followed by envirotech (13%); regtech (12%); fintech and software (both 9%).

The top five deals in quarter two worth over €30m were regulatory compliance company, Corlytics (undisclosed amount); life sciences firm, SynOx Therapeutics (€70.3m); fintech company, AccountsIQ (€60m); cybersecurity specialist, Tines (€50m) and marine technology firm, XOCEAN (€30m).

The technology landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, comparable in impact to the rise of smartphones in the mid-00's. While we've had a constant stream of technological advancements since then, none have had the same transformative impact as the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI isn't just another tech trend or 'phase'; it's a fundamental reshaping of the way in which we live and work.

The transformational impact of AI has been recognised by Government in its National AI Strategy and National Digital Strategy which aims to have 75% of enterprises in Ireland using AI by 2030.

For businesses, embracing AI is no longer optional and empowering workforces to adopt it into everyday practices is crucial. But success really hinges on providing them with the tools they need to harness its full potential. Refreshing PC estates across organisations is essential for achieving this and this promises multiple benefits from enhanced productivity and efficiency to ensuring competitive advantage.

Analysts are predicting that with an AI-enabled PC, workers can benefit from tools that are more responsive to their needs than ever before. Technology providers too are promising that these devices represent a significant leap beyond traditional computing, offering a potent blend of processing power and intelligent features that can redefine and improve processes across organisations.

A refresh cycle of this nature can offer workers an immediate, tangible benefit from incorporating AI into daily processes - all while leaders plan for more comprehensive AI strategies to drive long-term growth.

But despite the significant benefits that the devices have to offer, there is still hesitation among business leaders to fully invest. Looking into this more closely, we understand that there are numerous barriers to more widespread adoption.

Cost and investment justification

According to Dell Technologies' latest Innovation Catalysts Study, the main barriers to adoption are uncertainty, cost concerns and the fact that established use cases are still in development. This has resulted in one in two Irish businesses struggling to keep pace with advancements in Generative AI (GenAI).

The novelty and rapid evolution of the technology can make long-term planning difficult, especially in cases where AI's benefits aren't immediately clear. This makes it difficult to justify the potentially substantial upfront investment without a clear and immediate return on investment (ROI).

At the same time, our own research has revealed a widespread awareness that AI will play a transformative role in industries with 62% investing in AI-optimised technology to enhance the work experience. Businesses are accepting that integration of AI tools is soon to become inevitable and largely unavoidable. It also became apparent in our research that businesses in Ireland are broadly positive about the ability of AI-powered machines to significantly augment human capabilities.

As we look towards a future defined by AI, businesses must embrace change and seriously consider the transformative power of AI PCs to empower their workforce.

Enhancing Human Potential

AI-enabled PCs are not just about raw computing power. They are designed to amplify human ingenuity.

These devices act as intelligent partners that can streamline workflows, automate repetitive processes, and provide instant access to information. This allows more time for strategic thinking and creative problem solving, which are crucial for driving innovation and achieving business success in today's competitive landscape.

Professionals can explore new ideas, experiment with different approaches, and actively develop cutting-edge solutions that drive competitive advantage. Increased productivity and efficiencies in this way lead to faster turnaround times, improve project outcomes and a better utilisation of the available resources.

Similarly, features such as Copilot+ embedded within AI PCs also provide instant access to i...

As we speed through the era of 5G, with its promise of faster data, lower latency, and a world more connected than ever, it's clear that we're standing on the brink of something big. While 5G has already sent conspiracy theorists into a frenzy over supposed health risks, just imagine the field day they'll have with 6G. But as the skeptics fret, the tech world is already looking ahead to what's next.

Enter 6G, a next-gen network that promises to not just raise the bar but to redefine the entire game. With speeds that could reach up to 1 terabyte per second and coverage that leaves no corner of the globe untouched, 6G isn't just an upgrade; it's a revolution in how we interact with technology.

This article dives into the exciting developments of 5G and the ambitious plans for 6G, exploring how this leap forward could reshape industries, redefine connectivity, and pave the way for a future we're only beginning to imagine.

Let's Leap to 6G!

Current State of 5G Technology

5G technology has rapidly expanded globally, though its adoption varies by region and industry. Key areas such as North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, including South Korea and China, have seen significant 5G deployment. These regions are in charge of integrating 5G into sectors like telecommunications, manufacturing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Capabilities of 5G

5G is known for its advanced features, offering faster data speeds, ultra-low latency, and the ability to connect many devices simultaneously. These capabilities enable new possibilities, from smart cities to autonomous vehicles, revolutionizing technology across various industries. Despite its promise, 5G faces several challenges, including the need for substantial infrastructure upgrades, high implementation costs, and complex regulatory landscapes.

Globally, efforts are underway to address these issues, with governments and private sectors investing in infrastructure and working towards harmonized regulations to facilitate smoother deployment.

