Etisalat expands payment machine services

60 MinsShow dates: 14-18 October 2012, Dubai World Trade Centre | AT GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK | Exhibition hours: 11am -7pm

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Etisalat and Zakat Fund have announced their collaboration to facilitate Zakat payment service through Etisalat’s advanced payment machines throughout the country. The agreement was signed at Etisalat’s stand during the Gitex Technology Week- 2012 in the presence of Jamal al Nuaimi, Etisalat’s General Manager for Abu Dhabi Region and Abdullah bin Aqeeda Al Muhairi, Secretary-General of Zakat Fund.

The service will allow people who wish to pay their Zakat or charity, to easily do so through Etisalat’s Payment Machines starting with amounts of Dh50, with increments of Dh10, up to a maximum of Dh20,000. Upon payment, the client will get a detailed receipt with full details of the transaction. Under the agreement, both Etisalat and the Zakat Fund will enhance their systems to ensure the smooth launch and operation of the service, as well as provide a secure and safe data transfer

environment for customers.On the occasion, Al Nuaimi

commented, “As a leading provider of telecom services, Etisalat has undertaken this initiative as part of its responsibility to extend support to individuals and various communities of the UAE. It reflects Etisalat’s commitment to partake in humanitarian activities such as partnering with Zakat

Fund to provide new, digitised and reliable payment channels for their clients.

Al Nuaimi added, “The new Zakat payment service is only an extension of our collaboration with Zakat Fund. Prior to this service, Etisalat has launched a mobile Zakat calculation service based on the Islamic sharia

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Etisalat expands payment machine services

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Leviton bullish about MEAmerican networks company, Leviton, has said that due to lack of legacy and infrastructure in the Middle East, it is more attractive for companies trying to introduce new concepts.

Maurice Zetena, VP, Leviton, believes that the adoption rates for new products and reaction time to new trends is higher in the Middle East than anywhere in the world.

“There’s not a lot of legacy here and as a result companies are looking for better ways to complete their overall tasks and objectives. The people we speak to are very open to new concepts and I think the individuals here are technically more efficient and they understand different approaches to business and technology,” he said.

“The openness we’ve seen here

to thought leadership processes is far superior to older market places. This is an excellent region to bring new ideas and thought leadership into because they will be weighed and viewed with fresh minds which aren’t set in their ways.”

American born Leviton believes that a key element of global business is adapting to the culture of the region that you’re moving into as opposed to taking your own culture.

“Our penetration is very focused here and we’re happy to say that we’ve done very well. This comes down to the fact that we haven’t tried to bring our American culture here, but instead to adapt to the culture and be well in tune with the way that both business works and its practises,” he concluded.

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rules. It also allows mobile users to pay their Zakat by simply dialling *162# and following the instructions.”

Abdullah bin Aqeeda Al Muhairi said, “I am very happy with the new service from Etisalat that will facilitate the payment of Zakat duty, which is considered as one of the Islamic cornerstones enriching the brotherhood and humanitarian connection in the community. I truly admire Etisalat’s efforts in harnessing technology for the needs of the community and its religious pillars. The Zakat Fund continuously endeavours to collaborate with active corporations such as Etisalat to provide advanced solutions to help people pay their Zakat Duty.”

“The new service will allow

Zakat Fund’s customers to easily use a secured electronic channel for paying their Zakat and donations. Previously, Etisalat launched 15 services for calculating and collecting the Zakat electronically. Among these services are “Pay your Zakat online” through Dubai e-Government portal or Abu Dhabi eGovernment portal, Zakat Fund’s ATMs, pay via more than 1775 ATMs in any of the Fund’s bank accounts or though e-services available in Islamic banks across the UAE, Bank Deposits, Direct Payment, The Major Zakat Payers, SMS Zakat, mobile phones, through IVR, Etisalat’s payment machines, Al Etihad miles redemption or MAXBOX quick payment service,” he added.

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Etisalat ties up with SAP for mobility solutions

Saeed signs pact with TRA

Publisher Dominic De Sousa, COO Nadeem Hood, Managing Director Richard Judd, Commercial Director Rajashree R Kumar, Group Editor Jeevan Thankappan Editors Pallavi Sharma, Ben Rossi Sub-editor Joe Lipscombe Circulation Manager Rajeesh M, Production Manager James Tharian, Design Director Ruth Sheehy, Senior Designers Analou Balbero, Froilan Cosgafa IV, Glenn Roxas, Digital Services Manager Tristan Troy Magma

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Etisalat has introduced new business mobile application ‘SMART Mobility Suite for SAP Solution’ in association with SAP.

Etisalat’s ‘SMART Mobility Suite for SAP Solution’ aims to expand the enterprise mobility of the UAE business sector by enabling industries to utilize mobile technology to streamline their workforce management and workflows. In particular, it will improve productivity in areas of business operation such as field force management, inventory management, workflow approvals, IT asset management, fleet management and facilities management.

“Partnering with SAP allows Etisalat to offer efficient and comprehensive mobility solutions that will increase productivity for companies in the UAE. This agreement confirms our leadership position in the field of mobility solutions, and we will continue to explore new and innovative ways to

improve workforce operations for businesses,” said Abdulla Hashim, Senior Vice President, ICT at Etisalat.

