60mins Day 1 - 1 PM (2013)

Strategic ICT Partner

Technology Partners

60 Mins Show dates: 20-24 October 2013, Dubai World Trade Centre

Microsoft to showcase latest products at GITEX 2013

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Exhibition hours: 11am -6pm

GITEX returns

WHAT’S INSIDE

WatchGuard fighting attackers on all fronts Microsoft Gulf has announced plans for GITEX 2013 to provide visitors with access to its latest technologies in-line with the IT industry’s current disruptive trends.

The next generation Microsoft solutions will be available on interactive demonstration stations, with experts on hand to provide insight into the ways Microsoft is helping businesses, educators and governments with their 4 CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

The Middle East ICT industry is poised for the most comprehensive edition of GITEX Technology Week yet, as Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) hosts the notorious event for the 33rd time.

Ranked as the number one ICT event in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA), and one of the biggest in the world, GITEX will run this week under the theme “Lets Create, Disrupt and Re-imagine Together”.

With the Western world still lagging in the effects of the global recession, the Middle East market continues to surge, with the latest Gartner forecast predicted IT spend in the region to increase 5.5 percent this year to $192.9 billion.

The organisers are confident GITEX 2013 will exceed last year’s 4 CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

SAP to focus on m-government, cloud, in-memory computing and SMEs at GITEX CNME GITEX Preview Q&A

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GITEX... edition, which attracted 139,000 ICT professionals from 144 countries and 80 percent of the world’s leading ICT brands.

Research from the 2012 show showed that 61 percent of C-Level executive visitors boasted procurement budgets of over $5 million, while 18 percent had budgets between $1 million and $5 million, 13 percent were prepared to spend $500,000, and 8 percent had up to $500,000.

The average deal struck at GITEX 2012 either met or exceeded ROI expectations, DWTC claimed.

Ninety-five percent of last year’s exhibitors have pledged to re-join the proceedings, whilst “a host of newcomers” from across the world have already signed up to attend, according to Trixee Loh, Senior VP, DWTC. “This year, we have done everything we can to give GITEX Technology

Week a new edge and relevance,” Loh said. “Among other things, we’re ramping up our international reach, introducing incisive, trend-dissecting features like the Big Data Conference, as well as proactively unearthing and celebrating new talent through a series of competitions.

“The buzz surrounding GITEX Technology Week 2013 has already begun, and I am confident that all the pieces are in place for this year’s theme of creation, disruption and re-imagination to leave a lasting legacy that we can continue to build on well into the future.”

Joining Big Data Conference on the programme is the well-established Cloud Confex, which will see leading experts chronicle how and why cloud has moved from hype to mainstream.

Also returning is the Digital Strategies Forum, which will examine how mobile, social networks, Big Data and emerging

customer touch-points are changing the way enterprises and brands engage with customers.

“The buzz surrounding GITEX Technology Week 2013 has already begun, and I am confident that all the pieces are in place for this year’s theme of creation, disruption and reimagination to leave a lasting legacy that we can continue to build on well into the future.”

As usual, mobility is likely to prove a big draw, and Mobile, Apps & Content World will connect key players and educate attendees on the latest

industry developments through forums such as the increasingly popular Mobile App Debates.

Further telecommunications insights can be gleaned at the TRA-endorsed GulfComms, where representatives and thought leaders will brainstorm the region’s communicatory future.

GITEX 2013 will also introduce the co-located GSMA Mobile 360 Series, a new regional conference series for executives in the mobile industry, as well as key regulatory and government representatives.

In addition to this, GITEX will welcome InfoComm MEA for the third successive year. This event assembles the widest range of audio visual (AV) systems and technologies found in hospitality, retail, architecture, entertainment, broadcast, corporate IT, or government sectors in the region.

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The Windows 8.1 update will be demonstrated on the stand, bringing to life the new features on a range of the latest Windows devices allowing users to rediscover cloud connectivity through the SkyDrive and the updated Windows Store. Microsoft has designed Windows 8.1 help deliver the experiences that people want on the latest PCs, tablets and other devices running modern apps along with exclusive cloudconnected services.

Microsoft Gulf will also be showcasing the recently acquired Yammer, an enterprise social network that brings together people, conversations, content, and business data in a single location.

Over 20,000 organisations globally are using Yammer to connect to co-workers and information, collaborate with team

members, and make an impact at work. Microsoft Gulf will also present updates to its cloud

“The world of IT is evolving at a rapid pace and we continue to see disruption dominated by four main mega-trends: mobility, cloud, big data and social networking. Microsoft will be presenting solutions that are in-line with these mega-trends, enabling businesses and users to do more of activities they value the most, whether they are at home, at work or onthe-go.”

portfolio, including Office 365, Azure and Windows Intune.

Additionally, there will be demonstrations from its latest line-of-business and consumer applications for users in the UAE looking to utilise the Microsoft interface.

Commenting on Microsoft Gulf’s upcoming participation at GITEX, Samer Abu Ltaif, Regional General Manager at Microsoft Gulf said: “We are looking forward to participating at GITEX this year as it is an important technology event for the region and a unique platform to experience all the latest innovation from around the world.

