Author Archives: Staff Writer

Major distributors partner for new Aptec Components division to target whole of Middle East, Africa and CIS region

Taking centre stage at Inmarsat’s stand is its portable satellite IP Regional BGAN modem. The device is among a portfolio of the vendor’s products that have just been authorised for sale within Iraq.

Any Gitex visitors with Wi-Fi enabled devices should visit 3 Continents stand. The company is handing out vouchers to show goers, which will enable them to access its hotspot in hall 7.

Sahm Technologies, Emaar’s IT subsidiary, has been drawing crowds to its stand with its ‘e-Home’ vision. The service provider is showcasing a number of its home automation solutions.

Following the merger of Konica Corporation and Minolta Co., Minolta-qms Europe has unveiled its new company name to the Middle East: Konica Minolta Printing Solutions Europe B.V.

German Internet security solution specialist, Astaro, has launched its latest Linux-based firewall service along with a range of modified web protection packages at Gitex 2003.

ACCPAC has launched a tie-up with Bayt, the regional online recruitment agency, to offer subsidised certification programmes in accounting software.

LG’s first multi-format DVD rewriter is debuting at Gitex. Compatible with DVD-R/RW, DVD+R /+RW and DVD RAM, as well as all CD formats, it’s a global storage first.

Business Software vendor Exact believes the need for international companies to replicate their head office systems in their Middle East offices will secure growth in the region and Gitex is key to achieving that vision.

Redington is set to take its distribution business pan-African. The company already represents Intel in 31 countries, besides HP Supplies, Fujitsu-Siemens, BenQ and Acer, and will now open offices in Kenya to focus and grow its operations in the East.

Computer Associates Middle East has introduced a number of products this week under the slogan ‘On-Demand Computing,’ including its Sonar technology.

Sakhr Software is launching a plethora of Arabic software solutions for security and e-learning at this year’s show.

Sybase is launching its latest financial middleware solution and online banking technologies in the Middle East market at Gitex this week.

Systronics LLC has introduced software, designed to work with ACCPAC accounting products, that includes features for dealing with post-dated cheques.

Microsoft Middle East is to create a regional Developers Support Centre, which should help lower costs for software developers.

For the first year running, non-commercial organisation ICDL is appearing at Gitex. ICDL, which sets international benchmarks for IT training, aims to enhance its presence in the Middle East.

Abu Dhabi Marine Operating Company is utilising an advanced visual system for oil exploration in the region thanks to Gitex exhibitor Emirates Computers.

The UAE’s monopoly service provider is running a variety of 3G-based demos to illustrate possible consumer and corporate broadband services.

Windows Mobile 2003 offers a number of enhancements aimed at giving mobile computer users more powerful and better connected Pocket PCs.

The company’s One Solution package, built on Microsoft technology, is designed to take care of all aspects of retail operations.

Everex systems is showcasing a new line of products at Gitex 2003, including the compact Sheba VL63 boasting a tool-less chassis and easy service and assembly.

Panasonic is debuting its GIGARANGE line of digital cordless phones. The new models boast tempting features such as Talking Caller ID, walkie-talkie and the proprietary ‘Voice Enhancer’.

Chaintech the motherboards, graphics cards and IA products manufacturer along with distribution partner Prince Computer are hoping to make an impact at the show with an ‘Exclusive Technology’ launch at Gitex 2003.

H.H. Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashed Al Maktoum, chairman of Dubai Technology, Electronic Commerce & Media Free Zone Authority inaugurated the exhibition and then went on a tour of the show floor.

Local developer, Estarta Solutions, has joined Microsoft to showcase its offerings. In particular, the Jordanian ISV is promoting its range of e-government applications, which it has been installing in Qatar.

DTK Computer Middle East is shepherding its customers away from the hubbub of Gitex 2003 to the quiet surroundings of the Novatel hotel. There they are hearing all about the vendor’s latest e-box solution.

Like many other vendors at today’s show, Toshiba is focusing on mobility and wireless solutions at this year’s Gitex. At the core of the company’s strategy is its mobile computers.

After spending the last two years urging people to ‘rebuild their businesses,’ Emirates Computers has refined its strategy further and is urging companies to adopt an asynchronous business model.

