U.S. computer giant Hewlett-Packard (HP) opened a research and development center Tuesday in Heredia, north of San José, a development that is expected to create about 150 jobs.
HP´s new Development and Pro Curve Investigation center houses a laboratory that will be used to create products, technology strategies, integrated circuits for high-speed Internet, software for wireless Internet and software for security management and Web solutions. All products created within the center will be given a seal that reads “Made in Costa Rica.”
“I am thankful that Hewlett-Packard has chosen Costa Rica to continue its Curve model,” President Oscar Arias said at the inauguration ceremony. “I am also happy that all of the people of Costa Rica´s public and private sectors have made it possible that businesses like HP could come to Costa Rica and grow here.”
Most of the software created in the lab will focus on enhancing wireless software and capabilities. The Pro Curve line, which is the world´s second largest LAN (Local Area Network) vendor for businesses, provides wired and wireless enterprise networking products, services and solutions. Pro Curve aims to adapt software to cater to users, applications and the needs of organizations.
The center will be the first of its kind in Latin America and only the sixth HP wireless research and development center in the world. The lab is located in the Ultrapark Free Trade Zone in Heredia, north of San José.
