2002
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Intel speeds up Saudi Aramco
Saudi Aramco, the world's leading oil producer, has ported its mission-critical seismic data processing application to a cluster of 1,800 Intel processors. The new solution, which has boosted throughput by many folds and is expected to grow to a cluster of 4,000 by year end, has enabled Saudi Aramco to identify and tap new reserves faster, more efficiently and at a lower price.
Telecom sales online, TheDesert.com
Over 7,000 products from 200 telecom equipment suppliers are available through a new electronic marketplace, www.TheDesert.com. The website is designed to appeal to small and medium sized companies looking to cut down on their telecom equipment bills, and has taken two years to create. Online payment by credit card is available.
Lebanon calls for mobile bids
Lebanon has invited local and international telecom firms to bid for two mobile phone licenses which were previously let for 20 years and then cancelled without warning. Applicants have to pay USD25,000 by January 6 for the tender documents. Up for bidding are the two exisiting networks and a new 20-year concession.
1.33m Mid East PC sales in 2003
PC sales in the Middle East will show double-digit growth to 1.33m next year, according to figures from the International Data Corporation. The total value of PC sales will be around USD1.6bn. In the UAE more than 200,000 PC sales are forecast with the value of sales up from USD280m to USD320m.
Mid East GPRS ready mid-2003
All the telecom operators of the Middle East will have GRPS mobile phone services operationg by mid-2003, according to Motorola. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Jordan and Lebanon already have GPRS. This is one stage towards the 3G standard for mobile phones, though this is not expected until 2004 in the UAE only.
Dubai e-government portal review
The content advisory board of the Dubai e-government met on Monday and reviewed progress in implementation of a new content managment system and ways to standardize content. The portal, www.dubai.ae now offers 110 e-services. Content management has been decentralised to individual departments.
Lootah, X-ray container inspection
Dubai's Lootah Group is to represent the Chinese firm Nuctech which builds X-ray inspection systems for containers. This allows the port authorities to inspect for contraband. Nuctech has a background in the nuclear industry.
Arbift, USD1m Intertec Systems job
The Arab Bank for Investment and Foreign Trade has awarded a USD1m contract to Intertec Systems of the UAE to upgrade its IT infrastructure to handle the Internet. Arbift is to set up a branch in Sharjah shortly and eight pay offices across the UAE.
HP backs education initiative
HP Middle East is co-sponsoring a My Impression of Ramadan photography competition for adults as part of the education programme of the Dubai the City that Cares 2002 initiative. This is part of HP's philosophy of endorsing invention and imagination, said a company statement.
Logica, MTC Kuwait, SMS deal
Logica has announced a multi-million dollar deal to upgrade MTC Kuwait's existing short messaging services infrastructure to meet the Gulf state's demand for improved mobile communications. The upgraded SMS solution from Logica will deliver news services, games and other types of entertainment, on a reliable IT platform offering future scalability. Corporate users in Kuwait will also now have direct marketing opportunities through MTC's upgraded SMS infrastructure.
Arabic voice control of the Net
Zayed University and Sakhr Software have inked a deal to bring voice commands in Arabic to Internet browsing, reported Gulf News. Intel is supporting the voice recognition project which will be rolled out at the university for trials.
Dutex, customs exemptions website
Factories registered with the UAE ministry of finance can now apply for their tax exemptions online at www.egov.uae.gov.ae. This free service was developed in-house by UAE nationals, according to Gulf News, and should simplify and speed up applications.
Put your UAE mobile on hold
Etisalat will shortly launch a mobile phone that allows the user to put up to 101 calls on hold, reported Gulf News. Officials said that a u-SIM card is also under development which would combine the functions of a credit card and driving licence with mobile phone access.
3Com solution for Burgan Bank
Burgan Bank has opted for 3Com's pay-as-you-grow approach to provide the core network that will lie at the heart of the bank's multi-million dollar IT investment programme. Representing one of the largest XRN technology deployments in the world, the 3Com solution is an integral part of Burgan Bank's e-banking strategy. It will also form the network backbone for the bank's new payment gateway system, which provides online shopping facilities to its customers.
FSC targets thin clients
Fujitsu Siemens Computers has announced the launch of its thin client products in the Middle East. These are clients for whom low total cost of ownership, space savings and high security are key considerations. FSC's thin client products are equally suited for e-mail and office applications.
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