Avaya's International President addresses Middle East business leaders

An increasing number of businesses are installing hi-tech communications infrastructures, like the IP (internet protocol) telephony solutions provided by Avaya, as such systems can improve productivity and customer service, and lead to tangible and quantifiable cost-savings.

"Weaving communications such as voice, video and data functions into one integrated technological capability can have a significant operational benefit for many companies throughout the Middle East," said Dave Johnson, Avaya President International. "The region's financial institutions, hospitals and government departments, for example, who rely on the swift and efficient management of information to operate effectively, can streamline their processes and their budgets through migrating to IP telephony."

"By embedding Avaya communications applications into the fabric of the business, companies can make their employees more productive, processes more intelligent and customers more satisfied," continued Johnson.

Dave Johnson was visiting the region to host an important seminar on business communications and their significance to the end user. Held yesterday at the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, he also discussed Avaya's vision and the company's commitment to local customers. Johnson played host to regional clients, CEOs and IT executives from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates.

Other speakers included Soubhi Abdul Karim, IT Officer for Aspire, Qatar's Academy for Sports Excellence, which has deployed Avaya IP telephony solutions to support its quest to become a world-renown training facility for young Middle Eastern students/athletes with the potential for greatness.

Johnson's visit comes as the EMEA operation of Avaya has announced significant revenue increases in the fourth fiscal quarter of 2005. Avaya EMEA recorded revenue of US$378 million in the fourth fiscal quarter, up from US$142 million, due to acquisition, compared to the same period in 2004.

"In the Middle East region Avaya had significant business successes. On the back of a successful GITEX we announced some important customer wins, like Aramex, as well as strategic alliances, such as a tie-up with eCompany, the online arm of Etisalat, and a technology partnership with Nokia to provide mobile solutions. Avaya is now one of the top three enterprise communications providers in EMEA, according to leading industry analyst firm MZA," concluded Johnson.