Tag: #INFRASTRUCTURE

1 in 10 job postings now reference AI

New research from Indeed shows that one in ten (11%) job postings in Ireland mention AI, leading ahead of the US, UK, France and Germany. This trend is reflective of the tech sector’s sizable footprint in the Irish economy.

Job postings which mention AI are most frequently seen in tech-related categories, led by data & analytics (56%). That’s followed by software development (48%), IT systems & solutions (37%) and IT infrastructure, operations & support (29%). However, several non-tech categories also have significant shares of AI postings, including arts & entertainment (24%), human resources (20%) and sales (19%).

The research also shows that remote and hybrid work mentions have reached a new high of 19.4% by the end of December 2025 – more than four times higher than pre-pandemic levels. The occupations with the highest share of remote or hybrid mentions include software development (47%), media & communications (44%) and data & analytics (43%).

Indeed’s report shows that while job postings in Ireland are well down from peaks seen in early 2022, they still remain 7% above their pre-pandemic baseline as of January 2026. The level of postings has also remained relatively stable since May.

Other key findings in the report include:

  • Salary transparency growth has stalled: The share of Irish job postings which include salary information has dipped recently to around 34%, its lowest since late-2022. The report highlights how the Irish Government’s transposing of incoming EU legislation will result in increased transparency.
  • Benefit offerings have levelled off: The share of Irish job postings mentioning at least one benefit has levelled off over the past 18 months, after rising steadily since 2018. Standing at 48% in November, the share was unchanged from its level in May 2024.
  • Foreign interest in Irish jobs remains high: The Irish labour market remains attractive to foreign workers. On average in 2025, around 13% of searches for Irish jobs on Indeed originated outside Ireland. That was broadly in line with 2024 and higher than seen in recent years since at least 2017.
  • Posted wage growth remains solid: Tight labour-market conditions continue to translate into strong pay pressures in Ireland. At 4.1% in December (on a three-month average basis), wage growth as measured by the Indeed Wage Tracker remains well above the euro area average (2.5%).

Commenting on the report, Jack Kennedy, senior economist at Indeed, said:

“Ireland enters 2026 with the economy in good shape. Growth is set to slow slightly after a strong 2025, but lower interest rates and continued government spending mean the outlook remains broadly positive: jobs are still being created, unemployment remains low, but pay pressures haven’t gone away. For workers and employers alike, this year’s labour market story is one of ongoing change and adaptability.

For jobseekers, AI is rapidly reshaping how work gets done, with a clear expectation emerging for workers across all sectors to be comfortable using AI tools, even in roles that aren’t traditionally tech-focused. Those who adapt to these skills will have a competitive edge, as employers increasingly seek ways to integrate AI into their processes.

From an employer perspective, hybrid and flexible working have moved from a perk to an expectation in 2026, and they will need to keep this in mind when recruiting. The organisations that will stand out will be those offering not just competitive salaries, but transparency, flexibility and support for employees navigating a rapidly changing work environment.”

Essential IT Infrastructure for Businesses Expanding Across Kent

Expanding a business across Kent is an exciting step. It often means new customers, new locations, and new opportunities. At the same time, growth can expose weak spots in your technology if the right foundations are not in place. Many businesses discover this the hard way, usually during a system outage, a cyber incident, or a frustrating delay that slows teams down.

From my own experience working with growing organisations in the South East, I have seen how strong IT planning can make expansion feel smooth and confident, while poor planning can turn growth into stress. This article explores what really matters when building essential IT infrastructure for businesses expanding across Kent, using clear language, practical insights, and real-world lessons.

Essential IT Infrastructure for Businesses Expanding Across Kent

When a business expands, IT infrastructure stops being a background function and becomes a core driver of success. Whether you are opening a new office in Canterbury, adding a warehouse near Maidstone, or supporting remote teams across the county, your systems must scale without breaking.

In the early stages, many companies rely on basic setups that worked well for a single site. Expansion changes the rules. This is where reliable IT support in Kent becomes more than a convenience. It becomes a strategic asset that helps protect productivity, security, and customer trust.

From my perspective, the most successful expansions start with one simple question. Can our IT systems support twice the workload without doubling the problems?

Why Kent-Based Expansion Brings Unique IT Challenges

Kent offers a diverse business landscape. There are rural areas with limited connectivity, busy commuter towns with high expectations for uptime, and growing business hubs linked closely to London. Each setting brings different technical pressures.

I have worked with companies that assumed broadband quality would be the same everywhere, only to find new sites struggling with speed and reliability. Others underestimated the need for secure remote access when teams began travelling more often between locations.

This is why many expanding firms turn to specialists such as Ingenio Technologies, who understand both the technical side and the local environment. Knowing how Kent businesses operate day to day helps shape infrastructure that fits reality, not just theory.

Network Connectivity That Grows With You

A strong network is the backbone of every modern business. Without it, even the best software and hardware fall apart.

Key network considerations for expansion

  • Reliable business-grade broadband or leased lines
  • Secure connections between multiple sites
  • Scalable Wi-Fi that supports more users and devices
  • Built-in redundancy to reduce downtime

In one expansion project I supported, a company doubled its staff but kept the same network design. Within weeks, slow speeds and dropped connections became daily complaints. Once the network was redesigned with growth in mind, productivity bounced back almost immediately.

Planning for future capacity from the start saves time, money, and frustration later.

Cloud Infrastructure for Flexibility and Speed

Cloud services have transformed how businesses scale. Instead of buying servers for every new location, companies can use cloud platforms to share systems securely across sites.

