DHL UAE OPENS AL AIN HILTON OUTLET UAE'S GROWING MICE SECTOR UNDER AIR EXPRESS LEADER'S REVIEW
14th July 2004 DHL UAE, the Emirates' leading air express and logistics provider, has opened its first outlet in one of the country's five-star hotels - at the Al Ain Hilton."This new outlet will be our branch in the Garden City and has been selected for its central location, ease of accessibility and ample customer car parking," explained David Wild, General Manager, DHL UAE.The move comes as the award-winning DHL UAE investigates the potential of the hospitality industry as bases for courier counter services. "We have already made headway in the UAE's retail industry with outlets in major shopping malls both in Dubai and Abu Dhabi and, with the growth in the country's meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) sector, we are investigating the feasibility of establishing counters in additional hotels," said Geoff Walsh, Country Operations Manager, DHL UAE. "It's all part of our overall strategy of being easy to do business with." The new DHL outlet at Al Ain Hilton is open Saturday-Thursday from 9am until 1pm and 4pm until 9pm.
BMW Z4 NAMED SAFEST CAR IN ITS CLASS
Roadster records best ever EuroNCAP crash test results
DUBAI - July 14, 2004 The open top BMW Z4 Roadster has been named the safest car in its class by EuroNCAP, the independent motoring organisation that assesses the safety of cars.Crash tests carried out by EuroNCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme) measures the level of risk of driver and passenger injury on a 16-point scale. The BMW Z4's numbers were 15.64 for a frontal impact and 16.00 for a crash from the side. These are the best results ever recorded by this test procedure.
"The BMW Z4 is as safe as it is exciting. Ever since it was launched, it has remained the top car in its class. And now it has been shown to be the safest in its class too, for drivers and passengers alike," said Martin Klanner, Z4 project manager of the BMW Group.
Although the BMW Z4 does not have a fixed roof, the level of passenger stress in the event of an accident is even lower than in most modern vehicles with a solid roof. "This is a milestone for the development of vehicle safety and at the same time an impressive demonstration of the strength of innovation shown by BMW engineers," said Klanner.
The BMW Z4 obtains its high level of stability from the central Y support in the floor pan section, in association with the frame construction in the side panels, which extend from the front wheel arch via the sill to the rear section, and are made of high-strength steel material. They are connected to the safety cage via the rollover protector in the A column/windscreen frame, the foot-rest surfaces, with optimised intrusion properties, and the traverse body sills with the integrated rollover protectors behind the seats.
The BMW Z4 is a trend setter in terms of safety in many other areas, including run-flat tyres. The tyre faces make it considerably easier to control vehicle reactions in the event of a sudden puncture and it is even possible to continue driving for up to 150 km even following a complete loss of tyre pressure. Since 80% of punctures are preceded by a slow pressure drop, a puncture warning indicator is fitted as standard. Another innovation with which the BMW Z4 is fitted as standard is the two-level brake light. In the event of an emergency stop, additional LEDs are activated in the brake lights, which have the effect of enhancing the warning signal to any vehicles to the rear.
The Advanced Safety Electronic (ASE) system constitutes the mastermind for a number of further, standard safety features, all included in the BMW Z4. It is responsible for triggering off the airbags in appropriate situations and activates the seat-belt tightening mechanism. It also disconnects the battery, switches off the generator and fuel pump, releases the central lock and activates the interior light and hazard warning lamps. With more than 19,000 cars sold by May this year the BMW Z4 is the most successful roadster in its segment for 2004, a status it has retained since its market introduction in October 2002.
Picture caption: The BMW Z4, the safest car in its class for both drivers and passengers.
MALE BEAUTY TREATMENTS ON THE RISE
When it comes to grooming, men are becoming just as discerning as women, Switzerland's top clinic says
Dubai, UAE, 13 July, 2004: While spa treatments and beauty products were until only a few years ago considered to be the exclusive domain of women, men are now increasingly discovering the pleasures and benefits of serious grooming.Evidence indicates the 'stronger sex' is taking over spas and salons and male beauty products are mushrooming. The situation is no different in the Middle East, where men are traditionally known for their attention to personal appearance.
