IBM Corp. (NYSE: IBM) is setting up a new Systems and Technology Group Lab in Israel to be headed by Alain Azagury. The lab will leverage the deep technology skills and the creativity of the Israeli industry to create a unique organization that will attract top talent to IBM’s System & Technology Group.
Since January 2008, IBM has acquired three Israeli IT storage solutions start-ups: XIV, FilesX Ltd., and Diligent Technologies Corporation. IBM has been active in Israel since acquiring Ubique in 1998, Israel's first computer research lab founded in the 1970s at the Technion Israel Institute of Technology. On this foundation, IBM set up development labs in Rehovot and Jerusalem. The company also operates a semiconductor lab at Ramat Hayal in Tel Aviv. XIV will operate separately from the new STG Lab.
Azagury will be responsible for coordinating storage development activities in Israel and leading the circuit and logic design technologies. He has previously worked at other senior positions at IBM. To take on the new position, he will complete his assignment as director of Service Product Technology in IBM center in the US and return to Israel.
Azagury said, “I am thrilled to join a world class team, which has a long history of infusing innovation into IBM's products. Our vision is to go forward, excelling in development methodologies while embracing the most advanced development standards."
The new IBM STG Lab will give the IBM R&D Labs in Israel a firm representation of the IBM divisions dedicated to infrastructure solutions and technologies. The STG Lab will work closely with its sister labs in Israel: the long-established Haifa Research Lab directed by Oded Cohn and the more recently established Software Lab headed by Daniel Yellin. The three labs employ over 700 researchers and developers, whose research generates products and solutions worldwide.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 30, 2008