Benefits of cloud-based infrastructure

  • Faster setup for new offices
  • Easier collaboration between teams
  • Improved data backup and disaster recovery
  • Lower upfront hardware costs

That said, cloud adoption must be done carefully. I have seen businesses move too quickly without proper security controls, creating risks they did not fully understand. A balanced approach, combining cloud flexibility with strong governance, usually delivers the best results.

Cyber Security as a Growth Enabler

As businesses expand, they become more visible targets. More users, more devices, and more locations increase the attack surface for cyber threats.

Cyber security should not be seen as a barrier to growth. When done well, it enables expansion by protecting systems and building trust with customers and partners.

Essential cyber security measures

  • Multi-factor authentication for all users
  • Endpoint protection across devices
  • Regular patching and updates
  • Staff awareness training

The UK National Cyber Security Centre provides clear guidance for growing organisations, which can be found at https://www.ncsc.gov.uk. Their advice reinforces what many IT professionals already know. Human behaviour is often the weakest link, so training matters just as much as technology.

Data Management and Compliance

Expanding across Kent may involve handling more customer data, employee records, and operational information. With this comes responsibility.

UK data protection laws require businesses to manage data carefully, especially when systems are shared across locations. Poor data handling can result in fines and reputational damage.

Good data practices include

  • Clear data access controls
  • Regular backups stored securely
  • Documented data handling policies
  • Ongoing compliance checks

In my experience, businesses that treat data governance as part of everyday operations find compliance far less stressful than those who treat it as an afterthought.

Supporting a Mobile and Remote Workforce

Expansion often leads to more flexible working patterns. Staff may split time between offices, work from home, or travel across Kent.

IT infrastructure must support this mobility without compromising security or performance.

Tools that support flexible working

  • Secure virtual private networks
  • Cloud-based collaboration platforms
  • Centralised device management
  • Clear remote working policies

I once supported a company that expanded rapidly but failed to standardise remote access. Different teams used different tools, creating confusion and security gaps. Once systems were unified, collaboration improved and support requests dropped noticeably.

Hardware and Device Strategy

Growth often triggers a rush to buy new laptops, phones, and printers. Without a clear plan, this can lead to inconsistency and higher support costs.

A smart hardware strategy focuses on

  • Standard device models where possible
  • Centralised procurement
  • Lifecycle planning and replacement schedules
  • Secure disposal of old equipment

Consistency makes troubleshooting easier and keeps staff productive. It also simplifies training and reduces long-term costs.

The Role of Proactive IT Support

Reactive IT support fixes problems after they occur. Proactive support works to prevent them in the first place. For expanding businesses, the difference is significant.

Proactive support typically includes

  • System monitoring and alerts
  • Regular health checks
  • Capacity planning
  • Strategic IT advice

From what I have seen, companies that invest in proactive support experience fewer disruptions during expansion. They also gain clearer visibility into future needs, which helps leadership make informed decisions.

Planning for the Unexpected

No expansion plan is complete without considering what could go wrong. Power outages, cyber incidents, and hardware failures can happen at any time.

A basic business continuity plan ensures that critical operations can continue even during disruption.

Key elements of continuity planning

  • Defined recovery priorities
  • Tested backup and restore processes
  • Clear communication plans
  • Regular reviews and updates

Testing these plans may feel uncomfortable, but it is far better to discover weaknesses during a drill than during a real crisis.

Final Thoughts on Expanding Confidently Across Kent

Expanding across Kent is a positive step that reflects ambition and success. With the right IT infrastructure, growth becomes manageable rather than chaotic.

Based on first-hand experience, the businesses that succeed are those that view IT as a long-term partner in growth, not just a technical necessity. They invest early, plan carefully, and seek advice from people who understand both technology and the local business landscape.

By focusing on connectivity, security, data management, and proactive support, organisations can expand with confidence, knowing their systems are ready for what comes next.

Beyond Swift: The revolution of instant international payment solutions

For over half a century now, the global financial system has relied on a SWIFT mechanism that, in 2026, feels archaic. It was certainly revolutionary at the time for the banking messaging system that it is. It helped create a safer and more orderly way to get money from one bank to another.

Today, it’s seen as legacy infrastructure that brings with it a lot of friction. A transfer can take days to settle (in the 80s, sending money from the UK to Hong Kong in three days was impressive!), while fees are now seen as high and quite unpredictable. And, perhaps most disappointingly for a correspondence system, tracking the location of the funds is difficult. 

While information travels instantly, money has lagged behind – partly because replacing a large global system, which takes fraud seriously, is understandably sticky. But a quiet revolution has been happening from the bottom up. API-first financial infrastructure has been booming over the past decade, and alternative finance is growing so big that it no longer feels like an alternative.

The problem with legacy systems

To understand the magnitude of this revolution, you first have to appreciate the inefficiencies of the current status quo. Traditional Swift is a chain of correspondent banks – money doesn’t actually go from point A to B, but it passes through a series of intermediaries, all of which collect their own fee.

This structure is therefore inherently opaque. A business might send $10,000, but the recipient might receive $9,850. If the business says it wants the recipient to receive $10,000, then the sender will pay high fees, and it often won’t be clear whether they’re wire fees, exchange spreads, and so on. 

How modern API-first solutions work

The solution to this is interoperability and direct connection. Modern fintechs aim to be borderless, and they’re building their own “financial infrastructure” to achieve it. They might use SWIFT when it works out best, or they might establish entities in multiple countries and connect directly to local banking systems. They might use treasury tricks, where they can deposit/withdraw money from multiple users simultaneously to align a transfer, and achieve it even with no money ever crossing the border. In the end, it’s about choices, flexibility, and being agile.

