Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 31 | Page 39

A PUBLICATION Providing Unparalleled Technology Intelligence ISSUE 31 // www.intelligentcio.com Global Cooling Partner Intelligent Education Partner Intelligent Cabling Partner Intelligent Research Partner Intelligent Security Partner Intelligent Supporting Partner Intelligent Software Partner Intelligent Data Security Partner Intelligent Manufacturing Partner Intelligent Energy Partner Intelligent POE Partner Productivity enhanced Automative parts producer employs ERP to increase efficiency of planning and reduce waste. Digital transformation Kuwait is adopting digital platforms to enable future innovations. SDN adoption A monumental shift in how networks are managed. Banking on performance Leading bank leverages storage solution for round- the-clock data availability and a high level of data protection. The system supports rapid data growth and leads to significant savings. IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS | LATEST INTELLIGENCE | REGIONAL IMPLEMENTATIONS EDITOR’S NOTE H ello and welcome to the latest edition of Intelligent CIO. This edition’s cover story looks at how Kuwait Finance House, a leading financial institution in the Middle East, has selected Dell EMC’s Data Protection Solution to ensure high data availability and recovery. By deploying this solution at its major data centres, KFH is migrating its traditional data protection system to switch over to a tapeless backup system, reducing its exposure to the risk of data loss. This solution will provide simplicity, cost optimisation and address risks, compliance and data sovereignty concerns associated with any potential data loss due to tape- centric issues. Srood Sherif, Group Chief Information Officer at KFH, said: “Data Protection solutions by Dell EMC helps ensure that our present storage infrastructure not only facilitates round-the- clock data availability but also extends a high level of data protection and recovery at the speed of our business.” We also discover how an industry leading UAE producer of automative parts decided to implement Epicor ERP. The result for the industry leading Dolphin Group has been more efficient production schedules, increased visibility of costs and real time operational insights. Arshid Zab, IT Manager at Dolphin Group, told us that previously the company would accept orders before realising www.intelligentcio.com there was insufficient stock for completion or a lack of manpower to get the job done. Fortunately, this has changed with an improvement in day-to-day decision making and a platform established for future growth. Zab told us: “We are now able to capture all manufacturing data accurately and in real time. The cumulative effect has been a marked improvement in product quality, employee efficiency, OTD and a substantial reduction in material waste and costs.” This edition’s country focus takes a look at the process of digital transformation in Kuwait. The different sectors operating in the country are moving to digital platforms that will make innovations possible such as smart buildings, autonomous vehicles, digital banking services, geo-location-based shopping offers and smart ports. represent a monumental shift in how networks are managed. With SDN an important enabling technology for the digital workplace, we find out how it enables a network infrastructure that is more reliable, agile and cost-efficient than legacy networks, making it ideal for today’s cloud and mobile era. As Mohammed Al-Moneer, Regional Director, MENA at A10 Networks, tells us: “The underlying premise of SDN appears compelling in terms of reducing equipment costs in the core, reduced complexity and improved control and transparency.” We also have all the usual features and latest news. Enjoy the read! The good news is the that the growth of Kuwait’s economy has had a positive impact on the country’s IT market with substantial expansion expected in the forthcoming years and the software market predicted to enjoy especially strong success. No surprise than that every industry vertical in Kuwait is set to undergo digital transformation with data at the heart of projects such as the deployment of digital oilfields, which creates a focus on full automation and control of onshore oil wells and pumps. We also take an in-depth look into how Software Defined Networks (SDN) INTELLIGENTCIO 39