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CIO 100 AWARDS
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Autonomous things
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Democratization
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EDITORIAL
A NEW DIRECTION
Our events
I
t’s been an extremely busy start to the year for us at CPI Media Group as we hosted our annual CIO100 Awards at the Diamond Ballroom, Rixos Premium, JBR, Dubai. The event is dedicated to recognising digital leaders
that are driving real change and transformation across the IT industry. The night was a fantastic success and we’d sincerely like to once again congratulate all our winners featured inside
Talk to us: E-mail: mark.forker@ cpimediagroup.com
- including HSBC CIO, Ghinwa Baradhi who features in this month’s ‘Women in Tech’ interview. Avaya are continuing to embark upon an ambitious cloud transformation strategy, and in this month’s cover story, Ahmed Helmy, International CTO at the US IT leader outlines
FUTURE NETWORK AWARDS
to us how its IX-CC platform is providing customers with multi-experiences and application autonomy. In addition to this, Helmy also highlighted that its nextgeneration Contact as-a-Service (CCaaS) platform will be available in Azure which will be hosted on Microsoft’s data centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The service will be introduced initially in the Arab Gulf region with plans to expand the offer to other global regions in the future. CNME also attended IDC Directions 2020 which was held at Dubai’s Atlantis, to find out which major trends and technologies were going to disrupt the IT industry over the next twelve months. We managed to secure an exclusive interview with Jyoti
Our online platforms
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Our social media
The event is dedicated to recognising digital leaders that are driving real change and transformation across the IT industry.”
Lalchandhi, Group Vice President and Regional Managing Director at IDC, who disclosed to us which technologies he projects that IT companies will direct their investments towards in 2020. Oracle hosted their second annual Oracle OpenWorld Middle East event which attracted thousands of key industry players over the course of the 2-day conference. Giorgia Guantario was onsite to tell us how Oracle Cloud is fundamentally transforming businesses. GovTech has been a roaring success since its introduction to the magazine last year, and as a result we’ve decided to launch our inaugural GovTech Innovation Awards. The awards aim to showcase how government entities are helping to reshape the IT landscape though innovative
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thought-leadership and vision. The awards will take place at LouLou’a Ballroom, Ritz Carlton, JBR, Dubai on March 24th and nominations are now open.
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Mark Forker Editor
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Every Experience Matters
Why simply satisfy your customers when you can thoroughly impress them? More meaningful relationships and lasting impressions drive experience excellence. Deliver this new standard to your employees and customers—everywhere in your business.
avaya.com
Advanced Computing Partner
CONTENTS
30
Cover feature: Avaya 6
10
ORACLE OPENWORLD MIDDLE EAST
12
News CNME rounds up the biggest regional and global developments in enterprise technology, including Dubai's crypto ecosystem agenda and Gartner’s global IT spending predictions.
The staples of life CNME attends AVEVA World Conference in Abu Dhabi, where the industrial software company shared customer success stories and enhancements to its portfolio.
24 Smart security
37
GOVTECH: CITIES OF THE FUTURE
14
Khwaja Saifuddin, Senior Sales Director, Middle East at Western Digital on how its new suite of security solutions that are infused with AI are making cities smarter.
CIO 100 AWARDS
22 Women in tech: HSBC Middle East’s Ghinwa Baradhi
In this monthly feature, CNME talks to some of the best and brightest women in ICT to find out more about how they’ve reached success in this industry.
26 Bridging the gap
Dr Maryam Al Yammahi, Assistant Professor in Computer science, UAE University gives her take on the digital skills gap and how the university is hoping to solve it.
34 Show me the money
Jyoti Lalchandhi, Group VP and Regional Managing Director at IDC, discusses what industry verticals he believes major ICT players are going to focus their investments on in 2020.
FOUNDER, CPI MEDIA GROUP Dominic De Sousa (1959-2015)
Published by
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Printed by Priintmasters FZ LLC © Copyright 2020 CPI All rights reserved While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.
NEWS
UAE workers excited to have robot coworkers: study
Global IT spending to reach $3.9 trillion: Gartner Worldwide IT spending is projected to total
digit growth at 10.5 percent. “Almost all of the
$3.9 trillion in 2020, an increase of 3.4
market segments with enterprise software are
percent from 2019, according to the latest
being driven by the adoption of software as a
Contrary to common fears around how
forecast by Gartner, Inc. Global IT spending
service (SaaS),” said Mr Lovelock. “We even
artificial intelligence (AI) will impact
is expected to cross into $4 trillion territory
expect to spend on forms of software that
jobs; employees, managers and HR
next year.
are not cloud to continue to grow, albeit at a
leaders in the UAE are welcoming AI in
“Although political uncertainties pushed
slower rate. SaaS is gaining more of the new
the workplace with love and optimism,
the global economy closer to recession, it
spending, although licensed-based software
according to the second annual AI at
did not occur in 2019 and is still not the
will still be purchased and its use expanded
Work study conducted by Oracle and
most likely scenario for 2020 and beyond,”
through 2023.”
Future Workplace.
said John-David Lovelock, distinguished
Growth in enterprise IT spending
research vice president at Gartner. “With the
for cloud-based offerings will be faster
10 countries found that AI has changed
waning of global uncertainties, businesses
than growth in traditional (noncloud) IT
the relationship between people and
are redoubling investments in IT as they
offerings through 2022. Organisations with
technology at work and is reshaping
anticipate revenue growth, but their
a high percentage of IT spending dedicated
the role HR teams and managers need
spending patterns are continually shifting.”
to cloud adoption is indicative of where
The study of 8,370 individuals across
to play in attracting, retaining and developing talent. In the UAE, 72 percent
Software will be the fastest-growing major market this year, reaching double-
the next-generation, disruptive business models will emerge.
of UAE respondents are either excited or optimistic about having robot coworkers.
Hope Probe to carry UAE Nation Brand to Mars
“As this study shows, the relationship between humans and machines is being redefined at work, and there
6
is no one-size-fits-all approach to successfully managing this change. Instead, organisations need to partner with their HR organisation to personalise the approach to implementing AI at work in order to meet the changing expectations of their teams around the world,” said Emily He, SVP, Human Capital Management Cloud Business Group, Oracle
The Hope Probe will carry with it the UAE
Nation Brand’s logo and its accompanying
72%
of UAE respondents are either excited or optimistic about having robot co-workers.
FEBRUARY 2020
colours of the national flag. Dr. Ahmad bin Abdullah Humaid
slogan, ‘Make it Happen’, when the
Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of State for
spacecraft built by the Mohammed bin
Higher Education and Advanced Skills and
Rashid Space Centre takes off for Mars
Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, said,
later this year, according to WAM.
“Attaching the UAE Nation Brand to the
The brand’s placement on the probe,
Hope Probe is a celebration of the scientific
called ‘Al-Amal’ in Arabic, symbolises the
milestones that the men and women of
future-forward aspirations that the new
the UAE, from engineers and scientists
brand represents.
to technicians and mathematicians, have
The UAE Nation Brand was designed by
achieved. It is also a clear symbol of our
seven Emirati artists from each emirate
pride in this landmark national project
and represents the map of the UAE
that is considered the greatest Arab project
through the seven lines designed in the
in the field of space exploration.
www.tahawultech.com
7
www.tahawultech.com
FEBRUARY 2020
NEWS
UAE residents likely to buy selfdriving cars in five years: study
Emaar partners with Xiaomi to deliver smart home technology Emaar Properties PJSC signed a
Emaar as the first developer outside of
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
China to enter into a strategic partnership
with Xiaomi, a global technology leader
with Xiaomi for a smart home experience.
Almost half of UAE residents (49
with the world’s largest Internet of Things
percent) said they are likely to own
(IoT) consumer platform, to launch ‘Emaar
Chairman of Emaar, Mohamed Alabbar
self-driving cars in the next five
Smart Home’ – a new, next-generation
said, “‘Emaar Smart Home’, is a
years, according to a recent survey.
product for customers to experience the
testament to the commitment Emaar and
latest smart home technology powered by
Xiaomi share for creating advanced living
Artificial Intelligence (AI).
experiences. Together, our partnership
The poll, which was conducted by YouGov, also noted that nearly a quarter (23 percent) are unlikely
Emaar’s new product will launch in
Commenting on the product launch,
delivers a novel product never-before-
to do so and an equal proportion
2020 as an exclusive set of digitally-
seen in the region, offering connectivity,
(23 percent) are unsure if they will
enabled residential developments,
comfort and convenience for the
purchase autonomous cars should it
powered by Xiaomi and featuring a one-
customers of tomorrow, today. This is
be available to them.
of-a-kind smart home experience with a
based on our collective understanding
comprehensive set of pre-installed smart
and insight into what customers will
home and IoT products. The MoU positions
demand from us in the future.”
The report also revealed that in comparison men are more inclined to own an autonomous car in the future than women, with 53 percent of the male respondents expressing interest
Microsoft vows to become carbon negative by 2030
compared to 42 percent of female respondents. Among the various age-groups, people in their thirties (52 percent)
8
are more likely than those under thirty (47 percent) and those aged 40 and above (48 percent) to possess one. Working professionals are also far more likely to own an autonomous car when compared to their non-working counterparts (53 percent vs 36 percent).
Microsoft President Brad Smith, Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood, and Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella
49% of UAE residents said they are likely to own self-driving cars in the next five years.
FEBRUARY 2020
Microsoft recently announced an ambitious
humanity must remove as much carbon
goal and a new plan to reduce and
as it emits each year. This will take
ultimately remove its carbon footprint.
aggressive approaches, new technology
By 2030, the technology giant will be
that doesn’t exist today, and innovative
carbon negative, and by 2050 the brand
public policy. It is an ambitious – even
plans to remove all the carbon from
audacious – goal, but science tells
the environment, the company has
us that it’s a goal of fundamental
emitted either directly or by electrical
importance to every person alive today
consumption since it was founded in 1975.
and for every generation to follow.
In a post on the Official Microsoft
“While the world will need to reach net
Blog, President Brad Smith wrote, “The
zero, those of us who can afford to move
world’s climate experts agree that the
faster and go further should do so. That’s
world must take urgent action to bring
why today we are announcing an ambitious
down emissions. Ultimately, we must
goal and a new plan to reduce and ultimately
reach ‘net zero’ emissions, meaning that
remove Microsoft’s carbon footprint.”
www.tahawultech.com
Smart Dubai Government CEO wins coveted CIO100 Award technologies. Smart Dubai been always ahead of the curve and standards setter in the digital transformation initiatives,” said Al Jabi.
