Emerson Process Management, a wholly-owned Emerson company offering the most innovative and broadest array of process automation solutions, has donated a PlantWeb Cruiser valued at $165,000 to Jubail Industrial College, Saudi Arabia's "largest and most sophisticated" hands-on technical institute.

The cruiser was officially donated at a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signing ceremony held at the college. JIC MD Adel S. Bahakeem, and Saudi-based Emerson Process Management GM Mohamed M. Elawny signed the deal. Elawny said: "The PlantWeb Cruiser is a full-sized process simulator that integrates real measurement instrumentation from Rosemount and Micro Motion, Fisher Control Elements and a DeltaV control system that will provide students with hands-on experience of the actual working conditions of a process plant and control room. Part of a four-year program to maintain a high standard of equipment and the latest technology, Emerson will also provide technical support to the faculty on the use and maintenance of the process simulator, with investments running into hundreds of thousands of dollars." Bahakeem added: "The demand for highly-skilled and well-trained personnel is on the rise in the Kingdom and this PlantWeb Cruiser will ensure that our students are better equipped to take on challenges."
 

Panasonic has launched a range of new technology within its Panaboard UB-T880 Series. The interactive whiteboard is claimed to offer an unparalleled working environment which allows display of the contents of a computer screen directly onto the board. This enables users to operate their own software applications for business presentations or school lessons. Available in the impressive 82" wide version, or the more compact 77", the elite Panasonic Panaboard UB-T880 Series comes complete with a built-in amplifier which connects to USB speakers, built into two USB hub-ports and up to 3 finger touch. "This new Panaboard range is packed full of state-of-the-art unique Panasonic technology," said Maeda Kensuke, product manager, Panasonic Middle East. "This new display will change the way presentations are made in Middle East offices and schools, by energizing presentations, and keeping students engaged. The board helps to bring ideas to life through, simple, yet sophisticated technology." The new series also provides simple video and audio data transfer through the unique wireless connection, all incorporated within the enhanced elite Panaboard software. Windows applications like PowerPoint and Excel, and even special educational software, can be operated right on the Panaboard. The elite Panasonic Panaboard software enables users to write or draw onto the screen, add notes, diagrams, text and images. This provides powerful support for both business and education.
 

Sony Gulf, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation, has announced the expansion of its Xplod car audio range with the launch of two new digital music systems -- the DSX-S100 and DSX-S200X -- offering users the best portable sound solution. The newly launched DSX-S200X system is embedded with a seamless audio storage solution for added flexibility, along with a selection of modes to choose from depending on the preference of the listener. Sony's Tune Tray digital interface gets a prominent place in a car's center console, yet is discreetly tucked away when not in use for neatness and safety. The front panel flips down at the touch of a button to reveal the Tune Tray, and users can use it to conceal a USB drive, WALKMAN or any iPod/iPod touch. The DSX-S200X has a sleek, detachable faceplate with a highly visible OEL 4-line display and a second USB connection, adding to its multi-tasking functionality. Hence, users who keep a USB drive constantly connected to the Tune Tray can simultaneously play their latest music downloads from another portable player or smart phone, by connecting to the alternate USB port. The 4-line display provides more information with a look and feel familiar to a popular digital music player. The DSX-S100 also features the Tune Tray for the safe storage of portable media players within the receiver, eliminating unsightly wires. It additionally includes a reminder alert to ensure the device is not left behind.
 

National Air Services (NAS) has announced a cooperation agreement between NAS Tech and Lufthansa Technik, the technical arm of Lufthansa. NAS Group CEO Sulaiman Al-Hamdan said: "This agreement is the result of negotiations between the two companies for more than a year, and the partnership will help NAS secure advanced Lufthansa technology." The first phase of the deal will take about three years and focus on ways of enhancing joint cooperation between the two sides, transfer and resettlement aspects of knowledge and advanced technology in engineering and aircraft maintenance. With this, Lufthansa Technik will maintain NAS aircraft engines, equipment and instruments for 10 years, and oversee the practical implementation by NAS Tech of aspects related to maintenance of aircraft according to standard technical specifications. The second phase of the agreement will follow through the technical cooperation between the two companies, which will provide customers with world-class service standards. Al-Hamdan added that the two companies would thus deal with each other as strategic allies, which means that NAS can support Lufthansa Technik in its future projects in Saudi Arabia, while getting support from Lufthansa Technik in NAS business and future projects. NAS is currently investing in its facilities including hangars and integrated maintenance workshops, as well as in recruitment and training of young Saudis.
 