One of Switzerland's top medical establishments, Clinique La Prairie in Montreux, has for years attracted a healthy flow of Arab travellers. Although cellular Rrevitalisation therapy, a treatment which is said to boost energy levels and strengthen the immune system, is the clinic's signature treatment successfully practiced since 1931, an increasing number of visitors are now attracted by the clinic's expertise in plastic surgery, beauty treatments and dentistry.
The clinic had virtually no male beauty treatment customers three years ago. However, at present around one third of the clinic's patients are men, indicating an increase of 30 per cent over a period of three years. An increasing number of customers come from the Middle East.
Surprisingly, some of the treatments most popular with women are also becoming men's favourites. Most preferred by men at the clinic is a treatment called Corpotrim, which was originally developed by NASA scientists and used on astronauts in need of physiotherapy. Corpotrim is designed to tone and firm up muscles through a series of electric impulses and is most often applied to sagging arms, thighs, buttocks and stomach.
CLP - 2Simonin, a treatment which involves mild electric stimulation of facial skin is the second-most preferred beauty treatment for men visiting Clinique la Prairie and is designed to treat facial sagging and wrinkles, improve skin tone and hydrate the skin.
Cellulite and body contouring are no longer concerns for women only. Clinique la Prairie's male visitors are increasingly favouring Cellu M6 - a series of massages designed to help reduce cellulite and reshape the body by stimulating body lymph circulation and the elimination of toxins.Hydro-massages, facials and face massages, manicures and feet massages are also increasingly popular with men at the clinic.
Situated in Clarens, one of Montreux's most elegant suburbs, the clinic has for 70 years been at the forefront of medical research to slow down the ageing process. Revitalisation, the clinic's signature treatment, involves the injection of a cell extract, known as CLP Extract, and claims to have a boosting effect on a patient's immune system, thus helping combat and alleviate illnesses related to old age.
The Revitalisation treatment starts at CHF 18,300 ($13,352*) per person for six nights, full board, in a standard room ; CHF 22,500 ($16,415*) in a junior suite and CHF 24,900 ($18,167*) in a suite. The cost includes a medical check-up, dental check-up, the Revitalization treatment (CLP Extract injections), resident physician's fee, nursing care and dietetic advise, aquagym and stretching classes, access to the fitness room, swimming pool, steam bath and sauna. For maximum effect, Clinique La Prairie specialists recommend that the treatment be repeated every 18 to 24 months.
" Please note that prices in US dollars are based on current exchange rates and are subject to change.Caption: The famous Clinique La Prairie in Switzerland is experiencing increasing numbers of male visitors eager to improve their health and well being.
JVC GULF EXPANDS REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK LESS EMPHASIS TO BE PLACED ON UAE BASED TRADERS
Yoshiki Matsushima with Hisham Abdullah Al Shirawi, Executive Director, Oasis Enterprises (distributor of JVC products in the UAE) at the JVC Key Dealers Meeting held in Dubai in April this year. Over 800 distributors and retailers attended the event from around JVC Gulf's territory.
DUBAI - 14th July 2004 JVC Gulf, innovators for the perfect experience in consumer electronics, has unveiled plans to extend its distribution strategy throughout the Middle East, Africa, West Asia and much of the former CIS.
JVC Gulf - established in 1994 to oversee the distribution of JVC products in over 80 different markets - previously operated with a network of local distributors in main markets throughout its territory, with transit buyers, often operating from Dubai, supplying secondary and tertiary markets with JVC goods."In some ways, this system was successful," explained Yoshiki Matsushima, General Manager - Sales, JVC Gulf. "From the purely financial point of view, this model was extremely cost effective and efficient as it dealt with fewer people on the ground.