World’s largest crypto ecosystem set to launch in Dubai
The SVP at Digital OKTA has said that the
Feras Al Jabi, Senior Vice President at Digital OKTA and H.E. Wesam Lootah, CEO of Smart Dubai Government.
progressive approach to new technologies which
DMCC has announced its strategic
is spearheaded by the UAE leadership has helped
partnership with CV VC and CV Labs
his own company become a leader in the growing
to launch Crypto Valley, the world’s
cloud industry in the Middle East.
largest ecosystem for cryptographic,
“In my role I travel all over the world, but the frameworks that are in place here in the UAE mean
blockchain and distributed ledger technologies in Dubai, UAE.
that Dubai is a hub of innovation and talent. At
According to DMCC, the Crypto
of the Smart Dubai Government Establishment,
Digital OKTA we leverage the best innovations
Valley is designed to foster growth,
has been rewarded for his outstanding digital
in the cloud to help businesses to unlock their
collaboration and integrity across the
leadership and vision at CPI Media Group’s recent
potential and drive efficiency in their business,”
global blockchain economy. It will
CIO100 Awards.
said Al Jabi.
offer a variety of services including
H.E. Wesam Lootah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
The annual awards are designed to celebrate
H.E. Wesam Lootah thanked CPI Media Group
incubation for early-stage startups,
technology thought-leaders that are driving real
for recognising him as a digital leader that is
co-working facilities, innovation
transformational change in the IT ecosystem
helping to transform the digital landscape in the
services for corporate clients,
across the Middle East region.
UAE - and said that the media plays an important
blockchain and entrepreneurship
role in highlighting the technological achievements
training, education, events,
government entities like Smart Dubai are making.
mentoring and funding.
There is no better illustration of that leadership than in the form of H.E. Wesam Lootah, who has played a pivotal role in Smart Dubai delivering on
“I want to firstly thank CPI Media Group for this
Signed on the sidelines of the
the goals and objectives of its ambitious blockchain
award. At Smart Dubai we’re striving to achieve
World Economic Forum in Davos, the
project.
the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
agreement sees DMCC work alongside
Al-Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister
both CV VC, and its subsidiary CV
OKTA (ITQAN Global for Cloud & Digital
of UAE and Ruler of Dubai which is to make Dubai
Labs, to develop an ecosystem
Computing Systems) a leading cloud service
not only the smartest city in the world, but also the
in Jumeirah Lakes Towers (JLT),
provider that offers enterprises unlimited
happiest,” said Lootah.
DMCC’s business district, where
Feras Al Jabi, Senior Vice President at Digital
opportunities to manage their data and resources was on hand to present H.E. Lootah with his award. Al Jabi praised Smart Dubai for creating
He added, “We’re continuously working to fuse disruptive technologies into our entire ecosystem and humanise it to
over 17,000 companies are currently registered. “DMCC is delighted to sign this
and fostering an environment that is allowing
improve city experiences and touch the lives
agreement with CV VC, and launch
companies to flourish in the IT industry.
of people and we have had some phenomenal
the Crypto Valley in Dubai, at
success. As we start the beginning of a new
the very heart of Dubai’s leading
opportunity to present you with this award. Smart
decade, one which promises even more
business district,” said Ahmed Bin
Dubai has done incredible work and has helped
technological advancement we will continue
Sulayem, executive chairman and
to create an IT ecosystem which has enabled
to be committed to ensuring Dubai remains
CEO, DMCC.
companies to seize upon the opportunities that
a digital leader that inspires other cities across the
is being provided by emerging and disruptive
world, “ said Lootah.
“It’s a great pleasure for me to be afforded the
DIFC launches seamless digital onboarding platform Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC),
Vice President of Operations, DIFC Authority,
a leading international financial centre and
said, “Innovation truly defines us at the DIFC.
top international financial hub in the Middle
Our new and improved digital onboarding
East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region,
platform will vastly improve efficiencies for
announced the enhancement of its digital
our clients and the DIFC, making it easier and
onboarding platform.
quicker to establish a business at the Centre
Commenting on the new digital enhancements, Alya Al Zarouni, Executive
www.tahawultech.com
through a simple and innovative digital portal that cuts application times in half.”
“DMCC is delighted to sign this agreement with CV VC, and launch the Crypto Valley in Dubai, at the very heart of Dubai’s leading business district.” FEBRUARY 2020
9
EVENT
ORACLE OPENWORLD
THE POWER OF CLOUD
CNME reports back from the second edition of Oracle OpenWorld Middle East, where thousands of delegates and customers highlighted how Oracle Cloud is fundamentally transforming businesses.
10 Dr. Ebrahem Alkhajeh, Human Resources Director, Abu Dhabi Customs (AUH) and Steve Daheb, SVP, Oracle Cloud
T
housands of IT
Authority (ADDA), thanked
role Oracle Cloud solutions play
stakeholders, delegates
Oracle for their continuous
in building the country’s digital
and customers were
efforts in driving innovation in
capacity through education and
in attendance on Day 1
the Emirates.
advanced technologies.
of the Oracle OpenWorld Middle
Steve Daheb, Senior Vice
East conference which kicked
for being a great opportunity for
President at Oracle Cloud, took
off on January 14 at Dubai World
collaboration and a platform to
the stage to deliver a colourful
Trade Centre.
highlight the key achievements
presentation which illuminated
in digital transformation of Abu
the impact Oracle is having on
Dhabi and the UAE.
the global IT ecosystem.
US technology behemoth Oracle has positioned itself as a leader in cloud technology, and
He said, “[ADDA’s] strategic
“We are coming into this event
it used its Oracle OpenWorld
activities make our partnership
after delivering an incredible
symposium to illustrate this
with Oracle an invaluable and
amount of innovation into the
further by outlining some of the
mission critical one. We have
market, and we’re seeing customer
success its clients have enjoyed
been collaborating with Oracle to
momentum across the entire
since switching to Oracle Cloud.
accelerate the implementation
Oracle Cloud – we have thousands
of digital solutions throughout
of customers today that are
the Emirate.”
making breakthrough and real
Opening the event, H.E. Mohammed Geyath, Executive Director of Cybersecurity Operations at Abu Dhabi Digital
FEBRUARY 2020
H.E. Geyath praised the event
H.E. Geyath concluded by thanking Oracle and the crucial
changes for both work and life with Oracle technology,” he explained.
www.tahawultech.com
During his keynote presentation he articulated how
to implement change. “When we talk about
Oracle is fusing new technologies
transformation, it isn’t just about
to enhance the offering of its
moving to the cloud - it's what
diverse product portfolio.
I do with the data now that I’ve
“Autonomous technologies
moved it. It’s not just the process
are really allowing us to reshape
of lifting and shifting to the
our whole approach to IT.
cloud. It’s critically important
However, it has also become
that you know how to leverage
evident that technologies are
one set of capabilities against the
now shifting from being viewed
other now that you’ve done this
as emerging and are instead
transition,” said Daheb.
now becoming a reality. We’re
Steve Miranda, Executive Vice
integrating these transformative
President, Applications Product
technologies into our overall
Development, at Oracle, also
product offerings,” said Daheb.
took the stage to address some
Daheb also highlighted how it
of the most common questions
Steve Miranda, Executive Vice President, Applications Product Development, Oracle
was an extremely exciting time
related to cloud – why should
to be in the region and said that
an organisation move to Cloud,
releases every two to three years
companies in the Middle East,
why they should choose Oracle
in a very unpredictable fashion,
North Africa and India were
and why move now.
to updates to our software every
leveraging emerging technologies
He began by explaining, “Not
quarter,” said Miranda. Discussing why organisations
to drive growth and change
only [Oracle] can manage your
across their existing operations.
business successfully today, but
should choose Oracle, Miranda
we can help you transform that
explained that he strongly
illustrated how Oracle Cloud was
business into lower cost, higher
believes Oracle delivers the
specifically designed to help any
efficiency and better data that
world’s most innovative cloud
business regardless of its size, to
will actually run your business.”
applications suite.
In addition to this, he
reshape how it offers its services
Miranda highlighted how the
He continued, “We allow you
and products to its customers.
speed of change is increasing
not only to run the entirety of
“Oracle Cloud really is an
exponentially, putting many
your business on the cloud, but
incredible set of solutions that
companies at risk of being
because of the depth and the
help our customers meet
outrun by their competitors. In
breath of the suite, we allow you
their needs. Whether it’s any
this light, the EVP explained that
the flexibility to choose the path
industry, any size company
cloud allows businesses to move
to get there – may this be for a
– what they have in common
forward faster than ever before.
small company, a big company,
is that they’re using Oracle
“The single most important
technology to fundamentally
element that the cloud brings
shift how they do business, how
is speed – we have gone from
or any points in between.” The EVP also highlighted how Oracle is leveraging emerging
they think about customers
technologies, such as AI and
and employee experience, and
IoT, to shape the future of
fundamentally help change
technology and business.
working life,” continued Daheb.
Miranda concluded, “Why
The Oracle SVP stressed
Oracle? [We have] the most
that whilst the Oracle Cloud platform has both the agility and flexibility to enable organisations to reshape their existing business model, it’s vital to understand what businesses need to do with the data they’re now accessing in order to be able
www.tahawultech.com
complete suite of software to
We have thousands of customers today that are making breakthrough and real changes for both work and life with Oracle technology”
allow you to run your business globally and locally, and the flexibility on which to move first to the cloud, adding machine learning today, and adding more and more technology that evolves going forward.”
FEBRUARY 2020
11
EVENT
THE STAPLES OF LIFE
AVEVA WORLD CONFERENCE
12
CNME attends AVEVA World Conference in Abu Dhabi, where the industrial software company shared customer success stories and unveiled a new enhancement to their Asset Performance Management portfolio.
H
undreds of
He continued by highlighting
Mohamad Awad, VP Middle East
the great success the business
industry experts
& Africa at AVEVA, the software
has seen in the past year, as
came together
company’s Chief Executive
AVEVA became the largest
to share their successful
Officer, Craig Hayman delivered
technology company on
application stories and best
a compelling keynote on the
the London Stock Exchange
practices at AVEVA World
importance of using technology
and has doubled its market
Conference in Abu Dhabi.
to enhance human experience.
capitalisation. He believes the
“Technology is intended to
success is due to their focus on
The event, held at Grand Hyatt
FEBRUARY 2020
After the opening remarks by
customers and
Abu Dhabi Hotel on January 21
enhance the human experience,
and 22, showcased AVEVA’s latest
rather than eclipsing it. At
innovations in industrial software
AVEVA, we focus on the industrial
on our customers and the
and featured a series of customer
sector – this is the sector that
digitalisation of the industrial
speakers, including Abu Dhabi
produces the staples of our lives:
sector are one of the main
National Oil Company (ADNOC)
food, medicine, oil and gas, to
reasons for our success. Our
and Saudi refiner SASREF.
name a few,” Hayman explained.
customers spread across
their customers. Hayman said, “Our focus
www.tahawultech.com
enhancement to its Asset Performance Management (APM) portfolio. Asset Performance Management consists in the ability to take all of the operational data of an organisation’s asset, to analyse that data and predict a failure before it happens.
Technology is intended to enhance the human experience, rather than eclipsing it.”
The Chief Executive Officer said, “In the last 12 months we have invested heavily in
what we are witnessing in the
our APM portfolio and we
market. AI has the potential to
have come up with its new
disrupt markets in the Middle
generation. We believe we are
East by creating innovative
number one in the market in
new services and entirely new
this area.”
business models,” commented
The enhancement sees the addition of AVEVA APM Assessment, AVEVA Asset
Mohamad Awad, Regional VP for the Middle East, AVEVA. “We are already witnessing
Strategy Optimisation and
its impact in Europe and
AVEVA Asset Strategy Library.
