Growing preference for IT outsourcing to be highlighted at META Group workshop in Dubai
70 per cent of the companies around the world depend on outsourcing to satisfy their IT needs
DUBAI -The growing preference for outsourcing IT requirements among organizations will come into sharp focus at an intensive one-day workshop on "Establishing a Foundation for Successful Outsourcing" organized by META Group, a leading provider of IT research, advisory services and strategic consulting, in Dubai on September 28, 2003.
The workshop, to be held at Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, under the sponsorship of Wipro, the leading IT outsourcing company, is aimed at guiding senior IT leaders to adopt best outsourcing practices, leading to higher return on investment for their organizations.
"Today, the need to remain efficient is a real business imperative. Technology is a key enabler that can help businesses remain efficient. By in-sourcing its IT needs, the organization may lose focus of its core business," said Mr. Syed Mansoor Ahmed, General Manager, Business Operations, Middle East, Wipro Infotech. "Secondly, a few companies may not have the requisite knowledge and skill sets to run its IT organization. By outsourcing its IT department-infrastructure or people or both, businesses are free to channel their energies and resources towards their core business."
"The key benefits of outsourcing are reduced costs, enhanced service levels and better customer relationships," said Zaim Azrak, General Manager, META Group Middle East. "The growing realization that IT outsourcing positively impacts a company's bottom line is driving many IT leaders to search for clear-cut strategies for effective outsourcing. This seminar is an ideal programme for gathering tips on how to draw maximum value from outsourcing."
The workshop will be addressed by international outsourcing guru, Dean Davison, Vice- President and Director, Outsourcing and Service Providers, META Group, who is conducting such a programme for the first time in the Middle East. Davison is a leading authority globally on outsourcing and advises IT organizations on adoption of best practices covering outsourcing decisions, vendor evaluation and vendor governance.
The intensive workshop will address the outsourcing evaluation process, carried out to identify an organisation's IT needs, and map out an outsourcing lifecycle methodology, defining the outsourcing process, as well as best practices.
"Our studies show that 70 per cent of companies, globally, are currently outsourcing the required elements to fulfil their IT needs. But the fact is that many organisations are unable to realize the full value from such outsourcing engagements and are spending millions in time and resources to reverse outsourcing mistakes," said Azrak. "Our research also shows that by the year 2006, almost every organization will choose to outsource. In such a scenario, the need to acquire outsourcing expertise and techniques is of paramount importance."
The topics covered in the workshop will cover areas such as how to determine the grounds for outsourcing; identifying and selecting a vendor that best meets a company's requirements; creating an agreement aimed at achieving strategic objectives and implementing a contract governance structure to ensure success of the outsourcing relationship.
META Group is a leading provider of information technology research, advisory services, and strategic consulting. Delivering objective and actionable guidance, META Group's experienced analysts and consultants are trusted advisors to IT and business executives around the world. Our unique collaborative models and dedicated customer service help clients be more efficient, effective, and timely in their use of IT to achieve their business goals. Visit metagroup.com for more details on our high-value approach. -keralamonitor.com
CompuMe introduces unique retail concept through CompuMe Express
Leading Digital & Information Technology solution enabler taps on increasing D&IT penetration in the Middle East to offer easy shopping options to consumersSeptember 21, 2003
CompuMe, the leading D&IT solution enabler in the Middle East has recently launched a new concept in retailing in the Middle East through 'CompuMe Express (TM)'. The Express model will cater to the growing demand for digital and computer products as well as accessories in the region by offering the latest D&IT innovations. CompuMe Express is a range of stores that are being set up at major traffic centers and shopping malls within the region to allow consumers easy access to D&IT products and consumables. The first 'CompuMe Express" store was recently inaugurated at the Hara'a mall in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in partnership with Panasonic and Alesayi Electronics, as a shop-in-shop concept.
"CompuMe is constantly evolving, and we believe in forward-thinking strategies that will combine the best possible retail and business solutions for personal users, small and medium business enterprises as well as major corporations. The recent growth in Digital and Information Communication Technology in the Middle East region and the increased penetration of Internet provides the ideal launching pad for CompuMe Express which offers convenient IT retail options to customers," said Dikran Tchablakian, CEO, CompuMe.
"CompuMe Retail is known for its innovative and extensive range of IT products and services and this latest venture will be a valuable addition to our efforts to achieve closer proximity with a large section of our retail consumers in the region. CompuMe Express is mainly targeted at families and home users who would like to purchase D&IT products that suit their individual computing needs within a friendly atmosphere. The product mix at these stores include the best selected product lines, competitively priced, fast moving hardware and consumables in addition to the wide choice of peripherals and services. Through the Express Model, CompuMe intends to achieve bigger penetration in the retail sector", he added.
The kiosk at the Hara'a Mall measures 1,000 square feet and stocks a range of Digital products, PDAs, personal computers, Notebooks, and IT peripherals. The hardware selection at CompuMe Express includes equipment from the world's leading suppliers such as Acer, Dell, Hewlett Packard, IBM, NEC, Packard Bell and Toshiba. The range of hardware is matched by software that includes Microsoft and Lotus programmes. Adobe, Corel and Symantec products are also available for individual needs. Other programmes cover newer applications such as Internet access and Web page design.
"The CompuMe Express in Jeddah is the first in a series of customer-friendly stores that we intend to set up in the region. New Express stores will be opened shortly in Riyadh and Al Khobar. We are confident that CompuMe Express will set a new precedent in the D&IT retailing in the Middle East by offering the best customer experiences. The store will offer the best selected products at locations that are conveniently accessible and designed in a leisurely and friendly atmosphere for families to shop. The store will also provide easy payment facilities and after sales programs like "SupportMe" allowing customers to have peace of mind, generating the highest ROI on their investments", said Leon Beuyukian, COO, CompuMe.
Assets of SBI Managed Exchange Company in the UAE Frozen
KM correspondent
DUBAI -The State Bank of India, the leading public sector bank in India, has been facing a major set back in its overseas operations as one of its local affiliate sponsoring a leading money exchange company in the UAE is facing investigation for allegedly violating the Central bank rules in both the Gulf country as well as India.
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