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Software AG and IBTech join forces to develop mission-critical public safety system across region

Software AG and IBTech join forces to develop mission-critical public safety system across region
Mamdouh Al-Olayan, Country Manager — Saudi Arabia, Software AG
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Updated 19 March 2023
Arab News

Software AG and IBTech join forces to develop mission-critical public safety system across region

Software AG and IBTech join forces to develop mission-critical public safety system across region
Updated 19 March 2023
Arab News

Enterprise software company Software AG and Intelligent Business Technologies, an IT-focused subsidiary of Albara’ah Telecom Co. Ltd., have entered into a partnership to nurture the formation of advanced safe and smart cities in the region. The partnership will foster the creation of unified emergency services across the Middle East region, in addition to a unified “command control center” in Saudi Arabia. The unified emergency hotline for first responders will support the handling of emergencies, ensuring the safety of human life within the safe and smart city norms and requirements. 

The agreement was signed between Yasser Alhakbani, board member, IBTech, and Mamdouh Al-Olayan, country manager — Saudi Arabia, Software AG, at LEAP 2023. The collaboration will facilitate IBTech to leverage Software AG’s Cumulocity IoT and webMethods integration expertise to create novel and future-oriented use cases that align with safe and smart city goals within Saudi Vision 2030. The cutting-edge use cases will lay the foundation for smart cities, resulting in innovative services to benefit businesses and end users, based on an ecosystem of fully connected enterprises.

Al-Olayan said: “Saudi Arabia is leading the region’s creation of safe, smart cities with megacity projects such as NEOM and Red Sea to name a few. Multifaceted technologies such as IoT and integration are serving as the foundation of such rapid and fast-tracked development in the country. Software AG has pledged its solidarity to the nation and the region along with our partner IBTech to contribute to the development and advancement of safe, smart cities. We aim to expand the reach of the unified emergency public safety solution to provide speedy support and enhance safety of human life. With support from our reputed local partners, Software AG aims to upscale adoption of these versatile technologies across use cases and initiatives for application in the Kingdom and the region.”

 

Bupa Arabia opens office in Riyadh’s financial district

Bupa Arabia opens office in Riyadh’s financial district
Updated 37 sec ago
Arab News

Bupa Arabia opens office in Riyadh’s financial district

Bupa Arabia opens office in Riyadh’s financial district
Updated 37 sec ago
Arab News

Bupa Arabia for Cooperative Insurance — a leading health insurance provider in the Kingdom — opened its new headquarters in Riyadh’s King Abdullah Financial District.

The new location is part of the company’s expansion plan in the central region and efforts to support the development of the Saudi insurance sector. Bupa Arabia’s outstanding healthcare services being provided to millions of customers align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals, which focus on improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. The new office is also in line with the company’s strategic vision.

Strategically located in the heart of the financial district, the new Bupa Arabia location combines modern facilities and innovative designs to create a work environment that fosters productivity, innovation and service excellence. The state-of-the-art office space showcases the company’s dedication to providing an ideal workplace for its employees.

The office houses a well-equipped canteen offering a range of delectable food items and beverages, ensuring employees have a great time during their break. Taking care of employees’ work-life balance, Bupa Arabia has incorporated a daycare center within the premises, catering to the needs of employees’ children. It also has a Bupa Lounge offering a welcoming space for employees and visitors.

Tal Nazer, CEO of Bupa Arabia, said: “Bupa Arabia strongly believes in remaining close to its customers, delivering the best services to them and providing innovative insurance products in the Kingdom, based on global best practices and experiences.”

Nazer added: “The opening of Bupa Arabia’s new headquarters represents a new step in our commitment to ensuring the future of the Saudi insurance sector and reaffirms our leading position in the industry. It reflects our journey of success within the Kingdom, driven by our efforts to provide the highest levels of innovation in products, services, campaigns and awareness events, as well as digital solutions that have greatly facilitated services and increased productivity.”

