ACCPAC calls for Oman's business community to embrace technology efficiencies

Marc Van der Ven, ACCPAC's regional manager highlighted the need for Gulf businesses to adopt technology-based processes to gain a
competitive edge. Many companies are finding the market increasingly competitive and, in the face of competitive threats that will result from the region's joining the WTO Agreements, companies will find that even tougher competition is on the way. Technology can provide a significant advantage.

"There is a latent opportunity for many Gulf-based businesses to
leverage technology to make themselves more competitive," said Van der Ven. "Cost reduction and improving efficiencies have always been key to both competing effectively and producing a healthy balance sheet. However, technology can also bring new benefits and processes, which add more value to an organisation's offering to its customers. E-business technologies provide a great example of this added-value".

Businesses in the region are typically family owned, where the capital available for investment in IT is more limited compared to larger corporations. However, the cost of integrated business systems is now well within the reach of most modern businesses. The First Gulf SME Forum addressed these needs and presented solutions that map to the businesses' cultural demands and financial capabilities.

"One cultural requirement is language. The region is proud of its heritage and culture and so companies which provide services that do not embrace the local language are always going to be at a disadvantage," comments Van der Ven. "Business also needs to be built on a solid platform that will allow it to adapt to the changing dynamics of market growth and customer requirements. Requirements such as these can be met by employing technology that is available in Oman today."

ACCPAC International, a division of Computer Associates, launched its operations in February this year with plans to expand in channel members and customer base. "Oman is an important market for ACCPAC and we have so far built a strong channel and customer base in the country. We welcome initiatives like this Forum which target SMEs in the Gulf and offer them new perspectives on growth. I believe that this is a most critical time for Oman based businesses to start looking seriously into how technologies can be pro-actively used to facilitate further growth," ended Van der Ven.

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