North America across several
By deploying these AVEVA
industries and market sectors
solutions, organisations can
and we are confident that the
predict asset failure and then
trend will follow in the Middle
prescribe the most economically
East region. With the eruption
advantageous action to take
of AI, some of the market
to remediate potential asset
leaders five to ten years’ time
failures. For company directors,
may be organisations that are
these tools mean doubling
not even key players today.”
production output resulting
Martin Yeomans, EMEA Lead
in a safer, more reliable
at AVEVA, also touched on
environment for the workforce.
AVEVA’s growth in the region
The industrial software
and in the UAE specifically. The
company also revealed global
company has in fact recently
multiple industries, and for the
survey findings which identify
moved into a new and larger
vast majority they are industries
the key investment drivers for
office in Dubai with a workforce
that adopted digital technology
digital transformation across
of about 70 people, with a
at scale later than the rest.
1240 EMEA, North American
further 15 in Abu Dhabi.
“Two years ago, many of our customers were just beginning to understand the concept of
and APAC decision makers
“The UAE is one of the fastest
across nine industry verticals.
growing parts of our business.
According to the survey,
Our customers here are mainly
Industry 4.0, while today they
the Middle East showed less
from the energy sector, but we’re
too have begun their digital
demand for AI, while it favoured
seeing water and wastewater as
transformation efforts by
technologies such as IoT and
key growth areas in the region.
driving more digitalisation into
Edge, 3D visualisation and
The areas we are most excited
their businesses – they are
enterprise mobility.
about is within the future of the
moving very fast and we are moving with them.” At the conference, AVEVA also announced a significant
www.tahawultech.com
“New emerging technologies
smart city project, with cities like
like AI are taking time to gain
Dubai and Abu Dhabi taking the
traction in the Middle East so
lead in this aspect,” Yeomans
the research findings mirror
explained.
FEBRUARY 2020
13
EVENT
GIVING ONE HUNDRED PERCENT 14
FEBRUARY 2020
www.tahawultech.com
15
I Peter Grant, Systems Engineering Manager at Nutanix, Middle East
n its twelfth annual
“The CIO 100 Awards is
edition, CNME and
now one of the most highly
Tahawultech.com’s CIO
regarded and respected
100 Awards honoured
awards in the entire IT
C-level IT leaders who have
ecosystem, we were rather
demonstrated great prowess
inevitably inundated with
in delivering innovative IT
nominations. However, our
initiatives that have helped
editorial team carefully
their organisations move
worked our way through all
forward in their digital
the nominations to select
transformation journey.
those that we believed had
Held at the Rixos Premium
outstanding digital
of IT leaders and industry
leadership,” said Pendleton
experts come together
The CNME editorial
to celebrate the best and
team wishes the warmest
brightest in the ICT sector.
congratulations to the
Natasha Pendleton,
www.tahawultech.com
displayed and illustrated
JBR, the event saw hundreds
winners, who have proven
Publishing Director at CPI
themselves to be true digital
Media Group explained the
disruptors and constitute
process behind selecting the
some of the brightest minds in
CIO 100 award winners.
the Middle East region.
FEBRUARY 2020
EVENT
Abdalla Al Ali Dubai Multi Commodities Center (DMCC)
Abdullah Alshamsi Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP)
Dr Abeer Shakeer The Minister of Communications and Information Technology
Aditya Kaushik Adyard Abudhabi
Ahmed Al Ahmad Nakheel PJSC
Ahmed Saleem Sharjah Islamic Bank
Akshay Lamba Deloitte & Touche (M.E.)
Ali Ahmed Al Naqbi Sharjah Economic Development Department
Ali Al Lawati Ooredoo Oman
Ali Mohamed Al Ali Department of Health Abu Dhabi
Ali Saleh Al Ali Etihad Credit Insurance Company
Aliakbar Patwa NRS Relief
Aliasgar Bohari Zulekha Healthcare Group
Ameena Abdul Raheem Engineering Office
Anindo Banerjee Meraas Holding
Antony Vimal Emirates Specialty Hospital
16
FEBRUARY 2020
www.tahawultech.com
Anup Das BYRNE Equipment Rental
Arnab Debroy Metito Overseas
Arul Jose Vigin DIFC Courts
Ashith Piriyattiath Regulus Capital
Bilal Hasan DULSCO
Esam Khamees Alfalasi Ministry Of Economy
Faisal Ali Daman Investments
Fatima Ahmed Ali Bin Haider Dubai Public Prosecution
Fayaz Ahmed Badubhai Al Yousuf Group
On behalf of Frank Watts, Al Tayer
Ghinwa Baradhi HSBC Bank Middle East Limited
On behalf of Hamdy Al Sherif Dubai Chamber of Commerce
Hashim Saeed Union Properties
Jaicil Mohammed Portingx Technology
Jassim Haji Artificial Intelligence Society Bahrain
Jayesh Maganlal Majid Al Futtaim Properties
www.tahawultech.com
FEBRUARY 2020
17
EVENT
18
Joseph Aninias Abu Dhabi University
On behalf of Juma Al Ghaith Dubai Customs
Khalfan Matar Al Hassani Monitoring and Control Centre
Khawla Jarrah Ras Al Khaimah American Academy For Girls
Madhu Suthan BAHRI & MAZROEI GROUP
Major Khalid A BinMediya Al Falasi GDRFA
On behalf of Mamoun T. Alhomssey Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
Manish Bindra Galadari Brothers Co
Dr Manoj K Menon Spotcheck Wellness Services
Manoj Ramachandran Royal Group
Meshal Abdulla BinHussain Ministry of Finance
Dr Mohamed Jumah Rahmah DP World
Mohammed Mudasar Bluestone Capital Investments
Muhannad Abu Hassan Ministry of Education and
Mubarik Hussain Bloom Holding
Muna Abdullah Al Falasi The Executive Council
FEBRUARY 2020
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Dr Mustafa Hassan Qurban King Fahd Military Medical Complex
Mustansir Aziz, Gulf Diagnostic Center Hospital
Dr N Verma Dr Soliman Fakeeh Hospital Company, KSA
Najib Dalank ALEC
Nitin Bhargava Mashreq Bank
Partha Banerjee Safeer Group Of Companies
Paul Bogan Serco Ltd
Praveen Sashi DHL EXPRESS
Rami Alhaddad National Aviation Services
Riyad Salah Sharjah Taxi and Rafid Automotive Solution
Saleem Alblooshi Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (du)
Shafique Ibrahim Al Fardan Exchange
Shailesh Mani Flemingo International Limited
Sreedhar Reddy ALDAR
Sreedhar Suragouni Oman Insurance Company
Tamer Hamed DUCAB
www.tahawultech.com
19
FEBRUARY 2020
EVENT
Umesh Moolchandani Bin Dasmal General Trading Co
H.E Wesam Lootah DSG
Yasser Sharaf Raya Contact Center Egypt
On behalf of Dr Yousef Al-Hammadi Abu Dhabi Special Olympics
CNME would also like to express our warmest congratulations to all the winners who were unfortunately not able to attend the award ceremony: - Abdulla Alowais, Government of Sharjah Directorate of Human Resources - Abdulrahman Al Harbi, Zain Payments Limited - Adel Abo Elnour, Ministry Of Housing - Amr Fathy, Etisalat Egypt - Arun Tewary, Emirates Flights Catering - Brigadier Khaled Alrazouki, Dubai Police - Col. Faisal Al Kaabi, Ministry of Defense - Dr. Ibrahim Humaid Almayahi, Ministry of Interior - Farid Farouq, DWTC - Fuad Al Ansari, ADNOC Refining - Girish S Varote, Abu Dhabi Health Data Services SP LLC - Hessa Obaid Al Suwaidi, Department of Infrastructure Development - Ibrahim AlNajjar, DP World - Jasem Al Ali, Ministry of Justice - Khalid Jalal, Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill - Mahmoud A. Kamal, Habtoor Hospitality - Mario Foster, Al Naboodah Group Enterprises - Mohamad Al Ameri, Abu Dhabi Executive Council - Mohamed Hamed, Ceramica Platino Group - Mohammed Abu Zaid, Insurance Authority - Mohammed Al Ali, National Qualifications Authority (NQA) - Muhammad Junaid Budhani, United Al Saqer Group - Nadia Obaid Al Qabanji, Zayed University - Prasanna Hulmane .T.V, University Sharjah Hospital - Qasim Nadeem, ABANA Enterprises Gruop - Ronald Dsa, OSN - Sanjeev Mulay, First Abu Dhabi Bank - Sayed Rahman, Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority - Sebastian T. Samuel, AW Rostamani Group - Shumon Zaman, Lamprell Energy Ltd - Sultan Al Owais, Prime Minister’s Office - Yuri Misnik, First Abu Dhabi Bank
20
FEBRUARY 2020
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12TH
CPI Media Group would like to sincerely thank all our sponsors for their incredible support that ensured our CIO100 Awards were a resounding success. GOLD PARTNERS
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FEATURE
WOMEN IN TECH
“DIVERSITY IS OUR STRENGTH”: GHINWA BARADHI
In our latest edition of Women in Tech, CNME spoke to Ghinwa Baradhi, CIO at HSBC Bank Middle East, to find out why promoting diversity needs to be a key priority for the IT industry, and how new technologies like blockchain will reshape the financial services sector in the future.
O
22
ver the last two decades, Baradhi has established herself as one of the most
prominent technology thought leaders in the region. During this time the dynamic CIO has experienced firsthand how technologies have fundamentally reshaped the IT ecosystem in the financial sector. We’re now firmly in the midst of a technological revolution which has disrupted every major industry, and the banking and financial services sectors haven’t been immune to these
Ghinwa Baradhi CIO, HSBC Bank Middle East
changes. The other significant change for Baradhi has been the evolution of her role as a CIO, one which she describes as both exciting and challenging. “The role of the CIO has evolved as more and more disruptive technologies continue to penetrate different industries on a global scale. It is a very exciting time to be a CIO, as we’re tasked with the responsibility of devising innovative strategies that shape the way we do business. The
FEBRUARY 2020
www.tahawultech.com
CIO is now a true partner for the
and how it can create smart
business and collaboratively we
contracts and reduce the time of
industry is very important and
define and execute the strategy
transactions”. Having said that,
is a subject that I’m passionate
for growth and success. We
Baradhi also emphasises, “the
about. At HSBC, diversity is
have become a true enabler,”
use of blockchain technology
not only about gender but also
said Baradhi.
will continue to evolve in the
covers multiple facets in terms
coming years and the success
of skill, experience, talent,
technologies impacting major
will depend on striking the right
culture, ethnicities and thought
industries, blockchain has been
balance of the technology, use
leadership. We believe the
tipped to transform the banking
cases and adoption.”
different ideas and perspectives
In relation to the new
“Gender diversity in the IT
and financial services sector.