“We are striving to provide the best work environment for the Bupa Arabia team, in line with our efforts to enhance employee productivity through training, work experiences and innovative tools. We aim to enhance their skills and capabilities, achieve better integration between their personal and professional lives, enabling them to deliver their best to our customers,” he said.

Bupa Arabia has played a pivotal role in the digital transformation of the Saudi insurance sector. 

As one of the first insurance companies to prioritize digitization, it established a dedicated department for digital transformation in 2018, which designed strategies to enhance healthcare services benefitting more than 3 million customers. This has contributed to enhancing the customer experience as well as to the growth of the health insurance sector in the Kingdom.

Saudia Cargo wins ‘Best Digital Customer Experience’ award

Saudia Cargo wins ‘Best Digital Customer Experience’ award
Updated 1 min 31 sec ago
Arab News

Saudia Cargo wins ‘Best Digital Customer Experience’ award

Saudia Cargo wins ‘Best Digital Customer Experience’ award
Updated 1 min 31 sec ago
Arab News

Saudia Cargo, the leading air cargo carrier in the Middle East, has achieved an extraordinary milestone by being awarded the prestigious title of “Best Digital Customer Experience” at the renowned Customer Experience Middle East 2023 conference, held in Dubai. With representatives from prominent companies across various industries in the region, this year’s edition witnessed the organization of several workshops and continuous discussion sessions that addressed key communication mechanisms and digital advancements in customer service.

Teddy Zebitz, CEO of Saudia Cargo, expressed his joy at achieving this accomplishment, describing it as a motivation to continue the company’s endeavors in developing its digital system for customer service and ensuring the best customer experience. He emphasized the utilization of advanced technologies and pioneering digital solutions to sustain the company’s business growth. Zebitz also highlighted the importance of monitoring customer feedback as the ultimate measure of success for their global operations, with a focus on incorporating the latest technologies and adopting global best practices to achieve the company’s goals and aspirations. Additionally, he also noted that the business environment in the Kingdom has become highly conducive to digital transformation with ongoing enhancement of comprehensive experiences.

Mansour Alasmi, vice president of network and revenue management at Saudia Cargo, said: “We strive for the integration of our digital services and keeping pace with transformational phases by establishing effective partnerships in this regard. These partnerships enhance our interactions across all digital channels by utilizing information technology and initiatives to accelerate growth and customer-focused innovation for delivering positive experiences. Saudia Cargo will continue its efforts to enhance its capabilities, provide unparalleled digital experiences, and establish new standards for customer service excellence.”

Saudia Cargo recently renewed its agreement with Cainiao, the logistics arm of the global Alibaba platform. The partnership aims to transport shipments from leading e-commerce retailers, reserving exclusively selected SACC freighter flights from Hong Kong to Riyadh and the Belgian city of Liège.

Saudia Cargo’s aspirations to become a global logistics platform, connecting global markets with the Kingdom and leveraging its strategic geographical location at the heart of global trade routes, align with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 goals.

The company continues to support emerging markets as a member of the SkyTeam Cargo Alliance, representing 20 percent of the air cargo movement. 

Additionally, it benefits directly from the international coverage provided by the alliance, which connects more than 175 countries worldwide.

Epson makes additional investment in space robotics development startup GITAI

Epson makes additional investment in space robotics development startup GITAI
Updated 2 min 39 sec ago
Arab News

Epson makes additional investment in space robotics development startup GITAI

Epson makes additional investment in space robotics development startup GITAI
Updated 2 min 39 sec ago
Arab News

Seiko Epson Corporation and its subsidiary Epson X Investment Corporation recently made an additional investment in GITAI Japan Inc., a startup company that develops general-purpose space robots. The investment was made through their EP-GB Investment Limited Partnership.

Originating in Japan, GITAI is a startup that envisions providing safe and affordable labor in space. Their goal is to develop and sell versatile space robots that will serve as a workforce for tasks both inside and outside space stations, in Earth’s orbit, as well as on the Moon and Mars. Additionally, they aim to provide services in space.

