Kamal Ballout, Head of Enterprise, Nokia MEA, in an exclusive interview with Channel Post MEA at GITEX, elaborates on how their key focus is aiding their end customers and how they work with partners to achieve this.
Why is it important for Nokia to participate in GITEX this year?
GITEX has always been a platform to attract those industry players who are looking to make a change. This expands beyond the technology vendor community to major industries in the region. Hence, GITEX is a crucial platform to tie off with these industries. Everyone comes here with a common strategy to see what the future looks like and to be a part of this digitalisation future. Through this platform, we expect to meet with various verticals like energy, transportation, public safety and more or less with every entity that have digitalisation in their roadmap and strategy.
What do you think is the major trends influencing the current market in the Middle East?
The Middle East is an interesting region. We are witnessing many smart city projects emerging here. These projects are also based on sustainability concepts. Here, all the industries have one thing in common: it is the realisation that digitalisation plays a key role as a foundational element for their existence. For example, in a mine, automated operations are done to reduce casualties, improve efficiency and productivity. On the other hand, in the oil and gas industry, it helps at the time of production, with the supply chain and gives real-time visibility. All of these industries are looking at digitalisation as a core part of the plan and this is where Nokia steps in. We offer the fabric required for this need. All these industries are looking for a strong digitalisation partner and we meet this need.
How do you enable organizations in the new normal?
Nokia comprises a broad portfolio. Our range varies from 4G, 5G, optics, routing, last-mile/middle mile technology to digital security.
There are three parts to consider for proper digitalisation. The first factor is to build a strong fabric, inorder to interconnect with all company assets. This can be considered as a nervous system of the organisation. Nokia will deliver this nervous system with connectivity ranging from reliability to cybersecurity. The second factor to consider would be a data center that helps create a digital image in the field and operate on the digital image. Nokia brings value in that too. The final factor that we bring value would be an ecosystem of partners which is established to complete the puzzle of digitalisation.
How are you engaging with the partners in this region?
There are various routes customers reach us. Although they may not directly come to Nokia, they might reach us through resellers, integrators or service providers. The major focus for Nokia is to aid the end customers irrespective of the way they choose to reach us. Hence, we work with the partners in the best way with the aim to focus on customer satisfaction. The focus for us and the partners is to reach the intellectual property in the best way to the end-users.
We are honoured to be part of the region’s digital innovation and transformation journey working with our local partners and contributing to the development of reliable and resilient networks, and supporting the region as we embrace the 4th industrial revolution that will impact every industry and vital sector of the economy.
What after GITEX?
We hope to have all the fruitful conversations with the industry leaders to help further in collaboration.
