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Middle East Businesses Increasing Business Agility And Performance Through Cloud Computing
Published Sep 11, 2011
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Middle East companies, both large and small, are shifting even further towards cloud computing, as virtualisation continues to surge in popularity among key decision-makers.
In a recent survey by Sandhill, “Business Strategy for Software Executives”, out of 500 respondents, 50 percent cited business agility as their primary reason for adopting cloud applications. In another study conducted by InformationWeek, over 65 percent indicated that an important driver for cloud computing is responding faster to business. The Middle East and Africa region is also seeing substantial growth and investment in the areas of system infrastructure services and application services to cater to the increasing shift towards cloud computing.
This year’s GITEX Cloud Confex, the only dedicated cloud event in the region, will build upon the enormously successful inaugural conference in 2010, and examine the most important trends and issues facing the developing landscape of cloud and virtualisation. The two day conference will focus on cloud-related services such as accepting cloud as a reliable platform for business in the Middle East; the drive towards governance, regulation and compliance of core cloud; cloud for marketing resourcefulness; key risk issues when contracting for cloud services; and many other areas of critical focus.
“Cloud computing is one of the primary topics of the region’s ICT agenda and its components have been both celebrated and debated,” said Trixee Loh, SVP, Dubai World Trade Centre, organiser of the event. “Cloud is a rapidly evolving technology with a surge of new vendors and concepts which will take cloud-using organisations to a whole new level of efficiency. The 2011 GITEX Cloud Confex offers attendees the opportunity to hear from experts and world-class leaders on cutting edge trends and offerings in the cloud arena to help facilitate that growth and development”.
Speakers at the event include Steve Dietch, VP of Cloud Solutions and Infrastructure for HP Enterprise Business who will deliver a keynote presentation on ‘Building an Instant-On Business with Cloud Computing.’
“GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK is a valuable event that brings all the major cloud computing players together, where companies can connect with people working in the technology industry across the Middle East,” said Dietch. “HP is delighted to participate in this conference and share our experiences in helping customers get tangible results from cloud including speeding innovation and time to revenue.”
With cloud security and privacy a significant concern for businesses, GITEX Cloud Confex presents a panel discussion on strategies to leverage cloud computing in a secure manner with panelists Illyas Kookiyankal, Chief Security Officer for Abu Dhabi Exchange; Arthur Baumann, VP International Sales, Avira GmbH; Sajid Lokhandwala, SVP of IT, Emirates NBD; Cyril Voisin, Chief Cloud and Security Advisor for Microsoft; and Jan Wildeboar, EMEA Open Source Evangelist, Red Hat.
“Aside from performance and other aspects of cloud computing, the most important challenge faced by organisations is the potential security risk,” said Kookiyankal. “As with any new technology, the skill is in leveraging the benefits from cloud with effective management of security issues. Concerns associated with protection of proprietary sensitive data can stop critical organisations from adopting cloud. At GITEX Cloud Confex, we will share our knowledge and expertise in the field, which could help alleviate these concerns.”
The conference, running from 10-11 October in Sheikh Maktoum Hall, Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, will consist of a variety of intelligent and topical presentations, case studies that provide transferrable lessons and panel discussions that attendees will find invaluable in evolving their IT ecosystem.
Supported by Diamond Sponsor HP, Platinum Sponsors EMC and Huawei, Gold Sponsors Etisalat, F5 and Intel, and Silver Sponsors Citrix, Microsoft and WYSE, the latest submissions of cutting-edge trends and evaluation of critical issues from Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, Al Futtaim, Dubal, Emirates NBD, Jumeirah Group, Redhat and many more, make the GITEX Cloud Confex a must-attend event.
Following three decades of continued modernisation, GITEX TECHNOLOGY WEEK will this year further evolve and re-invent offering new features which reflect regional and global trends, offering new highlights to exhibitors and attendees alike.
The 2011 GITEX Global Conference programme continues to evolve as an integrated business symposium with unprecedented levels of knowledge exchange and focused networking opportunities. Alongside the GITEX Cloud Confex, the Global Conference agenda explores technology trends with a powerful combination of leading conferences including: Global Leaders Summit, with this year’s theme of innovation and Leadership and the unrivalled GITEX Telecomms Symposium which will bring together the leading international and regional authorities for insights into the ever-evolving and telecommunications industry.
GITEX 2011, taking place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 9 - 13 October, is introducing brand new elements to reinforce its position as the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA) region's leading 'finger on the pulse' technology event. As one of the three largest ICT exhibitions in the world, the show connects more than 136,000 industry professionals from five continents with over 3,500 suppliers, and is one of the most influential and high-profile events in the global ICT sector today.
For more information, please contact:
Abhijit Pradhan
Feras Hamzah
Wallis Marketing Consultants
Tel: +971 (0)4390 1950
Email: Gitex@wallis-mc.com
Kurt Parry
PR Manager
Dubai World Trade Centre
Tel: (+9714) 308 6124
Email: Kurt.parry@dwtc.com
Posted by
VMD - [Virtual Marketing Department]
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