With the acceleration of space development, including lunar resource development, Mars exploration, and the commercialization of the International Space Station, a rapid increase in various types of work within space is anticipated, such as the construction of new space stations, lunar bases and Mars bases. This work is potentially dangerous and is currently being performed by astronauts, who must be trained and transported at tremendous expense.

GITAI is developing general-purpose robots that can significantly reduce the risk and burden on astronauts while also dramatically reducing the overall cost of transportation and training associated with space labor. By doing so, GITAI aims to make space exploration and development both safe and affordable. Since 2021, they have been steadily building a strong track record by developing lunar work robots and extravehicular robots, as well as by successfully completing on-board experiments using demonstration models on the ISS.

“The timing of this new Epson investment into the development of space robots coincides with increased space exploration by both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, including the first Saudi woman astronaut, Rayyanah Barnawi, to visit the ISS, where Emirati astronaut Sultan Alneyadi recently completed a space walk,” said Jason McMillian, sales director, Epson Middle East. “Our focus on research and innovation in space robot technology can be beneficial for the GCC and other nations investing in future exploration.”

As outlined in the Epson 25 Renewed corporate vision, Epson aims to drive manufacturing innovation by co-creating flexible, high-throughput production systems that reduce environmental impacts. GITAI’s space robot technology has potential applications in Epson’s robotics business and has proven to be competitive in the expanding space business market.

The company continues to forge growth with its strong technical and organization capabilities. Recognizing its impressive track record and the significant technological advancements it has achieved, Epson decided to follow up its initial investment in 2021 with this additional investment.

McDonald’s highlights commitment to food quality on World Food Safety Day

McDonald’s highlights commitment to food quality on World Food Safety Day
Updated 09 June 2023
Arab News

McDonald’s highlights commitment to food quality on World Food Safety Day

McDonald’s highlights commitment to food quality on World Food Safety Day
Updated 09 June 2023
Arab News

On World Food Safety Day, McDonald’s Saudi Arabia in the western and southern region — Reza Food Services Co. Ltd. reaffirmed its dedication to upholding the highest standards of food safety across its restaurants. As a leader in the quick-service restaurants industry, McDonald’s places the utmost importance on ensuring the well-being and satisfaction of its customers by adhering to rigorous practices, from cooking procedures and kitchen hygiene to supplier standards.

Food safety lies at the core of McDonald’s operations, and the company maintains exceptional quality and safety in every aspect of its business. McDonald’s follows a comprehensive set of hygiene procedures, including:

  • Proper hygienic dress code: All employees adhere to a strict dress code that ensures safety in the kitchen. Hairnets are worn at all times, and employees avoid wearing jewelry or watches.
  • Regular hand washing: All kitchen staff must wash their hands regularly with soap and dry them with disposable paper towels to prevent bacterial contamination.
  • Color-coded glove system: McDonald’s implements a color-coded glove system to avoid cross-contamination. Blue gloves are used for raw materials, while clear gloves are used for everything except raw meat. Employees change and dispose of gloves frequently.
  • Maintaining cleanliness: Ensuring cleanliness in every area is of utmost importance. Counters are regularly cleaned and disinfected, and machines undergo daily cleaning to prevent bacterial buildup. Thorough deep cleaning of machines occurs at least once a week, where parts are disassembled, cleaned, and sanitized.
  • McDonald’s places great emphasis on sourcing high-quality ingredients and works exclusively with suppliers who share its commitment to food safety. Stringent guidelines and quality assurance protocols are established to ensure suppliers adhere to the highest industry standards.

