A company which employs 100 people in Dublin and manages most of its European projects from Dublin, has been awarded a three-year contract from Microsoft, which is understood to be worth over $20 million, writes Colm Keena.

Bowne Global Solutions, which has its headquarters in Los Angeles, is to create editorial content, localise software and prepare local adaptations of multimedia and Internet products for the Microsoft Interactive Media Group. The Irish office of the company will manage the European part of the project.

The contract extends and expands a long-term relationship between Microsoft and Bowne Global Solutions. The latter is a world leader in adapting software and other technology products for international markets.

"We have a wide range of skills in all aspects of localisation for the European market," said Ms Wendy Hamilton, above, Bowne vice-president, Northern Europe.

"We have over 100 people employed in Dublin and many of the major European projects are currently managed from here."