What is 6G?

6G, short for the sixth-generation network, represents the next leap in wireless communication, building upon the foundation laid by 5G. Currently in the research phase, 6G is anticipated to deliver unprecedented speeds, with capabilities expected to reach one terabyte per second (8,000 gigabits per second).

It represents a significant advancement from 5G, which operates at a peak speed of 10 gigabits per second. The implementation of 6G will likely revolutionize technology by enabling new applications and services that were previously unimaginable, further transforming the digital landscape.

Expected Capabilities of 6G

6G is set to far surpass its predecessor's capabilities, particularly in speed, latency, and connectivity. Operating at terahertz frequency bands (95 GHz to 3 THz), 6G is expected to be 100 times faster than 5G, with latency dropping to microsecond levels, making near-instantaneous data transmission a reality.

Moreover, integrating AI with 6G networks will enhance automation and connectivity, paving the way for a hyper-connected world with widespread Internet of Things (IoT) applications and seamless communication across various devices.

Development and Deployment

The journey towards 6G began with early research efforts and is expected to progress through various stages. Initial research and requirement gathering for 6G started around 2020, setting the foundation for the next decade of innovation. Key milestones include specification development and standardization, slated for 2025-2029. By 2028, 6G will enter the lab testing and pilot project phase, paving the way for its eventual commercial rollout.

6G is anticipated to be commercially available around 2030. Following the research and development phases, including the transition from 5G to 5G Advanced in 2024-2025, the commercial launch of 6G will mark a significant technological leap. This transition is expected to revolutionize various industries with its enhanced sp...

Revolut, the European-licensed bank with over 2.8 million in Ireland, has analysed which travel destinations have proven most popular this summer among its customers in Ireland - with their overseas spending trends assessed as part of a detailed analysis of the period 1st May - 31st July.

The data has revealed that (in order) Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy were Irish holidaymakers' most popular holidays this summer - with the United States also among Revolut customers' most sought-after destinations as per their overseas spending habits. Notably, more than half a million Revolut customers also spent money in the UK this summer.

Revolut customers' preferred destination within mainland Europe was Spain (over 300,000 holidaymakers). This was followed by Portugal (more than 100,000 jetsetters) and just short of that, France. Elsewhere, over 85,000 Irish tourists spent money in Italy and close to 65,000 ventured to the United States.

Approximately two-thirds of Revolut's 2.8 million customers in Ireland spent money abroad this summer - while the global financial app also recently identified a move toward the return of staycations among its Irish customers, resulting in a record July of domestic consumer spending.

Close to 1.5 million Revolut customers from across the world visited Ireland this summer too, with those from the United Kingdom, Poland, Spain, Romania, Italy, and France accounting for over 80% of those visiting the Emerald Isle.

Maurice Murphy, General Manager at Revolut Bank UAB - Ireland Branch, said: "Our customers in Ireland depend on Revolut for the best foreign exchange rates, and we know that those extra savings on every transaction can amount to a more enjoyable holiday.

We're continuing to bring customers new products and perks to make the experience of going away more seamless and stress-free. For instance, customers can now opt-in to earn RevPoints on their everyday spending, which can then be exchanged for airline miles via two popular loyalty programmes."

For more information, visit www.revolut.com/en-IE.

Title image : Grey-banded Mining Bee (Andrena denticulata) Steven Falk

Wild Belfast and Buglife have come together to highlight the alarming loss of wildlife-rich brownfield habitat across Belfast. Some brownfield sites in Belfast can support rare and endangered wildlife, including well-loved species such as Red-shanked Carder Bee (Bombus ruderarius), Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara) and Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus). However, many of these nature hotspots are at risk from being lost to development.

Belfast wildlife needs protection

"The state of Belfast's brownfields: nature under threat" 2024 report shows that over a seven-year period, 40% of 47 brownfield sites that Buglife had previously identified as important for wildlife in Belfast have been lost, damaged or are in immediate threat. Concerningly, when live planning applications are also considered, over 60% of the total area of this vital habitat has either been lost or is under immediate threat- with potentially profound impacts for nature in the city.

Brownfields can support a huge diversity of wildlife, often providing refuges for species which have suffered population crashes as a result of habitat loss, such as wildflower meadows disappearing from the landscape. They can include quarries, disused railways lines, spoil heaps, even former industrial estates that have been allowed to develop into urban havens for wildlife.

Sadly, despite often being the last remaining 'wild' green spaces in Belfast's neighbourhoods, brownfields are frequently targeted for development.

Conor McKinney, Chair of the Wild Belfast community group says, "Now is a critical period for the protection of biodiversity. Our planning system offers the potential to protect and enhance biodiversity- or to destroy it. Despite being a priority habitat our planning system is currently failing to protect wildlife-rich brownfield sites in Belfast, or indeed across Northern Ireland.

