IS0 9001: 2000 certification strengthens Siemens LLC standing in Middle East region IBM Business Consulting Services helps bring e-Governance to the Government of Pondicherry U.N. Warns India On AIDS Problem As New Figures Released Wholesale-retail sector is the biggest spender of IT in Saudi Arabia's booming market
New CEO Appointed to Take Jordan Telecom into Competitive Era
Mialet commits to giving Jordanians the best telecommunications deal yet; greater network efficiencies, better pricing and delivering shareholders value
Amman, 22nd July 2003 Jordan Telecom today announced the appointment of its new CEO, Laurent Mialet, who is charged with taking the company into its next phase, ahead of liberalisation of the fixed line market in January 2005. Mialets arrival from France Telecoms International Division, reaffirms the French companys active interest and commitment to the development of the Jordan Telecom Group. Mialet, who was instrumental in negotiating the acquisition of Jordan Telecom by France Telecom in 2000, joins the company responsible for providing world-class telecommunications services throughout the Kingdom.
Through the leadership and vision of King Abdullah II, Jordans ICT sector today has marked key milestones since France Telecoms involvement in the market in 2000. Today, Jordan has become a better environment for investment, has a powerful and independent ICT regulator, a growing economy and a population exposed to the latest technology, said Mialet, CEO, Jordan Telecom. Jordan Telecom has made enormous strides forward in the past three years, but more is still ahead to come! Jordan Telecom is going to be driving the best deal ever for people in Jordan into the future!
As part of the strategy to move Jordan Telecom towards liberalisation, Mialet will build on providing more world class services and making the skilled team more robust and competitive. The strong infrastructure built in the last three years will provide the backbone for the company to be able to sustain competitive pricing and high-quality of services. I am very proud to be playing a key role spear-heading the growth of the company, as well ensuring that new technologies and education programmes are delivered throughout the Kingdom. Building on the work and achievements of my predecessor and team that have taken the company this far, it is my challenge to ensure that there is a continuation of the state-of-the-art technology and services delivered to our customers at affordable prices, he said.
We are delighted that Mr. Mialet will be joining the management team, bringing a wealth of international telecommunications experience, as we enter this all important phase ahead of market liberalisation. The company is building on the tremendous advancements in Jordans telecommunications and information technology sectors over the last few years and is committed to delivering excellent services and value to both customers and shareholders, said Dr. Shabib Ammari, Chairman of Jordan Telecom.
In Mialets 33 year history with France Telecom, he has worked on many international operations, including the first major transatlantic and trans-Mediterranean submarine cable systems and the launch of the first cable linking Asia to Europe via the Middle East. He has launched major operations for France Telecom in Europe (Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Portugal), Latin America (El Salvador), Africa (Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Botswana, Cameroon, Madagascar, and Mauritius), the Middle East (Egypt, Jordan) and Asia (Indonesia, Vietnam). These operations have spanned both fixed-line and wireless networks, including the launch of the first GSM network in Africa, which underpin the groups extensive global presence.
Mialet credits much of the companys success is owed to the leadership and team built by his predecessor, Pierre Mattei, who will return to France Telecom having joined Jordan Telecom in 2000. The three years of Matteis leadership saw Jordan Telecom transformed from a state-run monopoly into one of the regions premier Telco operators. (keralamonitor.com)Wholesale-retail sector is the biggest spender of IT in Saudi Arabia's booming market
eSolutions BEA among regional software players turning attentions on
Saudi ArabiaJuly 22, 2003
The biggest consumer in Saudi Arabia's expanding Information Technology
market is the wholesale and retail sector, which accounted for more
than 23 per cent of the total IT spending in Saudi Arabia in 2002. This
booming sector spent around US$ 860 million on IT projects and solutions,
against the total IT spending of US$ 3.70 billion across all sectors of the
Saudi Arabian economy.The figures, released by Dubai-based Madar Research Group, indicate
that the wholesale and retail sectors drive towards IT is fueled primarily
by the dominance of large international and regional chains stores. After
trade, other big IT spenders are the manufacturing sector (14.86 per
cent) and government institutions (10.8 per cent)."Saudi Arabia is a classic case of rapid switchover from a conventional
economy into a sophisticated IT-driven Knowledge Economy that needs
advanced solutions to allow integration with global applications," says Diyaa
Zebian, Regional Manager, Middle East and Egypt, for eSolutions BEA. BEA has
helped the region's businesses deploy the highly regarded BEA Weblogic
Platform that provides a unified, simplified and extensible application
infrastructure for business transformation."Saudi Arabia's fast-track growth in IT is a tribute to the vibrancy of
the Saudi Arabian economy and the foresight that is driving businesses
to migrate to next generation technologies, as it continues its push
towards the Digital Economy," said Zebian. "In such a scenario, applications
like the BEA Weblogic platform are equipped to facilitate the migration
towards fully integrated IT systems, as have been proved by the success of
Weblogic at an international level."The Saudi Arabian market, which accounts for nearly 50 per cent of the
total IT spending in the GCC, is expected to undergo further IT
deployments across businesses, a factor that has prompted top vendors and software
solution providers to strengthen their marketing strategies.Also driving the IT sector is the assertive national strategy driven by
initiatives like the National Policy for Sciences and Technology which
surveyed 48 government institutions and 271 private companies to assess
their IT structure, potential and future plans."eSolutions BEA is ready for a dramatic growth in the region,
particularly in the Saudi Arabian market, as several leading corporations are
deploying the Weblogic platform to integrate their IT systems. Our strategy is to
tap into the vast opportunities offered by the expanding IT markets and
provide clients with leading edge solutions for which BEA has become
famous across the globe," said Zebian.IBM Business Consulting Services helps bring e-Governance to the Government of Pondicherry
Plan designed to improve services and ensure increased efficiency & transparency.