HSBC is renowned for
Smart Dubai CEO H.E. Wesam
being a pioneer in terms of
our customers and our people,
Lootah said that, blockchain
championing and embracing
helps us innovate, manage
will do for transactions what the
new technologies and
risk and grow the business in
internet did for information.
integrating them into their
a sustainable manner,” said
Baradhi highlighted that
existing operations as part
Baradhi.
our diversity brings, benefits
whilst blockchain does possess
of its effort to enhance the
incredible capabilities, using
experience of its customers.
and aspirations in her role as
the right technology effectively
“We’ve been at the forefront
CIO at HSBC for the next 12
for the right purpose to support
of finding innovative solutions
months, Baradhi said, “The IT
commercialised growth for the
for our customers to transform
industry is constantly evolving,
business is crucial.
their banking experience and
so we’ll be looking at how we
have set up the first Innovation
can use new and emerging
proponent and contributor to
Lab in the region to encourage
technologies to enhance the
blockchain technology, leading
these solutions.”
services we provide for our
“HSBC has been a keen
the way in its adoption by the
HSBC’s success over its
When pressed on her goals
customers. Customer-centricity
financial services industry. In
more than 150-year history is
is in our core DNA and is always
the trade finance space, for
in large part due to its culture
the number one priority for
example, we see huge potential
and growth mindset, which has
HSBC and that will continue in
for blockchain - over the
seen it evolve into a diverse and
2020. This desire and aspiration
last two years, we conducted
global organisation. Diversity
to always deliver the best
multiple proof of concepts
and inclusion a subject close to
results and experience for our
in the region and around the
Baradhi’s heart, in an industry
customers, is what I believe
world. In 2019, we became the
which has traditionnaly been
has helped us become such a
first bank in the Middle East to
male-dominated.
success over the century.
bring together two blockchain
“In addition to this, I
platforms in a trade finance
believe in this digital age
transaction, which reduced the
it’s critical that we’re able
overall transaction time by 40
to attract the best talent and
percent,” said Ghinwa.
continue to inspire a culture
This resulted in HSBC recently winning the Banking Technology Award for ‘Best Use of Emerging Technology’ and being nominated as a finalist for ‘Financial Innovation Award’. It is also in the running for the ‘2020 FStech Awards’. “We’re all aware of the transparency it will provide,
www.tahawultech.com
of high performance within
At HSBC, diversity is not only about gender but also covers multiple facets in terms of skill, experience, talent, culture, ethnicities and thought leadership.”
our employees that can help us extract value from new technologies to stay ahead of the curve, drive business growth, and become more data driven whilst safeguarding HSBC and its customers from potential cyber threats,” said Ghinwa.
FEBRUARY 2020
23
INTERVIEW
WESTERN DIGITAL
SMART SECURITY CNME Editor Mark Forker caught up with Khwaja Saifuddin, Senior Sales Director, Middle East at Western Digital at Intersec 2020, to find out how its new suite of security solutions that are infused with AI are making cities smarter. surveillance technology through the concept of ‘No Blind Spots’. With the rapid advancement of smart security, the company demonstrated its storage solutions that span from the end points such as cameras, to the core data centre. These solutions are designed to handle high resolution and
24
capacity for enhanced public safety and artificial intelligence (AI) analytics use cases. The WD Purple™ portfolio is an ideal companion to enhance smart video technology. Both the WD Purple microSD™ card and WD Purple Surveillance HDD bring internal and external solutions to the market. The WD Purple microSD card provides long lasting on-camera storage coupled with exceptional
Khwaja Saifuddin, Senior Sales Director, Middle East at Western Digital
performance and reliability. The WD Purple Surveillance HDD features Western Digital’s AllFrame™ technology that
C
helps create a security system
an you tell me why
tailored to the needs of the
Western Digital
business.
participated at this
FEBRUARY 2020
Intersec presents a great
year’s INTERSEC
opportunity to demonstrate
2020 – and what value the
the advanced capabilities of
event provides for your
our cutting-edge products
business portfolio?
and solutions designed to
At Intersec this year, Western
prepare our customers for
Digital showcased how it is
the zettabyte-scale age of the
pushing the boundaries of
future.
www.tahawultech.com
Western Digital announced
argue in favour of more
storage solutions for everything
the introduction of ‘No Blind
expansive, and more intelligent,
from mobile to highly specialised
Spots’ Smart Video Solutions at
public safety. By progressively
performance drives. We are in
INTERSEC, How is this solution
applying new technologies
a unique position where we
is enhancing public safety?
to their approaches, public
innovate across the technology
No Blind Spots includes Western
safety agencies could boost the
stack right from building a
Digital’s thoughtfully calibrated
number of violent and property
flexible foundation to enabling
storage solutions designed for
crimes they prevent each year
access to faster intelligence.
smart video. The company’s
from approximately 2,100
approach encompasses products
today, to 4.2 million in 2025, to
2020 is going to be a historic
that use raw video, AI and
5.6 million in 2035 or possibly
year for the UAE with EXPO
endpoint to cloud technology.
81.7 million by 2040.
2020. What are the major trends
Western Digital delivers product
Education and awareness
that you envisage we’re going to
reliability and longevity that
will be required as a balance
see over the next 12 months?
support multi-streams as well
needs to be struck between data
Digitising initiatives will
as offering scalable and built-in
continue to flourish moving
analytics.
forward, with IT spending in the
AI, once engrained into public
Middle East and Africa (MEA) set
safety infrastructure, could
to reach $83.7 billion in 2020,
analyse thousands of video
according to IDC. The quest for
feeds generated, transforming
digital transformation will also
cameras from their current form, often providing only the illusion of protection, into a real-time public safety tool for tomorrow’s smart cities and towns.
Western Digital delivers product reliability and longevity that support multi-streams as well as scalable and built-in analytics.”
drive investments in big data and analytics, among others, which is also expected to be a key area of investment in 2020. The future is bright for data-enabled intelligence. In
In terms of video surveillance
2020, we will see a growing
there has been some ethical
number of organisations
concerns regarding the
capitalising on smarter use of the
integration of AI into these
privacy and data responsibility
information we create, capture
security systems. What would
where public input and
and store while also making
you say to those that believe
oversight are necessary to
sense of the massive amounts
biometrics, AI and RFID
ensure that video public safety
of data generated by artificial
impinges on their human rights?
systems are designed to prevent
intelligence and machine
With so much data available
misuse and abuse.
learning workloads.
people are wary of proposals
Western Digital has
strategy if the elements of
that suggest even greater
positioned as a leader in
the right infrastructure,
data collection, knowing the
data infrastructure and has
information architecture, skills
potential exists for misuse of
always displayed tremendous
and processes, and partnerships,
the data and, consequently,
innovation. However, in
are put into place to ensure data
violations of privacy.
your opinion what is that
availability and analysis. This,
differentiates the company
in turn, will open a world of new
of crime prevention, which is
from its rivals?
possibilities with data across
saving lives and property as well
Western Digital’s unmatched
sectors and verticals in the
as positive economic impacts,
portfolio offers a range of
upcoming year.
today, it is understandable
But the tradeoffs in the form
www.tahawultech.com
Businesses have a winning
FEBRUARY 2020
25
FEATURE
UAE UNIVERSITY
BRIDGING THE GAP
Deputy Editor Giorgia Guantario spoke to Dr Maryam Al Yammahi, Assistant Professor in Computer science, UAE University to discuss the digital skills gap and how the university is hoping to solve it.
Dr Maryam Al Yammahi, Assistant Professor in Computer science, UAE University
26
across a number of entities –
organisations reskill their
organisations, governments and
workforce, something that will
educational entities are all part
be necessary for 54 percent
of the solution.
of all current employees by
The UAE has been making great strides to solve this issue, with government and
Economic Forum. “Right now we are
universities coming together
concentrating and working
n today’s increasing
to create a talented set of
on preparing students only,
data-driven economy, one
graduates who will be able to
but in the long run, we’d
of the biggest challenges
use their skills to bring growing
like to have the possibility
organisations face is the
value as new employees. The
to help organisations train
growing digital skills gaps. As
UAE University is among those
their employees to make sure
emerging technologies, the
who are driving innovation to
they are up to date with new
like of Artificial Intelligence,
solve this growing challenge,
technologies. As a university,
Internet of Things and robotics
but according to Dr Maryam Al
we hope to share our knowledge
happen in shorter cycles,
Yammahi, Assistant Professor
beyond our institution.
organisations struggle to
in Computer science, the
recruit, onboard and train
real solution is connecting
universities with R&D teams
their employees, which could
organisations to academic
within organisations will also
prove fatal as more and more
institutions to get ready for
prove beneficial to all parties
disruptors enter the market.
Industry 4.0.
involved. The Fourth Industrial
I
According to the World
“One of the main issues is
“I think connecting
Revolution will affect all
Economic Forum, at least 133
the lack of communication
sectors, but each will need its
million new roles generated
between organisations and
own set of development and use
as a result of the new division
universities. Too often fresh
cases to strive and leverage new
of labour between humans,
graduates haven’t had the
technologies. Universities can
machines and algorithms may
chance to weigh themselves
help take this a little further,”
emerge globally by 2022 – this
against the organisation’s skill
she continued.
situation is only worsened
requirements,” explained Dr
by the advent of the Fourth
Al Yammahi.
Industrial Revolution. The responsibility for bridging this digital gap is spread
FEBRUARY 2020
2022, according to the World
The Assistant Professor also
The UAE University has been adopting innovative education practices and has been pushing
believes universities could
for more collaboration between
play a big role in helping
industries and students.
www.tahawultech.com
Artificial Intelligence has
that students can expect to
from the moment they develop
become one of the main
learn through a hands-on
an idea that could increase
areas the University has been
approach how to improve the
productivity or solve a challenge,
focusing on, as the technology
UAE government agencies and
up to the prototyping stage,
has been at the centre of many
industry performance with
carefully pairing each solution to
governments and private
these technologies.
the right industry application.
sector’s strategies in the past couple of years. Dr Al Yammahi said, “Part
“At UAEU, we also hold
“As I have mentioned
a series of workshops to
before, I strongly believe
have student gain a practical
that the answer to solving
of the UAEU’s initiatives to
understanding of the technology,
the digital gap is developing
prepare skilled employees of
may this be AI or related to
open communication between
the future has been centred
different software. Moreover, we
universities, governments and
around the creation of
strongly support our students’
organisations, and at UAEU
Learning Smart Factory - labs
ideas – we try to connect
we have been doing just that,”
that encourage students to
students with organisations
explained Dr Al Yammahi.
develop AI technology and
2020 will be an exciting year
smart applications technology
for the University, as they will
that can be leveraged in the
be participating to the much-
Fourth Industrial Revolution to
awaited Expo 2020 Dubai through
establish a ‘smart factory’.”
the exhibition ‘The University of
The UAE University, ranked first in the UAE according to the Times Higher Education Rankings 2020, also offers a minor in AI, as well as graduate programs in other emerging technologies such as data and machine learnings. Dr Al Yammahi explained
www.tahawultech.com
The answer to solving the digital gap is developing open communication between universities, governments and organisations, and at UAEU we have been doing just that.”
the Future’ and ‘the Pathfinder Program’. Dr Al Yammahi concluded by expressing her excitement for this initiative which will showcase UAEU’s vision to pioneer a new role of education and to transform unemployment challenges into innovative solutions.
FEBRUARY 2020
27
INTERVIEW
CORNING OPTICAL COMMUNICATIONS
“UAE IS DRIVING 5G ADOPTION”: CORNING
CNME Editor Mark Forker spoke to Juan Colina, Regional Director, Corning Optical Communications, Middle East, to find out its aspirations for 2020, the role it is playing in the acceleration of 5G, and how the next five years will be defining for internet performance in the UAE.
