Dell has agreed to buy Quest Software, which makes programs to manage corporate computer systems, for $28 a share, ending a bidding contest with Insight Venture Partners.

Quest Software, the Cork-based company which agreed to be bought by a group led by Insight Venture Partners, says it has received a higher offer of $27.50 (€22) a share in cash, the third buyout increase announced this year.

Quest Software, which makes tools to help companies manage computer systems, has accepted a sweetened $2.17bn (€1.73bn) $25.75-a-share bid from Insight Venture Partners and agreed to the addition of Vector Capital to the buyout group.

Insight Venture Partners topped a $25.50-a-share bid that Quest Software received from an unidentified suitor, intensifying a takeover battle for the software maker, according to a person familiar with matter.

Quest Software, a maker of software to help companies manage cloud computer systems, rose above a new $25.50-a-share cash buyout offer from a strategic bidder that topped a previous agreement with Insight Venture Partners.

The level of activity in the construction sector has dropped by €30bn since 2006.

Quest Software rose above the $23-a-share offer from Insight Venture Partners to take the technology company private, signalling investors may anticipate higher bids.

An informal group helping children and teens develop their skills as computer coders started in Cork last year — and it’s just about to go global, writes Tommy Barker

The developer of one of the country’s single largest open-plan office blocks said he is confident it will help deliver 1,000 jobs within a year.

FOURTEEN food service jobs come on stream in two separate restaurant openings in Cork’s Mahon Point shopping centre and in its nearby retail park this week.

WHAT do Quest Software, McAfee, Solar Winds and Big Fish Games have in common?

IRELAND’S bid to become a global software hub received a massive boost with news that Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) is to offer the world’s first degree in cloud computing.

THE building of office facilities for 2,000 hi-tech workers in a €50 million expansion of the City Gate complex in Cork will lead to 300 construction jobs over the next 18 months.

THE presence of key technology companies such as Apple, EMC, Solarwinds and VMware coupled with a supply of quality third-level graduates played a key role in securing 150 high tech jobs with Quest Software in Cork.

There is good news on the jobs front today as 150 new positions are being created at a leading US software firm in Cork.

CLOUD computing and data management specialists Quest Software is to announce the creation of 150 jobs in Cork today.

Under threat of new multi-million pound fines, Microsoft today said it had signed up its first licensee for a programme EU regulators told it to set up three years ago to share code that helps servers work with the Windows operating platform.