This API-first approach means instant settlement. Because the payout is a local bank transfer, it clears within seconds.  Plus, the fees are clearer and the tracking is more accurate (fewer intermediaries).

The advantage for global business

For treasury managers and CFOs, the ability to consolidate liquidity is a game-changer for obvious reasons. Before, expanding into new regions like Latin America or Southeast Asia meant opening multiple local bank accounts, which was a bureaucratic nightmare, whether you’re a large corporation or an independent store.

Modern platforms allow users to see their global finances in one view. Through a single API integration, a company can automate pay-ins and pay-outs in dozens of countries. This means it’s easier to track liquidity and cash flow, but it also means it’s easier to manage multiple currencies and have an FX strategy. You can build up reserves in a multi-currency account wallet and execute timely transactions when the exchange rate is favourable (or when it’s large enough to get a bulk FX discount).

Who is driving the change?

Transparent cross-border payments are made up of global generalists and specialized regional experts. Wise is perhaps the most recognizable name and it was an early mover in setting the standard for transparency and mid-market exchange rates, while Airwallex carved out a strong position by offering a comprehensive platform that combines payments with card issuing and expense management – ideal for larger enterprises. 

Latin America is always an interesting environment because it has historically been characterized by fragmented banking systems. Belvo has set the standard for Open Finance, as they’ve helped build the API rails so businesses can access banking data and initiate payments in markets like Mexico, Brazil and Colombia. On the issuing side, Pomelo provides the cloud-native infrastructure to help companies launch and scale, while Dock operates heavily in the background as a banking-as-a-service powerhouse.

Prometeo has positioned itself to focus specifically on borderless banking for treasury management. Here, the international payment solution provides a single API that consolidates these local networks to allow for automated liquidity movement between Latin America and the US.

Value movement

Instant international payments is still a new concept to larger banks. But for those looking to take advantage of maturing open banking regulations, payments is an area which is improving in quality while decreasing in cost. It has come at a time of the rise of crypto, which is in part how crypto has been kept at bay away from mainstream use. Going forward, it’s unlikely to see large corporations embrace interoperability because it’s a playing field leveller, and so bottom-up fintech movements will continue to shape consumer experience.

Powering the next generation of Irish tech startups

From early-stage SaaS startups in Dublin to scaling fintechs in Cork and Galway, Ireland’s tech ecosystem is thriving. But as competition intensifies, efficiency and agility have become the new currency of growth. For young companies balancing innovation with tight budgets, business cloud storage is now essential. It provides the secure, scalable foundation that keeps data protected, teams connected, and operations running smoothly as startups evolve.

Smarter cloud infrastructure for smarter businesses

Traditional IT setups require heavy upfront investment in servers, software, and maintenance. Business cloud storage removes that burden entirely. Instead of purchasing physical hardware, startups can store, share and back up data online, and pay only for what they use. This approach frees up capital to reinvest in product development, customer acquisition or talent, rather than tying up funds in infrastructure that may quickly become obsolete.

Flexibility and security that scales with ambition

Startups rarely grow in a straight line. Demand can spike overnight after a funding announcement or major partnership. Business cloud storage systems are built for that unpredictability. With scalable storage plans and integrated security, Irish startups can expand capacity instantly without worrying about server upgrades or downtime. This flexibility makes it easier to experiment, pivot, and grow sustainably.

As the number of data breaches continues to rise across Ireland, maintaining data integrity has become a strategic necessity for all companies. Reputable business cloud storage platforms use end-to-end encryption, access controls and regular backups to protect sensitive files from loss or unauthorised access. This level of security not only safeguards company assets but also reinforces trust with clients, partners and investors.

Collaboration without borders

Many Irish startups operate remotely or across hybrid teams. Cloud-based file sharing ensures that everyone—from founders to freelancers—can access up-to-date project files anywhere, anytime. It eliminates version control issues and supports real-time collaboration, even across time zones. 

For small teams trying to move fast, that can be the difference between closing a deal and missing a window of opportunity. Beyond day-to-day communication, it also streamlines client management, onboarding and project delivery and allows teams to share proposals, feedback and updates securely in one place. This seamless connectivity helps startups maintain momentum and consistency as they grow.

Business cloud storage: The bottom line

Business cloud storage is a cost-saving tool and an operational growth enabler. It gives startups the infrastructure of an enterprise at a fraction of the price, letting them focus on what matters most — innovation, execution and scaling.

SIRO Launches Broadband Product For Property Developers

Wholesale broadband operator SIRO has announced it is launching a bespoke broadband product  created for developers building new homes across Ireland. SIRO’s new product, OpenPort, will streamline the delivery of fibre broadband services to housing developments by instead providing a shared access broadband infrastructure onsite. This will avoid, as currently occurs, the costly over duplication of telecom infrastructures amongst multiple operators seeking to provide services to new housing estates.

Under forthcoming regulations, the Gigabit Infrastructure Act which will take effect in Ireland from February 2026, developers are required to provide a fibre broadband infrastructure onsite which is accessible to multiple telecoms network operators.

SIRO’s new product, OpenPort, responds to this requirement by providing developers with a shared access fibre broadband service for their new developments, which will be compliant with these regulations.

Currently, to enable multiple operators serve a housing development, developers have been required to accommodate multiple broadband infrastructures onsite.

The negative impact of this method of rolling out fibre broadband in new developments has been the unnecessary duplication of broadband infrastructure onsite. This can lead to not only excessive expenditure, but also the avoidable use of limited site space to facilitate these multiple infrastructures.

