Silicon Graphics Inc.

For SGI this explosive growth is the result of an exponential demand for storage solutions among its high-end clients. In particular, oil companies are spending more on high performance storage, with one 150TB network storage deal clinched with an as yet anonymous energy sector client.

'Oil is one sector where we are doing well in the Middle East,' says general manager Philippe Miltin. 'There are also clear opportunities in broadcasting which is growing rapidly, and also in the defence sector.'

SGI is a company whose products are known much better than the company itself. For example, most of the special effects in movies made since 1982 have been courtesy of SGI technology, and the company recently won an Oscar for its work.

Applied to the oil sector such technology is manifest in advanced visualisation, or Reality Centers, which are like theatres showing a 3D view of what lies beneath the ground. There are three of these Reality Centers in the UAE and several in Saudi Arabia.

High performance computing to analyse oil data is another SGI speciality which is obviously linked to advanced visualisation, and indeed high performance storage systems. With the oil and gas sector presently booming in the Middle East this is a great period for SGI with its high-end, focus on this industry.

Even the war in Iraq has had 'no clear impact on business, except perhaps in Kuwait,' says Mr. Miltin. 'Indeed, it may have helped to bring forward decisions in certain areas.'

One such area is broadcasting, where anyone watching TV must have noticed the extensive application of digital technology to the coverage of the war in Iraq. Live broadcasting makes extensive use of SGI digital technology.

Mr. Miltin says he can see Middle East business doubling again in the next two years in broadcasting and defence, which are currently worth $3.5 million and $7.5 million respectively.

Globally SGI is a $1.6 billion a year company with 4,000 staff and spends 15% of revenues on research and development. It has a strong focus on the scientific and technical market for IT and stays out of PC and enterprise applications.

Now based in Dubai Media City, SGI is charting a growth path at a time when the IT industry is in trouble and the Middle East is at war. It seems the mission critical, high-end of the IT world is still booming.