"However, JVC has a commitment to its customers throughout the territory and not only those who happen to live in what are considered to be primary markets." In order to ensure consumers receive the same levels of customer care, detailed product information and after-sales service, JVC Gulf has begun a process of appointing specific distributors in the 80 markets it serves. "This is the only way to guarantee that the 'JVC story' is told to every customer, in every country," explained Matsushima. "Through these appointed distributors, JVC can now ensure its high standards of customer care are being upheld in every market, helping to build the JVC brand across three continents."
The implementation of this new distribution strategy has been an ongoing process for JVC, which appointed its first secondary market local distributor in 2003. Since then, no fewer than 40 countries across the Middle East, West and Central Asia and Africa have seen local distributors appointed with Turkey, Cyprus, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria, Nigeria, Kenya, Sudan, Uganda, Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan all recently gaining an appointed JVC distributor.
One of the main tasks of a newly appointed local distributor is to open a JVC showroom, showcasing JVC's full range of innovative consumer electronics and providing in-depth product information to help customers make an informed buying decision."JVC Gulf supports all of its local distributors by running sales promotions throughout the region and launching widespread, highly visible advertising campaigns," said Matsushima."JVC Gulf also host an annual Key Dealers Meeting, to communicate with all of its regional distributors and share new product information, customer care initiatives and sales and marketing plans for the coming 12 months."
So far, this new distribution strategy has been successful in initially building the JVC brand in markets such as Kazakhstan, Libya and Turkey and then increasing turnover. In Kazakhstan, for instance, sales have jumped from under US$ 1 million before the local distributor was appointed, to approximately US$ 8 million presently."In the short term, extending JVC's distribution network has been a costly process," said Matsushima. "However, this plan was not implemented for short term gains - JVC sees this as a long term plan which will yield long term benefits, such as heightening brand awareness and building customer loyalty."
Fujitsu Siemens Computers announces MYRICA LCD flat screen TV range
Ideal for personal TV and home cinema, Myrica can integrate with any PC to view digital media
Dubai, July 13, 2004. Fujitsu Siemens Computers has launched the MYRICA series LCD-TV for personal TV and home cinema viewing. Offering flicker-free playback in a 16:9 widescreen format, MYRICA LCD-TV delivers excellent pictures with a screen resolution of 1280 x 768 pixels. With the built-in TV tuner, it not only acts as an autonomous television with teletext, but can also be combined with any PC to view digital media like photos, home videos and self-made music videos.
"The launch of MYRICA LCD TV reflects FSC's move to address the growing home entertainment and home cinema market through products that offer cutting edge innovations and user-friendly features," said Paul Gamboa, Manager Consumer Products, Fujitsu Siemens Computers. "The product also represents FSC's ability to bridge the gap between consumer electronics and the PC. Consumer trends indicate that there is a huge demand for products that offer such easy integration between entertainment devices and the PC. Further, the stylish flat screen display for TV applications has winning looks that will make the new MYRICA TV a popular product".
The MYRICA LCD-TV is available in three screen sizes: 17-inch (43cm), 23-inch (58cm) and 30-inch (75cm), all which come with standard SCART and RGB ports and a user-friendly remote control. The high performance MYRICA LCD-TVs are ideal for living rooms and bigger bedrooms where flat panel technology will afford space savings. All models have a stylish ultra-slim design with built-in speakers, producing breathtaking clarity and presence, from deep bass up to crystal-clear high frequencies.
For those customers who wish to move from traditional CRT TVs to a stylish flat panel, the new Fujitsu Siemens Computers MYRICA V17-1 and V23-1 LCD-TVs offer an excellent entry-level product. For high-end home cinema applications Fujitsu Siemens Computers offers MYRICA V30-1. The 30-inch display delivers a large 170 degree viewing angle in both the horizontal and vertical plane with high brightness. The panel brightness is measured at 500 cd/m2 with high contrast levels of 500:1.