July 21, 2003, Mumbai: Government of Pondicherry, today announced that IBM Business Consulting Services, India has helped them strategise a Master Plan and Implementation Road Map for e-Governance. Mr. Ravi Trivedy, Partner, IBM Business Consulting Services, India handed over this blue print to the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Pondicherry, Thiru N. Rangasamy at a ceremony.
The e-Governance Master Plan aims at improving services to citizens and businesses; to ensure increased transparency and efficiency in operations across different government departments. The blue print covers 16 key departments and encompasses the overall IT Architecture, the IT Organization Structure, cost estimates for funding the recommended IT initiatives and the Implementation Roadmap to achieve the Pondicherry government's vision of e-Governance.
As part of the plan, the team from IBM Business Consulting Services recommends an integrated approach to facilitate the e-Governance initiative for Pondicherry. The team has identified applications, which can be shared by the departments and hence jointly developed and deployed. The IT Architecture has taken into consideration the sharing of critical infrastructure such as Data Center, Wide Area Network etc. This approach will help in reducing the cost of implementation and at the same time help in better integration within the departments and hence improved and efficient services to the stakeholders.
"Governments today, are required to provide improved access for citizens, better collaboration across departments and enhancements in internal efficiency. To that end, they want to work with a partner who can assist them in designing and delivering this transformation", said Mr. Trivedy. "We are committed to partnering with the Government of Pondicherry to use Information Technology for efficient and effective governance. This master plan will also assist in future process improvement exercises & act as an overall road-map for all further IT initiatives."
The e-Governance Master Plan & Implementation Roadmap covers 16 departments including the Chief Secretariat, Legislative Assembly, Accounts & Treasuries, Planning & Research, Economics & Statistics, Information Technology, Revenue, Survey & Land Records, Excise & Commercial Taxes, Transport, Electricity, Civil Supplies, Agriculture, Forestry, Public Works, Health, Education, Industries and Local Administration Department.(keralamonitor.com)
NIIT's CognitiveArts bags 3 prestigious CINDY Awards in US
CognitiveArts, a leading designer and developer of corporate learning solutions and a division of NIIT Technologies, has recently been honored with three CINDY Awards for its role in creating innovative, interactive learning programs for customers in the insurance, medical and consulting industries
July 19, 2003, New Delhi: CINDY, an acronym for "Cinema in Industry," is the premier international audio-visual competition for both linear and interactive media. CINDY began in 1959 as an industrial film competition, and has since evolved into a competition for film, video, audio, multi-image and interactive multimedia. Awards are presented twice a year.
"CINDY Awards for NIIT's recent acquisition, demonstrates Cognitive Arts' intrinsic capability in creating effective learning software. We will leverage this capability as we integrate CognitiveArts and derive synergies", said Mr. Arvind Thakur, President, NIIT Technologies.
NIIT Technologies, the IT Services business of NIIT, had acquired the US-based CognitiveArts earlier this year in keeping with its strategy of inorganic growth to leverage its global reach and capacity to provide customers with better, faster and more competitive solutions.
Said Mr. Abhas Kumar, Head CognitiveArts, "We will leverage CognitiveArts' expertise in designing and delivering simulation based Knowledge Solutions, and NIIT's strengths in scalability and knowledge management to provide unique solutions to our customers."
In international competition, CognitiveArts won a gold CINDY for "Driving Profitable Growth." Developed for insurer Liberty Mutual, the program informs employees about Liberty's business metrics and functions so that they operate in a manner that aligns with the company's business goals. The learning solution uses animated graphics and decide-style scenarios that allow employees to test progress by adjusting business variables and seeing the results of their decisions.
"The training CognitiveArts helped us develop is outstanding visually and really captures the interest of the learner," said Richard Benner, Liberty Mutual's manager of Instructional Technology Human Resource Development.
