IBM brings new growth opportunities for Middle East channel

'As Middle East businesses start to consolidate their IT infrastructures and integrate their business requirements, channel partners need the support of a technology vendor that can help them expand their reach in the market and meet these changing customer needs,' said Samer Shaar, IBM general manager, Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan. 'The Business Partner Executive Conference will give our channel partners, whether they are system integrators, consultants, resellers or Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), a one-stop opportunity to learn about the world-class support and unique opportunities that IBM can provide them.'

The gathering will see IBM bringing together its regional business and channel partners to brief them on the strategic directions and new technologies that are driving Middle East organizations to the on-demand era. This annual two-day event, starting on the 10th of March, will be held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Dubai and will feature speakers from IBM EMEA.

The first day of the conference will cover key topic areas such as e-business on demand with Leo Steiner, on-demand technologies, IBM EMEA and Linux development in the region with Dr. Tantawy, technical director and manager of IBM's Cairo's Technology Development Center. The conference will also highlight IBM's channel strategy in the Middle East, Middle East Business Partner testimonials and an overview of IBM's unique value proposition for channel partners in the region.

The second day of the Business Partner Executive Conference will kick off with two parallel tracks that encompass IBM hardware and software solutions. One track will focus on software on demand, development tools, security, IBM portals &Dynamic Workplace, content management and business intelligence. The other track will look at IBM's personal computing strategy in the region, product roadmaps and the latest ThinkVantage technologies that place IBM notebooks and desktops at the forefront of the Middle East PC industry. Both tracks will allocate a section on TotalStorage solutions and IBM blade servers.