Microsoft Gulf FZ LLC

Marketing jargon claims that virtualisation can empower your business, but often this fails to address the real needs of an organisation. Nathan Statz investigates the state of play amongst the industry's big guns.

Community portal launched by LINK Development to support finals of the Microsoft Imagine Cup in Cairo next month

Aims to strengthen presence in the Middle East after appointing ITE Distribution as its latest wholesale partner

Software giant aims to make Arabic language more accessible to Internet users.

IE8 features enhanced security and browsing functions, although some testers report poor results on speed tests

Latest build 7057, believed to be the release candidate, is leaked to file-sharing sites

Two more resellers caught selling pirated software in the UAE

Two UAE resellers caught selling pirated Microsoft software agree to promote genuine products

Co-ordinated approach to tackling worm launched by Microsoft with ICANN and security groups

Gulf launch for latest version of Microsoft's mid-sized ERP solution

New program to identify pirated Office applications and promote benefits of genuine software launches next week

New public sector director to drive strategy with governments in the GCC

Microsoft says it is investigating vulnerability that could leave some versions of SQL open to attack

ACN takes a look at the potential impact of the global financial crisis on the IT budgets in the Middle East.

Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V and System Centre Virtual Machine Manager to help Gulf businesses to virtualize

Computers seized were preinstalled with pirated copies of Microsoft Windows XP

Microsoft to work with Young Arab Leaders network to promote education and entrepreneurship

The software giant is offering Arabic language support and providing extensive business intelligence and management capabilities in the Middle East.

Mobile computing has been the proverbial tidal wave as far as the Middle East consumer IT sector is concerned

Microsoft founder announced as the keynote speaker at information technology event in Doha

Developers to receive 'pre-beta' code for Windows 7 at end of October

ERP systems lie at the very core of a successful enterprise – and yet many companies settle for their choice without fully investigating the options available. ACN travels around the world to look at the latest in ERP offerings.

The Middle East channel for mobile devices can be a daunting arena given the ferocity of competition and increasing commoditisation of the hardware. So do retailers feel afloat in the turbulent seas unaccompanied or are vendors providing enough of a supporting life raft to help partners stay above water? Channel Middle East investigates.

It's vital to choose the right software application for your needs. While paid-for applications often provide premium features more tailored to the professional, there are an increasing number of freeware apps for those that don’t want to shell out. Windows picks out a selection of software packages to suit your budget and needs.

MOU signed to provide more technology training to staff and students at Ajman University of Science and Technology

New localization portal will allow Arabic speakers to give input on Microsoft's technology translation

Software giant Microsoft recently announced a partnership with seed capital fund Arab Business Angels Network to look for young entrepreneurs with an ambitious vision of the future.

Authorities raid two shops in Hawalli, seize large quantity of counterfeit programs.

Natural language search vendor Powerset has been bought by Microsoft

As Bill Gates steps down from Microsoft, we present this retrospective of his ties to the region

Security vulnerability for users of Safari for Windows Browser could result in unauthorised download and execution of files

PDF and ODF file formats to be supported by Office 2007 with launch of Office SP2 in 2009

Windows XP to be available on low-cost laptop to meet demands of emerging markets

Team from American University of Sharjah wins Gulf heat of Microsoft's Imagine Cup for pollution mapping app

Latest service pack for Windows XP, SP3, will prevent users from uninstalling Internet Explorer version 7

Getting your CD collection onto your MP3 player needn't take weeks with our exclusive quick-ripping guide.

Teams of university students to compete to show technological innovation to create green solutions

Takeover bid for Yahoo! dropped despite last minute negotiations to increase value of offer

Microsoft Gulf has carried out the latest raid targeting software right infringers in the Middle East.

Oil & Gas executives hosted in Abu Dhabi for first Microsoft energy vertical event

Personalised news and entertainment in French for Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria

New business practice to focus on resale of Microsoft Dynamics Navision following link up with CodeTheatre

Having previously attended to customers in the Middle East by flying in staff from various global subsidiaries, Dimension Data has now made a firm commitment to the region's IT market by establishing a local presence in the UAE. Siddeek Rahim, Gulf managing director at the valued Cisco and Microsoft integrator, explains the company's plans to shake up managed services.

Logta.com to update shoppers in the UAE and Saudi Arabia on latest deals and offers

Video games team Dubai Mirage through to Pan-Asia finals of Championship Gaming Series 2008

Some big names in technology land celebrated April Fool's Day earlier this month by playing some quality tricks on global netizens.

Microsoft look set for a hostile takeover of Yahoo! but does the deal represent real value for Redmond?

Office Open XML documents finally get approval from the ISO following accusations of fraud, bribery

Survey shows Firefox took 10% of Internet Explorer's market share in 2007

Many dental professionals labour under a misconception that strategic planning is for big businesses.

Users report failed installations, device driver incompatibilities, endless rebooting

Reseller sentenced to six months in prison and ordered to pay two thousand riyal compensation for IPR offences

Batelco becomes first early adopter of latest version of Microsoft's server operating system

Full games console gets new estimated retail price of AED 1,150

Xbox developers in talks with Sony over adding Blu-Ray technology to Microsoft console

Cost for boxed copies of Vista Home Basic slashed in half

Dubai Higher College of Technology running pilot deployment of Microsoft's new server operating system

Microsoft stops production of add-on HD DVD drives for Xbox, support still available

BSA and Abu Dhabi authorities seize pirate software CDs in raids on IT resellers

With a prosperous history of Indian Ocean trade and an eight-year membership of the World Trade Organisation, Oman boasts an IT market that is today enjoying continued stability, both inside its borders and externally. 115-strong corporate reseller Loay International is one of the firms aiming to take full advantage of the positive current.

ACN puts regional IT pros to the test with its first annual surprise test.

Yahoo! turns down Microsoft buy out stating offer price undervalues the company

The trouble with Microsoft's bid for Yahoo could prove critical for the future face of online business.

Competition for UAE students to encourage new ideas for mobile applications

Regulatory constraints and a potentially difficult merger present challenges for Microsoft say analysts

Microsoft launches bid for Yahoo in battle for internet dominance with Google.

DSG portal, developed with Microsoft, will enable collaboration and communication on government best practices

Investment brings firm's total 10-year contribution to regional education initiative to $500mn.

Microsoft chairman outlines the second digital decade, and the opportunities in Dubai

Microsoft Office Excel users may be at risk from security vulnerability

More autonomy granted to local OEM teams

Microsoft to release major upgrade for Windows Home Server

Lights that go on and off when you enter and leave a room, aircon at home that turns on as your plane touches down, security alarms that alert you by SMS if there's an intruder - welcome to leon beuyukian's brave new world. Diana Milne reports.

Microsoft's Middle East & Africa VP tells Edward Poultney why the group's emphasis has shifted towards thinking locally, and acting globally.

Welcome to 2008! As the extended holiday season winds down and companies go back to ‘business as usual' so the magazine returns to a more regular format.

Microsoft chairman to present keynote address at Government Leaders Forum Arabia 2008.

Enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions are becoming highly intricate, making them an increasingly complex sale for software resellers and consultants. Channel Middle East asks some of the region’s leading ERP providers to detail their go-to-market strategies and outline the challenges facing the channel.

Techdays Gulf looks to inform region's IT professionals

In this Middle East exclusive interview, Matt Wade talks to Chris Capossela, corporate vice president of Microsoft's PMG business division, about Office Communications Server 2007.

IT distributor Mindware has been named by Microsoft Gulf as the ‘Best OEM Distributor' in the Middle East region. The award was presented by Microsoft senior executives at the company's recent OEM distributor awards night.

Microsoft has fulfilled its promise of entering the unified communications space with the global launch of Office Communications Server 2007.

Arabic language pack for high end consumer version of Windows Vista

The channel job carousel continues to be a hive of activity.

Channel Middle East talks to Tolga Altinordu, the man recruited to skipper Microsoft's newly-formed OEM division.

University of Sharjah's new bilingual portal puts power to create back in the hands of colleges and students.

This has been another exciting year for technology releases and IT happenings. Here we recap on the best, and worst, 2007 has had to offer so far...

CE vendors and retailers are enjoying strong demand for networked multimedia products as the GCC region's construction boom continues to drive consumer uptake of smart home technology.

Microsoft's range of OEM software, including its latest Windows Vista operating system, along with its market-leading Office suite and other business offerings, are on show here at GITEX Business solutions.

Microsoft delays launch of Windows Vista Service Pack1 to first quarter of 2008.

Microsoft, Cisco: best of friends, worst of enemies, suggests research and analyst firm Ovum.

Today's consumer toys can be tomorrow's business tools, argues Mark Sutton.

Spending on products forecast to exceed US$26m at Gitex Shopper.

With the cost of living increasing all the time, how high a price are people paying to live in Dubai?

Three illegal software traders in Sharjah have become the latest parties to meet the long arm of the Business Software Alliance (BSA) following yet another set of raids initiated by Microsoft.

But resellers divided over piracy raids.

Gulf states are presenting a united front in the fight against cyber crime.

Value added resellers from the UAE market join Lenovo for a day on the tracks at the Dubai Autodrome as the PC vendor explains changes to its channel programme.

Software giant Microsoft is stepping up its efforts in the business intelligence (BI) space, revealing new products, strategic partnerships and an acquisition.

Fortinet has joined Microsoft's security scheme, which provides updates on malware affecting its technology.