Nature and planning authorities must seize the opportunities available to them to protect these sites for nature and the communities with which they share these valuable wild urban spaces".

Buglife has previously identified and measured the extent of brownfields important for invertebrates in a 2017 report- a habitat often referred to as 'Open mosaic habitat on previously developed land'. Shortly after that report, the habitat was listed as a conservation priority in Northern Ireland. However, this new study that revisits these sites suggests that despite this commitment, these important wildlife sites are still being lost, hindering the city's nature recovery ambitions.

Jamie Robins, Programmes Manager of Buglife says, "Brownfields which have been reclaimed by nature are becoming increasingly important for our rare invertebrates as the wider countryside is degraded. We need to do more to protect these wildlife havens. The remaining wildlife-rich brownfields should be protected from development and embraced as a key nature recovery solution, and celebrating the role they have to play in giving communities a place to connect with nature."

The 2024 report suggests that Belfast's brownfields need to be better recognised and protected by the planning system. It also suggests that the best sites be incorporated into the important Site of Local Nature Conservation Importance (SLNCI) network. In addition, the report looks beyond Belfast and recommends that a Northern Ireland wide inventory of the habitat should be urgently created.

Buglife is the only organisation in Europe devoted to the conservation of all invertebrates our aim is to halt the extinction of invertebrate species and to achieve sustainable populations of invertebrates. Invertebrates are vitally important to a healthy planet - humans and other life forms could not survive without them. The food we eat, the fish we catch, the birds we see, the flowers we smell and the hum of life we hear, simply would not exist without bugs.

Invertebrates underpin life on earth and wit...

The team were happy to receive the Pixel 9 Pro XL for review. At this stage they have been playing around with the Pixel series since the 3rd iteration. In many ways the Pixel has come a long way in a short time period. You can see more about the various new Pixels here.

Google Pixel Pro XL reviewed

This is the slightly bigger and better version of the Pixel Pro, which is a nice piece of gear. The battery seems to last for quite a long time too, purportedly longer than any of the other previous editions too. In terms of pricing this is at the top end for the Pixel range, and for phones in general. Thankfully it came with a bespoke cover too, for that amount of phone, you do want it to be safe from the moment you take it out of the box.

According to the product specs it has been built to be more durable for both the screen and the device itself. This is great to hear, and you would want it to be, but it is also something that is harder to really test without bashing it around, which our testers did not want to do.

The macro option on the camera is impressive to see in action, and it does enable you to get some nice close up shots. Overall the camera does work well, and the larger screen does, bigger than the standard Pixel 9 Pro does give you that little bit more bang for your buck.

Naturally you are paying around another 100 euros for this slight step up in quality, so that choice is how good do you want, or need your pictures to be? It is a tough question to answer, when both Pro options seemed to be pretty darn good for our reviewers. Size was still an issue for some of the team, as the 'regular' Pro option does fit in your pocket a little more easily.

The AI options are exciting too, but you will be paying for these after your first 12 months, so you will need to think about how badly you want to keep using them. We are also moving in an interesting, unpredictable time, when you can create any image using AI. This could become very problematic if you start making them include third parties, without their consent.

Naturally the Pixels are only conduits to what is possible, but as always we face having to deal with the genie after it is out of the bottle. A great phone in many ways, but equally potentially problematic in the wrong hands. Meanwhile our testers did like many aspects of the phone, and did give it a solid thumbs up too.

More about the Pixel 9 Pro XL

Meet Pixel 9 Pro. It has a sophisticated, stunning new design, and it's the most powerful Pixel yet. With the new Tensor G4 processor and 16 GB of RAM, it's designed for the most advanced AI on Pixel. That means cutting-edge photos and videos, and smarter ways to help all day. And it comes with one year of the Google One AI Premium Plan, for even more powerful AI features.

Pixel 9 Pro features Google's best camera system yet, with a pro triple rear camera, a fully upgraded 42 MP front camera, and cutting-edge pro features.

With Pixel 9 Pro, Super Res Zoom comes to video, and you can enhance your videos to 8K with Video Boost. Thanks to the brightest, most immersive Super Actua display yet, you'll see true-to-life colors, even in direct sunlight. And for the first time ever, it will be available in two sizes: 6.3" and 6.8" Super Actua displays. So you can get the ultimate Pro experience in the size that works best for you. It features an all-day battery, and Pixel 9 Pro XL offers Pixel's fastest charging ever.

Pixel 9 Pro features Pixel's best camera yet. The triple rear camera system delivers pro-level photos and videos, even in low light or from far away. Enjoy stunning detail across a wide zoom range, thanks to optical-quality performance at 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x, and 10x - all with just three lenses.

15 Super Res Zoom lets you zoom in even further, and is available in video for the first time ever. In addition to improved Night Sight Video, Video Boost can now enhance videos up to 8K resolution for the best video quality on Pixel yet. Pixel 9 Pro gets a major upgrade...