With SIRO’s OpenPort, developers will still be able to accommodate multiple fibre broadband operators on their developments but with the advantage of using a single network infrastructure, substantially reducing the cost of deploying fibre broadband networks to new homes across the country. A developer moving to SIRO’s OpenPort product will also enjoy environmental benefits by reducing the construction works needed to facilitate fibre broadband rollouts.

For homeowners and tenants, they will continue to enjoy choice and competition by maintaining access to multiple telecoms retailers.

SIRO has announced that its first OpenPort new development site will be at Monaleen in Limerick city. The development, known as The Orchard, is being constructed by one of Ireland’s leading developers, Homeland, and will see 131 new homes constructed at the site. These homes are expected have first occupancy by Spring 2026.

With Homeland Group’s The Orchard development, the first new development to adopt OpenPort, SIRO has confirmed that the product will be available to all developers from 2026 onwards.

Commenting on OpenPort, SIRO CEO John Keaney said: “Delivering fast and future proofed fibre broadband infrastructure and services to new homes is a small but essential part of the construction of new homes overall. A high-quality fibre to the home broadband connection is now a non-negotiable for all homes, supporting how we now live and work.

 “Like all the component parts of developing new homes, rolling out fibre broadband infrastructure comes at a cost – environmental, financial, resource and time – to broadband operators, developers and consumers.”

 “Initiatives, like OpenPort, which can streamline the delivery process, reduce the timelines, and maintain efficiency and effectiveness of building fibre broadband network in new developments are key. By reducing overduplication of broadband networks on new development sites, SIRO’s OpenPort will also give back much needed site space to developers and provide wider sustainability benefits.

 “SIRO is excited to bring this product to market for developers from next year. We have already had incredibly positive feedback from key stakeholders in the construction industry who understand the benefits it can offer,” added Mr. Keaney.

 Homeland Construction Director Mike Quaid added:

“Homeland has worked with SIRO to deliver fibre broadband to our new homes across the country for several years now. The construction industry is constantly challenged to innovate, build more sustainability and efficiently, whilst maintaining affordability for home buyers. In terms of delivering fast, reliable and future proofed full fibre broadband for our home buyers and tenants, we see the huge potential of SIRO’s OpenPort to meet these objectives.”

SIRO is a wholesale network operator, rolling out a fibre to the premise network across Ireland now available to almost 700,000 premises in 143 cities and towns. It network is built on the ESB’s existing electricity network, utilising both its overhead and underground ducting infrastructure.

3 Ridiculously Fast WordPress Hosts That Leave Competitors in the Dust

WordPress site speed determines success or failure. When pages take too long to load, visitors leave and search engines penalize rankings. After analyzing performance data from independent testing authorities throughout 2024 and 2025, GreenGeeks emerges as the fastest WordPress host at its price point. The company achieves 395ms average time-to-first-byte speeds while charging only $2.95 monthly for entry-level plans.

Most hosting companies promise fast speeds. Few deliver consistent performance under real-world conditions. Independent testing from Hostingstep, Pingdom, and other monitoring services reveals which hosts actually perform when traffic spikes hit and databases strain under load.

GreenGeeks Takes First Place With LiteSpeed Power

GreenGeeks runs every WordPress site on LiteSpeed Web Server technology. This server software processes requests up to 50 times faster than Apache servers that most budget hosts use. The LiteSpeed architecture supports HTTP/3 and QUIC protocols, reducing the time browsers wait for initial server responses.

Independent benchmark tests show GreenGeeks achieves 158ms average time-to-first-byte in optimal conditions. Global load times stay under 1.2 seconds even when tested from 40 international locations. The company maintains this performance through data centers in Chicago, Montreal, Amsterdam, and Singapore. Each facility uses SSD storage exclusively, eliminating the mechanical delays that traditional hard drives create.

Premium plan customers see even better results. Sites hosted on GreenGeeks Premium plans load up to 200% faster than traditional shared hosting setups. This speed boost comes from combining LiteSpeed servers with Redis caching technology. The system automatically installs the LiteSpeed Cache plugin when you set up WordPress, requiring no manual configuration to activate these performance gains.

 

Load Handling That Matches Premium Hosts

Traffic spikes destroy most budget hosting services. Servers slow to a crawl when multiple visitors arrive simultaneously. GreenGeeks handles sudden traffic differently. Stress tests sending 50 concurrent users to test sites show GreenGeeks maintains 26ms response times under maximum load. This performance matches results from WP Engine and Kinsta, companies charging five to ten times more for managed WordPress hosting.

The remarkable aspect of GreenGeeks’ load handling appears when you examine the testing conditions. While other top performers relied on content delivery networks during stress tests, GreenGeeks achieved elite response times using only its core server infrastructure. Pages loaded quickly during traffic spikes thanks to the combination of SSD storage, LiteSpeed cache, and free Cloudflare CDN integration that comes standard with every plan.

Real users confirm these laboratory results. Customer testimonials describe sites remaining fast even when running heavy backend builders and processing complex WordPress operations. One user reported their site loads in under one second according to Pingdom tests, faster than 94% of all tested websites on the internet.

 

Rocket.net Delivers Managed WordPress Excellence

Rocket.net specializes exclusively in managed WordPress hosting. The company maintains the fastest time-to-first-byte performance among all tested hosts, averaging 335ms in independent benchmarks. This speed comes from their custom-built infrastructure designed specifically for WordPress requirements.

Every Rocket.net account includes automatic updates, daily backups, and proactive security monitoring. The platform handles all server maintenance and optimization tasks, letting site owners focus on content creation rather than technical management. Their support team consists entirely of WordPress experts who understand plugin conflicts, theme optimization, and database tuning.

