SAS is investing €40 million to expand its operations in Ireland and increase its workforce.
The business analytics company will open an Inside Sales and Customer Contact Centre in Dublin, which will create 150 jobs over three years.
The purpose of the centre will be to support sales of data analytics software into markets across EMEA.
SAS is looking to drive its Big Data analytics market, with the company stressing that businesses need to adopt analytics to drive growth through evidence-based decision making, rather than through a ‘gut feeling’ or business instinct.
The potential for the Big Data market in Ireland could add around €27 billion to its economy between 2013 and 2017 and potentially create up to 61,000 new jobs, according to research by the Centre for Economics and Business Research.
Roles at the company’s new centre will include multi-lingual business development and sales specialists as well as engagement specialists, data scientists and software engineers.
The company is targeting mid-market companies that may not have any history of using data and little to no in-house expertise.
Carl Farrell, EVP and Chief Revenue Officer, SAS, said: "We are now experiencing a ‘democratisation of analytics‘, where more and more organisations – including small to medium sized enterprises – are investing in analytical software and services that don’t require a significant up-front investment."
The project has been supported by the Department of Jobs through IDA Ireland. Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, said: "A key part of our Action Plan for Jobs has been attracting new software and analytics companies into Ireland through the IDA’s work.
"Crucial also has been developing a cluster of Irish start-ups to build off our success in attracting these companies to Ireland.
"Of vital importance in all of this has been talent – ensuring, through our education system and our work permit system that these companies, Irish and multinational, can access the skilled workers they need to grow."
