JEDDAH, 2 April — “Microsoft is very committed to the Saudi market and to supporting and educating businesses, government and individuals Kingdomwide in the effective use of information technology,” said Mohammed Kateeb, general manager, Microsoft Gulf. “For these reasons we are proud to be a main sponsor of COMDEX Saudi Arabia. We believe that holding IT trade shows helps to develop an environment where information technology can thrive. Over time this creates a culture which is more IT aware. Our participation in COMDEX Saudi Arabia is a long-term investment in the growth of this IT awareness and in the continued success and prosperity of the Kingdom.”

Due to the importance it places on such an event, Microsoft Arabia is participating heavily in COMDEX Saudi Arabia. Microsoft has reserved one of the largest areas at the exhibition and has divided the stand into three sections:

Microsoft Technology Showcase Area

This year, Microsoft’s solutions and technology specialists will be demonstrating the latest technology focusing on the following areas:

1. Middleware technologies based on Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft BizTalk Server.

2. The most innovative development tools available — Microsoft Visual Studio.Net.

3. Collaboration and portal solutions based on Microsoft Exchange Server 2000, Microsoft SharePoint Server, and Microsoft Content Management Server.

4. Microsoft’s leading desktop productivity tools: Microsoft Office XP, Microsoft Visio 2002, and Microsoft Project 2002.

5. Business intelligence solutions based on Microsoft SQL Server 2000.

6. Security and management solutions based on Active Directory Technology, Microsoft Systems Management Server, and Microsoft Operation Manager.

7. Mobility solutions based on Microsoft PocketPC.

Microsoft Partners Pavilion

“Microsoft considers our specialized partners network to be the most valuable asset we have,” said Bilal Sununu, country manager, Microsoft Arabia. “We are therefore very keen to always have them with us to promote the Microsoft based services and products they carry. This year, we have allocated 12 stands for our partners to show and demonstrate their capabilities. Those partners are in the business application, infrastructure, e-business, and training services.”

Partners participating at the Microsoft stand are:

Beam Technology (Representing Forth Shift ERP solution)

GulfNet Solutions Est. (e-Commerce, e-Business, ERP Solutions)

Integrated Visions (IV) (ASP solutions)

Jeraisy Computer & Comm. Services (Infrastructure, Education, Business Intelligence)

Zuhair Fayez Partnership (e-Commerce, FileNet, HR etc.)

National Computer Services Center (Great Plains, Maximo, Cognos)

SOMAC-IT (MySAP, JetForms)

Al-Nafitha Information Technology (e-Process, Work Flow, and ERP)

Al-Raya (e-Business, Collaboration)

Universal Systems (e-Business, Accounting System)

Al-Alamiah Institute for Computer & Technology (Certified Technical Education Center)

CompuBase (Certified Technical Education Center)

Presentation Corner

In addition to partner participation, Microsoft Arabia will have a presentation corner where Microsoft’s technology specialist team and participating partners will cover topics such as:

1. E-commerce strategy

2. Securing your network

3. Database solutions

4. Business desktop

The topics mentioned and many more, will be covered by extensive ongoing presentations made throughout the show’s working hours.

During the morning sessions of the show, Microsoft will be hosting students from local schools at their stand. According to Sununu the purpose of the student visits will be to explain to the young people in simple terms about some of the MS technologies being demonstrated, talk to them about the importance of technology in modern life, and answer any questions they may have about the use of information technology in the world today.