Rocket.net pricing starts higher than shared hosting options. Plans begin at $30 monthly for a single site. The investment pays off through reduced maintenance time and consistent performance. Sites hosted on Rocket.net rarely experience slowdowns or crashes, even during viral traffic events. The platform automatically scales resources when visitor numbers increase, preventing the performance degradation that affects fixed-resource hosting plans.

WPX Hosting Combines Speed With Simplicity

WPX Hosting achieves 365ms average time-to-first-byte speeds while maintaining one of the industry’s simplest user interfaces. The company built its control panel specifically for WordPress users who want powerful features without technical complexity.

Every WPX account includes unlimited site migrations performed by their technical team within 24 hours. The service handles domain transfers, email account setups, and SSL certificate installations at no extra charge. This comprehensive migration support eliminates the technical barriers that prevent many users from switching hosts.

WPX includes their custom-built CDN with all plans. Unlike generic content delivery networks, WPX CDN optimizes specifically for WordPress assets. The system caches theme files, plugin resources, and media uploads across global edge servers. This specialized approach reduces load times for international visitors while decreasing bandwidth usage on origin servers.

Performance Testing Reveals True Winners

Independent testing organizations provide the only reliable performance data for hosting comparisons. Marketing claims mean nothing without third-party validation. Recent tests from Hostingstep show GreenGeeks achieving 418ms time-to-first-byte among shared hosting providers, the fastest result in that category. When tested against all hosting types, including premium managed WordPress services, GreenGeeks maintains competitive speeds at a fraction of the cost.

Uptime statistics tell another important story. GreenGeeks maintained 99.98% uptime between 2024 and 2025, with no more than four minutes of total downtime per month. Current 2025 monitoring shows 99.96% uptime as of February 28. These figures match or exceed uptime guarantees from hosts charging premium prices.

Direct comparisons highlight the value proposition. WP Engine test sites load in 582ms on average, while GreenGeeks sites average 697ms. The 115ms difference becomes negligible when you consider GreenGeeks costs $2.95 monthly versus WP Engine’s $20 minimum. For most WordPress sites, saving over $200 annually makes the tiny speed difference acceptable.

Infrastructure Specifications Matter

Server hardware and network architecture determine hosting performance more than marketing promises. GreenGeeks deploys enterprise-grade equipment across all service tiers. Entry-level shared hosting customers use the same SSD storage arrays and LiteSpeed servers as premium account holders. The primary difference between plans involves resource allocation rather than infrastructure quality.

Geographic distribution improves global performance. GreenGeeks operates data centers across four continents, letting customers choose server locations near their primary audience. Sites targeting European visitors host in Amsterdam, while Asian-focused projects deploy to Singapore facilities. This geographic flexibility reduces latency for international traffic without requiring separate CDN services.

Database optimization makes WordPress run faster regardless of hosting specifications. GreenGeeks configures MySQL servers specifically for WordPress query patterns. The optimization reduces database response times and prevents the slow queries that bog down many WordPress installations. Combined with built-in object caching, these database improvements accelerate dynamic content generation throughout WordPress sites.

Pricing Structures and Value Analysis

GreenGeeks starts at $2.95 monthly for single-site hosting with unlimited bandwidth and storage. The Pro Plan at $5.95 monthly allows unlimited WordPress installations on one account. Premium plans at $11.95 monthly double the performance of Pro plans through dedicated resources and priority processing.

Comparing these prices to performance metrics reveals exceptional value. GreenGeeks delivers 395ms average response times at $2.95 monthly. Premium hosts charging $30 to $100 monthly achieve similar speeds, making GreenGeeks the logical choice for budget-conscious site owners who refuse to compromise on performance.

All GreenGeeks plans include features that competitors charge extra for. Free CDN integration, SSL certificates, domain registration, and automatic backups come standard. The company also provides free site migration services, eliminating the technical hurdles and potential downtime associated with switching hosts. These included features add hundreds of dollars in annual value beyond the base hosting costs.

Real-World Performance Under Pressure

Laboratory benchmarks provide useful comparisons, but real-world performance determines actual user satisfaction. GreenGeeks powers over 600,000 websites globally as of 2025. These sites range from personal blogs to business websites processing thousands of daily transactions.

Customer reviews consistently praise GreenGeeks for maintaining speed during traffic surges. Users report stable performance even when running resource-intensive plugins like page builders and membership systems. The combination of LiteSpeed servers, SSD storage, and intelligent caching prevents the slowdowns that plague lesser hosting services.

The company’s growth trajectory confirms customer satisfaction. GreenGeeks has expanded from a startup to hosting over half a million sites while maintaining top performance rankings for five consecutive years. This sustained growth occurs in a competitive market where dissatisfied customers switch providers easily.

Making the Right Hosting Decision

Speed testing data, uptime monitoring, and customer feedback all point to the same conclusion. GreenGeeks provides the fastest WordPress hosting at budget prices, while Rocket.net and WPX offer excellent alternatives for users needing managed services or specialized features.

GreenGeeks suits WordPress users who want premium performance without premium prices. The combination of LiteSpeed servers, SSD storage, and intelligent caching delivers speeds that match or exceed hosts charging significantly more. For $2.95 monthly, site owners get enterprise-level infrastructure and performance that seemed impossible at this price point even two years ago.

Rocket.net and WPX serve different needs. These hosts excel for businesses requiring white-glove service and guaranteed performance regardless of cost. Their managed services eliminate all technical responsibilities, making them ideal for agencies and enterprises that value convenience over savings. Both deliver exceptional speeds and reliability that justify

their higher prices for appropriate use cases.

