Abu Dhabi Company raided for Software Piracy

 Abu Dhabi, 29th January 2001

A major Abu Dhabi company has been raided by police and Ministry of Information officials in a two-day action that saw two of the corporate's divisions investigated by the UAE authorities. The family-owned enterprise now faces the likelihood of prosecution under the UAE's copyright law. "It doesn't matter who you are, the law stands and the law is being enforced rigorously and effectively by the UAE authorities," commented Jawad Al Redha, regional director of the BSA (Business Software Alliance). "This kind of action is totally avoidable. The BSA issues warnings to companies time and time again before reporting them to the authorities." The BSA reported the end user company to the authorities following reports that the organisation was using unlicensed software in its business operations.

 "We genuinely regret that action of this sort is necessary to protect the rights of copyright owners: particularly here in the UAE, where a strong and growing IT market and industry has grown up around the country's effective implementation of its copyright laws," said Al Redha. "As a major regional trading hub, the UAE is home to sophisticated and successful companies who use business software products to underpin their operations. Using these tools without paying for them is no longer an  accepted practice in the market, and companies face the risk of raids, confiscation of hardware and software and subsequent prosecution. Quite apart from the ethical considerations involved in using illegal software, companies have a legal duty to pay for the software they use." 

The penalties under UAE law for the use of illegal software can include fines of up to Dhs 50,000, confiscation of computer equipment and software and prison sentences of up to three years. "Although we are obviously strongly in support of the UAE's strong stance on copyright, we are keen that companies should not leave themselves exposed to such legal measures, and do try to avoid this type of action wherever possible. Sadly, sometimes the only solution is recourse to the law, and this case was one such situation," said Al Redha.

CRISIL enters into alliance with Teauction.com, a leading B2B Online Tea Exchange  

Bombay: January 29: CRISIL, India’s premier Rating Agency, has entered into an alliance with Teauction.com, a leading B2B Online Tea Exchange, to provide e-commerce evaluation and e-commerce rating services for the teauction.com exchange participants. Under this alliance, CredibilityFirst (a division of CRISIL) would be working with Teauction.com to offer the first of its kind performance ratings to Tea industry participants. 

The present alliance between CRISIL & Teauction.com is a pioneering effort to meet the requirements of Banks and Financial Institutions for specialized credit and performance assessment requirements of small and medium enterprises in the Tea industry.  

Mr. Hemant Joshi, Executive Director, Crisil expressed confidence that CredibilityFirst’s  eCommerce evaluation and rating services would be  useful for small and medium   business enterprises in the tea industry. He also hoped that these services would help in catalysing the e-commerce transactions.

 Mr Ayush Bagla, Managing Director of Teauction.com, said  "CRISIL’s expertise & leadership in the ratings business will be utilized to offer performance ratings for Teauction.com’s participants and this will ease  flow of credit, especially to the small and medium sized participants".

 Centurion Bank Limited, a significant stakeholder in Teauction.com, has already agreed to make available a corpus of Rs. 200 crores for financing the participants at Teauction’s Online Exchange.  

 

Canon reports 46 Percent Growth in Middle East

Growth in sales of business equipment,  imaging products

 

Gordon Jones, General Manager Canon Middle East.  

Dubai, 28th January 2001

Canon Middle East today announced the results for its business for the 2000 financial year, showing an impressive 46 percent growth. Several regional markets showed considerable development, particularly Iran, Jordan and Lebanon, which saw business grow several-fold. The impressive growth underscores Canon's excellent product line-up, which is complemented by first rate sales organisations throughout the region.

“The Middle East team is extremely pleased with the fine results that we have achieved in conjunction with our distributors and resellers around the region. This market is very important to us, with an increasing focus on the use of today's latest technologies to maximise business efficiency. Over this next year we are confident that we will better these results as Canon steps up its activities to ensure that the increasing demand for its quality products are always met,” said Gordon Jones, General Manager of Canon Middle East.

Saudi Arabia, one of Canon's largest markets in the region, also returned strong growth of more than 30 percent to complement Canon's success. Particularly important changes happening in the Middle East include moves by the business community to networked digital systems, and away from older stand-alone analogue devices, according to Jones, who has expanded the company’s regional management team to handle the increased demand in Canon’s Middle East markets. “We have just taken on board six senior people, giving Canon Middle East a full management team to enable us to take advantage of the opportunities in the market,” said Jones.

