• Software AG’s webMethods SWIFT Module receives SWIFT’s highest level of certification for interoperability for the ninth year in a row
• Used by 9,500+ institutions in 210 countries, SWIFT is the global standard for secure and reliable financial messaging
• Software AG showcased its SWIFT-compliant solutions at SIBOS 2011, one of the world’s largest and most important financial services conferences and exhibitions

Marco Gerazounis - Senior Vice President, Software AG, Middle East

Dubai, UAE, September 22, 2011 - Software AG recently announced that it has been awarded SWIFTReady Financial EAI label for 2011 from the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), SWIFT’s highest level of certification for interoperability. More than 9,500 institutions in 210 countries rely on this stamp of approval to ensure reliable, secure and assured messaging between member institutions. This is the ninth year in a row that Software AG has received this certification. The announcement was made at SIBOS 2011, one of the world’s largest and most important financial services conferences and exhibitions, where Software AG had a presence.

Financial institutions around the world conduct critical business activities that require financial data communications and processing services with various third parties and need a flexible, adaptable and secure network to exchange information. With a certified SWIFT solution, Software AG is able to deliver to financial institutions integration and connectivity between their existing systems and the SWIFT network, allowing them to optimize business activities such as payments, securities, treasury, and trade services.

“We automate and improve key banking processes for some of the biggest banks in the world, servicing more than 500 financial services institutions globally, including payment and payment monitoring solutions,” said Dr. Wolfram Jost, Chief Technology Officer, Software AG. “We’re pleased to be recognized for our solutions and to receive the highest level of certification from SWIFT.”

“SWIFT solutions are invaluable to maintaining the vibrancy of the Middle East’s financial markets and the competitiveness of the region’s corporates. For the company to be honored at an event as prestigious as SIBOS, and for the 9th straight year at that, affirms the exceptional ability of Software AG solutions to support the financially-driven processes of organizations” said Marco Gerazounis - Senior Vice President, Software AG Middle East, North Africa & Turkey.

Software AG at SIBOS 2011:  At-a-Glance

SIBOS is one of the world’s largest forums designed to reach the entire financial services industry. As a strategic partner to this sector, Software AG showcased its capabilities and customer successes during the forum’s recent 2011 edition in Toronto, Canada, including:

Payments Process Automation Demo – illustrates Software AG’s Payments Monitoring solution which helps streamline payments processing time and also predicts and resolves potential transaction problems before they occur.

ATM Fraud Detection Demo – highlights an ATM fraud scenario using webMethods Business Events (Software AG’s new Complex Event Processing product) to identify event patterns and deliver a holistic view. webMethods Business Events performs continuous queries on the event streams, which are then evaluated on-the-fly ensuring predictable, traceable, repeatable and correct results every time.

Mafraq, Tawam and SKMC win plaudits at ceremony for projects improving healthcare excellence

Abu Dhabi, 16 August 2011

Group Image

SEHA, the Abu Dhabi Healthcare Services Company, recognized the healthcare providers under its ambit for projects to better healthcare delivery, in an awards ceremony held recently at Khalidya Palace. Mr. Carl Stanifer, CEO of SEHA, was at hand to present awards to winners in the Platinum, Gold and Silver categories.

The awards ceremony recognized transformational projects undertaken by SEHA’s hospitals and healthcare providers, awarding Platinum recognition to Mafraq for adopting the EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) model to improve healthcare delivery standards.

Tawam Hospital was awarded the Gold award for setting up a successful cultural paradigm shift in its surgical admissions process, while SKMC bagged the prize in the Silver category for its efforts in setting up a teaching hospital that encourages research and human capital development. 

Project submissions were evaluated through an assessment processed in line with American Society for Quality (ASQ) standards. Projects were ranked based on pre-defined Platinum, Gold and Silver award categories, and winners were chosen in each. Six panelists judged the submitted Transformational Events; the panel included 2 doctors from Zayed Military Hospital, a professor from FMHS/UAE University, 2 doctors from Dubai Health Authority, and a doctor from King Fahad Specialist Hospital and President of the ACHE-MENA. The first round saw 8 projects initially submitted, of which three were short-listed as potential winners.