C
28
orning is a key
completed the first end-to-end
reliability which Corning has the
player in terms
5G SA call in the UAE, becoming
expertise to support on. Corning
of facilitating
the first operator globally to
also has extensive expertise
the demand for
achieve this milestone, which is
in interconnecting huge data
higher data speeds from
a fantastic achievement. IDC also
centre facilities and a set of
telecommunication providers.
recently released a study which
solutions to meet the demands.
Can you give us a brief
showed that UAE has the fastest
overview of Corning, in
download speed in the region. All
cable design with ribbon
relation to both its market
these developments are indicative
sub-units that are easy to
visibility in the region, and its
of the growth we are expecting to
manage, identify, and trace, is
overall growth in 2019?
see in the coming years.
making a significant impact
2019 has been a stepping-
on cable deployments for
stone for Corning globally, and
Microsoft’s new data centres
large-campus DCI (data
for the region. We have done
in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are
centre interconnects). My
some innovative work with our
expected to accelerate the
point is that Corning’s long
partners around data centres
transition of enterprises towards
lasting professionalisation
and internet penetration over
public cloud. What impact is
and innovation allow us to
the last year. We have our gears
this development going to have
offer data centre solutions
ready for 2020, and we believe
in terms of Corning’s existing
providing the four fundamental
the next four to five years are
business portfolio?
benefits a cabling infrastructure
going to be very defining for
The largest hyperscalers and
must address - reliability,
internet performance, with
cloud companies are in the
manageability, scalability and
the roll out of 5G in the region.
process of enhancing their
flexibility while lowering TCO
We have already seen some
capacity and service and
and increasing ROI and in the
breakthrough work over the last
therefore, they have increased
current business environment
few months in the UAE.
need of data centres in the
that makes a difference.
Etisalat recently achieved over
FEBRUARY 2020
The unique RocketRibbon™
region. Corning, as a leader in
3.1Gbps download throughput
that area, is ready to support
The proliferation of connected
over its 5G Stand Alone, SA,
this growth. This surge comes
devices is growing exponentially.
network. Prior to that, in October
with many requirements around
What trends do you see
2019, Etisalat successfully
data privacy, speed, latency and
developing around this surge in
www.tahawultech.com
Juan Colina, Regional Director, Corning Optical Communications, Middle East
the connectivity of devices?
Corning is a real leader in the
a common approach. We have
One of the main trends that we
communications industry.
the benefit of bringing global
are monitoring closely is the
However, what do you think
expertise and adapting this to the
amount of connectivity that
differentiates the company
local needs. Moreover, we’re able
will happen at the edge of the
from its rivals?
to bring these solutions across
network, which is mainly driven
I would say we approach our
the entire optical portfolio, which
by latency and data intensive
work from another perspective.
means we can serve the diverse
applications like IoT and
Our corporate mindset is mostly
needs of our customers.
connectivity in smart cities. The
centred around topics like
surge in connected devices is
innovation, expertise, quality.
What are your main goals and
driving computational power to
We keep track on the bigger
objectives for 2020?
be closer to the end users. This
picture, and we are aiming to
In 2020 and in the next five
means that data centres need to
drive ongoing improvement of
years, we can expect to see a
be closer to the consumer too,
performance. A key differentiator
lot of adoption in the region in
in places it hasn’t been before,
is how we address challenges
terms of data centre build and
thus making them smaller in
with our customers. Each region
5G. Corning, with our global
size with increased density and
has intrinsic challenges specific
expertise and innovations, wants
growth enabled.
to their local environment,
to support our customers in their
which cannot be solved through
growth around these areas.
Moreover, the region, especially the UAE, is really
The region is moving fast
driving 5G adoption. For
towards advanced digital services
instance, the first 5G call which
and next-generation networks.
happened through Etisalat. So
As a leader in the industry, we
we can expect to see a lot of
would naturally like to be at the
firsts from the region when it comes to 5G, and these experiences and learnings will be shared with the rest of the world to take into consideration as they push 5G in their own countries.
One of the main trends that we are monitoring closely is the amount of connectivity that will happen at the edge of the network.�
forefront of the process. Our regional goals align with the overall goals of the company and therefore we are looking for growth and expansion and we are confident in our ability to achieve that.
www.tahawultech.com
FEBRUARY 2020
29
FEATURE
AVAYA
HOW AVAYA IS TRANSFORMING CX IN THE CLOUD
30
In this month’s cover story, CNME Editor Mark Forker spoke to Ahmed Helmy, International CTO at Avaya, to find out how the company is continuing to expand its cloud transformation by introducing Avaya IX-CC, the IT company’s next-generation Contact Centre as a Service platform.
FEBRUARY 2020
www.tahawultech.com
H
elmy has played
to continue differentiating
a key role in
themselves with compelling
curating Avaya’s
experiences for the digital age.
strategic cloud
What businesses need today
transformation which has
is the freedom to build multi-
helped solidify the US-
experiences with ease and
headquartered multinational
speed that capture the hearts
as a market leader in unified
and minds of their customers.
communications and contact
The conversation with vendors
centre services.
like us has shifted from IT to
In our interview, Avaya’s
business transformation.”
International CTO details how
According to Helmy, a
a shift in customer and market
combination of customers
demands ultimately led to the
wanting to evaluate their CX
creation of the Avaya IX-CC
strategy, whilst spending less
platform, which promises to
talking about infrastructure led
markedly change organisations’
to the accelerated development
ability to create multi-
of the IX-CC.
experiences by helping them
“The consensus amongst
adapt their technology to their
everyone in the customer
ever-changing needs.
experience space was to reduce
Indeed, this comes as the
the time we spent talking about
conversation around the
infrastructure, computing and
contact centre space shifts, with
project management. These
businesses looking at customer
topics were consuming 60
experience – across any
percent of the discussion, but
platform - as a key differentiator
there was a growing desire
and business driver.
to focus more on business
“With the largest customer
transformation. Customers
base globally in the contact
want to review their CX strategy
centre, what our customers
over the next 1-5 years, and
tell us reflects the needs of the
while many have an idea of
market. There is a clear shift
what direction they want go,
in what our customers need
other customers don’t. Those customers need to introduce new technologies to see how it’s going to impact their business,” said Helmy. Avaya’s dynamic and
The consensus amongst everyone in the customer experience space was to reduce the time we spent talking about infrastructure, computing and project management.”
innovative CTO said that the company’s approach has transitioned from simply trying to sell a new technology, into building customer journey roadmaps and CX transformation services with their customers. “If you look at the CCaaS vendors today, their focus is on
www.tahawultech.com
FEBRUARY 2020
31
FEATURE
moving their customers from
the economy of the cloud, the
what our customers really
on-premise to the cloud. For us
flexibility and the minimal
want. The key component of
here at Avaya, with Avaya IX-
upfront investment required
IX-CC is not only the fact that
CC, we’re giving our customers
so they can benefit instantly
it is multi-tenant, scalable and
control over of their business
from the freedom to innovate
cost-effective, but that it’s very,
outcomes with the freedom
and transform. However, at the
very adaptive. What this means
to personalise their customer
same time we’re not holding
is that our customers own the
experiences the way they want,”
them back like some of our
whole platform and have the
said Helmy.
other competitors who force
full flexibility to customise,
businesses to fit into pre-
integrate and personalise -
our conversation is ‘flexibility’,
defined packages and bundles,”
versus the option of having to
and Avaya’s IX-CC platform
said Helmy.
fit their business into a specific
A recurring theme during
certainly ticks that box - the
bundle,” said Helmy.
autonomy provided is what
‘adaptive’ has also struck a chord
is helping this product really
with customers, which Helmy
how many companies were
resonate with customers in the
claims is what they really want.
guilty of rushing their
cloud market. “Our customers like our cloud consumption models,
32
Avaya’s ability to become more
“We’re becoming
Avaya’s CTO also highlighted
transformation to the cloud
more adaptive, which is
when it was still a trend – and
fundamentally at the core of
in their quickfire approach
Ahmed Helmy International CTO at Avaya
FEBRUARY 2020
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to create a CCaaS platform,
customers. We have recently
had overlooked flexibility,
launched a unique compelling
personalisation and adaptability.
solution for RingCentral. But for
Helmy explains, “One set of CCaaS vendors have created solutions that come with a good level of APIs and interfaces - but are extremely poor in features and are forcing customers to own
We’re launching the IX-CC platform in the MEA region in the first-half of this year and will also launch the service in the US in September.”
our CCaaS solution, we chose to work with Microsoft Azure as it provided a platform with minimal friction and maximum footprint,” said Helmy. Microsoft’s presence globally and the fact that it has already
feature-development themselves. The other set have created CCaaS
positive outcomes to your
formed relationships with
offers that have an acceptable
business,” said Helmy.
enterprise customers through
library of features, but restricted
Helmy also declared that
their Office 365 offering made it
their customers in their ability
another key feature of the IX-CC
a no-brainer for Avaya to enter
to customise, personalise
platform is that it is a pure SaaS
into a collaboration agreement
and integrate their customer
model, that gives customers
with the US IT behemoth.
experience. Avaya IX-CC brings
the option to plug-in to new
the best of the two together.”
capabilities from IX-CC through
Microsoft also simplifies and
“The partnership with
a hybrid model, which means
ensures compliance from the
advantage when it came to
customers don’t have to migrate
get-go. For example, businesses
creation of the IX-CC platform,
fully to the cloud.
who are on Office 365 have done
Helmy said Avaya had an
as they had developed very rich
Avaya have also announced
the security due diligence. For
features over a 20 year-period
that their IX-CC platform will
them, coming onto IX-CC on
that was embedded into their
be available in Azure, which will
Azure is simple and seamless.
contact centre capabilities.
be hosted in Microsoft’s data
This is also means that we can
However, they wanted to create
centres in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
accelerate our go-to-market
a market where customers
The service will be introduced
strategy,” said Helmy.
could come in and use very
initially in the Arab Gulf region
rich API interfaces, but instead
with plans to expand the offer to
our conversation by stressing
of investing significantly in
other global regions in the future.
that the partnership between
DevOps and R&D teams to build
“We’re launching the IX-CC
Avaya’s CTO concluded
Avaya and Microsoft Azure
the basic features, they could
platform in the MEA region in
has resonated with customers
instead build on top of Avaya.
the first-half of this year and
in both the US and the Middle
“With Avaya IX-CC, our
will also launch the service in
East, who are leading in their
customers maintain the rich
the US in September. In 2021,
transformation initiatives and
capabilities, but have the
we will roll-out the IX-CC
see IX-CC platform as the perfect
flexible development interfaces,
platform to the rest of the
fit for their cloud strategy.
customisation and integration,
world,” said Helmy.
