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In: Enterprise, Features, News

LINKdotNET, an ISP, has announced the launch of LINK Conferencing, the first managed audio and video conferencing service in Egypt, in cooperation with FVC, the regional distributor for Polycom, a unified collaboration solutions vendor. Through this cooperation, customers now will be able to conduct online conferences and international meetings. The service, which was recently launched during the Cairo ICT 2011, will provide enterprises in Egypt with the possibility of conducting meetings, allowing multiple parties in different locations to conference in a fully immersive experience through Polycom’s wide range of video conferencing solutions.
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In: Features, News, Storage

To help customers improve the speed, efficiency, and simplicity of their backup and recovery operations, CommVault has entered into a global OEM agreement with NetApp under which NetApp will integrate elements of CommVault’s Simpana 9 software with NetApp SnapShot and replication technology, under the NetApp SnapProtect brand. NetApp SnapProtect software is based on an OEM version of Simpana software and close integration with NetApp SnapVault and SnapMirror transforms how companies can efficiently protect, manage and access enterprise data across all tiers of storage.
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In: Features, Green Technology, News

GEMS Education is spearheading an e-waste collection campaign in 16 of its schools to mark World Environment Day. GEMS has partnered with Dubai based company, Enviroserve. Each of the participating schools have collected hundreds of used electronic items including: computers, laptops, mobile phones, digital cameras, printers, scanners through their collection centres in the school campus. Enviroserve, which specialises in e-waste management solutions, will recondition, where possible, the collected electronic items or send them to accredited refineries overseas. The three schools that collect the largest amount of e-waste will receive prizes and a recognition plaque from Enviroserve.Read More…

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In: Distributor Watch, Features, News, Software

Avnet Technology Solutions, a VAD in the Middle East and Africa region recently held a special training programme called “HP Software Academy” in association with HP to educate its Preferred Partners in Jeddah and Riyadh in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Emad Aboukhater, channel manager for HP Software Solutions at Avnet Technology Solutions says the HP Software Academy is an initiative designed specifically to inform partners about the vendor’s software portfolio and increase awareness about the benefits of key software products and solutions offered by it.
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In: Features, News

Regional VAD FVC, in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has announced that Yakob Kafina is its new GM for its operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Kafina will spearhead FVC’s continuing expansion in the Kingdom.
Before joining FVC, Kafina worked as director with Jeraisy Computer Services, one of the top three system integrators in KSA. During his 25-year IT career, he has worked with some of the leading vendors in emerging technologies including unified communications, security and networking, successfully integrating them into major government and private sector projects.Read More…

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In: Africa Focus, Features, News

Technology powerhouse HP has maintained its top position in the East African PC market, with shipment growth of 46% year on year, supported by strong commercial demand and improved run-rates during Q1 2011. The vendor remained very strong in the Kenya market but continued to struggle in Ethiopia and Uganda. Rival Dell came a close second in Q1, with more than 600% year-on-year growth, after an aggressive channel recruitment and revamped drive from mid-2010. Dell continued to benefit more than other vendors from the shift from the grey market to official channels, especially in Ethiopia and Uganda, where desktop sales increased significantly. Taiwanese headquartered vendor Acer was third in East Africa in Q1, with 200% year-on-year growth, mainly thanks to deals in the telecommunications space. This channel is expected to continue growing as telcos explore data services to supplement dwindling voice revenues.
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In: Features, Hardware, Networking, News, Peripherals, Security, Storage

ASBIS Enterprises, an expert in IT distribution in the EMEA emerging markets, has been appointed as a distributor by Netgear, a global provider of technologically advanced networking products. The distribution agreement covers all 26 countries that ASBIS addresses in the EMEA region. ASBIS will be offering Netgear’s complete range of products for end-users, business customers and service providers, including solutions for wireless, storage, security, web/email security, routers, firewalls and switches.
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In: Features, Hardware, News, Peripherals

Schneider Electric has signed an agreement to acquire a 74% equity in Luminous Power Technologies, a provider of inverters, UPS and power storage systems in the Indian market. Luminous is a player in the €800 million Indian inverter and power storage market that is growing at more than 20% a year. The company has a strong presence in India and has a workforce of 3000 employees in eight different industrial sites in India and one in China. With Luminous, Schneider Electric will become the leader in the Indian inverters and secured power market and gain access to a complementary retail network.
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In: Africa Focus, Enterprise, Features, IT Services, News, SI Watch

Already recognised as a provider of infrastructure as a service from its Africa-leading data centres, South Africa-based SI Business Connexion has announced a new relationship, which sees it growing its presence in the SaaS environment. The SI has partnered with SIPCOM and is ready to deliver Microsoft-based communication and collaboration solutions, including Exchange, Lync with full Enterprise capabilities, and SharePoint, on the SaaS model. That’s because SaaS services are rapidly configurable, come at a low cost and provide flexibility to adapt to changing business circumstances. Business Connexion’s infrastructure as a service provides the same advantages for ‘hardware’-based services, such as computing power and storage capacity. Read More…

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In: Africa Focus, Features, News, SME, Software

The Sage Group, a global business management software provider recently held a global online conference under the theme “Modernising ERP – A Vision for Growth,” to reinforce its strategy for Sage ERP X3, its business application suite for the midmarket. Guy Berruyer, CEO, Sage outlined his strategic plan for Sage’s growth in the upper midmarket, and reaffirmed Sage’s commitment to Sage ERP X3 as its flagship global ERP solution. New customers, partners and an enhanced solution have helped Sage ERP X3 achieve double digit revenue growth.Read More…

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In: Africa Focus, Features, Hardware, News, Peripherals

“The electricity crisis has severely compromised key growth sectors.” This statement regarding power cuts in South Africa was reported by Bloomberg in August 2009. Jacques Liebenberg, product manager for Eaton Power Quality, AxizWorkgroup, said “Although South Africa is currently experiencing fewer power cuts, companies should still ensure they have a continuous power supply solution. By establishing an infrastructure that allows business continuation despite power cuts, power surges and blackouts as a result of lightning storms or base station malfunction, customers are able to minimise the negative effects on their operations.”
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In: Features, News, Telecom

Etisalat was crowned the Arab world’s “Telecommunications Leader” at the Arab Achievement Awards held recently in Abu Dhabi. Etisalat continues to provide the best in class communications services in all countries of its operations it was the first to introduce new and advanced communications technologies in the UAE in addition to introducing the first third and fourth generation mobile networks in the Middle East and Africa.Read More…