“A transformational project significantly improves quality through a comprehensive ongoing approach to healthcare delivery excellence. It enhances service and has the potential to improve customer and stakeholder satisfaction through a cost effective alignment of people, process and technology,” Carl Stanifer, CEO, SEHA.
 
“A successful transformational project supports SEHA’s vision of world class healthcare, and facilitates our aim of offering safe, effective, patient-centered, efficient, equitable and measurable care for individual patients and populations,” he added.

“It was an outstanding idea by SEHA to engage their hospitals in the enhancement of excellence in patient care and other related areas. By involving healthcare providers and offering incentives, SEHA ensures they easily identify themselves with SEHA’s vision and mission. By giving the hospitals a chance to bring their own ideas for enhancing excellence, not only did own employees’ satisfaction improve, but there will also be a knock-on effect that will enhance patient satisfaction. Not just that, but productivity at hospitals will also increase by letting them implement their own initiatives” Ruth D Langer MD PhD- Professor of Radiology, Vice Dean of the FMHS

Projects were awarded on the criteria of being systematic, well developed and fact based, well deployed, effective, innovative, sustainable and replicable. The last criteria measures whether the project could be implemented in other settings to yield similar benefits, or be submitted for publication in a peer reviewed journal.

“I was delighted to see the professional yet friendly competition among hospitals, which is seldom seen in the region these days. We are confident that other healthcare institutes and organizations in the GCC will follow SEHA’s initiatives and best practices,” said Dr.Khalid Shukri- President American College Healthcare Executives Middle East and North Africa (ACHE-MENA), Saudi Arabia.
 
 “SEHA is playing a unique role in managing the public health sector of Abu Dhabi Emirate through partnerships with recognized international companies to facilitate international healthcare standards within SEHA’s hospitals,” said Shamsa Al Mehairi, Excellence Project Lead, SEHA.

“We are looking to implement knowledge transfer events to ensure everyone can benefit from shared expertise, and that innovative solutions by a healthcare provider can be transferred elsewhere to benefit the entire system. The awards ceremony was part of this strategy of knowledge sharing, fostering healthy competition between healthcare service providers to collectively reach a world class level of service excellence in healthcare,” she concluded.

Hamad Abdullah Al Mutawah

RAK Ceramics, the world’s largest ceramic tiles & bathware manufacturing company, has announced that the Government of Japan has awarded the prestigious ‘Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon’ to Hamad Abdullah Al Mutawah, Managing Director of RAK Ceramics, in recognition of his efforts in promoting stronger relations between the UAE and Japan in the field of agriculture and fisheries. Awarded in the name of the Japanese Emperor, the Order of the Rising Sun is Japan’s oldest national decoration established in 1875.

Al Mutawah, who previously served as Undersecretary of the UAE Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, is a prominent business leader in the UAE and has been an active organiser and supporter of community-oriented activities in Ras Al Khaimah and all over the country. The award validates Al Mutawah’s passion for service and echoes RAK Ceramics’ commitment to promote strong bilateral relations with other countries in line with its global expansion strategy.

RAK Ceramics is a USD 1 billion global conglomerate in the ceramic industry, offering a product portfolio comprising over 8,000 designs in ceramic tiles, Gres Porcellanato, and several models in bathware. RAK Ceramics is also founding member of Emirates Green Building Council, which supports the development of sustainable buildings in UAE.

Device Manufacturer of the Year Award Is Industry’s Top Global Honor

BARCELONA, SPAIN – 21 February, 2011 – HTC Corporation, a global designer of smartphones, has been honored last week with the highest industry honor as ‘Device Manufacturer of the Year’ by the GSMA at its Global Mobile Awards ceremony in Barcelona.  The award follows a year of global momentum for HTC, which saw the launch of a large portfolio of industry leading smartphones such as the HTC Desire. HTC was awarded from a list of three finalists that included Apple and Samsung.

“For HTC to be recognized by the industry in this way for the growth and success we have experienced in the last year is truly humbling.  Thousands of people at HTC work tirelessly to create the intuitive and deeply personal smartphone experiences for which we have become known. This award is a measure of their passion and dedication,” said Peter Chou, CEO of HTC Corporation.  “This award also belongs to the tens of millions of customers around the world who enjoy our phones and inspire us each day to create new innovative experiences. To those people, to our partners around the world and to the HTC family, you have my sincere thanks and congratulations.”

