Digital Leaders Series 2022: SIRO Chats with Leo Clancy, Enterprise Ireland

Enterprise Ireland is the State Agency responsible for supporting exporting Irish-owned companies. We support start-ups from initial ideation stage in many settings, whether entrepreneurship training, third level institutions, start-up hubs or others. We are also an investor in many Irish funds offering seed and venture capital to companies and are a large direct equity investor in our own right. Our offer for established companies includes direct financial support and advice for expansion, investment, productivity improvement and innovation. We also provide advice and guidance for companies through dedicated Development Advisors on our team. Enterprise Ireland has 40 offices all around the world focused on market access and support for companies to grow and expand internationally

“Connectivity is the glue that binds digital technologies together within companies and with external parties.”

Outline the role digital technologies play in your business and/or the digital service or product you provide?

Digital technologies are vital to our business and have become even more so in the past 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The core function of our agency is that of marketing Ireland and innovative Irish products and services. Digital is key to marketing and engagement with communities of clients and especially potential buyers of Irish products and services. At a more basic level we are a client-facing organisation and the ability to continue to engage virtually with clients and with overseas partners and buyers vastly improves our efficiency and reach. There is no substitute for face-to-face in my view but being able to have a flexible option to connect digitally can cut months of delay from an engagement. For ourselves, EI is looking at continually increasing our programme of digitalisation to improve and future-proof our operations and our products.

“To use digital technology successfully, the underlying process you are applying it to must be understood and in control”

What are the key benefits that digital technologies can bring to Irish businesses?

Marketing and Sales is a key area – a small business can make itself look very big in a virtual environment. With high quality CRM and videoconferencing products any company can build a global sales organisation from just one location. If you combine this with language capability a company can conquer the world from any village in Ireland. Productivity is a great opportunity also – Enterprise Ireland has supported companies with lean programmes and operational excellence for many years – the next frontier of this engagement is digital. I have seen robotics in many client sites, for instance, and the game-changing impact to companies output, quality and cost. Employee engagement and retention is typically improved by working in a location with a digital mindset – people like when their work adds value and builds their skills.  

As connectivity improves across Ireland, what do you see as the big opportunities for Irish businesses from accelerated digital adaptation?

Connectivity is the glue that binds digital technologies together within companies and with external parties. The huge benefit of increasing that connectivity is making those technologies accessible and available to more and more companies. A company that doesn’t have connectivity available is, by definition, falling behind digitally – and with the way the world is going falling behind digitally means falling behind full stop.

For businesses to maximise benefits from digital technologies, what key advice would you give?

My key advice would be to understand what problem you are solving with digital and ensure you know how you will measure the business benefit of solving that problem. To use digital technology successfully, the underlying process you are applying it to must be understood and in control. And the great thing about digital technologies is that they scale well so you should be able to start small and trial the technology, seeing for yourself the impact and then decide how to develop, pivot or roll out further. Looking to take your business to the next level with a reliable broadband connection? Search Your Business Eircode today.

