For the founders and shareholders of many Irish technology firms, 2006 was the year in which they saw some financial return after several difficult years.

Dublin firm Supplierforce emerged from ‘‘stealth mode’’ in 2006 with technology that it claims can revolutionise relationships between large companies and their suppliers.

Supplierforce, a young Dublin technology firm, has raised €2 million from wealthy private investors and appointed software boss Bernie Cullinan to its board.

Supplierforce is one of a new breed of technology company that is selling its software as a service over the internet.

Today more than ever, companies are increasingly dependent on a broad range of suppliers and business partners to operate their businesses.