“IT spending in the Middle East region is projected to total $192.9 billion in 2013, a 5.5 percent increase from 2012, according to Gartner, and we know that GITEX is a significant opportunity for organizations to connect with and decide on their priorities for IT investments.

“The world of IT is evolving at a rapid pace and we continue to see disruption dominated by four main mega-trends: mobility, cloud, big data and social networking.

Microsoft will be presenting solutions that are in-line with these mega-trends, enabling businesses and users to do more of activities they value the most, whether they are at home, at work or on-the-go.”

In addition to experiencing the latest Microsoft offerings, visitors will have the opportunity to interact with over 20 of the company’s solution partners to gain a better understanding of the way in they provide innovative solutions across a variety of sectors and markets. Microsoft works with over 1,500 partners across the Gulf region.

The Microsoft stand will be located at Hall 7 B10, Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre.

WatchGuard fighting attackers on all fronts Online security firm WatchGuard plans to unveil a variety of new products at next week’s GITEX convention.

It will reveal its Data Loss Prevention Solution for Unified Threat Management (UTM), Premium IPsec VPN Client, and two new Wireless Access Points, AP100 and AP200.

Data Loss Prevention Solution hopes to allow businesses to instantly protect data and prevent costly attacks, while Premium IPsec sees WatchGuard team up

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with NCP engineering to deliver one-click VPN access for Microsoft Windows and Apple OS X users.

Wireless Access Points AP100 and AP200 will provide businesses with the same security for Wireless Local Access Network (WLAN) traffic that they rely on for their traditional wired traffic.

John Spoor, Regional Manager WatchGuard, MEA, said: “There is an increase in sophisticated, targeted 4 CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

SAP to focus on m-government, cloud, inmemory computing and SMEs at GITEX

SAP has announced it is will strongly focus on m-Government, cloud, in-memory computing and SMEs at this year’s GITEX Technology Week.

In what is its most extensive investment in GITEX Technology Week yet, SAP will also showcase all product lines and services, host key players from its ecosystem and

promote its industry expertise.

“With the recent announcement by H.H Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum that the UAE is moving towards a mobile government, the ability to provide new, highly-connected, scalable and adaptable solutions for government entities is more pressing than ever,” said Sam Alkharrat, Manging Director, SAP MENA. “Revealing how SAP can make a difference in this hugely exciting and game-changing space will form a central part of our GITEX Technology Week presence this year.”

SAP is also keen to flex its cloud muscles in the region. In July’s Q2 global earnings announcement, the company revealed triple digit year-over-year growth for cloud subscription and support revenue.

Its annual cloud revenue run was

reported to exceed €930 Million. And with approximately 30 million users in the cloud, SAP has the largest subscriber base in the cloud market.

“We know the cloud is absolutely an essential part of helping companies run better and there are two aspects to it,” said Alkharrat.

“One is the user and how you can create beautiful experiences with lightweight applications, so they can get up and running quickly, use it, get value from it and do their jobs better. Then there’s the other part, which is that the cloud can absolutely obliterate a lot of the infrastructure that’s bloating companies with too much cost and complexity. This could be redoing a private cloud environment, it could be a public 4 CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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GITEX preview: Cisco matters by providing an exceptional knowledge platform for the ICT industry to grow in the Middle East.

By participating at GITEX each year, Cisco is able to demonstrate the impact of its technologies that play an increasingly important role in improving productivity, reducing costs and helping companies gain competitive advantage.

What is the main theme of your presence at GITEX this year?

This year, Cisco has adopted the principal theme of ‘Where Technology Means Business’, where we will discuss current ICT trends such as the Internet of Everything, cloud and virtualisation, collaboration, bring-your-owndevice (BYOD) and security to showcase how enterprises and governments throughout the region can leverage these trends to drive business success.

What are the key offerings you will be presenting at GITEX – sum up their key and unique features.

At the centre of innovations, and fuelling its growth, is Cisco’s Intelligent Network, which comprises key technologies that Cisco is investing in and architecting

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together to solve customers’ most important business challenges.

At our stand we have developed demonstration ‘zones’ that will illustrate the Internet of Everything, our collaborative solutions, enterprise networking, data centre, software defined networking and network security. There will also be as designated area for our strategic partners.

What is the top reason you invest in GITEX — do you see a healthy return on your investment, or is it more about presence/visibility?

GITEX remains one of the most important events in Cisco’s calendar. The event always creates great opportunities for us to stand alongside our peers, network with our existing and new customers, and to contribute in a forum that

What does your company hope to achieve by appearing at GITEX 2013?

There are phenomenal opportunities expected to be created for businesses and individuals in the Middle East as we enter into the era of the Internet of Everything (IoE), where the Internet has the potential to dramatically improve the lives of everyone on our planet. At Cisco, we believe that the IoE is already bringing together people, process, data and things to make networked connections more relevant and valuable than ever before — turning information into actions that create new capabilities, richer experiences, and unprecedented economic opportunities for businesses, individuals and even countries.