Abdul Latif Jameel Co. Ltd. (ALJ) recently launched a "Win free lifetime maintenance from Toyota service ... yes I want" campaign across the Kingdom. The drive is part of the commitment ALJ has toward its customers in terms of providing them with the "best value added" offers along with the highest level of services. The campaign will continue till Sept. 30. All Toyota service guests will have an opportunity to win one of 100 free maintenance packages given by the Toyota service department. The guest will have to book a service appointment or visit any Toyota service center to enter the draw. The draw will consist of two phases. Each phase will have 50 winners. This campaign in one of ALJ's continuous guest-driven activities in support of its position as a major sales and after sales service automotive company across the Kingdom, the company said.
 

Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has asserted the qualitative change that will be made by InVision, an advanced interactive TV service. It will add a new concept to home entertainment with Afaq Shamel DSL service customers fully controlling the visual content of satellite channels, sports and cultural programs, documentaries and VOD on high definition TV at any time they choose. In addition to providing the Internet service with speeds up to 20MB/S and free domestic and mobile phone calls in one invoice at an amazing price, it will continue with its pioneering role to provide the latest services and technologies in the international market. Saad Bin Thafer Al-Qahtani, STC's VP for home services said STC launched InVision service, which was a global success. He added that STC worked hard to provide InVision service during Ramadan for free in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam where the customers are able to watch their favorite programs at any time they want. The launch of InVision service is the fulfillment of the wishes of the customers that they expressed during STC's live shows of the service at GITEX Exhibition in 2009 and 2010.
 

Capital Intelligence, the international credit rating agency, recently upgraded its rating of Samba Financial Group from A+ to AA-, with a stable outlook. The upgrade reflects the quality of the group's credit profile, and its financial strength. It is the third rating upgrade for Samba during 2010 from the major rating agencies. Capital Intelligence based its upgrade on a set of standards that emphasize the strength of Samba's balance sheet, the diversity of its revenue base, the group's strong liquidity and its ability to provide very sound coverage of its loan portfolio and loan-loss reserves. Capital Intelligence also cited Samba's strong growth in nonspecial commission income and excellent cost control.

Eisa Al Eisa, chairman of Samba Financial Group, said: "The new credit rating makes Samba the highest rated bank in the Kingdom by the major international credit rating agencies. Our prudent investment and financial policies and our commitment to the highest standards of oversight in various banking activities, are reflected in the quality of our credit record and the stability of our performance. Our policies have provided the group with immunity against market risk, and have also consequently contributed to enhancing confidence in the bank's performance, and readiness to achieve superior growth rates. The strong rating of Capital Intelligence was based on the group's solid capital base, increased liquidity, balanced risk profile, and prudent investment and financial policies."
 

Christie's has announced the auction of Lehman Brothers: Artwork and Ephemera, which will take place at South Kensington in London on Sept. 29. Artworks and selected items of interest, which once adorned the walls and offices of the British and European arms of the former banking powerhouse, are on offer. This auction is taking place under the direction of the joint administrators of Lehman Brothers Ltd. (LBL) and of Lehmans Brothers International, Europe (LBIE) who are partners at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. The joint administrators were appointed to wind down LBL and LBIE in as orderly a way as possible. This auction forms part of the administrators' strategy in realizing the assets held in the companies for the maximum value. From works of art by Lucian Freud and Gary Hume to beautiful porcelain objets d'art and the sign which adorned the company's offices in Canary Wharf, London, the auction will offer a diverse selection of items and works of art. "The Lehman brothers collected artwork, which adorned their offices since the 19th century. Over the subsequent years, of course, as the business expanded and the leadership changed, so did their corporate taste in art," said Barry Gilbertson, partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, responsible for releasing value from the real estate and other fixed assets.