Microsoft has fired a clear shot to the open source industry, explains Peter Branton.

The fervour that has greeted rumours of Microsoft merging with Yahoo proves how seriously companies take internet advertising.

Microsoft's Steve Ballmer on why the Middle East is the most vital ICT market in the world.

A security flaw has been discovered in the latest version of Adobe Systems' Photoshop Creative Suite.

Windows Vista operating system sales drives huge hike in Microsoft Q1 profits.

Software pirate cuts deal with Microsoft.

Microsoft CEO places region ahead of India and China for growth while signing Qatar ICT sector agreement.

E-Banking and e-Payments specialist, TPS, has made it a religion to respond to customer needs quickly and help them achieve the agility the sector demands. Colin Edwards discovers what being smart is all about.

Lenovo, the world's third largest computer maker, has announced that it will now ship its personal computers with the pre-installed image of Microsoft Office Professional 2007.

Steve Ballmer's statement comes as the US giant signs a major deal with Qatar.

Intel chairman Craig Barrett touched down in Lebanon this week to unveil initiatives to help the country back on its feet.

Intel is adding substance to its reconstruction investment efforts in war-torn Lebanon.

Google has made its biggest buy yet with the capture of online ad firm DoubleClick for US$3.1 billion.

Microsoft has made some licensing changes to allow firms to use Windows for thin client computing.

Microsoft has warned of four security flaws affecting Windows in its latest monthly security update.

EMC and Microsoft are sharing key network management technologies in a licensing and collaboration deal on EMC's Smarts product line, the firms said last week.

Nortel and Microsoft have broadened their partnership to offer carriers hosted unified communications services to target small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs).

Microsoft names distributor tasked with driving regional console sales.

Novell's decision to partner with Microsoft was done with its customers in mind, CEO Ron Hovsepian told delegates to the firm's annual BrainShare conference last week.

Microsoft is looking to capture a greater share of the customer relationship management (CRM) market, with the addition of web services to its Dynamics CRM suite.

Microsoft has teamed up with Bahrain's Ministry of Social Development to launch a project to increase digital literacy and promote IT skills development.

Four Seasons Hotels going private won’t have a large impact on a regional level, industry experts say.

Tackling Microsoft’s OneCare service head-on, Symantec has launched its Norton 360 product suite, which comes with antivirus, backup and firewall technology.

Consumer electronics companies are bracing themselves for a renewed wave of demand for home networking multimedia products as the region’s construction boom continues to drive the uptake of smart home technology.

Windows Vista is not going to push PC sales as much as some analysts would like, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer warned last week.

Reports of a replacement to Microsoft's much-hyped new operating system - codenamed 'Vienna' - are already surfacing.

With Microsoft Gulf gearing up for its consumer launch event for Vista, reports have already surfaced of its replacement.

This special edition of HP’s Pavilion dv6200 entertainment notebook series comes with Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium and Intel’s Core 2 Duo processor.

UAE operator Etisalat is urging its business and consumer customers to hold off on deploying Microsoft's Vista OS until it has upgraded its own desktop security package.

Security firms, and almost everyone else it seems, are falling over each other to attack Microsoft over the security of the latest edition of its Windows operating system, Vista. IT Weekly looks at what has been said and whether the criticism is justified

Business Intelligence revenue will grow 10% in EMEA during the coming year, according to Gartner.

Microsoft is extending support for the consumer editions for its Windows XP operating system for an extra five years, the company said last week.

Cisco, Intel and Microsoft have joined forces to boost Lebanon's ravaged IT infrastructure and open up information technology in the Middle East region.

Oman Mobile is implementing Microsoft's Windows server platform and management technologies.

SMB companies are a fundamental part of the Middle East landscape and for the software channel that represents a prime target base. Even renowned enterprise software providers such as CA, Oracle and SAP are assembling dedicated channels to seduce SMB customers that need a wealth of office solutions to efficiently run their operations. Channel Middle East examines this highly competitive battleground and asks what it takes to crack the Middle East SMB software market.

Oki is expecting the release of Microsoft Vista to provide a boost to its business after preparing for the launch of the long-awaited operating system by reassuring partners that they will be able to access a "broad range" of compatible print drivers

HP and Microsoft take their global partnership to a new level by joining forces to set up dedicated OEM channel programme for server resellers across the Middle East.

Microsoft is working hard to transform consumer perceptions that it is solely a software company with a significant push into the consumer electronics sector. ECN spoke to Armagan Demir, head of Microsoft's Entertainment & Devices division in the Middle East, about its strategy in the region.

US automotive giant Ford has forged a deal with Microsoft to develop new technology that the companies hope will make in-dash car stereo systems redundant

The UAE remains a trailblazer in the evolution of the wider Middle East IT market but as the major IT players flood into the country they are facing many new challenges - a staff shortage, lack of space and extortionate real estate. Duncan MacRae asks how these problems are being dealt with in order to continue the IT revolution.