 

40 new jobs: Aiven chooses Cork as location of EMEA Hub

Cloud Infrastructure leader Aiven has selected Cork City as the location of its EMEA hub for Go to Market expansion. This expansion is expected to create 40 jobs over the next three years.

Aiven’s GTM Expansion hub will see the creation of a new Inside Sales organisation with supporting engineering and operational supporting functions which will be focused on driving growth of Aiven’s open-source core services.

Aiven’s decision to expand its Cork operations with a focus on hiring sales professionals will create new, high-quality career opportunities in the region. These roles provide local talent with a pathway to grow in the global technology sector, while strengthening Cork’s position as a thriving hub for commercial and technological excellence.

Established in Helsinki in 2016, Aiven operates in the managed open-source data infrastructure sector, delivering fully managed services for widely used open-source technologies  and employs more than 400 people across 11 office locations and multiple remote locations globally.

This project is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Minister for Enterprise Tourism & Employment Peter Burke said: “Aiven’s decision to establish its EMEA Go to Market hub in Cork is a strong endorsement of Ireland’s reputation as a leading destination for global technology investment. The creation of 40 high-quality jobs over the next three years will provide exciting opportunities for skilled professionals in the region and further strengthen Cork’s position as a centre of innovation and commercial excellence. I welcome Aiven’s continued commitment to Ireland and look forward to seeing the positive impact of this expansion.”

Aiven is currently hiring across several business areas.  To explore opportunities, visit Careers at Aiven | Join our amazing team today!

Conor Forde, Senior Vice President, Aiven, said  “2025 has already been a milestone year for Aiven as we’ve crossed the $100M ARR (annual recurring revenue) mark. To support our next phase of growth, we’ve rethought how we scale our go to market efforts, and this expansion is the next step forward. Cork stood out as the clear choice for Aiven’s expansion due to its exceptional availability of high-skilled talent and its vibrant, open, and diverse labour market, which are essential to fuelling our next phase of growth and innovation.”

IDA CEO Michael Lohan said:  “Aiven’s decision to establish its EMEA Go to Market hub in Cork is a strong endorsement of the South West region’s reputation as a centre of innovation and excellence. This investment not only brings new employment opportunities; it also affirms the South West’s position as a leading destination for global technology companies seeking to scale and thrive. IDA Ireland looks forward to supporting Aiven as they continue to grow and contribute to Ireland’s dynamic tech ecosystem.” 

Ookla: Onboard Train Connectivity Across Europe

Ookla has analyzed country-level train Wi-Fi performance across Europe and Asia, using Speedtest Intelligence

Europe and Asia’s rail networks, long heralded as a backbone of economic competitiveness, are now judged not only on punctuality and comfort but on the quality of the digital experience onboard. High-quality train Wi-Fi has shifted from nice-to-have to essential rail infrastructure. Commuters expect a home broadband-like experience for streaming, work calls and gaming while crossing the Swiss Alps or skirting Mount Fuji.

Where countries treat train connectivity as rail infrastructure and pair onboard Wi-Fi with rail-specific infrastructure (trackside, LEO satellite or both), everyday outcomes improve measurably for passengers. This study is the first of its kind to use crowdsourced Ookla Speedtest® data to benchmark country-level train Wi-Fi performance across Europe and Asia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The gap separating Europe’s best and worst is startling. In Q2 2025, Sweden set the pace for train Wi-Fi in Europe with a 64.58 Mbps median download, followed by Switzerland (29.79 Mbps) and Ireland (26.33 Mbps). Laggards like Spain (1.45 Mbps), the UK (1.09 Mbps) and the Netherlands (0.41 Mbps) featured the poorest outcomes, with download speeds as much as 158 times slower than top-performing Sweden.
  • Legacy Wi-Fi tech drags many rail networks. Across the European markets studied, nearly two in five connections still run on Wi-Fi 4 (a standard dating to 2009), and ~22% use the lower-capacity, more congestion- and interference-prone 2.4 GHz band. The UK still sees over half of all rail connections on Wi-Fi 4, with 38% on 2.4 GHz. In Poland, rail connections remain almost entirely on Wi-Fi 4 and the 2.4 GHz band.
  • Band and Wi-Fi gen matter, but backhaul is the real bottleneck. Within-country comparisons show substantial uplifts for 5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz (e.g., +328% in Germany) and Wi-Fi 5 vs Wi-Fi 4 (e.g., +241% in Germany). Yet countries that feature a more modern Wi-Fi mix and thus drive greater use of the 5 GHz band, like Spain and Italy, can still underperform on speeds. This demonstrates that backhaul (i.e., the connection between the train’s roof antennas and the public mobile networks), not just cabin Wi-Fi, is the dominant driver of performance.
  • Asian rail networks feature modern Wi-Fi mix and lower latency but are not always faster. Taiwan posted the lowest latency and the only material Wi-Fi 6 share (~20%), while Japan and South Korea showed virtually no legacy Wi-Fi 4 or 2.4 GHz usage. Across Asia, typical median download speeds (6-8 Mbps) cluster below Europe’s leaders but above its laggards, reflecting different policy approaches (i.e., greater emphasis on cellular than Wi-Fi).
  • Policy fingerprints are unmistakable and outweigh topographic and demographic factors. When governments and operators treat mobile networks as core rail infrastructure, and invest in dedicated trackside systems, higher-order MIMO with multi-operator bonded train-mounted antennas, and RF-permeable rolling-stock window retrofits, outcomes improve dramatically.