Moreover, the LCD-TVs offer easy connection to existing home video equipment and other external appliances like digital cameras. The 30-inch screen also has a digital port (DVI). The MYRICA screens combine a long-life backlight with low power consumption.
Cosmos is the supplier of Myrica TV in Dubai
U.S. Robotics boosts standard wireless speeds up to a blazing 125 mbps
Free upgrade available for the entire range of Turbo 100 mbps products
July 14, 2004 U.S. Robotics, the leading provider of Internet connectivity solutions, is blowing past 802.11g standard wireless speeds with its exclusive accelerator technology enhancement. The company's latest firmware upgrade and driver update is capable of boosting wireless bandwidth performance from 100 Mbps up to 125 Mbps. The 125 Mbps upgrade is now available in the Middle East with all U.S. Robotics 802.11g Wireless Turbo products. The company will also support its existing 100 Mbps customers by offering a free download available at http://www.usr.com/125 .
U.S. Robotics products always connect at the highest possible data transfer rate to provide the best speeds in mixed mode networking environments-from 22 Mbps, 54 Mbps, 100 Mbps and now up to 125 Mbps. Based on advanced U.S. Robotics 802.11g Accelerator Technology and silicon chip technology from Texas Instruments, the Turbo product line uses packet aggregation coupled with frame bursting technology to dramatically improve network efficiency and boost overall performance without channel bonding.
"In line with U.S. robotics commitment to provide enhanced Business Critical Performance to IT infrastructures of its SMB (Small and Medium Businesses), the SOHO (Small Office/Home Office), and the individual users, once again the company has introduced a technology upgrade which anticipates the technological advancement entering the Wireless Networking scenarios," said Yusuf Syed, Regional Manager Middle East, U.S. Robotics. "The free upgrade available to existing 100 mbps customers will further strengthen U.S. Robotics' relationship with its customers, as well as increase the already significant demand for its wireless products."
"Continuing with our reputation of providing the fastest wireless products available, customers purchasing U.S. Robotics wireless solutions today should be assured that they are buying 125 Mbps capable product," said Jim Thomsen, senior product manager of U.S. Robotics. "This feature enhancement also increases standard 802.11g performance up to 25 percent."
To ensure the fastest data throughput rates at all times, U.S. Robotics designed the 802.11g Wireless Turbo line for total compatibility with all 54 Mbps 802.11g, 22 Mbps 802.11b and 11 Mbps 802.11b wireless devices. U.S. Robotics 802.11g Wireless Turbo products ensure that each device will securely connect independently at the highest speed possible with any combination of 802.11g and 802.11b wireless devices. Unlike other high-speed networking technology, U.S. Robotics maximizes network capacity by placing all the speed on a single channel - enabling faster file transfers between multiple network users.
The firmware upgrade and driver update will enhance performance speeds of a complete range of U.S. Robotics' 802.11g 100 Mbps wireless turbo networking equipment. Leading the pack will be U.S. Robotics' 802.11g Wireless Turbo Router (Model 8054), which is ideal for sharing a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection, data files, music and games among multiple computers. The router includes four products in one - an Access Point, 4-port Ethernet switch, router and firewall.
Another product to benefit from the upgrade in speed will be U.S. Robotics' 802.11g Wireless Turbo Multi-Function Access Point (Model 5450), which is a professional-grade access point that has the power, features and flexibility to be the foundation of a business or campus wireless network or wirelessly extend the reach of the Internet throughout a home or office. The access point includes five key wireless capabilities in one product - Access Point, Bridge, Multi-Bridge, Client and Repeater.
Users of U.S. Robotics 802.11g Wireless Turbo PCI Adapter (Model 5416), which allows users to wirelessly connect to the power of an entire network from their desktop computer, will also be able to take advantage of higher speeds with the new upgrade. The Site Survey feature, integrated in the Adapter, makes finding the closest access point easy and simplifies wireless network configuration.