Canon Middle East officially opened its doors in 1998, establishing a local office to build the Canon brand awareness and support the partners in the region.

“We announced our new strategy last year: ‘Imaging Across Networks’. This has attracted a lot of interest from both our consumer and business customers. ‘Imaging Across Networks’ is Canon’s philosophy that connecting people with information empowers them, makes their life easier, and lets them work more efficiently,” added Michel Sabbagh, marketing manager of Canon Middle East.

The Middle East market has also enthusiastically adopted other new digital technologies such as the new line-up of digital cameras, including the Digital IXUS. The UAE in particular saw a growth of over 300 percent in these types of cameras.

Other major developments for Canon in the region last year include the appointment of a new distributor in Lebanon, Image Systems. This company immediately re-invigorated the business in Lebanon, showing growth in this well developed market of over 300 percent.

The Canon business equipment line includes imaging systems and computer input/output devices (analogue and new generation digital photocopiers, scanners, printers  [laser, bubble-jet and wide-format] and LCD projectors). Photo/Video includes Canon's professional and consumer line of cameras and optical products (both traditional and digital, still and video).

 Jordan to host Convergence 2001 Forum to 'kick-start' its technology future

 Jordan’s IT community partner to host Kingdom-wide telecommunications forum, event to share road map for sector’s rapid growth

 Amman, 28th January 2001

In a move to establish awareness of the Kingdom’s strong advances in the development of its information technology (IT) infrastructure, Jordan Telecom has partnered with Intaj (the Information Technology Association- Jordan) and the Jordanian Ministry of Post & Communications to create the one-day Convergence 2001 forum.  The event to be held on Thursday 8th February 2001, is to highlight the Kingdom’s readiness to deliver advanced technology infrastructure and to show Jordanian businesses how they can gain from using these technologies. 

“Convergence 2001 is being held to mark the Kingdom’s readiness to cater to the international business and information technology community by providing state-of-the-art telecommunications infrastructure and the high speed Internet services that are driving the transformation of global economies,” said Dr. Shabib Ammari, chairman of Jordan Telecom.  “By inviting key technology adopters and leading businesses in the Kingdom to share in this initiative, we are also able to share the compelling business advantages that these technologies can bring to Jordanian companies."

 Convergence 2001 builds on the Jordanian government’s strong commitment to establish Jordan as a key regional information technology player, providing an ideal business environment with a highly advanced technology infrastructure, flexible governmental participation and a strong labour market for large companies wishing to establish regional business units in the country. The move to embrace information technologies also brings advantages to Jordanian businesses in building competitive advantage and new opportunities for growth and profitability.

 

“Jordan Telecom’s vision is to bring high-speed, digital voice/data  & Internet capabilities affordably to the Kingdom. With a highly advanced infrastructure in place, Jordan is set to serve the communication needs of businesses to the highest global standards. These services are a major value-add to establishing Jordan as a key business location and communication hub for the region and beyond,” said Pierre Mattei, CEO of Jordan Telecom.  “Our aspiration is that Jordanian companies will also now be able to move to new economy business models and opportunities, and we hope that the Convergence event will give key pointers to businesses in the country."

 

The Convergence 2001 Forum will include two panel sessions with guest panelists from major global IT and telecommunications companies who will be flying in to participate in this event.  The first panel will review the technologies that are driving the global adoption of IT and provide a glimpse of where the technology is heading for the future.  The second panel session will focus on the action steps that need to be taken to drive the adoption of IT for business and government.  The session will include panelists from Jordan’s business community as well as a panelist from the Ministry of Post & Communication who will highlight Jordan’s e-government initiative and provide case studies of successful technology implementation within the Jordanian government.

“With the telecommunications industry growing throughout the Middle East, there is a strong push for the adoption of new business models and the application of technology to fuel economic growth,” said Karim Kawar, chairman of Int@j. “Jordan is set to capitalize on these new economic opportunities and must begin taking steps to create regional and international awareness for the facilities the Kingdom is offering to the business and IT community. We see this event as an important, practical, step in that movement forwards.”

