Dublin-based Datalex is set to add 200 jobs to its global workforce in the next 18 months, with half of that number based in its Dublin offices. The roles will be highly skilled, with the company recruiting senior software developers, architects, analysts and project managers, among others.

The digital commerce travel software firm is also expanding its Beijing, Atlanta and Manchester offices. The new jobs will boost considerably the company's global workforce, which currently stands at 450 people.

Datalex chief executive Aidan Brogan said it was an exciting time of growth for the business. "In response to the significant global demand for our digital commerce platform, we are looking for the very best talent to deliver the next evolution of digital travel commerce."

The firm works with some of the major airlines in the world, enabling a travel marketplace of more than a billion shoppers. Among its customers are JetBlue, Aer Lingus, and Air China. Swiss International Airlines is expected to go live in the second half of the year and the company recently announced it had done a deal with IBM to collaborate on new travel retail systems.

In its most recent set of results, the company said it had brought live its fifth customer in China and was targeting further progress in the region this year. It has also partnered with a Chinese IT services provider to increase its delivery capacity and localisation capability.

Datalex is listed on the Irish Stock Exchange and has been part of the Iseq for more than 15 years.

"Despite difficult global market conditions, its market capitalisation has increased tenfold in the last five years.," said Irish Stock Exchange chief executive Deirdre Somers. "The company's achievements and ambitious plans for growth reinforce the considerable strides that Irish companies are making in the digital commerce sector."

The news of the expansion has also been welcomed by Enterprise Ireland chief executive Julie Sinnamon and Minister for Jobs Mary Mitchell O'Connor.