Qais Gharaibeh, Managing Director, SAP United Arab Emirates said: “Mobility is central to our innovation agenda and a powerful technology trend that has broad and deep impact across both the enterprise and consumer markets. We are proud to partner with Etisalat to help drive the mobile revolution and, together, our ability to unwire core business processes that will unlock tremendous opportunities for businesses across the region.”

One of the suite’s options is the Mobile Work Force Management

Solution which can be integrated with multiple backend systems such as SAP, Maximo, Oracle, GIS Esri and many more. The solution has capabilities to run on multiple devices with true cross-platform support that, unlike other solutions, doesn’t require generating and maintaining separate code for each device platform.

Hashim said this solution can also be integrated with peripherals such as GIS, GPS, barcode screen scanning, RFID and Bluetooth.

“Introducing the Mobile Workforce Management Solution in collaboration with SAP is a milestone that adds to our list of achievements in the area of mobility solutions.

Saaed for Traffic Systems has signed an ambitious Memorandum of Understanding with the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) through its cyber-security initiative, the UAE Computer Emergency Response Team (aeCERT) during GITEX Technology Week 2012. Under the specifications of the memorandum, TRA (aeCERT) will assist Saaed in five key areas related to cyber-security: Consultancy & Education; Advisory Services; Monitoring &

Response; Research & Analysis and Security Quality. aeCERT will function as the advisory body to advise on all processes related to educating Saaed’s ICT personnel, liaising with national and international CERT organizations, issuing alerts on possible vulnerable areas, researching new technologies and measuring the quality of Saaed’s information system.

His Excellency Majed Al Mesmar, Deputy Director General, Telecommunications Regulatory

Authority (TRA), who signed the agreement on behalf of TRA, was complimentary of Saaed’s achievements in cutting-edge traffic systems: “Cyber-security is an issue which the TRA takes extremely seriously, so we applaud the stance taken by Saaed to safeguard their clients’ electronic records. We pursue international best practice in all our endeavors, and this is underlined by the fact that we have helped the UAE achieve the best ranking regionally and fourth best

ranking globally for cyber-security. Hence the TRA will take all the necessary steps through our aeCERT initiative to facilitate a vigilant ICT infrastructure for the betterment of our nation’s cyberspace.”

The agreement was signed by His Excellency Engineer Ibrahim Youssef Ramel, CEO of Saaed in attendance of His Excellency Brigadier Eng. Hussein Ahmad Al Harthi, Director of the Traffic and Patrols Directorate at Abu Dhabi Police and chairman of Saaed board of directors.

Emerson invests in Saudi technology and innovation centre

Etisalat ties up with SAP for mobility solutions

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Emerson has underlined its commitment to the Middle East and Africa market with the announcement of a $25 million investment to create a technology and innovation centre in partnership with the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Emerson signed an agreement to lease land in the Dhahran Techno Valley for the Emerson Centre for Technology and Innovation, which will train technologists and innovation leaders of the future. The move by Emerson accelerates the company’s presence and growth in Saudi Arabia.

Developed in conjunction with the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, the work that will take place in the Emerson Centre for Technology and Innovation will provide Emerson and its customers with access to groundbreaking innovation, helping them solve the technical challenges of tomorrow and providing them with access to a skilled pool of talent.

Commenting on the agreement, Dr. Khaled Al-Sultan, Rector of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals said that Dhahran Valley today is the best valley in the world in quality and quantity, and considered the largest science oasis specialising in oil and gas.

“The aim of Dhahran Techno valley is not financial profit. We are focusing instead on the developmental aspects, such as patents, contributing to building factories, establishing companies that attract Saudi employees; all of which result in economic and developmental returns for the Kingdom in general, and are investments which put the

Kingdom at the forefront of international scientific research.”

On the significance of the agreement, Ed Monser commented: “Globally, Emerson has a strong track-record of new technology development, investing US$800 million in engineering and development in 2011 and employing more than 8,000 engineering and development personnel in worldwide research and development. The KFUPM agreement, however, is the first time we have invested a single amount of this size, which will be dedicated solely to technology development and innovation, in any single local market. Today underscores the critical importance of KSA to Emerson’s growth in the Middle East and Africa region, and our commitment to training and recruiting Saudi employees and KFUPM graduates.”

The Centre will provide front-line services and support to the petroleum and minerals market sector in Saudi Arabia, as Emerson customers will have the opportunity to engage with the University to facilitate the development and provision of customer centric technology-led projects and product solutions. Emerson is interviewing and selecting task-force members who will undertake a six-month design phase before breaking ground at the site in May 2013. Construction is expected to be completed in 2014.

Approximately 50 to 60 percent of the building space will be used for technology development, technical solutions, testing and laboratory personnel. The rest of the facility will house administration, project management, training and support personnel. It is estimated that

personnel actively involved in research, technology development and technical solutions will eventually comprise up to 150 personnel representing 60 to 70 percent of the total personnel in the facility.

Emerson sees significant growth potential in the Middle East and Africa, especially for the Emerson Network Power, Emerson Process Management, and Emerson Climate Technologies businesses. In fiscal 2011, Emerson’s total sales in the Middle East and Africa were US$1.2 billion, representing significant continuing growth year on year from fiscal 2010 to fiscal 2011. Within the region, Saudi Arabia is a market where Emerson is seeing particularly strong growth and Emerson is dedicated to increasing its presence and developing innovative market-centric solutions to meet its customers’ needs.

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