Gitex Technology Week has again demonstrated its strength as the region’s leading IT procurement platform, with major deals and high profile technology launches stealing the spotlight at the event.
With three dedicated segments at this year’s event focusing on business solutions, telecommunications and consumer electronics, exhibitors have been able to focus their full attention on their intended audiences, with a range of dazzling displays for trade visitors.
One of the largest and most significant announcements at this year’s GITEX Business Solutions exhibition 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 commented that the deal will have significant implications for the business software market, and DWTC’s Director General, Helal Saeed Al Marri, was among the first people to congratulate both parties on the successful agreement.
Other major announcements have 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 an impressive 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, 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 are participating 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.
Given the volume of trade visitors, many companies have opted to host the regional launch of key new technologies at the show.
In particular, the dedicated Consumer Electronics stream, which occupies the Sheikh Rashid and Sheikh Maktoum Halls, has witnessed the Middle East premiers of a vast range of new products, ranging from the imaginative through to the potentially indispensable.
Samsung has unveiled its expanded range LCD TV products at this year’s show, highlighting new technology that doubles the contrasts ratio and offers crystal clear visuals.
IT distributor Trigon is displaying 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, is showcasing its cutting-edge SSD product, a revolutionary alternative to the traditional hard drive.
Meanwhile i-Mate, with the help of its own “technology evangelist,” has drawn significant attention with the launch of its new Ultimate series of mobile phones.
Innovation has also been on display in the GULFCOMMS exhibition, with telecoms majors unveiling solutions and services for consumers and businesses.
Visitors to the Etisalat stand have been treated to demonstrations of impressive advanced technologies and solutions, aimed at both business and individual customers.
Juniper Networks is generating attention with its high-performance network infrastructure, which enables companies to deploy services and applications over a single network.
Mohamad Abdul-Malak, Regional Director, Juniper Networks MEA, commented: “GULFCOMMS is an ideal opportunity for customers and partners to find out more about the application performance, controlling access and threat management solutions we've rolled out this year, and this has been a hugely successful show for us so far.”
2007 has also been a year when new companies – and first time exhibitors in particular – have made a splash. Over 570 companies are participating in this year’s show for the first time, including Blackberry, Harman House, HCL Technologies, NEC Philips and UTStarcom. WinSoft, a multilingual software provider, has launched its latest version of its Tasmeem Arabic design tool at GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK.
In fact, several visitors have noted that this year’s GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK has marked a significant increase in the levels of localisation and innovation offered by regional technology groups.
“Technology is playing an increasingly important role in the way in which companies function, as it introduces process and policy,” said Esam Himdy, Executive President, Sahara Petrochemical Company, of Saudi Arabia. “This event has been extremely important in helping drive forward the discussion for the Middle East,” he added.
GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK finishes today, 12 September 2007. The next edition will run from 19-23 October 2008 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.
© 2007 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