Bank Dhofar has migrated all of its 47 branches from its existing Novell platform to Microsoft Windows 2003 in a bid to improve operational efficiency

The software giant's new operating system is expected to be available in the Gulf on Wednesday.

Users in the Middle East face further frustration in getting hold of Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system, with the regional launch delayed until next month.

Bill Gates stole the show yet again at last week’s CES event in Las Vegas with his vision of every household having a server with which to manage their digital content. IT Weekly and Windows Middle East’s Matthew Wade, reporting from the expo, take a closer look at what technologies Microsoft and its partners will be trying push though people’s front doors

Fresh questions have been raised over whether Microsoft will be ready to make its Vista operating system generally available at the end of the month.

One of Oman's leading banks has replaced its Novell NetWare server platform with Microsoft's Windows 2003 server operating system (OS).

The Arab World has to establish a “free-thinking intellectual playground” if it is to create an environment conducive to innovation, and foster successful research and development.

Whichever way you look at it, 2006 was a memorable year for the Middle East IT channel. From credit conflicts and audit disputes to management changes and soaring growth, the market was never short of incident. Channel Middle East reflects on the key moments of the past 12 months and gazes into its crystal ball to predict what channel life will be like in 2007.

Microsoft has forecast sales of one million units of its Zune MP3 player in the first half of this year.

Technology giants team up and commit US$300m to develop new enterprise product and services portfolio.

Microsoft exec urges region to do more to foster innovation

Upgrading to Microsoft’s Windows Vista operating system from its predecessor XP will push up PC hardware component costs by as much as 20%, according to research by analyst company iSuppli

Will take-up of Windows Vista beat expectations? Will power and cooling problems begin to bite? IT Weekly looks at the important technologies and trends for next year

Layoffs and acquisitions dominated the IT landscape in 2006, but there were also scandals aplenty and the small matter of Microsoft’s Vista OS

Microsoft has ventured into voice over internet protocol (VoiP) sector after introducing a beta version of a communications server with VoIP capabilities.

Held under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan and attended by HH Sheikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan at a glittering event at the Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, the top achievers of the year were honoured at the Arabian Business Achievement Awards 2006.

Joins GEMS schools in UAE for online projects

Microsoft’s chief operating officer Kevin Turner visited Dubai last month to oversee the software giant’s latest global initiatives, and took time out to discuss the firm’s much anticipated software releases

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Microsoft has finally launched its much-hyped Vista operating system, but has it got the right ingredients to persuade the mass market to accept it?

The first cracks have begun to emerge in the partnership between Microsoft and Novell

Microsoft has defended itself against claims it slashed the price of its software to encourage Birmingham City Council to ditch an open source desktop project

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Taiwanese vendor claims to be the first LCD producer in the global industry to obtain Microsoft Vista certification

Burj Al Arab first customer to install Vista OS in the ME

It cost $20 billion to develop, but Microsoft expects that one in five will use new operating system by year-end

Software giant signs five-year marketing agreement

Microsoft's COO Kevin Turner speaks to Andrew White about the software giant's new operating system Windows Vista.

Technology seen as huge value-add to storage giant’s product line-up

Claims come as release date for OS is finally announced

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The Middle East channel is waking up to the sales opportunities surrounding the growing demand for push email solutions. Mobile device vendors are marking their channel territory as they look to develop the winning route-to-market that will allow them to dominate a sector destined for stellar growth. Stuart Wilson reports.

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With the regional business world constantly changing, keeping up with the competition, nevermind beating it, isn’t easy. Stand still for a second and you’re sure to be left behind. Join CEO Middle East and Gary Hamel, the world’s leading strategy guru, as we bring you the definitive guide to transforming your company into an adaptable, and innovative superpower that is always one step ahead of its rivals

Manufacturing and oil & gas help drive up spend, says IDC

Software giant will give security firms access to kernel of OS

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Fixes will address critical vulnerabilities in Windows and Office

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Tech will integrate Cisco’s NAC & Microsoft’s NAP

OS gets vulnerability fixes before release

If it takes you an age to find the files you want, read on as Windows shows you how to bring order to your chaotic filing system...

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Buying a computer used to be so simple. If you were tied to a desk you would go for as much power as you could afford in a grey box.

Dubai Women's College, part of the UAE's Higher Colleges of Technology (HCT) has just hosted Microsoft's first Microsoft Open Door Education Series.

The enforcement of copyright laws in Lebanon has persuaded Microsoft to finally appoint three distributors to push its range of products.

Office will house the entire staff of Microsoft Gulf and Eastern Mediterranean, as well as some Arabic developers.

Microsoft finishes its ‘train the trainer’ programme for Exchange 2000.