The GSMA judges commented, “this company (HTC) has built its market presence from nowhere, with fresh branding and marketing and a strong portfolio of devices across many platforms. In particular, it has proven an exceptionally popular and enduring phone manufacturer. With great communication and good customer service, this is a well-deserved award.”

HTC previously was awarded for the ‘Best Mobile Phone of 2010’ with the HTC Hero.

A committee of judges that include industry analysts and consultants, mobile operators, educators and other industry leaders determines the GSMA Awards.  For more information on the 2011 GSMA Global Mobile awards please visit - http://www.globalmobileawards.com

Summit discusses issues affecting the future of capital markets in the Middle East

December 21, 2010

Malek Kanawati

Direct Broker for Financial Services (Mubasher), the premier leader of e-trading and a subsidiary of National Technology Group (NTG), has announced that it has recently been adjudged the “Best Broker in the UAE” during Global Investor’s “The Future of the Capital Markets in the Middle East Summit and Awards” held recently in Dubai. The award reaffirmed Mubasher’s leadership in the UAE market and the success of its portfolio of products and services in addressing the evolving requirements of its customers in the country and the rest of the Middle East.

Mubasher was recognised along with winners from Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Oman, Qatar and Jordan during the ceremony, which was attended by prominent personalities and representatives of leading institutions in the Middle East capital markets. The award ceremony was followed by a series of panel discussions looking at the future of the capital markets in the region.

Malik Kanawati, CEO for Mubasher Financial Services, said: “Mubasher’s ability to deliver superior, technology-based products and services has been a key factor in strengthening our presence in the UAE market. Moreover, we have always been a customer-oriented and quality-focused company, a long-term commitment that has been embedded in our core business strategy. We are grateful that the Global Investor Awards has recognised our efforts and our passion to offer best-of-breed solutions to our clients. This milestone will definitely motivate us to continue to develop innovative and premium-quality products and services and to maintain our leadership in the UAE market.”

Mubasher’s services and products, including its new facilities, are available throughout the Arab World, delivering real-time information from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar as well as international capital markets.

Mubasher DBFS is a subsidiary of “Mubasher Financial Services” that offers direct market access (DMA) to Middle Eastern and leading International stock markets through a single trading hub. The company supports both electronic and manual Straight-Through-Processing order execution on multiple markets including GCC, Northern Levant countries, South East Asian Markets, and US markets. The company pioneered online trading in the UAE and has established itself as the broker that meets the needs of all types of traders, through a multitude of trading platforms, dealer assisted order placing, research, and a dedicated relationship manager. Mubasher Financial Services is a subsidiary of National Technology Group (NTG). For more information, please visit www.mubashertrade.com.

Dubai – U.A.E, December 1st, 2010 - Emirates Printing Press (EPP), the leading and high quality printing house in the United Arab Emirates, today announced its recent win of the prestigious Elephant Trophy at the Sappi International Printers of the Year awards, as well as a collection of gold, silver and bronze prizes at this year’s Sappi European Printers of the Year awards in Prague.

EPP claimed the coveted Elephant trophy at the Sappi International Printers of the Year awards as global recognition of its printing excellence in the Magazines Web category. Earlier this year EPP also received a gold award in the Magazines Web category; two silver awards were given in the Magazine Web and Books category; and two bronze awards in the Brochures category and the Magazines Sheetfed category at the Sappi European Printers of the Year awards.

Mr. Mohamed Al Shirawi, Chief Executive Officer, EPP commented: “It is a great honor to be ranked world’s best among the top printing presses around the globe. You can’t be the best without putting in your best effort and this is something that EPP has consistently managed.”

EPP is one of the largest printers in the UAE, and remains the leading printer of magazines, books, catalogues, brochures, annual reports, directories in the country for all leading local and international publishers, with print runs in excess of 200 million pages per month. EPP also caters to various airlines in the region, such as Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, to name a few.

“We are based in the Gulf and we rely on other regions for everything except energy.” said Mr. Samuel Natarajan Executive Director, EPP. “As such, we need to be the best in everything to ensure the survival and long term success of our company.”