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SIRO, the fibre broadband wholesaler and joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, today launched a new €4 million fibre broadband network in Longford town. SIRO’s network roll-out will make high speed, reliable fibre broadband available to more than more than 4,000 premises in the town. The network was officially launched by Minister for State for Local Government and Planning, and Longford-Westmeath TD, Peter Burke in the Longford Arms Hotel. The announcement follows on from SIRO’s launch of their national network expansion in October 2021, where the company confirmed that a further 90 new towns, including Longford town, would receive its’ 100% fibre-to-the-premises broadband. This is in addition to the existing 64 towns already connected to SIRO’s network, including the midland towns of Mullingar, Athlone and Portlaoise. Currently, SIRO’s broadband network is available to 430, 000 homes and businesses, growing to 770,000 over the next four years. SIRO’s state-of-the-art fibre broadband network is built on the ESB electricity infrastructure, trusted for its’ reliability and resilience. 3,000 premises in Longford town can avail of SIRO’s fibre broadband network by the end of 2022, with the network to reach over 4,000. SIRO’s overall investment in Longford town will represents a €4 million by the company. TLI is the contractor on the ground in Longford working with SIRO to ‘light up’ the town with high-speed fibre broadband. Some of the first areas in Longford town that can avail of SIRO’s gigabit broadband are Dublin Street, Chapel Lane, Ballymahon Street, College Park, Canal Close, Harbour View, Fairgreen View, Farneyhoogan, Railway Meadow, and Western Park. Having a reliable internet connection is now an essential utility, as important electricity or gas. Research commissioned by SIRO earlier this year found that connectivity is also a key consideration when people are choosing where to live. The research found that 53% of under 35’s rank broadband as the most important factor when choosing a home. SIRO’s fibre connectivity is the last connection a home or business in Longford town will ever need, as its gigabit speeds are scalable and future-proofed for future demand – up to 25 Gigabits. SIRO as an open access wholesaler, partners with 19 broadband retailers across Ireland, to ensure that customers and businesses enjoy greater choice and competition. CEO of SIRO John Keaney, commented: “Connectivity is an enabler of growth for communities and towns within Ireland, and we are delighted to provide Longford town with a robust, reliable connection that can serve the people and businesses of the town for years to come. Since the pandemic, people have begun to recognise the value that a dependable, fibre connection can add to one’s way of life or business. With SIRO’s gigabit broadband, you can work anytime, and anywhere, stay connected to family and friends or live stream videos or gaming without any lag or downtime. More than 4,000 homes and businesses in Longford town will be able to access SIRO’s fibre broadband network, giving these premises a 100% fibre connection, which supports working from home and more lived-in, sustainable communities vs. commuter towns. SIRO’s fibre broadband will also attract further investment to the town and support local business to grow and develop particularly through greater use of digital technologies.” Minister of State for Planning and Government Peter Burke and TD for Longford-Westmeath stated: “This investment represents a significant gain for the people and businesses of Longford who can now access 100% fibre to meet the immense demand we all have for connectivity these days, whether this is for educational, leisure or business purposes. It is a key commitment of this Government to achieve balanced regional development with emphasis on growth outside of Dublin. High-speed broadband facilitated by SIRO will enable Longford businesses to maintain a level playing field and will act as another great reason to attract jobs and opportunities to Longford and the wider Midlands region. I congratulate SIRO on their expansion and look forward to seeing more and more locals reap the benefits of this fantastic service” To keep up to date with our rollout plans and to be notified when your home or business in Longford is SIRO ready, register-your-interest today.

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New research about attitudes to smart homes and technology commissioned by SIRO, the wholesale broadband operator delivering a Gigabit broadband network to 770,000 homes and businesses across the country, has found that almost two thirds (63%) of respondents believe that the energy saving and environmentally friendly benefits are the most important factors of smart homes. Just over half (54%) of the survey participants stated that smart devices have helped them save money. In the midst of rising energy costs, the technology is particularly appealing to over 55s. The research revealed that that demographic is most aware (72%) of the energy saving and environmentally friendly benefits of smart homes. 61% of over 55s also stated that the technology has helped them to lower costs, higher than any other age cohort. The research also revealed that high quality broadband is the most important factor for under 35s when considering their ideal home. Just over half of those aged under 35 (53%) surveyed singled out broadband as the deciding factor when purchasing a home, compared to the overall choice of the general public who placed a greater emphasis (40%) on a garden. Changing consumer habits and trends such as the shift to remote working and a fall in car ownership were evident from the research as factors like having a parking spot at their home (15%) ranked lower on the list. In the wake of the pandemic, a greater appreciation for high-speed quality broadband was also evident with 4 in 5 (84%) members of the general public flagging their support for a change in the Irish law to make it a requirement that developers must install high speed broadband and infrastructure when constructing all new homes. The research also revealed the widespread adoption of smart devices in Irish households. Almost seven out of ten (67%) consumers own a Smart TV; with just under half (49%) of households in possession of a virtual assistant technology like Alexa; a third of the public using smart home technology like digital heating controls and lighting; and a quarter using security devices like video doorbells. Noting the research findings, SIRO Head of Operations and New Developments Cian O’Mahony said, “At SIRO, through our work with developers to bring our high-quality fibre broadband to new developments, we see the huge appetite amongst the public for homes with smart and connected devices. Equally retrofitting existing homes with smart technology is a growing trend. Today’s research brings to life the reasons people are opting for smart home technology. These can vary depending on life stages. Those in the older age demographics are more likely to view smart homes as important for environmental reasons, with younger groups valuing the convenience that they provide. Commenting on the sustainability advantages, SIRO Director of Corporate Affairs Amanda Glancy said,“Smart home devices deliver numerous benefits. More sustainable living, achieving climate change targets, enhanced security or savings on energy or heating bills are key attributes. The latter is very top of mind given the steep increases in energy prices. As fibre broadband networks continue to roll-out across Ireland, this research indicates more individuals, families and communities will take advantage of the benefits of smart homes, particularly for environmental benefits and reducing the cost of living.” Research conducted by Amárach Research, surveyed 1,585 people in Ireland at the end of January 2022. Amárach Research undertook this piece of research among a nationally representative sample of respondents (age, gender, region and social class) on awareness of and attitudes to Smart Homes. Head of Operations, Cian O' Mahony will be speaking at the IHBA Summit tomorrow, April 5th in Croke Park on Broadband and Housing Construction. 

SIRO, has today announced it is to sponsor the connection and delivery of fibre broadband to Esker House - the Athlone-based Women’s Refuge and domestic abuse support service. SIRO, which is rolling out Ireland’s only 100% fibre broadband network across 154 towns, is partnering with broadband retailer Viatel to provide broadband connectivity to this vital service. Established in 1982, Esker House, supports women and their children who experience domestic abuse and violence. The Refuge provides services, support and outreach to 9 counties across the Midlands and West, stretching from Sligo to Roscommon to Carlow. Services offered by the refuge include Women and Children’s emergency refuge accommodation, a helpline, children/young person’s support Service, court support, court accompaniment, outreach service, advocacy, awareness raising and community education. Esker House’s most recent service user figures from 2020 highlights the importance of the refuge to the wider Midlands region, showing it:

• Responded to almost 500 crisis calls on their helpline
• Provided emergency support services to 109 women
• Providing 1,850 support sessions to women
• Provided refuge accommodation to 21 women and 27 children.

Pictured left to right: Deirdre Berry, Esker House Manager and Amanda Glancy, SIRO Director of Corporate Affairs

SIRO’s gigabit fibre broadband connectivity will further enhance the services provided by the refuge. Its’ existing phone systems can now move to a cloud-based solution, improving communications between the centre and its service users; while users of the emergency accommodation can access more reliable internet connectivity for work or education, TV and video streaming or to stay connected with family and friends. Commenting on the sponsorship, Esker House Manager Deirdre Berry, said: “Having high-quality and reliable fibre broadband will make a significant difference to our operations and to the services we provide to our users each day. For people who use our accommodation services, whether it’s for kids to help them do their homework or watch TV or adults wanting to keep connected, it will provide an important sense of stability. More broadly, for those seeking to avail of our services we can provide them with greater online options. We are delighted to have SIRO and Viatel come on board and support us in this way.”

Pictured left to right: Steven Farrell, SIRO Account Director and Linda Tiley, Esker House Team Lead and Deirdre Berry, Esker House Manager

SIRO’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Amanda Glancy noted: “Since the pandemic, and this year in particular, an uncomfortable spotlight has been thrown on the prevalence of domestic abuse, of women, men and families in Ireland. Unfortunately, too, the need for the support services totally outstrips demand for them. SIRO, with Viatel, is pleased to be able to support the hugely important work that the team at Esker House are providing across the Midlands Region, by sponsoring their broadband connection. Having reliable broadband allows individuals, families and businesses to live and work better, and in the case of those trying to access services such as Esker House’s, we believe connectivity is even more critical.” Damien McCann, Director of Sales and Marketing at Viatel, said: “It’s amazing to see the critical services Esker House provides for people across the midlands, Viatel are very proud to partner with the team in SIRO to provide this high-speed connectivity service to the Esker House facility, which hopefully will help users of the facility and also help the wider Esker House team’s daily operations” If you, or someone you know may need the services of Esker House, please contact their helpline at 09064 74122 SIRO is available in locations across Westmeath and the Midlands. Search Your Eircode today to see if you can avail of SIRO 100% Fibre Broadband.

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Lorna Conn joined Cpl plc in October 2017 as Chief Financial Officer and was appointed Deputy CEO in April 2021 and CEO in January 2022. Lorna has previously held senior roles in a number of public companies, residing in both Ireland and America during this time. Lorna is a Chartered Director and placed first in Ireland in her Diploma examination. Lorna is a qualified Chartered Accountant and a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland, having trained with Deloitte. Lorna graduated with first class honours in both the Bachelor of Commerce degree in University College Dublin and the master’s in accounting in the Michael Smurfit Business School. Lorna is passionate about Ireland, as a location to live and to do business in.

Tell us about your business?