Jordan Telecom with an estimated capital of 520 million JOD started operation under its new name in 1997 as Jordan's foremost provider of communications services. The company runs the whole nations technological infrastructure, which forms the backbone for ISP's and mobile service providers.

 

Jerusalem, 26 January 2001

The Israel Security Agency (ISA) and IDF forces arrest "terrorists"

People  who are suspected of perpetrating many shootings that have killed and wounded Israelis

The Israel Security Agency (ISA) and IDF forces in Judea and Samaria have recently uncovered and arrested a number of terrorists, who are suspected of perpetrating many shootings that have killed and wounded Israeli soldiers and civilians.

Six members of the terror cell are currently being interrogated by the Israel Security Agency. An additional terrorist, Ahmed Gandor, was killed this week in Ramallah, and according to the

Palestinians he died as a result of a discharged bullet. The cell belongs to Force 17, and its members are suspected of perpetrating shooting attacks in the Ramallah area and in the Samaria area.  Prime Minister and Defense Minister Ehud Barak commended the actions taken by the ISA and IDF and expressed his appreciation to those involved in uncovering and arresting the terrorists. The Prime Minister emphasized that the arrests are part of ongoing and continuous activity taken by the security forces against anyone who harms or intends to harm Israeli soldiers or civilians. The Prime Minister added that the security forces are continuing with their intensive activity to apprehend all of the terrorists who have taken part in attacks lately.

The Israel Security Agency, together with the IDF, are continuing their efforts to capture the terror cell that has yet to be arrested and is hiding out in Ramallah.

The members of the terror cell that have been arrested are suspected of perpetrating the following attacks, among others 1) Shooting attack on November 13, 2000 in the Ramallah area in which two soldiers were killed: Elad Levinstein from Ashkelon and Amit Zana from Netanya, as well as Sara Lish from Neve Tzuf;

2) A shooting attack on November 24, 2000 in the Tapuah Junction area in Samaria, during which Ariel Jerfy from Petah Tikva was killed;

3) A December 1, 2000 shooting attack on a bus at the French Hill junction in Jerusalem;

4) A shooting attack on December 21, 2000 on the Givat

Zeev-Modeein road, during which Eliyahu Cohen of Modeein was killed;

5) A shooting attack on December 31, 2000 next to Ofra, during which Talia and Binyamin Kahane were killed;

6) In addition, the terror cell members are suspected of perpetrating other shooting attacks in the area of the Bekkot and

Yabed junctions in Samaria and the Atarot area next to Jerusalem.

SHERATON RECRUITMENT  DRIVE FOR  NATIONALS

 MANAMA, Bahrain: A comprehensive scheme to train Gulf nationals for the hostpitality industry has been successful, said  a statement from Sheraton Hotels. A new batch of graduates will  join one of its properties in the Middle East’s.

 “We are set to hire an extra 20 people for a wide variety of positions here at the Sheraton Bahrain and each one has come through this outstanding programme,” says Karl Heinz Aumann, senior executive with the Starwood hotel chain.   

The graduates will join 130-plus Bahrainis already working at the hotel - currently celebrating its 20th birthday. Sheraton Bahrain and the Gulf College of Hospitality and Tourism operate in tandem in many aspects of training with impressive results from the campus to the kitchen.

Top Sheraton personnel visit the campus to lecture students on most facets of the industry. Work placement of students at the five-star property has increased - from junior positions to those studying higher level diploma courses.“Training nationals is number one priority,” says Aumann, the Bahrain-based vice-president Africa, India and Middle East area director Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc. (Starwood is the parent company of Sheraton) “Bahrainisisation is very successful at the Manama property - our deputy general manager, front office manager, director of sales and director of marketing are nationals.

“The 20 new staff, who will all be working with us by New Year, will work throughout the hotel. Some will be in food and beverage, others at the front office, even in the laundry. We’re looking for people at all levels. “Of course, we are delighted when we employ the Sheraton/college students at our properties, but others who have gone through the training schemes are being recruited by other hotels and various fields of the hospitality industry. If we can play a role in giving someone a career in our industry we’re certainly very happy.” “We are totally committed to the concept of Bahrainisation anyway, but this increased involvement with the college which commenced in 2000, has enabled us to step it up.”