The award was presented to Mr. Mohamed Al Shirawi, Chief Executive Officer, EPP and Mr Samuel Natarajan, Executive Dicrector, EPP by Mr Barry Wiersum, CEO of Sappi Fine paper Europe, at the celebration held at the Grand Hayatt Dubai on Tuesday 30th November 2010.

The Sappi International Printers of the year Awards have been considered as the Oscars of the printing industry, contested by over 700 printing companies from around the globe.

EPP is the leading high quality press in the United Arabic region and was the first to utilize techniques such as UV varnish, UV printing, waterless printing, sheet fed Gravure printing and various finishing techniques. EPP also produces luxury packaging cartons for perfumes, chocolates and food products.

Dubai – December 1, 2010
 

Jean-Michel Cornille

Alstom Grid has been awarded a €13 million order by the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) in Kuwait for the modification of the Jahra District Control Center, to implement Alstom Grid’s advanced IDMS, “integrated Distribution Management Solution”. During the course of the project, Alstom Grid will also provide a comprehensive set of support services to MEW, relying on the long established partnership between the two companies.

In addition to expertise and support, this project will bring to the country a state-of-the-art Energy Management and Distribution System, with latest features of Alstom Grid’s e-terra solution suite. It will become a foundation for a full integration of Smart Grid applications to support Kuwait’s need for greater grid efficiency and reliability.

The project is based on Alstom Grid’s e-terraplatform and e-terradistribution grid management solutions. These suites of applications are developed to meet the operational needs of dispatchers and network operators, and are at the heart of the Energy Management System (EMS) for electrical networks. Alstom Grid has the largest EMS installed base managing more than 60% of the energy flow in the Near & Middle East region.

Mr. Ali Al-Wazzan, Assistant Under Secretary (AUS) for Supervisory Control Centres and Information System & Supervision and acting AUS for Transmission & Electrical Networks said, “We are impressed by the pro-active way Alstom Grid went about convincing us with the merits of their recommendation and their smart grid-ready solution to increase the efficiency of our network.  This is a major step forward in our strategic collaboration with Alstom.”

Jean-Michel Cornille, Senior Vice President for Alstom Grid’s Automation Business commented, “We are delighted by MEW’s renewed confidence in Alstom Grid’s leadership in Smart Grid-ready management solutions that respond to fast changing industry challenges for greater grid efficiency, reliability, stability and integration of renewable energy sources into the grid.  We look forward to our ever expanding cooperation.”

Project completion is due by September 2013.

Mai Youssef

Canon Middle East, a world-leading innovator and provider of imaging solutions for businesses and consumers, has announced that Canon Emirates has recently been awarded the ISO14001, the international standard for environmental management system certificate. Canon Emirates joins more than 700 certified Canon sites worldwide and likewise becomes part of the ISO 14001 Global Certification Programme of Canon Europe, which also includes the new sites in Turkey, Spain, Italy and Germany.

Canon Emirates successfully passed the audit conducted by SGS to secure the certification and will be undergoing internal and external audits annually as part of the certification process.

Mai Youssef, Corporate Communications Manager, Canon Middle East, said: “This is a major environmental achievement and a unique attainment. The certification clearly demonstrates our environmental focus and our commitment to continuously improve our environmental performance as it confirms that our environmental policies, objectives and activities conform to the environmental management system. We owe it to our customers, investors, partners and stakeholders to improve our environmental performance as part of our corporate social responsibility. Moreover, the ISO14001 certification is essential in doing business across the EMEA region as it adds greater value to our products and services.”

Company’s sanitaryware to contribute to reducing flush water usage in line with environment conservation objectives prescribed in Australia’s WELS scheme 

October 25, 2010

RAK Ceramics, the world’s largest ceramic tiles & sanitaryware manufacturing company, has announced that the National Association of Testing Authorities - Australia (NATA) has awarded an accreditation in the field of mechanical testing to the ‘RAK Ceramics Sanitaryware Testing Laboratory’. The accreditation is granted for the laboratory’s compliance with the NATA accreditation requirements that include ISO/IEC 17025 and further demonstrates the technical competence of ‘RAK Ceramics Sanitaryware Testing Laboratory’ to perform specific tests and operate in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025. The certificate was officially presented to Dr. Khater Massaad, CEO of RAK Ceramics, recently.