Cpl is a global provider of talent solutions including specialist recruitment, managed services, outsourcing and strategic talent advisory services through Cpl’s The Future of Work Institute. Our mission is to be the world’s best at providing transformational talent solutions & experiences to our clients, candidates, colleagues, and communities. Cpl employs over 15,000 people who support our 4,000 customers globally. We have almost 50 office locations operating in 12 countries world-wide - Ireland, United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Tunisia, and the United States. Cpl is headquartered in Dublin and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Outsourcing Inc (‘OSI’), a Tokyo headquartered publicly listed company. OSI employs over 112,000 people world-wide and operates in 39 countries across 6 continents. Through OSI, Cpl has a network of 250 sister companies, enabling an even broader service delivery capability for our clients.

Outline the role digital technologies play in your business and/or the digital service or product you provide.

We partner with multiple digital platforms across our organisation, to enhance our service proposition and to improve our employee experience. We have invested in employee engagement tools, AI powered candidate selection tools, optical character recognition tools to automate employee expense accounting and digital compliance tools to automate candidate onboarding. Our digitised back-office manages online timesheets through automated flows to pay thousands of staff and bill our clients. We actively innovate new technology platforms like MyCpl – a mobile app that allows Cpl healthcare workers on demand access to their rosters, enabling them to accept / decline shifts in real time. We have also developed a remote health monitoring platform, ISAAC Care, that permits service users, through an app, to share information remotely with people who are identified as their ‘Care Circle’ 24/7. We actively pursue partnerships with leading edge technology partners who work with Cpl’s The Future of Work Institute in delivering next generation strategic wellness solutions to our clients.

What are the key benefits that digital technologies can bring to Irish businesses?

Digital technologies make Irish companies more competitive and more efficient in an increasingly digital-centric world. But it requires empowered and talented people to truly achieve the full benefits. Digital technologies have brought us increased efficiency in our processes, they have simplified complicated services and they have increased our ability to collate and assess data to generate new customer and market insights. It has helped us to better connect to our colleagues globally during a period of significant and sustained challenge. Digital technologies make the world a smaller and more accessible space.

As connectivity improves across Ireland, what do you see as the big opportunities for Irish businesses from accelerated digital adaptation?

I see an opportunity to further enable global workforce mobility. Given the last two years of remote working, companies should no longer feel constrained by the conventional boundaries of the office network. Accelerated digital adaptation will allow greater flexibility and remote working for employees and this will be particularly helpful in attracting and retaining staff in a tight labour market. Companies can also look further afield to attract new talent if their employee engagement processes are digitally supported. I also see a big opportunity to realise the value of Extended Reality (XR) technologies. Immersive technologies have been identified as a key driver of the next wave digital evolution, but the reality hasn’t quite matched the dream to date. These technologies have an ability to change how we learn, experience the world, and collaborate for innovation and change.

For businesses to maximise benefits from digital technologies, what key advice would you give?

Foster a cultural mindset of innovation and technology enablement in your organisation. If it doesn’t come naturally, force it - invite people to think-tank sessions, build it into your team meeting agendas and continuously ask for their input. People are best placed to identify the benefits of digital technologies. People will either adopt or fail to adopt technology, so you must come at it from a people first approach. You must also have a sound business strategy that clearly identifies where digital technologies play a role. Finally, technology can be daunting and cost a lot of money so an agile, almost paranoid approach to managing digital projects is a must. Make sure to carefully design and plan for your requirements, and carefully manage these requirements as projects develop, to maximise the benefits of your investment. Looking to take your business to the next level with a reliable broadband connection? Search Your Eircode today.

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Traditionally our image of the future involved flying cars, robots, and holograms at the touch of a button. Today, we have self-driving cars, robots that have autonomy, and billionaires going to space. Much of how the future was envisioned is beginning to come to pass, it is here, and we’re living in it. Right now, the tech industry is experiencing a massive shift in priorities. Web2 or social media as we know it today is migrating towards the “Metaverse”, an augmented reality focused on creating a space where people can experience the internet with their full senses. In October 2021, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg made a keynote speech announcing that the company would be changing its’ name to Meta, while also announcing their vision for the next stage of social media and the internet as we know it. As the name suggests Zuckerberg was moving his company away from its current work of building a set of connected social apps to pivoting to “Web3” better known as The Metaverse. Long gone are the days of dial-up broadband and modems screeching while loading a web page. Presently, we’re at the peak of Web2, which is defined by “websites that emphasise user-generated content, ease of use, participatory culture and interoperability for end users”. Social media websites such as TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Reddit are clear examples of Web2 in action. So what is the Metaverse? What does this mean for the future of connectivity and when will it become mainstream? The term was first coined in 1992 by sci-fi writer Neal Stephenson who used “the Metaverse” to describe a 3-D virtual-reality space.