 A college spokesman said recently that young Bahrainis were “getting a greater understanding of the hotel industry through this arrangement between the college and the Sheraton. And parents are also becoming more aware of the fact that it is a tremendous career.”  Records show that the Bahraini graduates are in demand around the region. The standards of graduates are very impressive, according to the college. “At the Sheraton Bahrain we have a high percentage of Bahrainis in all departments -- food and beverage, housekeeping, front office, kitchen and more. ”

 Aumann says the hotel aims to increase Bahraini employees at the property by at least 5 per cent a year. Abdulnabi al Sho’ala, minister of labour and social affairs, is on record as saying the college (established in the late ‘70s and privatised three and a half years ago) was an important part of Bahrain’s consolidation as a Gulf “centre of excellence”.

 The college is a division of Manchester College of Arts and Technology, UK. The minister says it provides “Gulf-based internationally-accredited training programmes for this essential industry”.

 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. (NYSE:HOT) is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 725 properties in 80 countries and 120,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. With internationally renowned brands, Starwood is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchiser of hotels and resorts including: St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Four Points and W brands., as well as Starwood vacation ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality interval ownership resorts.

 

New IBM e-Commerce Software Offers Broad Support for Multicultural Trade, Improved Customer Loyalty Features

 

Streamlines Creation of Fast, Flexible, Global e-commerce Sites

 Dubai, UAE, January 28th 2001 - IBM today announced new e-commerce software that cuts through the complexities and costs of selling goods across countries and cultures. The new software also includes enhanced features for mobile commerce, providing access to e-commerce sites via handheld devices.

Because global, multicultural e-commerce requires support for more than just various languages and currencies, WebSphere® Commerce Suite Version 5.1 now supports functions such as region-specific sales tax and shipping rules, customized product catalogs and localized payment methods and pricing. Companies that operate in diverse countries can use the software to conduct business around the world more efficiently and provide better customer service and support -- all from a single commerce site.

In addition, the new software allows for anytime, anywhere access to e-commerce sites with enhanced mobile computing features -- including notification messages, automatic content selection and customized shopping flow -- tailored to individual devices.          

In 2000, WebSphere Commerce Suite posted more than 300% revenue growth, far outpacing the industry growth rate of 145%*.  With its new capabilities, WebSphere Commerce Suite provides a comprehensive array of features and functionality necessary to meet the needs of the three major markets for e-commerce:  business-to-business, business-to-consumer and e-marketplaces.           

IDC estimates that 60 percent of business-to-business companies have taken steps to globalize their Web sites. IDC also predicts that these globalization efforts earn companies an average of 15 percent more foreign revenue than competitors that have not globalized.

 “Conducting business across countries and cultures is essential to improving customer loyalty and increasing sales,” said Tarek Niazi, general manager, IBM Software, Middle East.  “Handling cultural nuances -- such as taxation and shipping policies -- from a single solution helps businesses control their costs while focusing on designing more compelling marketing campaigns that increase sales reach and improve ROI.”

 With its intuitive design, WebSphere Commerce Suite provides easy-to-use interfaces for business managers to create dynamic marketing campaigns, product promotions and recommendations, discounts and advertisements, all targeted to specific customers using powerful business rules technology.  Combined with new out-of-the-box business intelligence function, WebSphere Commerce Suite offers a user-friendly interface to support highly customized marketing and merchandising techniques.        

 WebSphere Commerce Suite is based on open industry standards and features an enhanced Java ™ programming model.  It provides a flexible and powerful Web application development and management workbench for rapid and easy integration, deployment and usage.

 Product Availability

WebSphere Commerce Suite Version 5.1 is available immediately in English for the Microsoft® Windows NT® operating system and will be available in English for the AIX® operating system on February 28, 2001, and for the Solaris operating system on March 30, 2001.  It will be available worldwide in 10 languages on February 28, 2001, for the Windows NT operating system, and on March 30, 2001, for the AIX and Windows® 2000 operating systems. 

