Saudi Aramco Signs With Exel SA
Saudi Aramco has signed a 10-year contract with Exel Saudi Arabia, an Olayan Group joint venture (JV) partner, to provide comprehensive logistical services for Saudi Aramco throughout the Kingdom. The contract is effective Jan. 1, 2007. Exel Saudi Arabia is a joint venture between Olayan Saudi Holding Co. and Exel Overseas Limited (United Kingdom). Exel is part of Deutsche Post World Net group, based in Bonn, Germany.
Fahad M. Al-Baadi, manager of Saudi Aramco Materials Logistics, said the new logistics contract would enable Saudi Aramco to successfully deliver materials on-time for the company’s sharply increasing development and operational requirements throughout Saudi Arabia. The contract with Exel Saudi Arabia will create an integrated logistics service. The contract includes implementation of a system to enable customers to track their material requirements online in realtime at any time.
The contract also requires Exel Saudi Arabia to receive materials directly from ports/airports, local suppliers and manufacturers at its strategically located, state-of-the-art materials distribution centers (MDCs) in Dammam/Alkhobar, Riyadh, Jeddah and Yanbu — outside Saudi Aramco facilities. Following processing within the centers, delivery of materials will be made on Exel Saudi Arabia trucks, coordinated by an Exel-developed transport management system.
The new logistics contract is a major step forward in the development of logistics infrastructure in the Kingdom. Approximately 500-600 jobs will be created, with emphasis on employing Saudi nationals. Initially, 60 percent of available jobs will be earmarked for Saudis, from the full range of operational positions to managerial roles.
Mubasher Hosts Mirrors at ISPs
Mubasher, a provider of e-financial solutions in the region and a subsidiary of National Technology Group (NTG), has initiated a strategy to deal with connectivity lags encountered by Mubasher Pro Version 8 users because of high traffic volumes overloading Saudi Arabia’s local Internet routes.
Mubasher has installed site connection managers (SCMs) at Internet service providers (ISPs) across Saudi Arabia. The SCMs serve as mirrors of the Mubasher portal, and are linked via direct high-speed connection to Mubasher’s central data center. Each SCM costs approximately SR50,000. The new configuration allows Mubasher users to receive price quotes and information in realtime, irrespective of ISP or current traffic loads on the KSA network.
Mubasher’s decision to invest in SCM sites follows a sharp upsurge in Mubasher’s popularity that resulted in unexpectedly high traffic volumes overwhelming the bandwidth of the ISP-hosted countrywide Intranet, which in turn resulted in investors experiencing delays in receiving stock updates.
“Mubasher’s innovative realtime financial services have seen very high demand in Saudi Arabia, resulting in connectivity issues for some of our users,” said Mohammed Al-Ballaa, chairman, National Technology Group (NTG). “We are cooperating closely with the ISPs toward resolving the issue, and have extended a network of SCM mirrors throughout the Kingdom to absorb traffic until Saudi Telecom Co. can upgrade its network to optimally deal with demand for services. We have taken prompt action to address user issues, and we are working toward further initiatives that will further enhance service delivery quality.”
IBM’s Software Live Roadshow
IBM, along with Saudi Business Machines Ltd. (SBM), the general marketing and services representative of IBM WTC in Saudi Arabia, held the IBM Software Live roadshow in the Kingdom. The event was attended by organizations, business partners, independent software vendors (ISVs) and IT professionals across industries who were briefed on IBM’s software portfolio and the different software components that make up an on-demand business model. The roadshow is part of a worldwide tour, and has been held in various countries across the region.
Douglas Spencer, IBM software group program director for IBM Software Live, gave a presentation on the power of the IBM software portfolio and how it can address customer needs. Other live demonstrations that communicated IBM’s broad range of software offerings’ value and integration were also featured. IBM’s software offerings include WepSphere, Lotus, DB2, Rational and Tivoli brands.
“New business designs emerge to enable greater productivity and responsiveness. IT companies in the Saudi market should not only develop software and solutions that meet companies’ needs, but should also be able to transform business models that will allow them to translate benefits in terms of cost savings and higher productivity,” said Spencer.
Be Wary of Non-ICDL Approved Centers
In a move to safeguard the global standard and the integrity of the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) program, ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body and certification authority of the ICDL program in the Gulf region, has issued a warning to the public about non-ICDL approved centers falsely claiming to provide the ICDL program in the region. This comes as part of an effort to better protect the interest of prospective ICDL candidates and to ensure that they receive maximum benefit from the program. The foundation has also warned that certificates issued from non-approved centers are not issued by the ICDL GCC Foundation and are not recognized internationally.
To raise public awareness, ICDL GCC Foundation has called upon all organizations looking to adopt the ICDL global standard for their employees as well as all prospective candidates interested in undergoing the ICDL program to visit the foundation’s website (www.icdlgcc.com), where they can select a convenient ICDL approved training and testing center from a long list. This way, candidates can be assured that they enroll in a center that adheres to the ICDL global standards. All ICDL approved centers receive and display a plaque declaring that they adhere to the ICDL global standard. This plaque is usually displayed in an obvious place at the training center and candidates should ask to see it.
“We have received complaints from organizations and prospective candidates regarding some centers claiming to offer ICDL even though they were not approved by us. We only provide our ‘official stamp of approval’ to the centers that fulfill the requirements of the ICDL program,” said Jamil Ezzo, DG, ICDL-GCC Foundation. “It is unfortunate that the wide popularity of the ICDL program has led some centers to mislead candidates into enrolling in their substandard training. In line with our commitment to safeguard the integrity of our program, we require all centers that receive our approval to deliver the program according to specific standards. We advise everyone who is interested in the ICDL program to distinguish between approved and non-approved centers, so as to make sure they receive maximum benefit and our authenticated certificate upon successful completion.”
The ICDL GCC Foundation is responsible for reviewing and approving training and testing material being used in the classrooms as well as holds the responsibility of approving training and testing centers throughout the region. ICDL requires training centers seeking ICDL approval to fulfill a list of requirements which include operating within an appropriate facility which is furnished and equipped in accordance with certain specifications as well as employing qualified instructors to deliver the program. Prospective centers must also provide an evidence record of their business history of at least one year in IT training.