Cisco uses GITEX to connect with key decision makers and help to build relationships across the Middle East. This year we will mainly focus on showcasing how our technology solutions can enhance the services that businesses in the region have to offer. This could be from simple connectivity or virtualised storage solutions to implementing

intelligent network architectures that will improve productivity and collaboration. Through IoE, enterprises will be able to capture new value created from technology innovation across a whole gambit of functional business areas.

5) What are your company’s main recent achievements in the Middle East market?

Cisco is committed to supporting the Middle East region, as it’s a

GITEX remains one of the most important events in Cisco’s calendar. The event always creates great opportunities for us to stand alongside our peers, network with our existing and new customers, and to contribute in a forum that matters by providing an exceptional knowledge platform for the ICT industry to grow in the Middle East.

Rabih Dabboussi, Managing Director, Cisco UAE

significant contributor to our overall business success. An economy that is built on intelligent technology architecture has the potential to help organizations and individuals be productive and drive innovative collaboration irrespective of where

they or their teams happen to be located.

To give healthcare as an example, in many parts of the Middle East patients in both urban and rural settings often have limited access to health care. Healthcare workers are under similar pressures were more is needed from them in terms of information availability, reliable access and inter-collaboration capabilities within the healthcare facility environment. Cisco’s care-ata-distance technology solutions are now helping to create an environment similar to what people experience when they visit their local doctor or health specialist enabling healthcare professionals to collaborate more easily, regardless of location, thereby improving both the timeliness and the quality of care delivered.

Likewise, holistic transformation can also be applied to the educational system. Technology solutions like the Cisco TelePresence Classroom are transforming the learning environment throughout the Middle East region by providing a means to bring education to remote locations and also connect with colleges, institutions and tutors from around the world.

The importance of public-private partnerships for driving economic growth and prosperity throughout the ME region is also key. Today Cisco is utilizing these public-private partnerships across a number of learning based initiatives, to help cultivate ICT start-up and entrepreneurs, which include the Cisco Networking Academy Program and Cisco Entrepreneur Institutes.

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WatchGuard...

SAP...

attacks (APTs or ATAs). While opportunistic criminal attacks will continue and grow, today enterprises are also dealing with much more targeted and advanced attackers.

Even classic criminal malware is becoming more advanced, requiring enterprises to implement more sophisticated layers of defense.

“Enterprises are pressured to find new ways to manage this new porous environment, and should concentrate as much on protecting data, as they do on protecting their networks and endpoints.”

Spoor believes that by partnering with other industry experts, the Data Loss technology is innovative and efficient: “Our UTM appliances combine many diverse technologies, like antivirus, intrusion prevention, application identification, url classification, and the list goes on,” he said.

“Rather than try to re-create the wheel, we partner with best-inclass industry specialists for our different security services.”

The company opened an office in Dubai this year, and Spoor appreciates the need to expand the WatchGuard’s business in the Middle East: “Companies in the Middle East are realizing that firewalls alone are not going to prevent attacks, and that they need to invest in more technology and people to protect themselves from these cyber risks,” he said.

“There have been quite a few target examples of advanced malware since Stuxnet that seem to target Middle Eastern companies and critical infrastructure, such as the attacks on Duqu and Flame.”

cloud environment and it could be a hybrid of the two. The acquisition of SuccessFactors put DNA for the cloud into our company. Last year’s acquisition of Ariba gives SAP the number one cloud-based network for business-to-business commerce and collaboration. SAP is today a cloud powerhouse.”

Another SAP solution likely to generate much GITEX buzz is HANA. The in-memory computing business platform has been described by SAP co-CEO Bill McDermott as “the fastest growing software product in the history of the world”, and is rapidly gaining popularity in MENA. HANA is a realtime business platform on which applications can be developed and

“This is a company that was started 40 years ago by five entrepreneurs and is now a trusted and reliable partner for SMEs with a long-term growth plan.”

Sam Alkharrat, Manging Director, SAP MENA

deployed, and has enabled scores of customers across the globe to cope with issues like the rise of big data and run in smarter, simpler and faster ways.

SAP is also keen to emphasise its SME credentials. Globally, 80 percent of SAP customers are SMEs and 88 percent of SAP’s new business clients are SMEs. These small business clients are

earning patents at 10 times the rate of larger business clients. Today, 34 percent of SAP’s sales come through indirect entrepreneurs.

“SAP understands the unique needs of small and midsize businesses and entrepreneurs,” explained Alkharrat.

“This is a company that was started 40 years ago by five entrepreneurs and is now a trusted and reliable partner for SMEs with a long-term growth plan.”

“We want to see SMEs that are more agile and able to operate around the clock. We want to see SMEs with enhanced visibility and decision making that can not only lead to better employee productivity, customer engagements and responsiveness, but also help them keep pace with larger companies and gain a competitive edge in their marketplace.”

Alkharrat added that he is looking forward to using GITEX Technology Week 2013 as a powerful platform for increasing market awareness about SAP’s capabilities.

“GITEX Technology Week stands alone as the top event of its kind in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia region,” he said.

“It is absolutely one of the world’s best showcases for cutting-edge technology, so it is essential we maintain a high profile throughout the week to educate the market and connect with potential clients.”

SAP’s stand will be located in the Mobile Applications Section Hall 6 MAC16.

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