US tech outfit expands Scots base as the IT sector carries on growing

EMC, the New York-listed IT giant, will give Scotland’s technology sector a shot in the arm today when it opens its expanded base in Livingston.

Martin Brown, Country Manager for EMC in Scotland. Picture: Contributed

The site will be used to help Scottish computing firms to develop products and services based around EMC’s technology.

Glasgow-based Iomart, the Aim-quoted IT firm run by serial entrepreneur Angus MacSween, is among the companies that have already taken advantage of the American firm’s services.

Other businesses that are partnering with EMC include Inchinnan-based Amor Group and Brightsolid, the Dundee-based IT outfit run by dotcom veteran Chris van der Kuyl.

Martin Brown, country manager for EMC in Scotland, told The Scotsman: “Our research shows 72 per cent of businesses will transform their IT functions in the next 12 months with 53 per cent citing cloud computing as their top IT priority.

“EMC is never going to be a cloud computing service provider – instead we’ve been working with service providers to use our technology as the architecture for their services.”

EMC’s public sector clients include NHS Scotland, the Scottish Government and Scottish Water, while Ballie Gifford, Energy Assets and Royal Bank of Scotland are among its private sector customers.

Brown, right, also highlighted his company’s work on “big data” projects, in which computers are used to handle large amounts of information for applications such as health studies.

EMC began operating out of Livingston in 1999 when it took over Data General. The office started with five staff and now the firm’s headcount in Scotland has grown to more than 60, spread across its West Lothian head office and a satellite operation in Aberdeen, which opened its doors two years ago.

Youth employment minister Angela Constance will open the larger office today. Speaking ahead of the event, Constance – MSP for Almond Valley – said: “I am delighted to welcome EMC’s further expansion in Scotland. “The technology sector is playing an important role in stimulating Scotland’s economic growth and EMC is making a valuable contribution to this.”

The IT industry generates £4 billion a year for Scotland’s economy and employs more than 100,000 people.

Speaking at last night’s digital technology awards dinner in Glasgow, ScotlandIS executive director Polly Purvis said: “This year has seen a consistent story across the board of increased activity internationally.

“Scotland is punching above its weight on the world stage.”