What is IBM? It is the biggest technology company in the world employing 330,000 people and generating revenues in excess of $96 million (€74.25 million) in 2004.
It was given the nickname "Big Blue" by the media in the early 1980s, which may relate to the blue covers on its mainframes and similar products in the 1960s.
What does the firm do?
IBM is the biggest IT services firm in the world, the second-biggest software firm and a manufacturer of computer hardware.
What does it do in Ireland?
IBM has five separate Irish units: manufacturing, which includes servers and testing of microchips; treasury; sales, marketing and support; software development; and IT services.
Why is it cutting jobs?
It recently announced poor results and has suffered from weak sales in Europe. It says it is restructuring in Europe to be competitive.
What is IBM's history?
IBM is one of the oldest technology firms in the world. It was incorporated in New York in 1911 but has been operating since 1888, developing scales, tabulators and clocks for the US marketplace.
What are its key inventions?
Since its foundation, IBM has consistently developed products that record, process, communicate, store and retrieve information. It is perhaps best known for its introduction of the first personal computer in 1981 - although, ironically, it recently sold its PC division to Chinese firm Lenovo in a deal worth $1.75 billion.
