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In: Feature Story, Hardware, News, Notebooks, Products

Research In Motion (RIM) has showcased the new BlackBerry PlayBook tablet in various mall locations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The initiative aims at familiarising clients in KSA throughout the months of June and July. The BlackBerry PlayBook is a professional-grade tablet, delivering consumer-friendly experiences that redefine the possibilities of mobile computing. This ultra-portable tablet features a vivid 7-inch high-resolution display that is highly-responsive with a fluid touch screen experience.Read More…

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In: Feature Story, Hardware, News, Peripherals

Canon Middle East, an imaging solutions vendor, has reaffirmed a positive growth outlook for the remainder of 2011. Building on Canon’s “closer to customers” strategy, the vendor recently held Regional Partner Communications Meetings in Jordan for partners in the Levant and Egypt, and in Morocco for partners in Maghreb countries. The meetings aim to examine the impact of Canon’s regional strategy to enhance closer and stronger relations with partners, while discussing the company’s solid performance in the key growth areas of office and consumer products.
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In: Distributor Watch, Feature Story, News

Regional VAD for security products ComGuard, was recently recognised by its vendor partner Kaspersky Lab for its outstanding work and commitment during the year 2010 at an Emerging Markets Partner Conference held in CapeTown, South Africa. ComGuard was awarded the “Best Project of the Year: Best Governmental Deal of the Year Award” and the award recognised the ability of ComGuard to offer high standard of POC, Project Planning, implementation and technical support. Amir Mohsen Abedinifar, product manager of ComGuard also won the “Best KasperskyLab Champion Award” making him one of the only four recipients of the award among the 140 contestants hailing from the emerging markets across the globe.Read More…

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In: Feature Story, Networking, News

Ascom Wireless Solutions, a supplier of on-site wireless communications has expanded its global sales organisation to locally support customers in new geographic areas. This expansion is part of Ascom’s strategic plan to increase the indirect sales channel by partnering with new VARs and distributors in selected regions. Dennis Anderson, Vice President Global Sales, Ascom Wireless Solutions says: “We are accelerating our geographic expansion by leveraging our mission critical interactive wireless solutions in markets where we see strong growth and business opportunities. We are now increasing the number of our VARs, partners and alliances in the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Southern Europe.”
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Acer’s board of directors has agreed to take one-time action on recent findings of high channel inventory and disputed accounts receivable in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) operations. Acer will provide channels with US$150 million in sales allowance to clear inventory, which will result in operating loss of the same amount.

The move follows the replacement of former CEO and president Gianfranco Lanci two months ago prompting Acer to a company reorganisation. The new management team carried out internal audits of EMEA operations and discovered abnormalities in terms of channel inventory stored in freight forwarders’ warehouses, and in the accounts receivable from channels in Spain.
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In: Feature Story, News, SME, Software

Epicor Software Corporation, a global provider of business software solutions for manufacturing, distribution, retail and services organizations has revealed plans to expand and strengthen its channel programme in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a focus on adding more partners with value-added industry and market expertise to support the growing demand for its next-generation ERP solution. The “Saudi Arabia Information Technology Report Q1 2011” forecasts excellent growth opportunities with the value of KSA’s IT market to reach US $4.9 billion by 2014 from the forecast value of $3.6 billion in 2011. The report shows that the Saudi government continues to regard development of the country’s information communications technologies (ICT) industries as a national priority.
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In: Feature Story, IT Services, News

Accenture is enhancing its capabilitiesin the Middle East through a JV with Saudi Arabia-based Al Faisaliah Group (Al Faisaliah). The partnership has come about through the acquisition of a majority stake in Al FaisaliahBusiness & Technology Company (FBTC), an Al Faisaliah subsidiary. FBTC is a recognised ERP solution provider in Saudi Arabia and provides integrated business and technology services to a wide range of clients. Once the transaction is completed, Accenture’s position in the Middle East market will be strengthened by the combination of FBTC’s enterprise architecture, systems implementation and technology consulting skills, with Accenture’s broad management consulting, technology and outsourcing experience, industry depth, focus on innovation and global delivery capabilities.
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Brother International Gulf, provider of home and business IT peripherals, has praised Dubai Police and its Anti-Economic Crimes Unit for the excellent work they have rendered in the fight against the proliferation of counterfeit products in the UAE. Brother lauded the UAE law enforcement agency’s recent success in conducting a sting operation that resulted in the seizure of more than AED14 million (US$3.8million) worth of fake products of Brother Consumables and other multinational brands. To date, Brother has organised lectures and workshops showcasing actual samples of counterfeit and original products, which has helped the authorities in the fight against piracy.
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Eros Group, the sole distributor of world-renowned brands Samsung, Hitachi, Linksys, Candy & TCL has recently been awarded the Specialist Retail Distributor of the Year Award at the esteemed Middle East Retail Academy (MERA) 2011 Awards. The MERA Awards identify the best-in-class retailers and distributors in the region. A total of 30 awards were presented during the Gala Dinner, which took place in association with DCC MEA (Digital Consumer Channel – Middle East & Africa) in Fujairah, UAE.Read More…

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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, Green Technology

MTN Uganda recently launched its green initiative called “21 days of Y’llow Care”, with a focus on the United Nation’s Environmental Focus in declaring 2011 the ‘International Year of Forests’. The new initative plans to plant 21,000 trees in 21 days and help raise environmental awareness across the country. “Our programme this year kicks off today June 1 and will run until 21 June 2011 – thus the 21 Days. During these days there are five internationally recognized days related to the environment, which is very appropriate,” said, Themba Khumalo, CEO, MTN Uganda. A week after the tree planting launch, MTN staff will roll up their sleeves and join residents of Kawempe Division in a Waste Management and Recycling exercise that will involve ridding Kawempe of plastics waste. Read More…

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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, Networking, News

Motorola Solutions plans to expand its presence in Africa as the demand for for mission-critical communications, two-way radios and next-generation wireless networks increases in the continent. Earlier this year, Motorola split into two units: Motorola Mobility which houses the firm’s mobile and home units; and Motorola Solutions which addresses products targeted at the enterprise and government to Motorola Solutions. Africa, especially Nigeria is seeing an increase in the use of the latest digital two-way radio technology that provides entities – particularly the army and police, construction companies, manufacturing firms and oil and gas companies with clearer, more reliable communication and the necessary tools to improve functionality in the workplace.Read More…

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In: Africa Focus, Feature Story, Gaming, News

Corsair, one of the world’s top brands in the high-performance PC gaming arena, has appointed Corex as its South African distributor. Corsair markets its products in over sixty countries worldwide, primarily through leading distributors. Alan Spohr, Corsair product manager at Corex, says the vendor focuses on the same target markets as Corex. “This includes PC overclockers, enthusiasts and gamers, for whom Corsair is certainly the first choice. Corsair is not only recognised for its best-of-breed product, but is also renowned innovation and high-performance components in the gaming environment.”
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