Apple’s the way

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

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GITEX lies at the very roots of Goodram Middle East (GME) Distribution, with the company being launched at GITEX Technology Week 2007.

“GME Distribution was officially launched in 2007 when we partnered with Goodram to distribute their memory products in the region. Since then we have expanded our product portfolio to include many a new brand. This year our focus at GITEX is to introduce the new additions to our portfolio to partners and customers in the region,” said Houmayem Zid, Sales and Purchasing Manager at GME Distribution.

According to Zid, the company has consciously looked to transition away from the distribution of run-of-the-mill memory and storage products to venture into the more quick moving accessories and peripherals line.

GME Distribution has recently signed distribution rights for Photo Fast, Kogeto, Midland and Booq. “With Photo Fast we are the first distributor in the

region ready with a product for the iPhone5 that consumers and retailers in the region are hugely excited about. Kogeto is camera lens for the Apple devices that offers a 360 degree panoramic view and consumers can use the Kogeto app to upload these pictures and videos directly to Facebook and Twitter. Midland cameras are another significant addition to our portfolio, a range of cameras for users who enjoy

extreme sports and adventure. This rugged line of cameras is made for action packed adventure and packed into rugged bodies. Finally, we are introducing Booq, a brand of laptop and tablet cases for Apple devices. Each of these additions, represents a brand fairly new to the region but one that holds high potential with customers and therefore retail partners,” said Zid.

Zid adds that because these brands are just being introduced, GME Distribution is on the lookout for the right breed of partners to help promote and grow business for each of these vendor partners. “We believe these products hold significant opportunity for partners in the region. Because we are one of the first to bring these products to the region, we don’t see much competition in this space. Photo Fast, Kogeto and Booq are specifically targeted at Apple users that represent a huge portion of the region’s consumer market while Kogeto caters to the need for cameras that are not delicate and can be used in the

Houmayem Zid, Sales and Purchasing Manager at GME Distribution

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Apple’s the way

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Ajman Free Zone Authority moves to the cloud with Google AppsAjman Free Zone Authority (AFZA), one of the UAE’s largest tax-free business parks, has selected Google Apps to provide productivity and communications solutions to its 5000+ customers, it announced today at GITEX.

AFZA said its selection of Google Apps is part of a wider vision by the business park to provide end-to-end electronic services to its customers, starting from incorporation and throughout the lifecycle of the company.

“Our objective is to meet investor needs by facilitating business activity and providing a pro-business milieu for foreign direct investment. We are confident Google Apps will significantly improve collaboration, communication and productivity within the free zone,” said His Excellency Mohamed Khalil Al-Hashemi, General Mananger, AFZA.

Sebastien Marotte, VP Enterprise EMEA, Google, added: “Implementing Google Apps will help Ajman Free Zone streamline internal and external communications, will raise security standards, and will help achieve savings on IT infrastructure costs.”

The Google Apps implementation will be deployed at AFZA by Cloud

Concept, a Google Apps partner covering the GCC since 2012.

“Today, over five million businesses use Google Apps with thousands more joining every day,” said Sami Caracand, CEO, Cloud Concept. “We are delighted to have Ajman Free Zone move to the cloud with Google Apps.”

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most rugged of environments,” she added.

At GITEX Shopper this year, the company partnered with iStyle and Sharaf DG in addition Virgin Megastores off the event floor and reports an approximately 35% increase in sales. “GITEX is a platform that attracts new business opportunities and brings competitors and potential business partners together. This is why we are here to reassure partners that we are constantly bringing new innovations to the region to help them grow their own margins and business. We have recently made new additions to the team, with the appointments of a dedicated Marketing Manager and Retail Manager and have also introduced a brand new company website- www.gme.ae ,” Zid said.

GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK 2012 HIGHLIGHTS

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50 Cent launches headphones

New GSB platform launched at GITEX

International rapper and entrepreneur 50 Cent used GITEX to launch his SMS Audio brand of headphones today.

50 Cent held the launch event with Shift LLC, a leading electronics distributor which was selected as SMS Audio’s official partner in 14 countries across the MEA region.

“Dubai is the perfect springboard to launch SMS Audio because the emirate is famous for its pursuit of high standards in everything it does. I’m honoured to contribute to that legacy through the quality of these hi-tech headphones,” 50 Cent said.

Mazen Khanafer, Manager Director, Shift LLC, added: “SMS Audio is currently available for purchase in the Middle East and we anticipate high demand given 50 Cent’s status and the

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product’s innovative features. We are optimistic that this partnership will give Shift LLC a competitive advantage as we expand in the billion-dollar audio industry.”

SMS Audio has initially launched two main lines of headphones – ‘Sync by 50’, which are over-ear wireless headphones, and ‘Street by 50’, which are wired in-ear

and wired over-ear headphones. Features include high-end styling, professional studio sound, full on-board controls and passive noise cancellation.

The brand has also formed a partnership with Dubai Autism Center, where every product sold within a certain timeframe will contribute towards autistic children.

SMS Audio has already seen success with its launches in the USA, Western Europe, Scandinavia and Oceania, which it hopes will continue into this region.

“The terrific start that our brand has had in the Middle East makes me really excited about our future prospects in the region. We now aim to build on that because this launch is part of a wider evolution for SMS Audio,” 50 Cent said.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of the Executive Council for Dubai Government, recently launched Dubai eGovernment’s new Government Service Bus (GSB) platform at GITEX.

GSB ushers in a new era of technological advancement at Dubai eGovernment, allowing the integration of systems, data and services among all government departments and entities to exchange information and complete public transactions. It also spares customers the inconvenience

of moving from one government department to another for stamps, approvals and other necessary information.