The University of Limerick and Gemmo AI are launching an innovative project to promote physical activity among autistic individuals through a cutting-edge AI chatbot. Developed as part of the 'Ideal 2.0' project, funded by the European Commission, they have created a beta version of the MoveMuse chatbot, which aims to educate and motivate autistic individuals to be more physically active.

Initially focused on autistic college students, this initiative aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence to provide personalised prompts and guidance for engaging in physical activity.

Autistic adults face significant physical and mental health disparities compared to the general population. One cause of these disparities is low levels of physical activity among autistic people. Only about 19% of autistic adults meet the recommended physical activity guidelines, compared to 49% of the general population. This inactivity contributes to higher rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic disorders.

Research indicates that AI chatbots can significantly enhance motivation and adherence to health interventions. AI chatbots are increasingly being used to help autistic individuals develop social skills. A study published in the International Journal of Social Robotics highlighted how chatbots can support social interaction and communication skills, showing promise for improving the social lives of autistic individuals.

MoveMuse is trained using the latest large language model (LLM) technology, incorporating peer-reviewed scientific literature on exercise and autism. It leverages the evidence-based WOOP (Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan) strategy to enhance motivation and goal-setting. This strategy helps users visualise their goals, identify potential obstacles, and create practical plans - a particularly beneficial approach for autistic individuals who thrive with structured guidance.

The project is in collaboration with researchers from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin City University, KU Leuven, and Jozef Pilsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw.

The chatbot is designed to:

Provide precise, tailored information to meet each user's unique needs.

Deliver engaging and motivating educational prompts.

Respond to a diverse range of inquiries related to physical activity.

Identify barriers to physical activity reported by users and suggest personalised, practical strategies to overcome them.

Assist in setting realistic, measurable goals, tracking progress, and providing feedback.

Flexibly adjust goals based on user progress and feedback, ensuring a supportive and adaptive approach to physical activity. This project reflects the University of Limerick's commitment to leveraging innovative technologies to better serve the community. "Through the MoveMuse chatbot we aim to empower autistic adults to lead more active and healthier lives," says Dr. Sean Healy, Associate Professor in the Physical Activity for Health (PAfT) Centre at the University of Limerick.

"This is AI for good - practical AI at work. We can take simple ideas, automate them, and create something not only useful but potentially life-changing," adds Luca Marchesotti, CEO of Gemmo AI.

See more stories here.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has extended its partnership with Primark, a leading international fashion retailer across 17 countries in Europe and the US. Over the next five years, TCS will help transform Primark's technology operations to support the retailer's ambitious plans for global growth.

TCS has been working with Primark since 2016, establishing itself as a trusted partner to the retailer. As well as driving business-critical integration programmes and stabilising core platforms for the retailer, TCS has also improved cybersecurity capabilities, improving stability and reliability of processes and systems.

As part of this expanded partnership, TCS will help transform Primark's technology operating environment to make it more resilient, reliable, and efficient. By supporting Primark's transformation journey, TCS will help reduce time-to-market for the retailer, aligning with its strategies for future growth. TCS will help Primark adopt a more agile and product-based operating model by enabling automation through intelligent automation and DevOps technologies.

This new operating model will integrate and optimise application development, testing and maintenance processes.

Andrew Brothers, Chief Information Officer, Primark, said, "To help support our ambitious growth plans we're expanding our partnership with TCS to build a robust, resilient, and reliable IT operating environment to become a more efficient, technology-led global organisation with the agility to quickly adapt to changing demands and requirements in a fast-paced industry.

Working with TCS will provide us with the ongoing operational stability and accountability needed to support our business to scale. This will allow us to respond to market trends and customer preferences in a timely manner, ensuring that we continue to deliver qualityproducts at the best value for our customers."

Primark's new operating model will also be aligned to business functions and driven by their priorities, providing Primark with a comprehensive, real-time view of its technology, business systems and processes to enhance overall performance and enable the agile ecosystem required to support the organisation's rapid growth plans.

Shekar Krishnan, Vice President & Head of Retail - UK and Europe, TCS, said, "The fashion industry is continually modernising its entire value chain - from conceptualisation, to design, to production and retailing - with innovation-led initiatives to achieve environmental, social, and governance goals. We're thrilled to support Primark's mission to offer affordable fashion for everyone and its global vision for growth."

TCS works with 200 of the region's best-known and most-loved businesses, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Sainsbury's, Nationwide, M&S, Asda and Boots. With its deep industry expertise and an employee strength of 23,000 people in the UK and Ireland, TCS holds a leadership position in software and IT services in the UK and Ireland market.

Operating in Ireland since 2001, TCS services over 28 global and local clients from its Dublin headquarters and Global Delivery Centre based in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal.

See more stories here.