SAP Arabia sponsors IDC Small to Medium Business Roadshow

The conference aims to create a forum for SMBs to learn how IT solutions usually associated with large enterprises can benefit smaller organizations.

As the backbone of a robust economy, SMBs play an essential role in establishing a business environment conducive to growth. The majority of SMBs in the Middle East region do not have a dedicated IT manager. Moreover, firms with IT managers often overload them with basic PC support, network management, and system administration. Little time is left over to align IT priorities with business priorities - a crucial step in staying competitive.

IDC's Small to Medium Business Roadshow aims to remedy this. It creates a forum for SMBs to learn how IT solutions usually associated with large and very large enterprises can benefit smaller organizations. It also seeks to demonstrate the effectiveness of solutions designed specifically for small and medium-sized businesses.

SAP Arabia have already participated in the IDC Small to Medium Business Roadshow in Dubai in February 2007. The Cairo event is the next step on this important conference's journey through the Middle East's business centers.

Yasser Refaat, SAP Arabia's Country Manager for Egypt said, "We at SAP Arabia recognized the far-reaching and intelligent approach taken by IDC in organizing this roadshow. Because our products can help all businesses from the smallest sole trader to the largest global corporations, we saw this as an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of best IT practice, as well as demonstrating our credentials towards small businesses in the MENA region."

In the Middle East, SAP Arabia increased its market share from 30.2 per cent in 2004 to 33.1 per cent in 2005 while its nearest competitor has a market share of 23.3 per cent. Total spending on software solutions in the MENA region reached $187.35 million in 2005, representing an increase of 16 per cent year-on-year and is expected to be worth around $ 371.08 million in 2010.

Saudi Arabia was the largest market with 43.9 per cent share and the UAE second with 26.8 per cent share of the regional market in 2005.