The company maintains strict processes for raw food supplier standards, guaranteeing quality and safety through:

  • Stringent inspections: McDonald’s conducts frequent inspections and quality checks before receiving products to ensure the highest standards are met.
  • Freezing and traceability: Raw products are packaged, frozen at -18°C, and stored with traceable codes to enable batch tracking, even during transportation.
  • Fresh produce standards: McDonald’s sources fresh produce grown and certified by recognized bodies. Suppliers undergo frequent inspections to monitor water quality, and produce is thoroughly sanitized before leaving their facilities.
  • Cooking temperatures: McDonald’s adheres to local municipality regulations and the highest standards for cooking procedures and safe minimum internal temperatures for all protein products, ensuring optimal food safety.

In terms of kitchen organization, McDonald’s maintains separation and uses different cutleries and boards for different product categories. Meat, poultry and fish are separated from fresh and frozen produce. Gloves and waste bins are kept within reach of cooks for easy access and optimal hygiene practices.

“As World Food Safety Day brings global attention to the importance of food safety, McDonald’s Saudi Arabia in the western and southern region reaffirms its commitment to providing customers with safe, high-quality food. With unwavering dedication, McDonald’s remains at the forefront of the industry, delivering an unparalleled experience while prioritizing customer well-being,” a press release said.

McDonald’s believes in establishing transparent communication with its customers by providing specific information about its menu, including dietary and nutritional information, sourcing details, and behind-the-scenes processes. Customers can visit www.yourrighttoknow.com for information about McDonald’s food.

 

King Abdullah Port records highest ever volume on single vessel

King Abdullah Port records highest ever volume on single vessel
Updated 07 June 2023
Arab News

King Abdullah Port records highest ever volume on single vessel

King Abdullah Port records highest ever volume on single vessel
Updated 07 June 2023
Arab News

King Abdullah Port, the most efficient port according to the World Bank 2022 report, has recorded the highest handling volume on a single vessel call in Saudi ports. The port handled 20,152 TEUs within 77.46 hours of operation on the MSC Renee. This achievement comes as a testimony to its highly efficient and outstanding capabilities.

Commenting on the achievement, Jay New, CEO of King Abdullah Port, said: “Since the launch of our container terminal in 2013, we have relentlessly pursued excellence in our service offerings through the development of world-class infrastructure and port facilities. These efforts have resulted in impressive milestones as we drive toward the realization of Vision 2030 objectives. King Abdullah Port’s growing significance has built trust and support from our partners and together we are providing excellence to the wide base of importers and exporters benefiting from the port’s capabilities.

“We thank our partners and our employees behind all these achievements for their dedication and hardwork. One of the Middle East’s largest infrastructure megaprojects, King Abdullah Port has been built to the latest specifications and standards and is designed to support trade and economic growth in the Kingdom for decades to come. The port is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, including the world’s largest and most advanced cranes, and its 18-meter water berths are the world’s deepest.”

Owned by the Ports Development Company, King Abdullah Port is the region’s first port to be owned, developed, and operated by the private sector. Ranked as the world’s most efficient port by the World Bank in 2022, the port emerged as one of the world’s top 100 ports within four years of operation. With its strategic location in King Abdullah Economic City — a modern city with a pro-business ecosystem and infrastructure — King Abdullah Port leverages the city’s advanced facilities and services, particularly the Industrial Valley, which has attracted many logistics projects as well as light and medium industries.

Occupying an area of 17.4 square kilometers, and enjoying close proximity to the key Saudi cities of Jeddah, Makkah, Madinah and Yanbu, as well as its direct access to extensive transportation networks that facilitates cargo transport through the Kingdom and the rest of the region, the port is making an increasingly important contribution to the Kingdom’s global role in maritime trade and logistics. Once fully completed, King Abdullah Port will be capable of handling 25 million TEU, 1.5 million CEU and 25 million tons of clean bulk cargo annually.

With state-of-the-art infrastructure and processing facilities, the world’s deepest 18-meter berths, multi-level expanding operations, in addition to a fully integrated port community system, the smart gate system and multipurpose bonded and re-export zones, King Abdullah Port reflects the important role of the private sector in realizing Vision 2030.

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