Canon has produced the world’s longest single print using a bubble jet technology. The 44 metre long printout was produce over five hours on Canon’s 44-inch wide W8200 bubble jet printer.

Sakhr Software is using today’s show as a launch pad for its range of Arabic security applications and e-learning portals. The local independent software vendor (ISV) is appearing in Oracle OpenWorld and on the Microsoft stand.

While users may not fully understand how water gets to their taps, they accept that it be there because it is a utility. Today at Gitex, a number of vendors are saying the same thing can happen with IT.

Dell is looking to establish itself as a high end player in the Middle East and wrestle market share away from the established vendors in the region such as HP, IBM and Sun Microsystems.

Although the Middle East’s mobile computing market is still dominated by the erstwhile laptop, both Palm and HP are using Gitex 2003 to tout their respective handheld devices as the ideal solution for local business users.

St Bernard software is promoting its patch management solution. The company offers a service aimed at corporates with 50 computers or more, which helps them to mange their patch levels across the entire network.

DIC has launched a HMC service for SMBs. Those companies that sign up for the service will be able to access a host of Microsoft technologies to help them operate in the knowledge economy.

Chung Won Electronics, one of the Korean exhibitors in hall 1, is using Gitex to try to build on its Saudi presence and shed some light on learning in the UAE.

On your marks, get set, go! That’s the call at the Oki stand as it challenges HP and Minolta-QMS to a printing speed test.

Monitor specialist Iiyama has launched its ProLite E430T and C480T LCD TVs into the Middle East market this week. The new products, which can act both as a monitor and stand alone TV, take the company back to familiar territory, as the company’s first ever products were mainboards for TVs.

Feng Shui plays a key part in the design of the DIC Community Zone, a stand that aims to unite old and new. The stand incorporates the key elements of Feng Shui along with two tunnels that symbolically point towards the future.

The UK Pavilion is celebrating its 10th anniversary at Gitex 2003 with its largest ever group of exhibitors. The UK pavilion is the largest national pavilion at Gitex, and has 50 companies exhibiting with financial support from Trade Partners UK.

Fast Lane has announced a partnership with the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research & Training (CERT), the commercial arm of the UAE’s Higher Colleges of Technology.

Madar research is at Gitex to promote its latest publication, Dubai Knowledge Economy 2003-2008. The book provides a detailed projection of how IT usage in Dubai will grow, as the Emirate becomes a Knowledge Economy.

Peribit Networks has uneviled complementary hardware and software products at Gitex 2003. The products are designed to reduce companies’ communication costs and increase the speed of applications by fully utilising network capacity.

For the peripheral conscious Technophile around Dubai this week, Fatila Technology is hoping to lead the way with its complete range of Ednet Accessories at Gitex.

MessageLabs has come up with a Formula One competition in its drive for success at this year’s show, which allows for attendees to win grandstand tickets at next year’s event in Bahrain.

Talafone, the Canadian internet telephony solutions provider, has launched its latest range of software and hardware products for voice over IP (VoIP) and mass communication via SMS.

CE-Infosys, the Berlin-based provider of advanced network and data security systems, is aiming to steal a march on rivals by distributing its PC security software for free at this year’s Gitex.

Euromicron, the fibre-optic components manufacturer and systems integrator, is participating at Gitex for the first time this year in a bid to establish its products in the Middle Eastern market.

Rutel, the telecomms solutions provider for rural and remote areas, is extending its operations into the Middle East after refocusing its business earlier this year.

Digital imaging software developer, ACD Systems, is at Gitex to promote its latest range of solutions to the Middle East market.

HP is demonstrating its entire portfolio of mobile solutions ranging from iPAQs and notebooks to its newest tablet PC -the TC1100, which will be making its first appearance in the Middle East at the show.

Sony business Middle East is wooing visitors to its stand with a powerful combination of broadcast and boardroom solutions that promise to change the way businesses communicate internally and externally.

IT provider Al Yousuf is presenting live demonstrations of Voice-over IP technology throughout the show.

Tally Ltd is promoting its T5023+ specialist passbook and flat sheet printer, which is designed for the financial services industry.