“The value of this partnership cannot be understated. With
allowing them to innovate
According to Helmy,
on top of that. You’ll only
the strategic alliance with
IX-CC on Azure, we’re enabling
be able to personalise your
Microsoft Azure was born
customers to take advantage of
customer experience when
out of the company’s desire
a seamless path to enterprise-
you have enough insight into
to choose a platform that
grade cloud – and all of the
data, customer behaviors and
provided minimal friction.
business benefits that come
“Avaya has a number of
with that. This creates an
quickly to adapt to what your
strategic agreements with
incredible opportunity for
customers need – this frees
leading vendors like Google,
everyone in the space to quickly
you from being at the mercy
IBM and others. Each alliance
transform as quickly as the
of packages and bundles, and
and partnership brings an added
market demands, providing
directs your efforts towards
value to our solutions and our
ever-better experiences.”
interactions to be able to change
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FEBRUARY 2020
33
INTERVIEW
IDC 2020 PREDICTIONS
SHOW ME THE MONEY CNME Editor Mark Forker spoke to Jyoti Lalchandhi, Group Vice President and Regional Managing Director at IDC, to find out what industry verticals he believes major ICT players are going to focus their investments on in 2020.
34
Jyoti Lalchandhi, Group Vice President and Regional Managing Director at IDC
L
alchandhi stated
a bid to delve a little deeper into
element and component in
during his detailed
some of the insights he provided
many telecom strategies. If
and forensic keynote
from his presentation.
you examine telco operators
that investments in
today, then you’ll see that most
digital transformation and
how the traditional revenue
of their revenue comes from
innovation would account for
streams of telecommunication
traditional telco services. Those
30 percent of all IT spending
operators have come under
services account for 90 percent
in the Middle East, Turley and
attack from the rise of OTTs.
of their revenue, but as we know
Africa (META) by 2024.
Operators need to establish
that market is flat, stagnant and
new business models.
at risk of becoming obsolete,”
exclusive interview with the
According to Lalchandhi, the
said Lalchandhi.
IDC executive onsite at IDC
monetisation of data will be a
Directions 2020 which was held
key priority for them.
I managed to secure an
at Dubai’s Atlantis, The Palm in
FEBRUARY 2020
It has been well-documented
“Data monetisation is a key
A prevalent term coined in the ICT industry is that data is the new oil and it is fueling digital
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transformation. Operators have
to next-generation networks as
central-government agencies
access to an ocean of data, but
they’re still trying to make a ROI
getting involved in terms of
they need to find a way in which
on their investments in 4G.
regulating and putting together
they can really monetise it.
“5G is obviously very
government policies on data.
important for operators, but
There is a whole discussion going
saying, 'OK we’ve got the
we don’t envisage any dramatic
on currently regarding who
underlying infrastructure
investments in the next-
should regulate data, and how
and the capabilities, but how
generation technology over the
our data should be managed. I
do we diversify our revenue
next six to 12 months, in fact
think on one hand consumers
streams in order to penetrate
most telco operators across
are concerned about giving
ICT services in the IT sector?'
this region are still trying to
away too much information,
As part of their efforts to
monetise the investments they
but I think on the other hand
successfully enter this space
made in 4G. I think a lot of
governments across the region
many operators are creating
operators will take a phased
are saying we need to set-up
separate digital business units,”
approach. They acknowledge it
safeguards, governance and
said Lalchandhi.
is coming, and it is a major part
compliance models so all our
“Telco operators are
The IDC Group VP believes
data is managed, governed and
that if telco operators want
secured,” said Lalchandhi.
to seize the opportunities in
In addition to this, he
the IT services space, there
added that the demand for the
needs to be a cultural change
implementation of disruptive
within the organisation and a different mindset. He said, “Operators are acutely aware of the fact that 90 percent of their business
Operators are acutely aware of the fact that 90 percent of their business is slowing down, or in rapid decline.”
is slowing down, or in rapid
technologies such as AI into public services has also heightened concerns regarding ethics. Lalchandhi said, “I think there is going to be more national data agencies created to see how we can
decline. However, they also
manage all of this information,
know that they’ve got an
of its long-term strategy, but
and we can already see this
incremental growth opportunity
it’s going to happen in phases.
happening in other countries.”
to leverage their existing
We’re going to have community
infrastructure. They need to
5G networks, like the 5G EXPO
this with its ethical AI toolkit
create separate digital business
2020 site. One other huge factor
that comes with guidelines,
units to go after those ICT
in the acceleration of 5G will be
processes and frameworks
services and non-telco services,
the availability of 5G-enabled
around how data is used in the
but it’s a highly competitive
devices and products.”
context of AI.
environment. You’re not going
Other areas IDC believe
Smart Dubai has already done
“AI has predictive capabilities,
to see high levels of margin,
we’ll see an increase in
so banks want to know what
so it requires a completely
investment include smart
you’re going to buy next, and telco
different mindset.”
services, public safety and
operators want to know where
surveillance. However, there
you are going next - so with that
need to recruit the right
has been somewhat of a
comes the question of how much
talent to develop the culture
technology backlash, with
information individuals are really
and processes that are
consumers concerned at how
comfortable in surrendering
fundamentally required to
some companies have misused
and sharing. We need to set up
survive in this space.
and mishandled their personal
safeguards that protect consumers
information. This has led to
personal information and data.
in the ICT ecosystem, but
calls for regulation and reforms
I think we’ll see something very
Lalchandhi believes operators
on the use of data.
similar to that of GDPR across
He also added that operators
5G is obviously a hot topic
are taking a phased approach
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“We’re going to see more
the Middle East region.”
FEBRUARY 2020
35
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CITIES OF مدن THE FUTURE المستقبل
PUBLICATION LICENSED BY DUBAI PRODUCTION CITY, DCCA
GOVTECH
38
FEBRUARY 2020
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DMT INSIGHT
CITIES OF THE FUTURE H.E. Mohamed Al Khadar Al Ahmed, Executive Director of Strategic Affairs, DMT and General Coordinator, the World Urban Forum outlines how technology is facilitating the development of smart, sustainable cities and how the World Urban Forum held in Abu Dhabi will bring together experts to shine a light on what we can expect from cities of the future.
T
he Fourth Industrial Revolution is characterised by a considerable surge
in new digital technologies and artificial intelligence. This trend has created a significant impact upon urbanisation and has played an essential part in the establishment of Smart Cities. With innovation harnessing enhancements across numerous areas of modern life, it is natural that technological advancements are applied to the places closest to us, in our homes and communities. The tenth session of the World Urban Forum (WUF10) will outline the importance of establishing smart sustainable cities. Abu Dhabi is hosting the tenth session of the forum in partnership with UN-Habitat, an event that takes place from the 8th until the 13th February 2020, under the patronage of H.H Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. Abu Dhabi will be the focus of attention for those interested in sustainable urban development during WUF10, as the city draws in experts in the smart and sustainable cities industry around the world. After announcing that more than 100 ministers and about 20,000 people from more than 160 countries will be hosted, we
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FEBRUARY 2020
39
GOVTECH
planned a series of discussions solely focused on sustainable smart cities, as a central thread of the forum’s agenda throughout its six days. Sustainable cities of the future can be defined as those that have the latest facilities in technology, buildings, renewable energy generation solutions, and environmental conservation. The sustainability of cities would will contribute towards positive progress of future societies, as they become more developed and civilised on the path to sustainable
40
development.
H.E Mohamed Al Khadar, Executive Director of Strategic Affairs, DMT and General Coordinator, the World Urban Forum
One of the aspects of urban development accompanying the technical boom is that cities are established in line
Abu Dhabi seeks to achieve in
industry to apply their
with the needs of people,
order to establish its position as
respective expertise in creativity
not the other way around, to
a global centre for sustainable
of design and sustainable
achieve the equation of smart
information infrastructure. Abu
planning. Crucially, the forum
transformation. This way, smart
Dhabi is, at this tenth session
will seek to harness technology
cities become compatible with
of the World Urban Forum,
and smart solutions to enrich
development while maintaining
bringing together specialists
infrastructure interconnection,
their originality and their social,
within the sustainable urban
enhancing its efficiency and
economic and environmental
boosting its effectiveness. The
characteristics.
Emirate will do so in a manner
Smart cities are data-
that supports the elements of
dependent and address
sustainability.
economic or social challenges
The tenth session of the
to achieve sustainable
World Urban Forum represents
development. Such data
a global platform around
underpins sustainable city planning and inspires future foresight and boosts performance levels to achieve ideal societies for the future. The innovation and optimal use of modern technologies and data is the cornerstone of establishing future cities which
FEBRUARY 2020
Sustainable cities of the future can be defined as those that have the latest facilities in technology, buildings, renewable energy generation solutions, and environmental conservation.�
which major companies and institutions involved with developing advanced infrastructure from all countries of the world, as well as major investors, entrepreneurs, and people of creative ideas, will contribute towards the creation of plans and features for future
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cities in terms of technology,
is an Arab city open to the
environment, economic, and
whole world.
other related fields. These
The World Urban Forum
diverse and complementary perspectives and the resulting ideas and cooperation are the true value of the forum and are a reflection of Abu Dhabi’s position as a prominent global destination for innovation, excellence and creativity.
is being held for the first
Keeping pace with urbanisation, technological development, and the creation of smart cities, will enhance the well-being of citizens, residents and visitors.”
Keeping pace with
time in the Middle East in the Arab world and this occurrence in itself is a strong testament to the success of Abu Dhabi’s effective strategy in implementing sustainable urbanisation, characterised by the city’s dramatic shift
urbanisation, technological
towards urbanisation in a
development, and the creation
relatively short period of
of smart cities, will enhance
time. The forum will provide
the well-being of citizens,
of the United Nations for
a detailed study on the effects
residents and visitors. This will
sustainable development.
of modern-day urbanisation
contribute towards an ideal and
The long-term development
on societies, cities, economies,
healthy environment for living
strategy for the Emirate of Abu
and climate change.
and working, in a manner that
Dhabi has a degree of focus
The forum provides an
provides successive generations
upon the renewable energy
important opportunity to
with a healthy, satisfying and
sector, as part of a broader
review the most important
safe life.
diversification of income sources
global and local achievements
and to boost the capital’s gross
in the field of sustainability.
development plans which aim
domestic product. Abu Dhabi
This includes the concept’s
to build sustainable societies
has already made great strides
practical applications in
as a real opportunity to attract
in this area, advancing to the
housing and smart services,
investment and employment
status of regional pioneer in
as well as the latest urban
opportunities, which will
the field of sustainability, as
and architectural designs for
activate the wheel of growth
well as optimising its use of
modern projects that keep pace
and economic prosperity.
clean energy. Such an approach
with the latest developments
resonates with grander
in the field of construction.
Abu Dhabi sees these
Countries must realise that innovation is the primary source
urban planning schemes for
WUF10 also provides
of wealth and development,
cities, which seek to utilise
an opportunity to achieve
bypassing their dependence on
sustainability as a strategic
effective partnerships with
natural resources in order to
aspect of urban development.
institutions supporting
realign their focus upon talent
Abu Dhabi has already
sustainable building
and ideas as the source of
demonstrated its ability to
applications and companies
innovation.
develop its strategic growth in
developing smart solutions
a sustainable manner and its
in the field of construction
WUF10 is a vital step towards
ambition is strong to cultivate
and services. This will
achieving the capital’s
this still further. The urban
provide cities with a model
strategic vision in the field
environment in the Emirate of
of infrastructure services
of sustainable development,
Abu Dhabi is distinguished by
that complement the future
in order to achieve the goals
its unique urban identity as it
directions of nations.
