Major Middle East Linux meeting held in Dubai

With concern mounting over security, viruses and general reliability issues, Linux is increasingly being seen as a viable alternative to the Windows operating system deployed in many businesses, and the Dubai event offers interested parties an opportunity to discuss its potential in the Middle East, particularly in the financial services sector where security and viability are critical success parameters.

The event, entitled 'Linux Everywhere - From Desktop to Data Center,' is open to IT managers and executives from any industry, regardless of the level of their experience or knowledge of Linux.

The event will include a presentation by Habib Bank AG Zurich (HBZ), which in conjunction with its technology partner, BiLOGiC Systems Inc., has been one of the region's most prominent champions of the open source operating system since it began migrating to Linux in 2001.

HBZ now uses the system across its worldwide operations in a complex multi-regulatory environment, supported by Sun Microsystems technology, and will use the meeting at Tech Access to share its experience with IT and business managers.

'Deploying a Linux-based operating system has delivered wide-ranging operational and financial benefits to HBZ. We have reduced costs, by cutting out license fees, and we are able to expand our system exponentially upon Linux. The system's fully integrated security features penetrate all tiers of Habib Bank AG Zurich's operations, while its authentication procedure allows appropriate values to be attributed to different transactions,' said Reza S. Habib, joint president, Habib Bank AG Zurich.

'We are keen to share our success with other IT and business professionals at 'Linux Everywhere,' because it provides an ideal opportunity to discuss how this transformational technology could impact a wide range of organizations in the Middle East,' added Habib.

'Linux Everywhere' is being held at a critical moment in the development of Linux as an acknowledged alternative to Windows. The system has reached an impressive level of technical maturity, but the development of market awareness and confidence is still at an early stage. The meeting will provide local businesses with the opportunity to learn more at first hand from one of the thousands of users across the world.

'The aim of the event is to present the advantages of Linux as experienced by a well-established local and international business, and to create a dialogue around the operating system that will enable companies to assess its potential value. It is an opportunity for IT decision-makers in industry to learn about the system from a trusted source and exchange experience with their peers,' said Quentin Cornelius, chief operating officer, Tech Access

'Linux Everywhere' will take place on 28 January 2004, between 4 and 6 pm at the Tech Access Solutions Center, the region's only Sun Authorized iForce Ready Center, in Dubai Internet City. The iForce Center currently hosts a number of Linux pilot projects, with companies evaluating the systems and projects before deciding whether to invest in them.