"Our people enjoyed the training and tell us that it is very effective at helping them learn how they contribute to Liberty's success. One of our employees said, 'This is one of the best online tutorials I've ever seen!' Another indicated that 'the scenarios allowed us to see the direct impact of decisions we make on a daily basis.'"
CognitiveArts also won the international silver CINDY for "Clinical Management of Neuropathic Pain: A Problem-Based Interactive Model." Developed for Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, NY, the learning module enables the learner to assess a patient with neuropathic pain and develop strategies for pain management and therapy.
The nonprofit International Association of Audio Visual Communicators, which presents the CINDY awards, received nearly 3,500 entries for the spring 2002 International Competition, with the Liberty Mutual and Beth Israel entries placing in the top 15 percent of all programming entered.
In regional competition, CognitiveArts won a gold CINDY for management consultant, McKinsey & Company QuantStart. The QuantStart program uses seven interactive modules to provide learning in basic quantitative and computer skills. The program was placed in the top 15 percent of all programming entered (out of 3,700) and is now eligible to win an International CINDY Award, which will be presented later this year.
Wataniya Puts World-Class Photography on Mobile Phones
New and advanced multimedia and entertainment lifestyle service from
Wataniya Telecom offers colorful and animated screensavers & wallpapersKuwait City, 23rd July 2003
Wataniya Telecom announced today the launch of M Shots, the latest
Action service that brings subscribers a collection of stunning pictures and
colorful animations straight to their mobile phones. The new service
allows Action users to choose from a selection of themed categories including
animals, landscapes, flowers and Arabic calligraphy among others, and
receive new M Shot pictures four times a week through a Multi-Media
Messaging Service (MMS), which they can then use as wallpapers and
screensavers.Just like on their computers, subscribers to M Shots will be able
to personalise their mobile phones with colourful Action screensavers,
ranging from slideshows, images and animations that will run on their mobiles
when standing idle or not in use, said Fuad Al Ablani, Assistant GM,
Wataniya Telecom. From comics and horoscopes to greeting cards and photo
messaging, Action brings our subscribers the latest developments in GPRS and MMS
technologies to deliver colorful fun that is tailored to their
lifestyles.As with all other Action services, users will find it simple to
subscribe to Wataniyas new M Shot service by sending a request by SMS or logging
onto the Funtec website http://www.wataniya.com/funtec. The website also
offers subscribers the option to access M Shot images online.Wataniya Telecoms Action services bring a whole new experience to
mobile users in Kuwait by providing them with the Middle Easts most diverse
range of advanced multimedia entertainment, information and lifestyle
services that use color, audio, animation and video images. Between 1st July
and 1st October 2003, Wataniya post paid and pre-paid Xpress customers with
GPRS and MMS featured mobiles will be able to access all Action services
with unlimited service for a special promotional price of only KD 9.
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Launched in December 1999, Wataniya Telecom is the second and leading
GSM mobile operator in the State of Kuwait. With a market capitalisation
exceeding US $1.75 Billion, the Company has been a driving force in
increasing the mobile communications market penetration in Kuwait to
over 60 percent of the population.The Company recently expanded internationally in November 2002 as the
second licensed mobile telecommunications operator in Tunisia through its
acquisition of 50 percent of GSM operator Tunisiana.With over 740,000 subscribers in Kuwait and 230,000 in Tunisia,
Wataniya Telecom has built its success on a customer focused strategy built on
the philosophy that everything the company does must bring it closer to its
customer. The Company provides a wide range of leading edge wireless
voice and data services delivered with high quality and designed to meet
customer requirements. Recognised by a GCC Ministerial award in 2002 for
employing and developing the national workforce, Wataniya Telecom is committed to
employing, investing in and promoting local nationals within the
countries in which it operates.IS0 9001: 2000 certification strengthens Siemens LLC standing in Middle East region
Certification acknowledges Siemens' expertise in oil, gas and industrial solutions
July 21, 2003
Siemens LLC, the regional arm of the global German conglomerate, has
recently achieved the prestigious ISO 9001: 2000 international certification,
endorsing its formidable global reputation in industrial automation and
solutions. The certification covers Siemens LLC's Industrial Solutions and
Services division, whose clients include industrial plants, the oil and gas
industry and infrastructure projects."Siemens has been powering the infrastructure developments worldwide
for over 150 years with leading-edge solutions that have built us a legion
of successful clients," said Joachim Kundt, CEO of Siemens LLC. "The
ISO certification provides further confirmation of commitment to excellence
that is an integral part of every equipment and solution provided by
Siemens. It is a privilege to achieve this certification because it is an
acknowledgement of our quality control systems by experts whose assessment of standards and quality is globally recognised."According to Kundt, the ISO certification will give the company an
additional advantage while vying for major local projects. Siemens is one of the
few global companies with specialist teams on the ground in the UAE and
across the region for creating solutions for the oil and gas industry as well
as industrial solutions"The ISO certification, combined with Siemens' own standards of
technical excellence and innovation, will provide clients with an unmatched
quality assurance."The Industrial Solutions and Services Group have a track record that
covers systems and services for the Taweelah A2 power plant, the Dubai
Internet City's Phase 0, MRI buildings for the Ministry of Works, the Al Raha
Cinema complex and the Bu Hasa oilfields electrical skids project.Siemens LLC secured the ISO 9001-2000 certification under the scope of
provision of supply, design and engineering, procurement, construction,
installation, services, maintenance and project management for
automation, instrumentation and control systems; electrical power, drive systems
and solutions, process control, communication systems and solutions.
