J.D. Edwards launches new office and ambitious strategy for the Middle East market

The investment by J.D. Edwards is one of the largest announced in the region this year, with an estimated value running into several millions of dollars.

To support its expansion plan, the software giant has appointed Fady Sfeir, former director of strategic initiatives at J.D. Edwards, as managing director for the Middle East.

J.D. Edwards has built strong relationships with some of the Middle East's leading companies through its partner network, winning business with its innovative enterprise software solutions and flexible architecture. Since it began working with Dalma and other regional partners in the 1990s, it has successfully signed up a significant number of customers in the region, including Al Tayer Group LLC, Petrochem Middle East and Kuwait Airways.

Following the exponential growth of its business in the region and recognizing the growing demand for world-class implementation and support services, it has now decided to deepen its commitment through the acquisition and new office.

'This is an ideal time for J.D. Edwards to invest directly in the Middle East market,' said Richard Mathews, senior vice president for international operations, J.D. Edwards. 'There is growing awareness of the benefits of enterprise resource planning solutions as well as rising levels of IT investment, and now we have a strong regional team and an established channel in place.'

'J.D. Edwards' software and services solutions are specifically designed to resolve the business problems facing today's enterprises, and we are convinced that our direct presence will provide an essential strategic resource to a large number of regional organizations in the coming months,' he added.

Supporting businesses across the region
By acquiring the business of its regional partner, J.D. Edwards is gaining a direct presence in the Gulf and consolidating its skills base in the region. The new office will have 50 dedicated staff supporting localized solutions for Middle East markets.

'Our office is equipped to provide the highest standards of customer service, as well as providing access to our extended enterprise software,' said Fady Sfeir, newly-appointed managing director, Middle East, J.D. Edwards.

'When decision-makers in the Middle East resolve to invest in technology, they need to know that the software they select will grow with their business and support their strategic goals. We aim to leverage J.D. Edwards' twenty-five years of experience and successful track record in the business solutions sector to provide companies here with long-term value,' he added.

In addition to dedicated sales and support staff, some of the company's leading industry experts will work from the Dubai office, offering training and advice to customers across the region. These include specialists in enterprise resource planning for the public sector, wholesale, retail, utilities, construction and real estate markets.

New managing director aims to institute global best practices
Fady Sfeir has worked with J.D. Edwards since 1991. With expertise in global projects and customer-focused strategic initiatives, he aims to bring some of the best practices and technology insights implemented in territories like France, Italy, Switzerland and Spain to the new J.D. Edwards' office.

'We are delighted that a person of Fady's caliber will be leading the Middle East office,' said Mathews. 'He has a wealth of international experience, an in-depth understanding of the needs of businesses, and a thorough knowledge of the Middle East; he is ideally positioned to advise companies in the region as they evolve to compete at the highest levels of global commerce.'