H.E. Ahmed Bin Humaidan, Director General of Dubai eGovernment, said: “In line with our vision to facilitate government transactions with the public and corporate community, while contributing to Dubai’s leading position as a key economic hub, Dubai eGovernment has been closely working with other government departments and entities to fulfill its

vision of providing citizens, residents and the corporate community with easier, time-saving access to all government services. This platform facilitates fully integrated electronic transactions, ultimately helping further enhance the quality of life in the emirate, which is the main purpose behind the development of the new GSB platform.”

Currently in use by 15 government departments and entities, the Government Service Bus presents a common infrastructure that enables these departments to integrate

their electronic services into a well-secured, reliable environment. It is intended to provide a link between government eServices and promote more government facilities, such as integration and exchange of information while verifying user identity at the same time.

GSB provides two types of services; the first covers all information services that enable government users to exchange basic information and inquiries, while the second focuses on the next phase underway.

Etisalat and Jasper to demo M2M solutions

Ericsson connects schools

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Etisalat will jointly demonstrate a wide range of M2M solutions at GITEX Technology Forum in Dubai with Jasper Wireless, the leading connected devices platform for machine-to-machine (M2M) and consumer electronics.

Etisalat and Jasper Wireless will demonstrate a diverse range of M2M services examples across multiple industry verticals with the upcoming launch of the Etisalat M2M Control Center powered by Jasper Wireless. Etisalat announced during Mobile World Congress 2012 that it would use Jasper Wireless’ connected devices platform to wirelessly connect M2M and consumer electronics devices across its mobile network properties.

Abdulla Hashim, Senior Vice President, ICT at Etisalat said Jasper Wireless is an ideal partner

to help Etisalat’s development in this emerging market.

“Through our partnership with Jasper Wireless, we aim to open up new markets and create new opportunities for our customers. This platform will enable us to profitably accelerate the

deployment of connected devices at scale and maintain the flexibility to react to the fast developing M2M market,” said Hashim.

“Jasper is proud to be supporting Etisalat in educating and informing customers in UAE and the larger region about how Etisalat M2M Control Center empowers enterprises with the intelligence and automation to manage their M2M deployments in scale,” said Macario Namie, vice president, marketing, Jasper Wireless.

Etisalat is using the Jasper Wireless platform to accelerate market entry of new categories of connected devices on its network and profitably connect and manage a range of embedded wireless devices. Jasper Wireless’ ability extends to a variety of M2M connections and supports

Etisalat’s work in vertical markets such as construction and infrastructure, retail, and oil and gas.

Jasper Wireless has developed the applications and services that support highly flexible business models as well as the automation of operational processes, including custom device provisioning, instant activation, real-time diagnostic tools and detailed billing and usage reports, ensuring a superior out-of-box end-user experience.

Attendees at GITEX 2012 are encouraged to visit the Etisalat booth at Zabeel Hall and see live M2M demos illustrated on the M2M Control Center platform on various simulated devices. Industry examples will include: Consumer Electronics, Utility, Transportation, Remote Asset Management and Security.

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Ericsson has today announced the launch of the Connect To Learn project, which has resulted in five schools enjoying the benefits of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) using the power of cloud-based technology, in Djibouti. Ericsson launched this initiative in collaboration with Djibouti Telecom, the Ministry of Telecommunication of Djibouti and the Ministry of Education of Djibouti.

With this launch, more than 1,300 students and teachers have access to laptops, projectors, broadband connectivity and online educational resources. As part of the project, a program of professional development on the use of ICT was also provided for teachers. This initiative marks the first project of its kind in the Arab world, and the delivery of the project was officially announced during the ITU World event in Dubai on October 16.

“We are very proud to collaborate with Ericsson on this project,” says

Abdourhaman Mohamed Hassan, CEO of Djibouti Telecom. “Djibouti Telecom has a long-standing relationship with Ericsson, and we are sure that with their expertise and knowledge about the industry and the importance of supporting education with technology, the Connect To Learn initiative will go a long way. We would also like to thank the Ministry of Telecommunication and Ministry of Education for supporting this initiative.”

Connect To Learn is a collaborative effort between Ericsson, the Earth

Institute at Columbia University and Millennium Promise that leverages the power of ICT to bring high-quality education to students everywhere. The initiative is based on the use of connectivity to implement low-cost and user-friendly ICT for schools through mobile broadband and cloud computing. This gives students and teachers access to world-class information and educational resources, and the ability to connect schools to other schools around the world to foster collaborative learning, cross-cultural understanding and global awareness.

Anders Lindblad, Head of Ericsson in the Middle East, says: “Education is one of the most powerful tools to end poverty and secure a productive life. As we continue to move toward a Networked Society, it is important to leverage the opportunities that are continuously being made available through today’s technology and connectivity, and identify how these

opportunities will enhance people’s living conditions or add value to their lives. We believe that equal access to education is every student’s right, and we can gladly say that Connect To Learn’s ultimate purpose is to achieve this. We are very proud to be part of this initiative.”

Connect To Learn is a global education initiative which invites a range of private, public and non-profit partners to advance secondary-school education in three key ways: raising funds to provide complete secondary school scholarships; implementing mobile broadband and cloud solutions in schools so students have access to global education resources; and supporting the establishment of a Global Fund for Education to raise awareness about the importance of secondary education. The impact of secondary education is not only for students’ benefit but also for their families and their communities.

Anders Lindblad, Head of Ericsson in the Middle East

Abdulla Hashim, Senior Vice President, ICT at Etisalat