Customer shift to standard enterprise technology favors Dell, Michael Dell tells investors at annual meeting Company Shareholders Approve All Management Proposals, Re-Elect Three Directors.July 18, Austin, Texas: Michael Dell today said more and more customers are making the company a trusted enterprise partner, especially for standards-based servers, storage systems and services. And shareholders embracing Dell's broader reach have approved a corporate name change-from Dell Computer Corp. to Dell Inc.
Mr. Dell, chairman of the board and chief executive officer, reinforced in remarks at the company's annual meeting of shareholders here this morning that the competitive advantages of Dell's customer-focused, direct way of doing business are enabling it to expand and deepen its customer relationships.
"We've always done business differently from other companies," said Mr. Dell. "That allows us to better understand the needs of and create superior value for customers, and consistently produce leading operating results for investors and others who hold stakes in Dell."
He said the applicability of Dell's direct model and opportunities for the company are vast. While the company's United States business remains exceptionally strong, growth in other markets is also rapid. Product shipments last quarter were up 40 percent in Asia-Pacific and Japan, and 29 percent in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Operating income in both regions nearly doubled, to record levels.
In the enterprise, Dell's first-quarter server shipments rose 40 percent, more than four times the average of other suppliers, and the company accounted for almost one-third of U.S. server volume. External-storage revenue was up 65 percent.
"Customers are increasingly using clusters of standard servers in place of mainframe computers that rely on costly proprietary technology," Mr. Dell said. "Standards-based systems are now the better choice for most computing applications, and the trend to such powerful and reliable technology favors our company."
Dell's large and growing influence in the enterprise explains the company's name change, a management proposal approved by shareholders in proxy voting.
Mr. Dell said the company's formal name is "catching up" with its evolution from supplying strictly computer hardware to providing a diverse range of technology products and services.In other matters, shareholders voted to return three directors-Michael A. Miles, Alex J. Mandl and Morton L. Topfer-to the Dell board. They also approved two other management proposals: that all directors stand for re-election annually, and for a tax-deductible, performance-based executive compensation plan.
U.N. Warns India On AIDS Problem As New Figures Released
Friday, July 25, 2003
India today announced a significant increase in HIV/AIDS cases — 4.58 million at the end of 2002, up from 3.97 million the previous year — as the United Nations warned the country to urgently implement prevention programs to avert disaster.
"India has a king-sized problem," said Peter Piot, head of the Joint U.N. Program on HIV/AIDS. "AIDS is spreading rapidly in the country. But it is a problem with a solution. We can act now before it is too late. India has the opportunity to turn around the epidemic," he added (Agence France-Presse/Yahoo! News, July 25).
Meenakshi Datta Ghosh, project director of the National AIDS Control Organization, said that in certain states in India, 1 percent of the infected are pregnant women, and that the disease was "gradually spreading into rural areas and the general population." She added that the 2002 survey showed 61.5 percent of the infected population were males in India, home to more than 1 billion people (AFP/Yahoo! News, July 25).
Ghosh made her remarks on the eve of a Parliamentary Forum on HIV/AIDS to be held in New Delhi beginning tomorrow that will bring together over 1,000 politicians from all levels of government across India.
"This convention is a historic event," said Piot said. "Never before, in any nation of the world, has there been such a large and committed gathering of leaders for every level of decision-making dedicated to the common cause of fighting AIDS."
Conference participants are expected to sign a declaration underscoring their commitment to fighting the epidemic. National goals will include keeping infection rates low in the general population and decreasing transmission to less than 1 percent, increasing awareness among youth to 90 percent and increasing condom use to 90 percent among high-risk groups (UNAIDS release, July 25).
Piot said India is "a land of castes, of stigmatizations," and that "conservatism is not making it easy to promote condom use." However, he said, "If you cannot talk about sex, you cannot attack AIDS. Distributing condoms has to be part of the prevention strategy" (Brigitte Castelnau, AFP, July 25).
