2005
- The news you choose »
- Login to Add to Watchlist
2005 to be tough for IT firms
IT firms are digging in for a third tough year in a row with Gartner expecting a five per cent upturn in demand but fierce competition due to overcapacity. Analysts said there is no killer application to drive commercial spending. But demand in the Middle East should rise at twice the global level, according to local sources.
Oracle for Kudu sandwiches
Oracle has announced that Kudu, a prominent Saudi-based restaurant chain, is deploying its E-Business Suite as part of its bid for regional and global expansion. The sandwich purveyor, which has outlets around the GCC, is utilizing Oracle software to centrally manage the purchasing, inventory, payroll, and other key financial functions for its more than 120 restaurants.
Digital convergence, 2005 theme
The digital convergence theme is likely to dominate the regional consumer electronics market in 2005, industry sources told AME Info. Digital convergence is the move to a common digital technology for PCs, TVs, video and cameras, which enables an exciting blend of applications, both new and old.
Consumer electronics, prices fall
Consumer electronics saw a 20 per cent price fall in 2004 but the weaker US dollar will mean price stability in 2005, UAE retailers told Gulf News. They said that demand had also picked up sharply over the past two years, with demand for digital convergence products particularly high.
STC cuts international tariffs
The Saudi Telecom Company has reduced tariffs on international calls to more than 120 countries by up to 44 per cent. Cuts apply on calls to GCC States, Egypt, Sudan, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan as well as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Yemen and Philippines.
Tsunami, website for donations
A website to support the millions of victims of the tsunami waves disaster, and to collect cash donations for them has been launched by Flip Media. More than 150,000 are believed dead in the biggest natural disaster in living memory. Visit, http://www.flipcorp.com/help/
KSA may legalise camera phones
Saudi Arabia may legalise the use of camera phones from next month, and reverse a ban, industry sources told Gulf News. Handset vendors said this would help to hike mobile phone sales from around four million units a year to six million. The entry of Ettihad Etisalat as a second mobile phone operator will also boost sales, they added.
ADCB IT migration, no problems
The Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank has successfully concluded its switch to a new IT system without any hitches. The Flexicube core banking system from I-Flex Solutions is at its heart, and installation was by Cedar Consulting with the in-house IT team.
It looks like you are using a Mac - check out our 
Web Feeds