COMMTEL in Jeddah

Saudi Arabia’s 22nd International Event for Computing, the Internet, Office Equipment & Accessories, Business Communications and Mobile Phones (COMMTEL) is being held at the Jeddah International Exhibition & Convention Center from Nov. 12-16, 2007. COMMTEL, organized by Al-Harithy Company for Exhibitions, is the only exhibition for IT and communications held in the Kingdom’s Western Province.

Major companies dealing in computer and computing and business equipment are taking part in this exhibition. Saudi Telecom Co. (STC), Mobily and Bravo alongside many IT and software companies are supporting this exhibition as in previous years. Al-Haddad, Hoshanco, CALLEM, Zajil and Wall Street are among the national companies exhibiting their products and services at the show.

On the occasion of COMMTEL, exhibitors are offering special reduced prices on their products and services. This is not a retail show, but any product booked in the exhibition will have a special price tag. Exhibitors also offer attractive prizes, in addition to their special prices. Eid Al-Subhi was ecstatic with his decision to visit COMMTEL 2006. A visit intended to keep him up-to-date with developments in his professional field, proved to be far more successful than anticipated. He won a BMW in STC’s raffle at the show.

With more than $6 billion in spending expected in 2007, Saudi Arabia accounts for nearly one half of all IT spending in the Gulf and remains the largest IT and communications market in the region. The buoyant Saudi economy has rapidly changed in line with global technological advancements and developed in all areas of business and communications. Demand for the latest know-how to enhance business, improve communications and increase IT education has continued at an impressive rate. A major factor has been the expansion of the private sector, an area that is expected to continue to play a greater role in the Saudi economy.

Oki’s A3 Printers Reach the Kingdom

Oki Printing Solutions, together with its Saudi partner Al-Shoaibi Group, held a roadshow across the Kingdom last week to introduce its new A3 color printing solutions to the Saudi market. The new range encompasses the C8600, C8800, the C9600 series and the C9600XF, which is equipped with the highly advanced XF EFI RIP that aims to introduce new standards for speed, quality and performance in the Saudi graphic arts market.

“Saudi Arabia is a vital market that is proving to be one of the most advanced IT adopters in the region,” said John Ross, GM, Oki Printing Solutions ME. “Oki Printing Solutions was the first European printer manufacturer to make high performance, compact A3 color printing affordable for businesses. We are delighted to present these high level products to businesses in Saudi Arabia.”

Oki currently holds the No. 2 position in the MEA region, according to IDC reports for 2007 Q2. The company is emphasizing to businesses that its products offer digital LED printing at prices considerably lower than competitor A3 color products, inkjet or mono only devices. Providing an A3 printer that can quietly operate within easy reach of users significantly benefits those businesses which regularly print spreadsheets, booklets, workplans and charts. For those undertaking more creative applications, the C8800 can also print from A6 to A3 and up to 1.2m long banners.

CIO Summit Looks at Project Management

Over 400 CIOs, IT managers and ICT project managers are expected to participate in the Summit, which will take place in Riyadh on Nov. 20-21, 2007 at the King Faisal Conference Hall of the InterContinental Hotel. The main theme of this year’s Summit is IT Project Management covering approaches, methodologies, tools and techniques. Case studies and success stories on the theme will be explored.

The two-day event will include the participation of experts and distinguished speakers from leading industry, consulting firms and government bodies who will address the event. They include speakers from the Ministry of Communication & Information Technology (MCIT), the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA), Saudi Aramco, SABIC, Microsoft, Gartner, King Fahd Military Medical Complex Dhahran (KFMMC) and King Saud University.

Highlighting the importance of the Summit, Mohammed Al-Kharashi, chairman of the Summit and Vice Chairman, Board of Directors of the Saudi Computer Society, said: “The Saudi CIO Summit (www.saudiciosummit.com) will be hosted, for the fourth time, in Riyadh, the center of the largest and fastest growing ICT market in the region. It provides a unique opportunity for exchanging experiences, discussing best practices and networking with senior e-government high level officials, ICT projects decision makers and industry leaders participating in the event.”

New Sun Partnership

A subsidiary of Emirates Computers, e-Enterprises (e2), and Alesayi Communications in Saudi Arabia, have signed a partnership agreement with Sun Microsystems Middle East and North Africa to promote Sun’s best-in-class solutions and services across the Kingdom. Under the terms of the agreement, e-Enterprises will sell and implement Sun’s products and services portfolio in the Kingdom.

“Saudi Arabia, being the largest market for IT and Communications in the region, is a very important market for Sun,” said Jamal Said, GM of Sun Microsystems in Saudi Arabia. “We chose to partner with e2 as it brings with it Emirates Computers’ expertise and unmatched track record of implementing some of the biggest projects in the region. Alesayi’s strong local market presence as well as a wide network of customers and partners makes it a perfect partner for Sun in Saudi Arabia.”