2004
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Indian outsourcing shifts to Dubai
Indian IT services company Netlink is shifting its outsourcing centre from Gurgaon in northern India to Dubai, reported Gulf News. A location for a facility to house 1,200 workers has not been chosen but the total investment will be some USD17m and the move completed within six to eight months.
Gulf markets hungry for new PCs
A report from IDC, an IT and telecommunications analysis firm, has found that shipments of PCs to the GCC nations rose by 13.8 per cent last year. Demand for portables and laptops drove the growth, which IDC anticipates will reach 32 per cent this year on the back of government, egovernment and ebusiness initiatives. Saudi Arabia and the UAE together accounted for almost 75 per cent of the GCC demand in 2003. HP sold the most units, followed by Dell and Acer.
Microsoft wins Etihad deal
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has signed a three year deal to standardise its IT infrastructure on Microsoft platforms. The enterprise agreement spans Windows 2003, SQL 2000, Office 2003 and Exchange 2003, and Microsoft will now provide full IT support and will ensure that all applications used by Etihad are up to date. Etihad is currently building an intranet based on SharePoint Portal Server technology.
Fusion to distribute for GlobalCerts
Fusion Distribution, a specialist in the marketing of security solutions, has won a contract to distribute GlobalCerts products in the Middle East. Based in Charlottesville in the US, GlobalCerts develops secure messaging software solutions including anti-virus, anti-spam, firewalls and content-filtering. Fusion has offices in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.
Empa wins Intel award
Intel has recognised the distribution skills of Empa Middle East with an Intel Product Line Manager META award. The award was received by Shibu John Matthew, who said that the Empas team had worked hard to meet the high service standards it has set for the Middle East region.
Thuraya signs Tanzania deal
Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications Company has signed a distribution deal for Tanzania with Dar es Salaam-based SatAfrik. Jamal Saif Al Jarwan, Thuraya's executive manager for business development, said that Africa represents about 50 per cent of his company's market for satellite telephony solutions. Thuraya is also close to signing deals with partners in Chad, Ethiopia and Angola.
NEC launches new server models
NEC has made four new additions to its Express5800 server range in the Middle East. Buyers can now choose from the 120Re-1 slim high performance 1U rack server, the 120Rg-2 expandable 2U rack server, the 120Eg workgroup server and the 120Lh departmental server. Each server includes Intel Xeon processors, PCI-Express slots, HDDs and advanced management functionality.
Fujitsu Siemens unveils servers
Fujitsu Siemens Computers has launched a new range of PRIMERGY S2 rack and tower servers. Built on Intel Xeon processors, the servers include cool-safe air-flow cooling technology to extend server lifespan, as well as integration tools to aid IT managers
Etisalat gives hardware a boost
Etisalat has announced that prospective telecoms equipment vendors can now seek free fast track approvals from the UAE Lab. As Etisalat itself withdraws from the equipment sales market, it believes the new processes will help vendors get their products tested, approved, and onto retailers' shelves quickly and easily, meaning more choice for customers.
JTG profits rise 43pc
Profits at Jordan Telecom Group rose 43 per cent in the first nine months of 2004, to USD52 million. The company said a rise in subscription revenues was the main driver, particularly at its MobileCom subsidiary, which saw subscriber numbers rise 33 per cent over the same period in 2003. At the same time, operating expenses fell following a cost-cutting excercise.
Thuraya to launch Asia venture
Thuraya, the UAE-based satellite communications operator, has unveiled plans to launch a new venture in Asia. Thuraya Asia will become operational in early 2005, after Thuraya launches its third satellite. Thuraya's satellite phones already serve clients in the Middle East and parts of Europe and Asia.
Bose speakers for Net radio
Bose has introduced is MediaMate computer speakers which are ideal for listening to new Net services such as AME Info Business Radio with Phil Blizzard. The US manufacturer has brought the best in hi-fi standards to the PC in a very modestly priced speaker package.
Cisco, new Mideast SMB strategy
Cisco Systems is to follow up its SMB deal with Saudi Telecommunications Company with a regional strategy for small and medium businesses. The US networking giant is in talks with Etisalat and other regional telcos, said officials. SMB is expected to be the fastest growing market segment over the next few years.
Toshiba, new HQ in Jebel Ali
Toshiba is setting up a new regional headquarters in the Jebel Ali Free Zone with a new 41,700 sgft facility with a showroom on the first floor for all its products sold in the region. Regional turnover for the group is now more than USD1bn.
EU clears Oracle, PeopleSoft bid
European Union antitrust regulators have cleared Oracle's hostile USD7.7bn bid for rival business software maker PeopleSoft, removing one of the last major hurdles in the contested takeover fight. No conditions were placed on the decision, which came after a year-long EU investigation that halted several times and similar scrutiny in the US.
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