Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 15 | Page 26

REGIONAL CHANNELS electronic content management systems, telecommunications infrastructure, and security solutions ranging from integrated perimeter security ground radar, sensors, thermal imaging and video surveillance to access control and video analytics. Technology Partners’ currently employs over 80 information technology and telecommunications professionals across the Middle East and North Africa region. Formed in 1997, Technology Partners has been focused on delivering the MENA region’s most complex telecommunications and Smart Grid infrastructure and services projects. The company started as a professional consultancy offering international start- ups a foothold in the Middle East. In 2003, the company expanded to take an active role in the reconstruction of critical IT and telecommunications infrastructure in the country of Iraq to help facilitate its progression into a new era of economic and social freedom. Technology Partners Iraq Since 2003, Technology Partners has taken an active role in ICT construction projects for Iraq Government entities such as the Prime Minister’s Office, the Ministries of Oil, Electricity and Communications. Technology Partners Iraq operates from offices in Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra. In 2008, Technology Partners became the country’s first Microsoft Gold Partner and was awarded Iraq’s first certified Cisco Silver Partnership in 2009. In 2012, Technology Partners became the first SAP Gold Partner in Iraq. Technology Partners represents SAP in the Region and also delivers ERP solutions across these target industries, and established partnerships with Dell EMC, Oracle, and other world- class vendors complete the portfolio. It is able to offer both in-country and out-of-country accreditation training for many of these companies. The Iraqi employee base consists entirely of Iraqi nationals who are all able to operate throughout the country. Technology Partners’ primary activities are centred on industry-focused business 26 According to Frost & Sullivan, the Iraqi oil and gas sector will attract 21% of the external trillion- dollar investment over the next ten years. units: utility smart grid solutions, local and federal government software, security and digital city solutions, the oil and gas industry, with a specific focus on the Iraq oil and gas sector, and telecommunications infrastructure and software solutions for regional GSM operators, telecommunications and service providers. Technology Partners’ Smart Grid solutions encompass the entire utility value chain, from consumer meter reading, to delivery, provisioning and integration of backend software for meter data management, customer care and billing systems. Technology Partners’ security solutions extends from municipal video surveillance to sophisticated perimeter protection of sensitive areas utilising integrated ground radar, activity- triggered sensors, thermal imagers and video analytics, provided, if required, through its US ITAR-registered subsidiary, Technology Partners Federal Systems. The Iraq oil and gas sector are currently going through very rapid expansion, as joint ventures with the Iraq regional oil companies are expanding operations to meet Iraq’s aggressive oil production targets from the current 2.1 million barrels per day, to a targeted 8–12 million bpd by 2017. Technology Partners is assisting in this growth by providing a broad range of critical communications and security infrastructure: Core green field communications infrastructure across the oil field sites is required to deliver everything from field camp life support systems to digital oil field real time process control and state-of- the-art security systems, which requires a multi-layered, multi-technology, converged network approach that encompasses fibre and copper cabling, WiFi, WiMAX and microwave wireless technologies, and high capacity VSAT and fibre backhaul. SAP ERP is the preferred back office solution for the world’s major oil companies. Technology Partners is the only SAP Gold Partner with the ability to deploy, integrate, support and maintain SAP solutions in Iraq. Technology Partners has been selected by the Iraq Ministry of Oil to deploy its ERP system nationwide. Security systems are mission critical to Iraq oil field operations. Technology Partners leverages the convergence of communications technology with the latest security applications and products. It delivers integrated solutions as diverse as pipeline intrusion detection systems, video surveillance and access control, ground radar, thermal imaging, PA GA systems, and ground and air data and voice communications. Projects in Iraq Ÿ Ÿ During 2011 and 2012 Technology Partners completed three ICT Issue 15 INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS