GITEX New launches, mega deals
Major deals and high profile technology launches marked the GITEX Technology Week held in Dubai last month. OER reports

With focus on business solutions, telecommunications and consumer electronics, the exhibitors at GITEX this year showcased a range of dazzling displays for the visitors. One of the largest and most significant announcements was SAP AG’s acquisition of the software license and maintenance business of SAP Arabia, its exclusive long-term partner in the region. International industry observers feel the deal will have significant implications for the business software market.

Other major announcements included the unveiling of the master plan for SmartCity Malta, a new self-sustained industry township for knowledge-based companies to be developed by Dubai-based SmartCity in partnership with the Government of Malta, and the award of a multi-million Euro contract to Alcatel-Lucent from the Egyptian mobile operator Mobinil, to expand its wireless network. Vendors reporting a significant run of new deals at the show include Oracle, HP, Avaya, Sun Microsystems, IBM and Fujitsu Siemens Computer.

Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General, Dubai World Trade Centre (the organiser of the event), said: “GITEX has a strong record of facilitating business development, and this year’s show – particularly with the new innovations that have enabled companies to focus on their key potential customers – has further developed its positioning in this area.” Over 3,300 companies participated in the event to meet with potential and existing customers and many have brought the latest hardware and software to display on the show-floor.

Technology showcase
Given the volume of trade visitors, many companies have opted to host the regional launch of key new technologies at the show. Samsung unveiled its expanded range LCD TV products highlighting new technology that doubles the contrasts ratio and offers crystal clear visuals. IT distributor Trigon displayed the world’s smallest battery-operated portable scanner, a product which is poised to make its way into the Guinness Book of Records, while SanDisk, the world’s largest supplier of flash data storage card products, showcased its cutting-edge SSD product, a revolutionary alternative to the traditional hard drive.

i-Mate, with the help of its own ‘technology evangelist’, drew significant attention with the launch of its new Ultimate series of mobile phones. Juniper Networks got attention with its high-performance network infrastructure, which enables companies to deploy services and applications over a single network.

This year, new companies – and first time exhibitors in particular – made a splash. Over 570 companies took part for the first time and they included Blackberry, Harman House, HCL Technologies, NEC Philips and UTStarcom. WinSoft, a multilingual software provider, launched its latest version of its Tasmeem Arabic design tool. In fact, there has been a marked increase in the levels of localisation and innovation offered by regional technology groups.

“We’ve been thoroughly impressed by the show, and we’ve been able to network with a higher number of quality decision-makers than ever before. Many of the new innovations, like the Priority Club, have put us in direct contact with high-level customers. This reinforces the business development potential of this event,” said Husam Dajani, Senior Vice-President, Oracle Middle East and Africa.

Innovative format
“The success of this year’s GITEX Technology Week has been driven by the strategic reformatting of the event, which caters to the needs of the high number of senior decision makers attending the show. With new innovations such as the Global Conference networking sessions and CxO lunches, and our new Priority Club service, we have been able to roll out a programme that ultimately provides exhibitors and visitors with an increasing return on their investment,” said Helal Saeed Al Marri of Dubai WTC.

Oman’s leading m-Commerce firm, Knowledge Oasis Muscat-based Infocomm, too participated in the event. Singaporean entrepreneur and Infocomm’s MD, Karim Rahemtulla said, “We were besieged with quality enquiries – people literally queued up one after the other to see our WiFi, M-commerce e-Learning and e-Gaming solutions.”

Infocomm signed an MOU to provide a full turnkey WiFi solution for 7i, the Saudi-based ISP. This is the second venture between the two companies since they meet at GITEX last year. 7i has also shown keen interest in Infocomm’s e-Learning content. In an effort to reach a broader international audience and spread news of Knowledge Oasis Muscat’s (KOM) continued expansion, the Park’s management participated at GITEX. A multi-million Rial expansion has recently opened on KOM, the Rusayl-based technology park. According to Mohammed Al Maskari, KOM’s Director General: “The RO3.8 million (US$10.4 million) expansion programme provides an additional 10,000 square metres of office accommodation to support established and developing hi-tech businesses. Amongst a number of new tenants from Europe and the Middle East, the Park’s recently opened office space is home to Microsoft, Motorola, Qatar Airways and the Information Technology Authority (ITA).”

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