The metaverse is a coming together of virtual, augmented, and physical reality. It blurs the line between your interactions online and in real life.

  Using virtual reality, augmented reality and blockchain technology, the Metaverse is set to bring the physical world into the “Metaphysical”. No matter where you were in the world, you could enter the Metaverse and host meetings, hang out with friends and retreat to your own virtual ‘living’ space. An important foundation of the Metaverse is the fact that it will have a fully functioning economy - individuals and businesses will be able to create, own, invest, sell, and be paid for work they undertake. We’re already beginning to see an economy emerge that is dependent on blockchain technology with the advent of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). So, what is required for an individual to try out the Metaverse right now? For starters, having the right connection is vital. Before you can consider the hardware required, you need to ensure your broadband can support your immersion into the Metaverse. In this case, fibre broadband is essential. While the Metaverse is still not a fully formed application, a fibre connection can future-proof your access. In 2021, SIRO announced Ireland’s fastest residential speed with 2 Gigabit being made available across our network in 2022. As the Metaverse develops further and larger bandwidths will be essential. Right now, to enter the Metaverse you need access to VR technology. Companies leading the market on this technology include Nvidia and Oculus for their headsets that allow their users to play video games using virtual reality. Augmented reality technology, which is available on smartphones applications such as Snapchat, Pokemon Go and any camera app with facial recognition and filters will have a key role in supporting our immersion into the Metaverse. Existing Metaverse enabled platforms which users can try out include Sandbox, Mirandus, and Decentraland which people can interact in different ways. With the Metaverse comes limitless possibilities and advantages for the end user. Meetings can be held in the virtual world, reducing commute times and unnecessary travel. Friends can host movie nights, virtual parties and get-togethers without leaving their home but remaining fully present. Artists can even hold virtual concerts. The 78 million people who attended Ariana Grande’s virtual concert on Fortnite last October shows the huge potential. Over the last two years, the way we’ve worked, lived, and played has shifted to greater adaptation of online living. In many ways, it has been a training ground for what the Metaverse aims to deliver: the future of connectivity. At SIRO, we believe that connectivity matters. The Metaverse is just one iteration of what a fully connected future will bring and the fibre we lay today will power the connected lives of our customers and businesses for decades to come. Search Your Eircode today to see if your home or business is SIRO-ready.

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Gaeltec Utilities (“Gaeltec”), a leading utility contracting company, today has announced the creation of 150 new jobs as a result of securing significant contracts in the utilities sector. Gaeltec provides specialist contracting support to public and private companies rolling out or upgrading energy and telecoms infrastructure and networks across Ireland. The company is currently working on several strategic electricity transmission, distribution and fibre broadband projects. These include working with SIRO, the joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, on the roll-out of the next phase of its fibre broadband network across Ireland. Overall, 60 of the 150 new roles will support this project, which will see SIRO’s fibre broadband network reach 154 towns across Ireland and provide Gigabit broadband connectivity to 770,000 premises within the next four years. Welcoming today’s announcement An Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar, T.D. stated: “This is great news from Gaeltec, creating 150 new jobs, mainly in Kilkenny with some opportunities nationwide. It’s a real boost in our capacity to build important infrastructure, such as broadband. 60 of these jobs will be on SIRO’s new project, upgrading thousands of their customers across the country to fibre broadband. Congratulations to the entire team and the very best of luck with this really significant expansion”. Announcing the new roles, Gaeltec Managing Director, Joao Felizardo commented: “Today’s jobs announcement is a significant milestone for Gaeltec. Our expansion is a mark of the reputation we have built in the Irish utilities market, and the confidence our customers place in our high standard of work and consistent track-record of delivery. To facilitate the growth, Gaeltec is making a €0.75m investment in further development of its Headquarters in Kilkenny. We are really excited about having 150 more people, who share our values and ambition, join us during the next exciting stage of Gaeltec’s development”, added Mr. Felizardo. SIRO CEO John Keaney added: “Fibre-to-the Home broadband is recognised as the gold standard internationally and our rollout to 770,000 premises is one of the most significant capital investment projects in Ireland. Our partnership with Gaeltec is a key part of our network build programme and the 60 new jobs at Gaeltec are a direct result of the massive shift in scale in our rollout. Gaeltec has a proven track record for delivering complex fast track projects successfully to exceptionally high standards, so they were a natural choice for us to bring on board.” The roles on offer at Gaeltec include junior and senior engineering positions, field surveyors, fibre technicians, GIS technicians, supervisors, designers, electricians and plant operators. The positions will be based primarily in Gaeltec’s Kilkenny and Dublin offices, but a number, such as site staff will be based on projects located nationwide. Further information on all the roles is available on the careers section of Gaeltec’s website, Gaeltecutilities.com.

