Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 11 | Page 7

ISSUE 11 EDITOR’S COMMENT www.intelligenttechchannels.com PUBLICATION Intelligent briefings for Middle East and Africa channel partners PREPARING YOUR SYSTEMS FOR VAT Aaron White, Regional Director for Sage Middle East Five stages in an organisation’s cybersecurity maturity Channel security opportunities Cloud-based ERP fastest way to ensure VAT compliance LUSHEN PADAYACHI, HEAD RAY KAFITY, VICE PRESIDENT ARUN KHEHAR, SENIOR VP BT ATTIVO NETWORKS ORACLE EDITOR’S NOTE A s we enter the final stretch to Gitex Technology Week 2017, the regional IT industry looks all set to find the next launch pad to drive its business into 2018. Increasingly, vertical market enterprises have begun to test the waters with integrating their on-premises core business applications with other value-add and peripheral applications hosted in the cloud. These could be CRM, HCM and talent management, inventory management, field and service support, POS, fleet and logistics management, warehouse management. For Gitex Technology Week 2017 itself, the stage is set for the display of how converging technologies and disruptive business models will solve problems in daily lives and businesses. Gitex Technology Week 2017 will run under the theme Re-Imagining Realities: Discover, Transform and Innovate. The event’s vision showcases 17 specialist technologies, including blockchain, artificial intelligence, drones, robotics, 3D printing and the Internet of Things. With the global Smart Cities market set to grow seven-fold to $3.5 trillion by 2026, the new Global Smart Cities Hall will feature 150 public-sector organisations from around the world showcasing the latest innovations. Among the most innovative are from the UAE, thanks to Smart Dubai’s Smart Cities Managing Partner Richard Judd [email protected] vision and mission to make Dubai the happiest city on earth. Gitex Technology Week 2017 is helping to stream the sourcing process with Gitex Global Sourcing, which connects solution providers and vendors to buyers with sourcing needs. The new Gitex Future Stars will enable the world’s most innovative startups and entrepreneurs to find commercial investment and catalyse innovations. Startups will be able to use Gitex Technology Week to amplify their presence and reach a global audience of investors and partners to bring their solutions to market. Attendees will also have the opportunity to gain critical insight from more than 80 global practitioners in eight power conferences being held at Gitex Technology Week 2017. The eight verticals being tackled are Smart Cities, Healthcare, Digital Marketing, Finance, Retail, Transport and Logistics, Tech Leaders and Education. The Gitex Power Conferences have expanded to cover the latest advances, applications and case studies across eight industry verticals, featuring a fast-paced, highly-curated programme. As Supporting Media Partner, Intelligent Tech Channels will engage with exhibitors and conference speakers and bring you the best of thought leadership in the coming issues. See you there. Managing Partner Stuart Lynch [email protected] Editor, ITC Arun Shankar [email protected] Editor, ICIO Middle East Mark Bowen [email protected] Editor, ICIO Africa Emily Freer [email protected] Editor, ICIO Europe Alix Pressley [email protected] Business Development Manager Jubin Honarvar [email protected] [phone] Graphic Designer Pippa Sanderson [email protected] Marketing & Content Development Manager Nick Onyett [email protected] Lynchpin Media 2017 © Intelligent Tech Channels is a Lynchpin Media publication for IT professionals with an interest in the Middle East. If you wish to apply for regular free copies then please email [email protected] Lynchpin Media is a boutique publisher registered in the United Kingdom. Company number 8096230 5 Burnside Court Leominster Enterprise Park Herefordshire, HR6 0LX Arun Shankar 7