 IBM WebSphere Commerce Suite and the WebSphere Software Platform for e-business

IBM WebSphere Commerce Suite, the first integrated e-commerce solution, provides multiple easy-to-use features and functions for content management, relationship marketing, order management, and payment management for all types of Internet businesses, including business-to-business, business-to-consumer, and e-marketplaces. Sites built with WebSphere Commerce Suite can easily integrate with both internal and external systems and grow with the changing needs of an e-business.  IBM WebSphere Commerce Suite customers benefit from the functionality of the WebSphere software platform for e-business, which integrates Web commerce, Web application server, Web application development tools, transaction processing and distributed component software from IBM.

 

 

New Honey moon facility by the Red Sea

 IT’S  ‘love suite love’ when it comes to honeymooning at elite Starwood hotels down by the Red Sea.  Indeed, when the Beatles sang ‘All You Need is Love”, they could well have had in mind the delightful, romantic lifestyle of Sheraton Sharm, Sheraton Miramar and Sheraton Soma Bay.These properties offer the ultimate in honeymoon packages and newlyweds are flying in from all over the world for that special romance Red Sea-style. “Sheraton Sharm has become a very popular place for Egyptian honeymooners and many from Europe as well,” says Atef Wilson, general manager.

 “The layout of the hotel, the friendly colour schemes of the rooms -  which have  large private balconies overlooking the beach, sea and Tiran Island - make it a perfect place for romantic times.

 “We are looking to grow this already strong market even more by decorating a number of rooms specially for the honeymooners. Special touches will include, red heart-shaped pillows, free room service breakfast, romantic turndown amenities and dinner settings on the beach - these are for two people only.”

 Wilson says: “Most people only have a honeymoon once in a lifetime ... the Sheraton Sharm team will ensure it is the ultimate once-in-a-lifetime experience.”  The property also boasts world-class spa facilities and Wilson says: “The feel-good factor is becoming more important than ever for holidaymakers. We are proud to have contracted the famous Thalasso Therapy Centre to look after the needs of our spa. Thalassotherapy uses the beneficial effects of sea water and its components, plus a variety of marine products. ”

Wilson says fully-qualified European physiotherapists and hyrotherapists devise and tailor special treatment programmes for guests.  Sheraton Soma Bay, already highly regarded as a holiday destination, is currently being introduced to the international market as a destination for honeymooners. Last April the property launched a honeymooners’ package which will run through to next July.   The hotel reports many honeymooners were coming to the hotel for the “privacy, romantic atmosphere, luxury accommodation and excellent food and service.”

 “Uniquely designed after the Karnak Temple in Luxor, Sheraton Soma Bay offers the ideal dream-like honeymoon destination. The Pharaonic theme and nature’s beauty leads the newly-wed into a perfect world of romance,” says Jan Kirstein, Sheraton Soma Bay general manager.

“Sheraton Soma Bay offers the couple utter and total relaxation, from spacious rooms, white sandy beaches, clear turquoise water, and lots of memories to take back home.”Love is in the air at the splendid Sheraton Miramar Resort at El Gouna as well.

“We promise honeymooners the ultimate holiday experience - the happiest possible start to a long and happy marriage,” says Jorg Heyer, general manager.

“Our resort is a very romantic place with lots of areas where couples can simply  be together and enjoy each other’s  company. For those who dream of  unspoiled sandy beaches in perfect weather ... we have it here.” 

 Sheraton Miramar is built on the most magnificent setting of nine islands. Surrounds are crystalline lagoons and the pristine beaches, the finest the Red Sea can muster.

 All deluxe rooms have large secluded terraces with stunning views of the hotel’s private beaches. The resort has its own Palace Suite, considered the most luxurious on the Red Sea. It boasts its own pool, two bedrooms, butler service and chef.

 The resort town of El Gouna, a decade ago a nameless and barren desert, was developed to entice the sun-and-fun set from southern Spain. It is succeeding brilliantly, particularly among those looking for a charming, romantic destination - hence the honeymoon initiative.

 If one word sums up Sheraton Miramar, it is “breathtaking”. Canals and lagoons thread throughout the opulent, yet relaxing, complex. Many honeymooners also favour cocktails on Samir II, the property’s boat-bar docked in the lagoon. Even the most seasoned travellers find their hearts melted by these stunning Starwood properties.