 

Tell us about your business?

Dell Technologies has developed a strategic presence in Ireland over the past three decades. Our 5,000 strong team in Dublin, Cork and Limerick are at the forefront of innovation driven by technology. Our three campuses have become one global hub for Sales, Services, Centres of Excellence Solutions Development, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Operations, Engineering, IT and Finance. By harnessing the capabilities of our teams across Ireland, we are able to deliver the innovative technologies that businesses and organisations need to build their digital future. As we look ahead, our team at Dell Technologies Ireland is working to unlock the business benefits of next generation technologies including Edge Computing, AI and 5G so our customers can thrive in a data-driven age.

“Since the start of the pandemic, we have witnessed how technology enabled the rapid and successful shift to remote working.”

 

Outline the role digital technologies play in your business and/or the digital service or product you provide?

Since we first established a presence in Ireland in 1991, Dell Technologies has supported businesses and organisations of every size digitally transform and keep pace with the future of work. Through our collaborative approach, we have struck long-lasting partnerships across all sectors. From helping Munster Technological University to harness the power of AI to helping Ireland’s national education and research network, HEAnet, provide almost 17,000 laptops to students engaged in remote learning, we’re helping to harness the power of technology to help Ireland’s education sector to remain agile and transform.  

“As data becomes the driver of innovation and business transformation, technologies like AI and 5G are starting to become more critical to business success”

 

What are the key benefits that digital technologies can bring to Irish businesses?

Although faced with significant challenges over the past two years, businesses have understood the critical role of technology in keeping connected with their customers and their people. 98% considered technology key during this period while 68% plan on accelerating their digital transformation. As data becomes the driver of innovation and business transformation, technologies like AI and 5G are starting to become more critical to business success. When people think of AI, for example, we usually talk about benefits in areas like finance, healthcare and business. AI is so much more than that and there is still an unlocked potential to use this technology to benefit society. In the same way, 5G is more than just enhanced connectivity. It is the digital fabric for our data-driven era. In gaining real-time insights at the Edge, companies can roll out new applications and transform how they do business. While converging with IoT, Cloud, edge computing and robotics, 5G can truly drive forward the fourth industrial revolution.  

 As connectivity improves across Ireland, what do you see as the big opportunities for Irish businesses from accelerated digital adaptation?

The business opportunities unlocked by accelerated digital adaption are endless. By making the right investment and placing a digital strategy at the centre, businesses in Ireland are staying ahead of competitors, innovating at speed, scaling up success globally and staying one step ahead of consumers’ needs. Since the start of the pandemic, we have witnessed how technology enabled the rapid and successful shift to remote working. For most companies, this move has proved that creating a culture of flexible working is possible – a culture which will provide greater flexibility for both people and organisations. As a result, businesses are able to access a broader and more diverse talent pool. This includes those in rural Ireland and others who may have been outside of traditional talent pools. The flexibility of the hybrid working model has also been crucial in levelling the playing field and helping to create a more inclusive work environment especially for those balancing other commitments.  

For businesses to maximise benefits from digital technologies, what key advice would you give?

While many are adopting technologies at an unprecedented pace, this explosion in the growth of data is placing significant pressure on organisations as they look to store this most value asset. In this context, we have found that businesses have increasingly turned to as-a-Service models to gain the agility and cost predictability required to stay competitive. That’s why we recently introduced Dell Technologies APEX here in Ireland. Our breakthrough portfolio of as-a-Service offerings radically simplifies the technology experience. This way organisations can focus more on running their business, accelerate innovation by quickly adapting to evolving business requirements, and run IT operations more effectively on their terms, all while minimising risk and maximising resources. By adopting the capabilities of the as-a-Service model, businesses in Ireland can now deploy their technology requirements wherever they are needed. Do Business Different and Search Your Eircode Today.

