Collection center for returned drives
Western Digital has opened a collection center in Riyadh to service the company’s authorized distributors and resellers. The collection center will process Return Material Authorization (RMA) disc drives at one central location, to enhance post-sales services to Western Digital’s local customers in Saudi Arabia. The collection center is located at Dhabab Street, telephone (01) 4633999. Western Digital already has opened other dedicated collection centers in the region in Istanbul, the UAE and Egypt.
Norkom signs Ejada Systems
Norkom has formed a strategic partnership with Ejada Systems. A report by Chartis Research ranks Norkom as the current leader in the financial crime risk management technology sector. The report, “Financial Crime Risk Management Systems 2009,” forecasts that the financial crime management technology marketplace will increase to $3.75 billion by 2012, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.1 percent. The report also states that financial institutions that operate a silo-based point-solution approach are missing out on the cost efficiencies and enhanced intelligence that an enterprise-wide financial crime management solution can bring. It further claims that the marketplace is demanding solutions that can be delivered via a single-integrated technology platform, with the inherent capability to span the enterprise and use common technology components and data models.
According to Peyman Mestchian, head of Chartis’ Advisory Board, “This is the strategy that Norkom has followed from inception, showing foresight and market leadership. This, along with its ability to demonstrate tangible ROI across its global client base — more important than ever in today’s tough economic climate - sets it apart from most of its competitors.”
Chartis’ strong evaluation for the Norkom solution is echoed by the company’s success in the marketplace. Norkom’s solutions are used by clients in over 100 countries including six of the top ten banks in the world.
Rawabi Marketing chooses Epicor
Rawabi Marketing International (RMI), has selected Epicor 9 for its enterprise resource planning (ERP) requirements. Part of the $200 million Saudi-based Al-Arifi Group, RMI is engaged in the distribution and manufacturing of a wide variety of chemicals. The company has a strong export division catering to customers across the GCC and the Middle East. The functionality of the ERP will be leveraged across RMI offices in the Kingdom and Egypt.
Samsung’s multimedia performer
Samsung Electronics has unveiled the “ACME,” the company’s first Symbian full-touch handset. The device features the world’s first 720p HD video recording and decoding on mobile, as well as the world’s largest AMOLED screen on mobile.
The Samsung ACME brings together style, multimedia and business functionality in one device. The handset’s 3.7” Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED) touch screen offers vivid colors and greater clarity in direct sunlight as well as less power consumption.
“ACME demonstrates our vision for the Samsung mobile business, which is to provide premium phones for users who desire functionality, style, usability and entertainment in one innovative device,” said Sandeep Saihgal, GM, mobile phones at Samsung Gulf Electronics.
The device also offers an 8MP camera, GPS and HSUPA and HSDPA connectivity. The handset has 8GB and 16GB internal memory options plus the possibility of the addition of a 32GB microSD card. The ACME retails for AED 2999.
Agreement to provide financial solutions
Visa, Al-Rajhi Bank and Microsoft have entered into a strategic agreement to provide financial solutions for small and medium businesses (SMBs) that are adopting advanced technology into their business operations. Under the agreement, Al-Rajhi will introduce a Visa-Microsoft “Aamal” credit card, which will become the first Visa Microsoft co-branded credit card in Saudi Arabia.
Saeed Al-Ghamdi, Deputy CEO of Al-Rajhi Bank, explained that the bank is issuing the card in order to enhance the operations of SMEs by enabling them to adopt advanced technologies that will help them to keep pace with the rapid growth of the Saudi IT sector.
Ihab Ayoub, GM, Visa, KSA, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Yemen concurred, “This agreement will utilize Microsoft’s programming expertise and Al-Rajhi’s financial services to enhance the contributions of SMEs to national economic development.”
The Visa-Microsoft “Aamal” credit card helps SMEs better manage their cash flow while being involved in building infrastructure, improving efficiencies, enhancing employee productivity and reducing the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). The card also represents a lower risk tool for SMEs compared to checks, and is cost-effective as transactions can be controlled by authorization. Moreover, this card reduces the dependency on petty cash.
“Our partnership with Visa and Al-Rajhi Bank is part of our strategy of supporting the IT sector and using modern technology, particularly our advanced IT products and services, to assist locally-based companies from various industries in optimizing their operations,” said Khaled Al-Dhaher, GM, Microsoft Saudi Arabia. “We hope that this agreement will help in the development of the Kingdom’s IT sector and encourage companies to enhance their performance in accordance with the highest standards of excellence and quality.”
Visa Commercial is a program designed to help small and medium businesses save costs and attain better returns. A suite of discounts and benefits offered by leading solutions providers can help businesses keep costs in check and enable smooth operations. Visa will provide the electronic payment services needed to facilitate the business transactions of Aamal card holders and through Al-Rajhi Bank, the card will extend payment installment facilities for SMBs’ purchase of Microsoft products. The initiative shows the commitment of the three companies in providing additional assistance for SMBs and promoting a competitive work environment that supports the Kingdom’s economic diversity.