For users of notebook computers, U.S. Robotics' 802.11g Wireless Turbo PC Card (Model 5410), will take advantage of the enhanced speed to stay connected to e-mail and shared files on a network and on the Internet while on the move. The PC card's unique low-power design gets the most from a notebook's battery to keep users online longer.
U.S. Robotics 802.11g Wireless Turbo products provide accelerated speeds, better security and broader compatibility than standard 802.11g products. The line's versatility and simplicity makes it easy to set up a wireless network with, or without, an existing wired network and without expensive infrastructure costs. The unique, SecureStack, modular case design of U.S. Robotics networking gear requires minimal space, so both home network users and small-to-medium size business owners alike can grow their networks with an entire family of other U.S. Robotics networking and broadband devices.
DIPLOMAT RADISSON SAS BAHRAIN OPENS NEW RESTAURANTS
State-of-the-art kitchen in prime focus
Bahrain, More than 500 guests have attended the grand opening party of The Diplomat Radisson SAS , Bahrain's new state of the art kitchen built by the Italian company Angelo - Poe. The kitchen will serve two new restaurants; Mondo and Kontiki."We are proud to be able to showcase the new additions and facilities offered at The Diplomat." said Radek Cais, General Manager of the Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel.
Mondo lounge, bar and restaurant is set to be Bahrain's top location for an easy going, flamboyant and vibrant evening and Kontiki the unique Polynesian restaurant, offering relaxed tranquil settings and a taste of Asia.Guests, including corporate business executives, travel partners, ambassadors and the media, had the opportunity to visit the kitchen and see dishes from across the world being prepared, presented and served in all four corners of the impressive new facility. Entertainment included an ice carving exhibition and live music.
Radek said, "We aim to provide the best for all our customers and feel that these facilities will achieve this. On behalf of the National Hotels Company and Radisson SAS Hotels and Resorts we look forward to welcoming all customers to experience the flavour of the new Diplomat Radisson SAS."
Situated in the heart of Manama's prestigious Diplomatic area, The Diplomat Radisson SAS Hotel is the closest 5 star hotel to Bahrain International Airport and is in close proximity to main tourist attractions and shopping areas. With 244 renovated spacious Classic, Italian and Maritime room styles and Royal Club rooms, the hotel provides high-speed internet access, one touch service and 24 hour room service.
TOP SUMMER BARGAIN WITH HERTZ UAEDubai, UAE, 6 July, 2004: UAE car renters looking for the best offer around can drive off in a new Nissan Sunny, save on flights to Europe and collect a bumper sum of air miles with Hertz UAE when they take the car on monthly rental.
For just Dhs38 per day during each month, the Nissan Sunny will be a popular choice with customers looking for an economical means of transportation and yet not willing to compromise on safety and reliability. Available until 31 July, the offer also gives monthly car renters the chance to fly KLM to a number of popular European locations for as low as Dhs1, 900, while collecting up to 17,500 bonus air miles.
The offer is available at Hertz UAE's 12 car rental branches throughout the country. In Dubai, Hertz UAE has branches on the Airport Road, at the Sheraton Towers, at Dubai International Airport, at Jebel Ali Free Zone, the Toyota service centre in Ramoul, and at the Trading Enterprises service centre in Ramoul.In Abu Dhabi, Hertz branches are at Abu Dhabi International Airport, on Al Falah Street, while in Sharjah, there are branches at both the Toyota & Honda service centres. Fujairah's first Hertz branch is located at the Al Futtaim Motors Workshop in the emirate, while in Ras Al Khaimah Hertz UAE has a branch at the Hilton hotel Ras Al Khaimah.Caption: Nissan Sunny - now available from Hertz UAE for just Dhs38 per day on a monthly basis, along with bumper airfare deals and bonus air miles.
