2004
- The news you choose »
- Login to Add to Watchlist
Alcatel, Dubai competence centre
Alcatel has opened a new centre of competence for IP telephony and enterprise communications in Dubai. Dedicated to serving the local enterprise market, this new centre will enable Alcatel to work more closely with its customers and local integrators and distributors.
Motorola, 3.5G trials in Mideast
Mobile phone technology never stands still, and Motorola is promising Middle East trials of its latest 3.5G technology in the Middle East early next year. Officials said the system would offer high-speed data transmission but at a lower cost than 3G, and bring broadband Internet to mobile phones.
Gitex beats all previous records
The Gitex computer show in Dubai last week reported a 52 per cent rise in trade visitors to a record 114,000 people. Attendance at the parallel Gitex Computer Shopper this year stood at 108,000 compared with the projected 80,000, said organisers.
Microsoft, Emirates Post deal
Microsoft has renewed its enterprise agreement with Emirates Post, the federal postal authority of the UAE. Director General Abdullah Ibrahim Al Daboos said this agreement makes our software licencing more cost effective and provides extra benefits in terms of enhanced support.
STC slashes prices by up to 35pc
Saudi Telecommunications Company has slashed prices by up to 35 per cent as it prepares to face competition in its domestic market for the first time, Reuters reported. Ettihad Etisalat, a UAE-led consortium, is expected to launch the Kingdom's second GSM mobile service in early 2005.
BSA is free for Arab companies
Business Software Alliance, the global anti-piracy lobby group, is offering its services free to fledgling Arab software companies. The BSA made the offer in response to accusations the alliance was an elite club that offered its copyright protection only to wealthy giants.
Intel launches Arabic website
Intel, one of the world's leading chip makers, has launched its Arabic website. The site is aimed at highlighting Intel's Middle East activities, as well as creating a more efficient e-procurement vehicle for channel customers. It also provides enhanced technical and marketing support in Arabic. It is located at www.intel.com/arabic.
Planet Optical to open new unit
Planet Optical Disc, the Dubai-based disc maker, has unveiled plans for a CD-R and DVDR manufacturing facility at Dubai Airport Free Zone. Planet Optical specialises in glass mastering, replication and printing on disc surface such as CD-R, DVDR, DVD Video, DVD-ROM, CD-ROM, CD Audio and Enhanced CD.
Microsoft, BDO, Bahrain e-investor
Microsoft and BDO Jawad Habib, a Bahrain-based consultancy, have won the contract to install and run the Bahrain e-investor project. The system will offer investors and potential investors an online one-stop-shop for accessing government information and services.
PeopleSoft, Mideast expansion
PeopleSoft, the US technology firm, is expanding its operations in the Middle East to promote the Arabized version of its flagship EnterpriseOne package. PeopleSoft, the subject of a hostile takeover bid from US rival Oracle, plans to significantly expand its Middle East base of channel partners.
Software security spending up 25pc
Spending on security software jumped up by 25 per cent to USD53 million in the Gulf States in 2003. It is forecast to rise 27 per cent in 2004. According to a new IDC study, viruses, worms and spam pose the largest security threats to businesses in the Gulf. Saudi Arabia and the UAE ranked first and second in Gulf software security spending.
Etisalat prepares for competition
Dr Mohammed Khalfan bin Kharbash, chairman of Etisalat, said the new wave of competition sweeping the regional telecoms sector was the driving force behind the company's recent innovations. The UAE telecoms operator has recently launched services such as streaming TV on its 3G service, is a bid to keep its edge once it loses its monopoly.
HP, Oracle, Sun, IBM target SMBs
The small and medium sized business is now top priority for HP, Oracle, Sun and IBM in the Middle East. HP launched its advisory service for SMBs at Gitex this week, while Oracle has its new Oracle E-Business SE especially for SMBs of more than 10 people. Both Sun and IBM have also declared SMBs a priority.
LG targets mobile entertainment
LG Electronics launched a range of new products targeting the fast-growing portable entertainment market in the Middle East. The flagship LG MF-HE700 is a comprehensive portable multimedia entertainment device, with 30GB of memory and a 2.2-inch color screen. It can play a range of audio and video formats including MP3, WMA, ASF, OGG, WAV, MPEG, DivX, JPEG, and TXT.
Almasa seals HP Iraq deal
Almasa IT Distribution signed an agreement to become an authorised distributor of HP Imaging and Printing Group goods in Iraq. Parvez Ahmed, Director of Almasa, said Iraq is a rapidly expanding market for technology products, with strong demand for high end corporate printing requirements from government departments.
It looks like you are using a Mac - check out our 
Web Feeds