Read More

Why Tech Companies Are Taking Control of Their Communications

The disconnect between Ireland’s world-class tech sector and its telecommunications infrastructure has reached a critical juncture. While Dublin’s docklands host the European headquarters of Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, and Cork houses Apple’s only wholly-owned manufacturing facility in Europe, many tech companies still struggle with communication systems that fail to match their operational sophistication. Yellowcom, serving Irish businesses from their Dublin office, reports that technology companies achieving the best performance gains are those taking direct control of their communication infrastructure rather than accepting standard business packages.

The irony is palpable. Irish tech companies building cutting-edge software solutions often rely on communication systems that wouldn’t look out of place in 2010. This infrastructure lag doesn’t just affect startups in Galway co-working spaces or scale-ups in Limerick’s tech clusters—it impacts established firms across Dublin, Cork, and Belfast that assumed their business phone systems and business broadband would naturally evolve with their needs. The reality proves far different, with many discovering that generic business communications packages severely constrain their operational capabilities.

The Technical Debt of Traditional Telecoms

Ireland’s tech sector faces a unique paradox. Companies capable of building complex distributed systems, implementing sophisticated DevOps practices, and managing global cloud infrastructure often tolerate communication systems they wouldn’t accept in any other operational domain. This technical debt accumulates not through ignorance but through focus—engineering teams prioritise product development over internal infrastructure, assuming telecommunications is a solved problem.

The assumption proves costly. Traditional telecoms providers, even when offering “business-grade” services, rarely understand tech company requirements. A software company’s communication needs differ fundamentally from those of traditional businesses. API access for automation, programmatic control of call routing, integration with development workflows, and granular analytics aren’t nice-to-have features—they’re operational necessities.

Dublin’s tech companies particularly suffer from this disconnect. Despite the city’s status as European tech capital, many firms operate with communication infrastructure that creates friction at every interaction point. Engineers cannot programmatically provision phone numbers for testing. Support teams lack integration between phone systems and ticketing platforms. Sales teams juggle multiple disconnected tools because their CRM doesn’t properly integrate with voice systems.

The problem extends beyond pure software companies. Ireland’s growing ecosystem of tech-enabled businesses—from medtech firms in Galway to agritech companies in Cork—require communication systems that support their hybrid physical-digital operations. Traditional telecoms solutions force these companies into awkward workarounds that reduce efficiency and increase complexity.

Why Standard Business Packages Fail Tech Companies

The mismatch between standard business telecommunications and tech company needs stems from fundamental differences in operational philosophy. Traditional business packages assume predictable usage patterns, fixed locations, and hierarchical communication flows. Tech companies operate with variable demand, distributed teams, and network-style communication patterns that break these assumptions.

Consider authentication and security. While traditional businesses might accept username-password authentication for phone systems, tech companies require SSO integration, multi-factor authentication, and granular permission controls. Security isn’t just about preventing unauthorised access—it’s about maintaining compliance with SOC 2, ISO 27001, and customer security requirements that demand comprehensive audit trails and access controls.

API accessibility represents another crucial gap. Tech companies expect to automate everything, from user provisioning to call routing rules. Traditional business phone systems might offer basic APIs as an afterthought, but tech companies need comprehensive, well-documented APIs that enable deep integration with existing tools and workflows. The ability to programmatically control communications becomes essential for maintaining operational efficiency at scale.

Scalability requirements differ dramatically too. A traditional business might grow predictably, adding employees gradually. Tech companies can experience explosive growth, doubling or tripling headcount within months. Communication systems that require manual provisioning, hardware installation, or contract renegotiation for scaling become operational bottlenecks that constrain growth.

Data analytics expectations highlight another divide. Tech companies accustomed to comprehensive metrics from every system find traditional telecoms reporting laughably basic. They need real-time dashboards, custom metrics, data export capabilities, and integration with business intelligence tools. Communication data should flow into the same analytics platforms as other operational metrics, enabling holistic performance analysis.

The Hidden Costs of Communication Friction

The true cost of inadequate communication infrastructure extends far beyond monthly service charges. For tech companies where talent represents the primary asset and productivity drives valuation, communication friction creates compound negative effects that impact everything from recruitment to customer satisfaction.

Developer productivity suffers when engineers spend time managing communication workarounds rather than building products. A Dublin software company might lose dozens of engineering hours monthly to communication-related issues—time that could otherwise advance product development. When senior engineers earning €80,000-€120,000 annually waste time on communication problems, the opportunity cost becomes substantial.

Customer support quality deteriorates when communication systems don’t integrate properly with support infrastructure. Tech companies pride themselves on responsive, high-quality support, but disconnected phone systems create information silos that frustrate both agents and customers. The inability to automatically log calls, screen-pop customer information, or route based on technical expertise degrades service quality and increases resolution time.

Sales efficiency plummets when communication tools don’t support modern sales processes. Tech company sales cycles involve multiple stakeholders, complex demonstrations, and careful relationship management. Communication systems that don’t integrate with CRM platforms, support call recording for training, or enable sophisticated routing rules handicap sales teams competing against well-equipped competitors.

Remote collaboration challenges multiply with inadequate communications. Irish tech companies increasingly compete globally for talent, building distributed teams across multiple time zones. Communication infrastructure that only works properly from Irish offices limits talent acquisition and reduces team effectiveness. The best engineers have options—they won’t tolerate inferior tools.

Building Communications for Scale

Successful tech companies recognise communication infrastructure as critical technical architecture requiring the same attention as product infrastructure. They’re moving beyond traditional telecoms toward platforms that align with their operational philosophy and technical requirements.

