Oman Mobile partners with Microsoft to optimize its IT infrastructure

The partnership, which began in 2006, will help Oman Mobile meet the increasing challenges it faces in the demanding and ever-changing telecommunications industry. The model provides Oman Mobile with a logical roadmap to improve IT maturity, thereby helping to transform IT into a strategic asset and business enabler for the company.

The IOM has enabled key IT capabilities within the organization, namely identity management, systems management, security, data protection and IT processes. It has significantly reduced operational overhead within the IT department of Oman Mobile. The implementation of a public key infrastructure (PKI) based on Microsoft Windows 2003 along with smart card authentication and Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) server provides a high level of security. By providing an enterprise-wide firewall and authentication using smartcard, it meets today's business need for sophisticated security tools.

The standardization of its IT infrastructure and the reduction in support and maintenance needed has resulted in reduced time & effort in managing the current environment on a day to day basis. The overall integration of the core infrastructure with collaboration tools has improved the productivity across the business and also increased employees enjoying a faster, standard and more agile IT platform, enabling them to work at their optimum.

"The success of any enterprise hinges on its people and their ability to reach their potential. At Microsoft, we are dedicated to providing software solutions that empower employees with the right tools" said Abdulla Lootah, Country Manager, Microsoft Oman. "Oman Mobile, with its progressive view of the potential of IT, has allowed us to demonstrate that IOM should be a key component in any enterprise wishing to optimize its own use of technology and ensure the smooth running of its operations."

The solution effectively future-proofs the business with the ability to implement new services as and when required in response to the fast-paced and evolving telecommunications industry. The standardized infrastructure enables new solutions to be integrated quickly and easily.

"IT is no longer only part of our enterprise's infrastructure but is an essential component of the overall business strategy" said Samy Al Ghassany, Head of Network Division, Oman Mobile. "Our partnership with Microsoft has been incremental to achieving our goal of enabling our people and business", added Samy.
This overall implementation is one of the best among telecommunications companies in the region. The market within which we operate is growing exponentially and Oman Mobile needs to be in a position to adapt and deliver the best service possible.