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2022 marks my 27th year working in Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), with the last seven spent working with SIRO. Over the years, I’ve completed qualifications to Masters levels and attained my Chartered practitioner status. Allied with practical experience, these have given me significant expertise on developing successful organisational environmental, health and safety management systems and practices. SIRO began its journey in 2015, as a new company, a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, rolling out a completely new 100% fibre broadband network. From the off, Environmental Health and Safety is something that we have placed a paramount importance on.

“SIRO is an Industry Leader on Environmental Health and Safety.”

SIRO is acutely aware that human interaction and organisations are dynamic and ever changing, diffusing between several layers of interaction and influence, all of which affect perceptions, meaning, values, attitudes, norms and thus behaviour; and that one unsafe behaviour can significantly change an organisations’ record. Today, there is much talk within organisations and businesses about “culture.” Within occupational and environmental management, the importance of having a positive safety culture is much highlighted. Culture is the evolving result of the continuing negotiations about values between the members of that organisation and with its environment. It includes norms, ideas and factors which prompt behaviour and attitudes towards the organisation. Is culture the single determinant of all aspects of safety and the organisation of safety practices? Unfortunately, no. It is just one, but important, part of a wider paradigm of factors required to establish a successful management system. ISO standards, in particular ISO 45001 & ISO 14001, refer to this paradigm of factors as an organisation’s “context”. To develop successful systems, there is no singular, defining handbook, each organisation must determine their own, suited to their own context.  

The Key Elements driving SIRO’s Environmental, Health &Safety (EHS) managements systems

 

Our Heritage

SIRO is a joint venture between ESB and Vodafone, with both companies having well established management systems. At SIRO, we took the best from both organisations’ approaches.

“We considered the complexity of utilising existing electricity infrastructure to construct & operate a 100% fibre-to-the-building broadband network, and successfully created management systems specific to SIRO”. 

SIRO's Health & Safety Context

As an “essential service,” SIRO’s workplace is complex and the risks real. SIRO as a wholesale operator successfully completes and controls, high-risk works across a variety of networks - overhead, underground, Core, and Metro. This is in addition to navigating between a myriad of existing overlapping utility networks (e.g., gas, sewage,) in a congested urban underground landscape.

SIRO's Environmental Context

SIRO is rolling out one of Ireland’s greenest telecoms networks, with a strong focus on environmental sustainability. Through using the existing ESBN electricity infrastructure, we have adapted circular economy principles. Our fibre network is significantly more energy efficient and much less polluting vs. copper or cable broadband. SIROs fibre broadband network is already underpinning:

• A reduction in national carbon footprint due to working from home and reduced commuting
• More sustainable and balanced development, supporting people to live and work in their communities
• Contributing to improved work-life balance
• Reducing in pandemic risks through facilitating greater access to online goods and services

So, what are the main elements of SIRO’s successful EHSMS management systems?

These are broadly categorised as:

• Leadership & Participation
• Risk & Impact Assessment
• Setting & Enforcing High Control Standards
• Competence (Approvals & Authorisations)
• Integrating EHSMS within business management systems

Leadership & Participation:

• Having robust worker participation and organisational leadership is vital to the success of all aspects of a business, HSEQ is no different.
• SIRO’s HSEQ Department have direct line of authority from, and communication with the CEO and the SIRO Board.
• SIRO’s Senior Leadership & Management Teams are accountable and responsible for HSEQ within their functions.
• Worker participation is strong and there is a shared responsibility within SIRO from Leadership level throughout the whole organisation.

Risk & Impact Assessment:

• Planning and organisation are also vital: the need to identify hazards, environmental aspects, complete risk and impact assessment should form core elements of any activity. Through planning, SIRO has devised specific control measures and standards to reduce or eliminate risks and impacts posed.

Setting & Enforcing High Control Standards:

The setting and enforcing of high HSEQ standards is vital; aim as high as you can reach. Make it about the best available technology/approach and not the ‘cowboy’ corner-cutting approach. An organisation that aims for the legislative minimum will always find they fall short. SIRO as an industry leader – sets and enforces high environmental, health and safety standards.

Competence:

From experience there are two key aspects to competence an organisation must get right, and both must align with the level of risk involved:

1. Approval: The assessment and engagement of competent contractors
2. Authorisations: The training, assessment and authorisation of worker activity based on levels of risk.

Integrating EHSMS within business management systems:

HSEQ is not an add on, it can never be if an organisation is to be an industry leader. HSEQ integrate into all aspects of thoughts, change, and actions across our business functions.

So, does SIRO have a positive “culture”?

I believe so. At SIRO we have put in place all the key elements to ensure a positive H&S culture exists, is prioritised and can continue to grow. HSEQ is always evolving, and organisational paradigms are ever shifting in our dynamic work environment. Management systems must continually evolve and improve to respond to these dynamics.  

SIRO and Vodafone have today announced the expansion of their Gigabit Hub Initiative to Portershed. The innovation hub and tech event space will become the first Gigabit Hub, as part of the initiative, to be based in Galway. Originally established in 2016, the PorterShed is currently undertaking a significant expansion which will see it move from its existing premises near Eyre Square, to a larger campus, comprising two new buildings in the Galway City Innovation District. The SIRO-Vodafone Gigabit Hub Initiative is one which provides high speed fibre broadband connections to a range of co-working and innovation hubs across Ireland. SIRO and Vodafone will become the official connectivity partner for the expanded PorterShed, providing it with high speed, reliable 1 Gigabit Fibre broadband under the initiative. The PorterShed will become the 17^th hub to join SIRO-Vodafone Gigabit Hub Initiative. Since its’ establishment over five years ago the PorterShed has contributed hugely to the West’s tech community by creating almost 800 jobs from its’ work in supporting and accelerating the development of local tech start-ups. To date, these start-ups have attracted €35M in inward investment to underpin their growth. Companies who have been or are PorterShed clients include Rent the Runway (a reverse logistics company), Kappture (a fintech payments company) and SuperFly Ireland (a digital communications company).

The PorterShed Expansion - Powered By SIRO

As part of the PorterShed’s expansion, it will add an additional 200 desks, bringing its total capacity to 330 desks overall. The PorterShed will also move from its existing location near Eyre Square to two new premises – at Bowling Green and the former Connacht Tribune offices on Market Street – both located in the Galway City Innovation District. The PorterShed is also targeting the creation of an additional 1,700 jobs by its member companies as part this new phase of its development. The PorterShed joining the SIRO-Vodafone Gigabit Hubs will see both new premises receiving a high-quality Gigabit fibre broadband, ensuring that its member companies have fast and reliable broadband. This connectivity, whilst enhancing the attractiveness of the PorterShed, also ensures it has future proofed broadband capable of accommodating speeds of up to 10 Gigabits in the years ahead. Commenting on the partnership, Mary Rodgers, CEO of the PorterShed noted:

“We are delighted to announce our connectivity partnership with SIRO and Vodafone today. Access to reliable fibre broadband that can meet the data demands of our member companies today and into the future is essential. It’s hugely important to the PorterShed and its long-term sustainability.  The support of SIRO and Vodafone along with Enterprise Ireland ensure the PorterShed can continue to deliver and improve its service offering”

Managing Director of Vodafone Ireland Business Sinead Bryan commented:

“The PorterShed has done amazing work in contributing to Galway’s regional economy by providing a space where SMEs can grow and develop. When the Gigabit Hub Initiative was first established, its goal was to support job creation and revitalise local economies by providing best in class fibre connectivity. The pandemic has highlighted that connectivity is key to our economic recovery, so it’s another way for us to support that objective. Fundamentally, the acceleration of remote working and adoption of hybrid working models presents real opportunities for businesses to strategically drive long term value in key areas such as flexibility, talent, sustainability, and cost using the digital hubs network."

SIRO Corporate Affairs Director, Amanda Glancy said:

“The Gigabit Hub Initiative is a project that we at SIRO are extremely proud to roll-out in partnership with Vodafone. Since our launch, SIRO’s core ambition has been to bring fibre broadband to cities and towns across Ireland and to act as a catalyst for regional growth and balanced development. The PorterShed has achieved much in this regard in just a few short years. We are hugely supportive of the next phase of the PorterShed’s growth and excited about contributing to its long-term success with our fibre broadband service.”

SIRO and Vodafone first established the Gigabit Hub Initiative in 2017, following the success of the Ludgate Hub in Skibbereen, Co. Cork. There are now 17 Gigabit Hubs across Ireland supporting start-up enterprise, facilitating remote working and bringing added value to the towns they are located in.