Atheer Selects Foundry
The Internet service provider Atheer, part of the Jeraisy Group, has selected Foundry Networks’ NetIron MLX routers and BigIron RX Core Backbone application switches for their infrastructure upgrade.
“We are expanding exponentially and have ambitious plans to upgrade our architecture to better serve our customers. We have selected Foundry’s NetIron routers and ServerIron application switches as part of this upgrade because they are capable of meeting our current and future infrastructure expansion,” said Mohammed S. Al-Kahatani, Atheer’s GM.
Atheer plans to offer its upgraded services via a reliable and fully redundant platform equipped with the most up-to-date hardware and software similar to that used by major international ISPs. According to Jiji Joseph, operations manager at Atheer Internet Services, “several options were evaluated from different vendors and Foundry Networks was selected not just for its technological superiority in performance and stability, but also competitive price.”
SAP Acquires Assets of SAP Arabia
SAP AG has acquired the software license and maintenance business of SAP Arabia, its exclusive long-term partner in the region. Under the terms of the agreement, SAP will acquire selected existing assets, including all existing software license and maintenance customer contracts, and trademarks from SAP Arabia. Aligned with SAP’s global go-to-market strategies, SAP will establish subsidiaries in Dubai and Saudi Arabia to reinforce its ongoing commitment to deliver value and continuous innovation to customers in the region.
“SAP Arabia has created a good foundation, which we intend to build upon in our goal to meet growing market demand in the region,” said Ernie Gunst, president, Customer Solutions Operations Europe Middle East and Africa, SAP. “This acquisition brings SAP closer to its customers and partners, enabling us to offer them greater business value and innovation.”
Sergio Maccotta, who was formerly managing director in charge of the SAP Arabia relationship, has been named managing director of SAP in the Middle East and North Africa. In his new role, Maccotta will be responsible for strategic planning, operational excellence, sales and field operations, professional services and overall performance for the region. Maccotta will report into Bernd Kraus, who has overall responsibility for the Southeast Europe and Middle East Market Unit.
As part of the agreement, the formerly named SAP Arabia will continue to work with SAP AG as a strategic partner and non-exclusive value-added reseller within the scope of the SAP Partner Edge program. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to be completed in SAP’s fourth quarter of 2007. Financial terms of the all cash transaction were not disclosed.
Emirates Computers Plans Saudi Expansion
As a part of its ongoing expansion, Emirates Computers is extending its IT and related services to the Kingdom. Emirates Computers is partnering with Alesayi Communications to launch e-Enterprises (e2), which will have offices in Riyadh, Jeddah and Alkhobar.
“Over the last few years, Saudi Arabia has made remarkable progress in different ICT fields including connectivity and access, sector reforms, national IT initiatives and e-Services. The Saudi market is undoubtedly the largest market in the region for IT and Communications and is developing at an unprecedented rate. Saudi Arabia accounts for almost 50 percent of the region’s IT spends and the demand for related IT services is increasing rapidly,” said Hani Harik, president and CEO, Emirates Computers. “We believe it is the right time for us to have a direct local presence in Saudi Arabia. During the first year of operation, e2 will be targeting $120 million in services.”
The focus of e2 will be four key business lines, covering communications and networking infrastructure, software solutions, systems integration projects and security solutions.
“We are happy to partner with Emirates Computers on this venture. Emirates Computers is a reputable company with an unmatched track record for implementing some of the biggest projects in this region,” said Assem Kaissi, COO Alesayi Group. “Alesayi has a strong local market presence and experience as well as a wide network of customers and partners in Saudi Arabia, making us perfect partners in this venture.”
Red Hat Support Center Launched
Red Hat, a provider of open source solutions, has expanded its support services for key developing markets in the Middle East with the launch of a Red Hat Certified Support Center. The support services in the region are provided by Opennet in cooperation with Red Hat. Opennet MEA has been a master distributor of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) since 2002 and provides Red Hat training for most of the Middle East and North Africa.
Opennet will officially introduce Red Hat support services into the Middle East beginning in December 2007. Support will be provided in the Middle East and North Africa including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Libya, Yemen and Egypt and will be offered in select local languages including Arabic, English and French.
Support will be available via local telephone numbers in each country. Calls for technical support logged to Red Hat will be directed by Red Hat’s system to the Opennet Certified Support Team for processing in local languages and at local times, and will then be escalated to Red Hat for upper-level support. Customers will also have the option to purchase on-site delivery of services from Opennet Certified Engineers or Red Hat consultants.