Cloud-native architecture becomes non-negotiable. Tech companies already operating in AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure expect communication systems built on similar principles. This means horizontal scalability, API-first design, infrastructure as code capabilities, and seamless integration with existing cloud services. Traditional on-premise PBX systems or hybrid solutions feel anachronistic to teams accustomed to cloud-native operations.

Programmable communications enable the automation tech companies expect. Whether provisioning numbers for new employees through HR systems, updating call routing based on on-call schedules, or triggering customer notifications through communication APIs, programmability transforms communications from static infrastructure to dynamic capability.

Integration depth matters more than feature breadth. Tech companies prefer communication platforms that integrate deeply with their existing stack rather than attempting to replace it. This means native integrations with Slack or Microsoft Teams, webhooks for event processing, and SDKs for custom development. The communication system should enhance existing tools rather than creating another silo.

Geographic flexibility supports Ireland’s distributed tech workforce. With engineers in Dublin, designers in Cork, and support teams potentially anywhere, communication systems must provide location independence. This goes beyond simple remote access—it means consistent experience regardless of location, device, or network conditions.

The Irish Tech Ecosystem’s Response

Leading Irish tech companies are pioneering approaches to communication infrastructure that others can learn from. Rather than accepting telecommunications as unchangeable overhead, they’re treating it as solvable technical challenge worthy of engineering attention.

Dublin’s scale-ups are building internal platforms that abstract communication complexity from end users. Engineering teams create custom interfaces that integrate voice, video, and messaging into unified experiences tailored to specific roles. Support agents see communication options embedded in their ticketing interface. Sales teams access everything through their CRM. Engineers interact through CLI tools or Slack commands.

Cork’s tech cluster benefits from collaboration between companies facing similar challenges. Informal knowledge sharing through meetups and online communities helps smaller companies learn from larger ones’ experiences. This collective intelligence accelerates the adoption of modern communication approaches across the ecosystem.

Galway’s medtech companies, with their unique regulatory requirements, demonstrate that sophisticated communications can coexist with compliance demands. They’ve proven that cloud-based systems can meet strict quality and security requirements when properly configured and validated.

The rise of Irish communication tech companies creates additional options. Local providers understanding tech company needs offer alternatives to international platforms that might not fully grasp Irish market requirements. This competitive pressure drives innovation and improvement across the sector.

Practical Implementation Strategies

Tech companies successfully modernising their communications follow patterns that others can replicate. The key lies in approaching communications as technical project rather than procurement exercise.

Start with technical requirements gathering, not vendor comparison. Define API requirements, integration needs, security standards, and scalability parameters before evaluating solutions. This prevents being swayed by irrelevant features while missing crucial capabilities.

Assign technical ownership to engineering or technical operations teams rather than traditional IT or facilities. Communications increasingly resembles software infrastructure more than traditional telecoms. Teams managing cloud infrastructure often have better context for evaluating and implementing modern communication platforms.

Implement gradually through proof of concept deployments. Start with single team or use case, validate the approach, then expand. This reduces risk while building internal expertise. Many tech companies begin with engineering or support teams who can provide technical feedback before broader rollout.

Build abstraction layers that insulate users from underlying complexity. Whether through custom applications, browser extensions, or API integrations, create interfaces that match existing workflows rather than forcing workflow changes.

Measure everything from the start. Establish baseline metrics before migration, track throughout implementation, and continuously monitor post-deployment. Tech companies excel at data-driven decision making—apply the same rigour to communications.

The Competitive Advantage of Superior Communications

Irish tech companies with modern communication infrastructure report competitive advantages extending beyond operational efficiency. Superior communications become a differentiator in talent acquisition, customer satisfaction, and market expansion.

Recruitment benefits materialise immediately. Engineers evaluating opportunities increasingly consider tool quality alongside compensation and culture. Companies offering modern, integrated communication tools signal technical sophistication and operational maturity. The ability to support truly flexible working—not just “work from home with a laptop and mobile”—attracts talent with options.

Customer experience improvements follow naturally. When support teams have complete context, sales teams respond instantly, and technical teams collaborate seamlessly, customers notice. In competitive markets where product features converge, service quality becomes differentiator. Superior communications enable superior service.

International expansion becomes feasible when communications don’t constrain operations. Irish tech companies targeting European or global markets need presence without infrastructure. Modern communication platforms enable local numbers, regional support, and follow-the-sun coverage without physical offices.

Innovation acceleration occurs when communications become programmable platform rather than fixed infrastructure. Tech companies build custom applications on communication APIs, creating unique capabilities that competitors cannot match. This transforms communications from cost centre to innovation enabler.

Conclusion: Taking Control of Technical Destiny

The gap between Ireland’s tech sector sophistication and its communication infrastructure represents both challenge and opportunity. Tech companies accepting traditional business telecommunications handicap themselves unnecessarily. Those taking control of their communication infrastructure gain operational advantages that compound over time.

The transformation doesn’t require massive investment or disruption. Modern communication platforms designed for tech companies offer consumption-based pricing, gradual migration paths, and immediate benefits. The primary requirement is recognition that communications deserve the same technical attention as other critical infrastructure.

Irish tech companies have proven they can compete globally across every dimension—talent, innovation, execution. They shouldn’t let communication infrastructure become the limiting factor. By applying the same technical rigour to communications as they do to product development, they can eliminate this constraint and accelerate their growth.

The tools exist, the knowledge is spreading through the ecosystem, and early adopters are demonstrating the benefits. For Irish tech companies ready to treat communications as solvable technical challenge rather than immutable overhead, the opportunity to gain competitive advantage awaits. The question isn’t whether to modernise communications, but how quickly you can eliminate this unnecessary friction from your operations.