Commenting on the accreditation, Dr. Khater Massaad said, “The NATA certification is a mandatory prerequisite that companies need to meet prior to offering its sanitaryware products in Australia, which RAK Ceramics regards as a high potential market. This accreditation officially confirms that the quality of our products and our testing methods fully meet Australian standards, especially with regard to water conservation, thus reinforcing our long standing commitment to the highest levels of quality and efficiency. This certification also reaffirms and strengthens RAK Ceramics’ brand image in the Australian market where we look to consolidate our presence.”     

The NATA accreditation also confirms that RAK Ceramics’ sanitaryware is equipped with a system to reduce flush water usage, which in turn helps in environmental conservation and adheres to the requirements of Australia’s Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme.

Earlier this year, KLUDI RAK, a joint venture between RAK Ceramics and German manufacturer KLUDI, launched water-saving faucets to complement water conservation efforts in the Middle East region. A key component of KLUDI RAK’s water-saving system is the Pressure Compensating Aerator, which ensures constant flow of water even in cases when water pressure is increased or fluctuates. KLUDI RAK has also developed a new Flow Regulator, which maintains a defined flow rate regardless of pressure variation of the supply line.
 
NATA is the authority responsible for the accreditation of laboratories, inspection bodies, calibration services, producers of certified reference materials and proficiency testing scheme providers throughout Australia. Established in 1947, NATA is the world’s first comprehensive laboratory accreditation body, and is still one of the largest. More than 3000 facilities in Australia and around 50 other economies are NATA members.
 
RAK Ceramics is a USD 1 billion global conglomerate in the ceramic industry that exports its products to over 150 countries, targeting architects, project developers and retail customers. RAK Ceramics has also been recently conferred the SuperBrand 2010 Award and continues to be a global pioneer in the world of ceramics. RAK Ceramics is also founding member of Emirates Green Building Council, which supports the development of sustainable buildings in UAE.

Dubai, UAE:  A million possibilities to enjoy endless rewards await one lucky Cardholder of the recently launched exclusive Gold Air Miles Card, for being the first winner of the One Million Air Miles monthly prize draw.

Air Miles Middle East, the region’s leading coalition loyalty programme, together with HSBC, are offering endless ways to reward the July Air Miles millionaire. The reward possibilities for a million Air Miles are endless!  From a first class, luxurious getaway to Mauritius, living like a king in New York, or taking in the amazing views of Sydney Opera House from your penthouse suite!

When speaking to the lucky winner, he said “This is Fantastic news. Air Miles really is an amazing and excellent loyalty programme and I’m very happy that I have won a million Air Miles. I am most definitely looking forward to redeeming the miles and enjoying the benefits”.

The draw is free to enter for any Cardholder who simply uses both their HSBC Premier Credit Card and new Gold Air Miles Card at any of over 2,000 participating outlets in the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain. Air Miles and HSBC are giving away a million Air Miles every month until December, so there are more chances for members to win coming soon!

“Through our partnership with HSBC, the recent launch of the exclusive Gold Air Miles Card signifies our aim to provide Premier Cardholders with excellent rewards and an unparalleled shopping experience by enabling them to earn twice as many Miles every time they use their Gold Card with their HSBC Premier Credit Cards,” said Fiona Jackson, Marketing Director, Air Miles Middle East said.

“Through the Gold Air Miles Card, Premier members not only get to enjoy 10% discount on rewards, and win a million Air Miles every month, but they also have access to the UAE’s best travel rewards! They can fly any airline, anytime for free thanks to HSBC”she added.

All Premier Credit Cardholders increase their chances of becoming the next Air Miles millionaire every time they swipe their HSBC Premier Card along with their Gold Air Miles Card, giving them twice the Miles. Furthermore, a monthly spend of over AED4,000 entitles  customers to earn 50% bonus miles or AED1.5 Miles for every AED1 spent using both the HSBC and Gold Air Miles cards.

For more details, visit: www.airmilesme.com/premier.