Abu Dhabi’s hosting of
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FEBRUARY 2020
41
لمحة عن دائرة البلديات والنقل
مدن المستقبل
يوضح سعادة محمد الخضر األحمد املدير التنفيذي لقطاع الشؤون االسرتاتيجية يف دائرة البلديات والنقل ،واملنسق العام للمنتدى الحضري العاملي ،كيف سهلت التكنولوجيا تطوير املدن الذكية واملستدامة ،وأن الخرباء سيجتمعون يف املنتدي الحضري العاملي املقام بأبو ظبي ،إللقاء الضوء عىل ما يمكن توقعه من مدن املستقبل.
قال
سعادة محمد الخضر األحمد املدير التنفيذي لقطاع الشؤون االسرتاتيجية يف دائرة البلديات والنقل واملنسق العام للمنتدى الحضري العاملي: "تتميز الثورة الصناعية الرابعة بثورة هائلة يف التقنيات الرقمية الجديدة والذكاء االصطناعي، ومن هنا كان البد للعمران أن يواكب هذه الطفرة ،ليصبح إنشاء املدن الذكية متطلباً حضرياً منطقياً ،حيث باتت الحياة الحديثة اليوم بحاجة لتطبيق االبتكار يف مختلف التخصصات".
" تحت رعاية صاحب السمو الشيخ محمد بن زايد آل نهيان ،ويل عهد أبوظبي ،نائب القائد األعىل للقوات املسلحة وتناقش الدورة العاشرة من "املنتدى الحضري العاملي" أهمية تأسيس مدن ذكية مستدامة ،حيث تستضيف أبوظبي الدورة العاشرة من املنتدى بالشراكة مع "موئل األمم املتحدة" ،وهو الحدث الذي يقام يف العاصمة اإلماراتية أبوظبي خالل الفرتة من 8إىل 13فرباير ".2020 "وستكون أبوظبي محط أنظار املهتمني بالتنمية الحضرية املستدامة يف الثامن من فرباير املقبل ،ومحطـة لخرباء صناعة املدن الذكية واملستدامة حول العالم ،بعد أن أعلنا عن استضافة أكرث من 100وزير ونحو 20ألف
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FEBRUARY 2020
42
جوف تك
43
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FEBRUARY 2020
حولها كربى الشركات واملؤسسات املعنية بتطوير البنى التحتية املتطورة من كل دول العالم ،فضالً عن كبار املستثمرين ورواج األعمال وأصحاب األفكار الخالقة واملبدعة الذين يساهمون يف رسم مالمح تأسيس مدن املستقبل من الناحية التكنولوجية والبيئية واالقتصادية وغريها من املجاالت ذات الشأن وهو ما يربهن عىل أهمية املنتدى الكبرية ويعكس مكانة أبوظبي كوجهة لالبتكار والتميز واإلبداع". "ومن شأن مواكبة العمران للتطور التقني وإنشاء مدن ذكية أن يعزز من رفاهية املواطنني واملقيمني والزائرين ضمن بيئة مثالية وصحية للعيش والعمل وبما يحفظ لألجيال املتعاقبة حقها يف التمتع بحياة صحية وآمنة". "وترى أبوظبي يف التطوير والخطط التنموية العمرانية التي تهدف إىل بناء مجتمعات مستدامة فرصة حقيقية لجذب االستثمارات وفرص العمل مما يؤدي إىل تفعيل عجلة النمو والرخاء االقتصادي". "وعىل الدول أن تدرك أن االبتكار هو املصدر األسايس للرثوة ً متجاوزة اعتمادها عىل والتنمية، املصادر الطبيعية ،بحيث يصبح الرتكيز عىل املواهب وأصحاب العقول ،باعتباره مصدر االبتكار". "ويعترب استضافة أبوظبي للدورة العاشرة من "املنتدى الحضري
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مواكبة التوسع العمراني والتطوير التكنولوجي وإنشاء المدن الذكية ،سيعزز رفاهية المواطنين والمقيمين والزوار
العاملي" خطوة يف سبيل تحقيق رؤية أبوظبي االسرتاتيجية يف مجال التنمية املستدامة ،حتى تتمكن من تحقيق مستهدفات "األمم املتحدة" للتنمية املستدامة ،وتأيت اسرتاتيجية التنمية طويلة األجل إلمارة أبوظبي لرتتكز عىل قطاع الطاقة املتجددة لتنويع مصادر الدخل العائد يف الناتج املحيل اإلجمايل للعاصمة وقد قطعت ً أبوظبي شوطاً طويال يف هذا املجال جعلها رائدة يف مجال االستدامة واالستخدام األمثل للطاقة النظيفة وهو ما نلقى له صدى واسع يف التخطيط العمراين للمدن ومدى قابليتها لالستدامة يف ظل اعتماد االستدامة كبديل اسرتاتيجي للتنمية العمرانية الحضرية عاملياً". "وأظهرت أبوظبي قدرتها عىل تطوير نموها االسرتاتيجي بشكل مستدام حيث تتميز البيئة العمرانية يف إمارة أبوظبي بهويتها
الحضرية الفريدة كونها مدينة عربية منفتحة عىل العالم أجمع، ويعقد املنتدى الحضري العاملي ألول مرة يف الشرق األوسط والعالم العربي ،ما يعد شهادة قوية عىل نجاح اسرتاتيجية أبوظبي يف تنفيذ االستدامة الحضرية، ً ً هائال تحول حيث شهدت املدينة نحو التحضر يف وقت قصري نسبيًا، وسيعمل املنتدى عىل توفري دراسة مفصلة حول آثار التحضر يف العصر الحديث عىل املجتمعات واملدن واالقتصادات وتغري املناخ". "ويوفر املعرض الذي يقام عىل هامش الدورة العاشرة من املنتدى الحضري العاملي فرصة مهمة الستعراض أهم اإلنجازات العاملية واملحلية يف مجال تطبيقات االستدامة يف املساكن والخدمات الذكية وأحدث التصاميم العمرانية واملعمارية التي تواكب أحدث التطورات يف مجال اإلنشاءات واملبان". "كما يوفر املنتدى فرصة لتحقيق الشراكة الفاعلة مع املؤسسات الداعمة لتطبيقات البناء املستدام والشركات املطورة للحلول الذكية يف مجال البناء والخدمات وتزويد املدن بجميع خدمات البنى التحتية بما يتالءم مع التوجهات املستقبلية للدولة ولإلمارة والسعي إىل تحقيق االبتكار يف إنتاج الطاقة النظيفة والكفاءة يف استهالك الطاقة واملياه".
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جوف تك
شخص من أكرث من 160دولة، ومن هنا كان لزاماً علينا تضمني نقاشات جدية متخصصة عن املدن الذكية املستدامة ضمن محاور أجندة املنتدى عىل مدار أيام انعقاده الست".
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"ويمكن تعريف مدن املستقبل املستدامة باملدن التي تتمتع بأحدث تكنولوجيا املرافق واملباين وحلول توليد الطاقة املتجددة واملحافظة عىل البيئة ،وتعترب استدامة املدن بمثابة أمر من شأنه أن يجعل مستقبل املجتمعات أكرث تطوراً وتحضراً وتحقيقاً للتنمية املستدامة".
سعادة محمد الخضر األحمد المدير التنفيذي لقطاع الشؤون االستراتيجية في دائرة البلديات والنقل والمنسق العام للمنتدى الحضري العالمي
متطلبات املجتمعات يف املستقبل".
"ومن أوجه التطور العمراين املواكب للطفرة التقنية ،أن نؤسس مدن تتماىش مع احتياجات البشر وليس العكس لتحقق معادلة التحول الذيك، بحيث تصبح مدن ذكية تواكب التطور ،ويف الوقت ذاته مدن تحافظ عىل أصالتها وخصائصها االجتماعية واالقتصادية والبيئية". "فاملدن الذكية هي التي تعتمد عىل البيانات للتعامل مع أي نوع من التحديات االقتصادية أو االجتماعية لتحقيق التنمية املستدامة وتتيح البيانات تعزيز التخطيط املستدام للمدن وتحديد الرؤى املستقبلية ومستويات األداء لتحقيق
FEBRUARY 2020
يمكن تعريف مدن المستقبل المستدامة باعتبارها المدن التي لديها أحدث المرافق في التكنولوجيا والمباني وحلول توليد الطاقة المتجددة والحفاظ على البيئة
"ويعد االبتكار والتوظيف األمثل للتقنيات الحديثة والبيانات حجر الزاوية يف تأسيس مدن املستقبل وهو ما تسعى أبوظبي لتحقيقه لرتسيخ مكانتها كمركز عاملي للبنية املعلوماتية املستدامة وتجمع أبوظبي يف الدورة العاشرة من املنتدى الحضري العاملي املختصني يف مجال التخطيط املستدام ملحاولة تطبيق تجربتها الخاصة املعتمدة عىل اإلبداع يف التصميم والتخطيط املستدام وتسخري التكنولوجيا والحلول الذكية يف تعزيز ترابط البنية التحتية ورفع كفاءتها واالرتقاء بفاعليتها ،وبشكل يدعم عناصر االستدامة". "وتمثل الدورة العاشرة من "املنتدى الحضري العاملي" املنعقدة بأبوظبي خالل الفرتة من 8إىل 13 فرباير 2020منصة عاملية تجتمع www.tahawultech.com
COLUMN
MARK FORKER
INDEPENDENCE DAY
CNME Editor Mark Forker takes a closer look at how the trade war between the US and China is driving Beijing’s quest for technological independence.
46
W
hen US
and Huawei and justified it
and his supporters, the
by saying both represented a
Donald Trump
deindustrialisation of many US
severe risk to national security.
was on the
states was a direct result of US
Negotiations between both
campaign trail during the 2016
companies exporting most of
countries was a protracted one,
elections, he vowed to get
its manufacturing operations to
but a satisfactory trade deal
‘tough’ on trade with China.
China. In 2018, Trump told US
for both parties was eventually
Trump, like many of his irate
technology behemoth Apple to
reached in January 2020.
fanbase felt at the time that
move its manufacturing back
the existing trade deal in place
to the United States in a bid to
unlikely to diminish Trump’s
between Washington and
avoid being ‘hurt’ by his tariffs.
desire to implement more
Beijing was not serving the best interests of the American people.
FEBRUARY 2020
According to Trump
President
Trump’s administration went after China’s ICT vendors ZTE
However, the trade truce is
control on the export of advanced technologies from
www.tahawultech.com
China. In addition to this, the
has led to an entire reevaluation
the company to the brink of
uncertainty, instability and
of China’s dependency on US
collapse. The lesson was: 'If
widespread disruption that
technologies. The biggest chasm
you continue like this, you
has ensued as a result of the
is in hardware, particularly
are controlled by others and
trade war, has rather inevitably
when it comes to the design and
you won’t survive if I cut your
led to Beijing powerbrokers
manufacturing of semiconductors
supply chain',” he said.
accelerating their drive to have
and high-end chips.
technological autonomy.
In addition to this, China also
In its efforts to bridge the gap in terms of semiconductors and
leans heavily on the US in relation
chipsets, China has looked to
recognised that by achieving
to software, which was best
India, according to Bas Fransen,
technological autonomy gives
illustrated by Google’s Android
lead analyst at the consultancy
them greater control over its
ban on Huawei, which prevented
company TenX2.
own supply chain, which is an
the ICT vendor from using
attractive proposition when
Google’s mobile services. That
the world for non-US
you consider that the threat of
decision severely dented Huawei’s
semiconductor technologies
further US sanctions and tariffs
smartphone sales and forced the
to bridge the gap. Particularly
continues to lurk over them.
company to begin developing its
in Bangalore, you come across
own operating system.
many Chinese company reps and
Decisionmakers in China have
In order to achieve its aim
“The Chinese are scouring
In an interview with the
government officials looking for
China has had to adopt a
Financial Times, Yan Ming, a
start-ups to acquire or invest in,
different approach in terms of
director at the China Computer
and to persuade them to move
of technological independence,
its overall strategy. Due to the
to China,” said Fransen.
political structure of the country
The drive for self-sufficiency
it hasn’t always been receptive
and technological independence
to the outside world.
has also boosted smaller private
It has been long accused of intellectual property theft, and Trump’s administration has claimed that Huawei has used its products to steal technology, an allegation which the US has never
Chinese companies. Charles
Developing autonomous and controllable technology is a solution to being controlled by others.”
been able to back with evidence.
Liu, a private equity investor told the Financial Times, “The drive for tech decoupling has increased demand for Chinese start-ups. They used to be thought of as too high-risk and
However, the standoff and
so had no market to sell to;
deterioration in relations
Federation, a research
now they’re developing because
between the US has forced
alliance, stated that China
there’s demand domestically.”
Beijing to embrace international
learnt a harsh lesson during
The trade dispute between
open-source, or free to
the impasse between the US
the two economic heavyweights
use collaborations. It has
Department of Commerce and
is now on hold, with Donald
significantly increased its
telecommunications company
Trump focusing his attentions
investment in countries other
ZTE, which pushed the company
on being re-elected for a second
than the US, and tech experts
to the brink of financial ruin.
term as US president. His tough
believe that this decoupling
“Developing autonomous
stance towards China may have
will not only directly impact US
and controllable technology
won him admirers amongst
companies that rely on Chinese
is a solution to being
his loyal Republican support,
custom - but will also lead
controlled by others. The
but it may well lead to China
to the reconfiguration of the
Trump administration really
displacing the US as the global
world’s tech supply chain.
taught China a lesson when it
leader in technology as Beijing
temporarily imposed sanctions
continues its charge towards
policies being pursued by the
on telecoms equipment
technological autonomy.
US Department of Commerce
maker ZTE in 2018, taking
The draconian measures and
www.tahawultech.com
FEBRUARY 2020
47
COLUMN
GIORGIA GUANTARIO
BANKS ON THE BRINK As Visa acquires Fintech company Plaid for $5.3B, Deputy Editor Giorgia Guantario takes a look at the state of Fintech and discusses what threats this poses to traditional financial institutions with Wissam Khoury, Senior Vice-President and General Manager, APAC & MEA at fintech company, Finastra.
countries, constitute 80 percent of the country’s population. UK-based Revolut and Monzo, digital-only banks powered by the previously mentioned Currencycloud, have gained global popularity at an astounding pace, with the first now recording 3.7 million monthly active users and the second signing up over 55 thousand new users every week. While these banks don’t always substitute traditional ones, they are becoming a real threat for incumbents who fail to
T
48
meet customers’ demands and he new decade has
convenience is now the most
started with a bang
important aspect.
for Fintech. January has seen Visa making
EY’s ‘Global Fintech Adoption
When I asked Wissam Khoury, Senior Vice-President and
2019’ reveals that 27 percent of
General Manager, APAC & MEA
two major investments in this
adopters claimed the primary
at fintech company Finastra,
sector – first with the staggering
reason for using a fintech
how traditional banks will react
USD $5.3 billion acquisition of
challenger is more attractive
to the rise of challenger digital
Plaid, specialised in developing
rates or fees, followed by easy
banks, he was quick to explain
financial services APIs; more
access and account setup (20%).
that millennials have “little
recently by backing fintech start-
Truth is, the world’s
loyalty” towards traditional
up Currencycloud in a funding
increasingly digital and
banks, and these need to move
round of USD $80 million.
cosmopolitan population has no
quickly if they want to survive.
This deals are is just part of
interest in traditional brick-and-
“Millennials expect the
a recent series of investments
mortar financial institutions,
same digital services from
and acquisitions made by
too often difficult to access and
their banks as they are getting
established incumbents to
charging ‘an arm and leg’ for
in other aspects of their lives.
attempt to keep up in this
international transactions.
The likes of Monzo or Revolut,
new world of payments and
Millennials and expats,
whose business models are built
financial services – a world
often one and the same, have
around the customer, are the
where customer experience and
very different requirements
current accounts of choice for
from their banks than older
this generation.
generations had. EY’s study also
Truth is, the world’s increasingly digital and cosmopolitan population has no interest in traditional brickand-mortar financial institutions.”
FEBRUARY 2020
are bounded by exorbitant fees.
Legacy banks have faced
shows that money transfer and
a series of wake-up calls;
payments are the most rapidly
Gartner’s continued warning
growing use category, spiking
of 80 precent obsolescence
from 18 percent in 2015 to 75
by 2030 and, more recently,
percent in 2019 – this is more
McKinsey’s banking casualty
real than ever in countries such
forecast of 60 percent.
as the UAE, where expatriates,
“Traditional banks can choose
constantly looking for cheaper
to ignore the competition in
digital solutions to transfer
which case they risk becoming
money from or to their home
irrelevant or they can choose a
www.tahawultech.com
fintech tie-up – even if the deal wasn’t to materialise, the idea of these two giants coming together is a thrilling and eye-opening one. According to reports by the Financial Times, Goldman Sachs would provide loans to Amazon Marketplace merchants directly through the online retailer’s platform. This means that while Amazon would be able to increase its merchants’ loan scheme, Goldman Sachs would very easily gain access to a huge number of potential customers – similarly to what happened when they partnered with another tech giant, Apple. Visa and Goldman Sachs clearly show that whether it’s fintech start-ups, or tech giants, traditional financial institutions need to get moving and start a conversation with the same entities that are collaborative model – this move
three years. Partnering with
is wise. Thirty percent of global
fintech organisations will be
Khoury also suggested that
revenues are anticipated to
key to providing customers
financial institutions could try to
stem from ecosystems by 2025
with innovative services
embrace the move themselves,
as the line between technology
going forward. The industry
remerging as technology
and financial services blurs,”
experience and trustworthiness
companies by leveraging their
Khoury explained.
of traditional providers
immense amount of data to stay
combined with the agility and
ahead of the curve.
Indeed, collaboration seems
threating their existence.
to be the only answer, and
innovation of fintech companies
Visa’s Plaid acquisition and
will allow them to create
data intelligence will be critical
Currencycloud investment were
more compelling customer
to gain a competitive edge. The
evidently the smart moves of
experiences and remain relevant
rapid economic digitisation
a dominant player to hedge its
in the coming years.”
provides banks with external
position in today’s financial services industry.
It’s not just about Fintech
“Transforming banking with
sources of data which can be
specifically, though – the World
used to personalise their services,
Retail Report 2019 mentioned by
embedding them deeper into
deal has marked an important
Khoury states that consumers
customers’ lives,” he explained.
chapter for digital challengers.
expect to use “technology giants”
According to the ‘World Retail
for financial services, and recent
do, one thing is clear – those
Report 2019’, 50 percent of
reports seem to prove it right.
who don’t embrace change are
consumers anticipate using
Goldman Sachs has been
bound to fail. Fintech is on the
Khoury continued, “Visa’s
Whatever they choose to
technology giants for financial
rumoured to be in talks with
rise, and it’s not going away any
services within the next
tech behemoth Amazon for a
time soon.
www.tahawultech.com
FEBRUARY 2020
49
INSIGHT
MIMECAST
A CROWDED BASKET Jeff Ogden, General Manager – Middle East & India at Mimecast gives his take on the importance of improved cyber resilience as cloud infrastructure becomes more available in the UAE.
Jeff Ogden, General Manager – Middle East & India, Mimecast
M
icrosoft’s
impersonation attacks and
data storage and alternative
announcement
24,000 dangerous file types.
access routes to key systems
that it has
does occur. The cyber resilience
the first public cloud provider to
as part of its Office 365 services,
strategy should further include
open datac entres in the UAE is
which are designed to protect
a backup and recovery plan.
a cause for celebration among
against data loss caused by its
This was always a priority for
the Middle East’s business
own infrastructure failing. But
organisations when their systems
sector. Greater access to cloud
these services don’t always offer
were on premise. The fact that
infrastructure will be critical to
protection against accidental
data is now in the cloud does not
power artificial intelligence and
deletion, data corruption,
change this.
edge computing innovation.
advanced cyberattacks, or
Recent Osterman Research
malicious users or administrators.
indicates that organisations
tendencies to rely exclusively on
These can often lead to downtime
globally are starting to
single cloud service providers
which can bring business In
supplement the service with third
for day-to-day operations have
Mimecast’s recent State of Email
party products to achieve cyber
exposed them to undue risk.
Security report, 58 percent of
resilience. The study found that
With services such as Office 365,
UAE respondents noted having
nearly one-third of organisations
organisations are not only putting
downtime for two to three days
implementing Office 365 plan to
all their eggs in one basket: they
following a ransomware attack
use third-party solutions that
are putting all their eggs in the
while 29 percent experienced
will provide improved security,
same basket that everyone else is
downtime for four to five days.
archiving or other capabilities.
putting all their eggs. Criminals
It’s not only breaches,
Increased adoption of
know they have only one lock to
human error or technical error
cloud services is a welcome
pick to gain access, so they focus
that can cause downtime for
development in the Middle East
their attention on these cloud
an organisation. Outages pose
business sector and will support
services because of the potentially
serious productivity risks to
organisations as they strive for
large payoff.
users who rely on software-
greater agility and scalability.
as-a-service monocultures
But putting all your eggs in
and data to Office 365, there’s
to support their operations.
one basket – the same basket
an increased need to protect
Important data stored on Office
as everyone else – leaves you
against malicious or accidental
365 can also be lost due to
exposed to a broad range of
loss of data. Mimecast’s latest
accidental or malicious deletion
risks that can have a debilitating
Email Security Risk Assessment
or ransomware.
effect on your operations. Using a
As more businesses move email
(ESRA) report illustrated the
FEBRUARY 2019
like email, for when the worst
protection-of-data capabilities
become one of
However, organisations’
50
Microsoft offers certain
To mitigate the risks
third-party provider and having
scope of the problem. Of the
associated with cloud services,
an effective cyber resilience
more than 237 million emails
organisations should look to
strategy provides a safety net and
inspected, organisations’
improve their cyber resilience.
enables organisations to quickly
existing email security systems
An effective cyber resilience
return to standard operations
missed more than 27,000
strategy should include layered
without losing critical data or
malware attachments, 55,000
security protection, independent
productivity.
www.tahawultech.com
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