Latest wireless network-capable MFC series delivers high competency and convenience with superior technologies and capabilities

November 17, 2011

Brother Gulf, a leader in home and business IT peripherals that focuses on the ‘Customer-First’ approach, is looking to reinforce its Middle East market leadership with the launch of a new range of A3 and A4 inkjet printers at this year’s Channel Partners Meet, which was held yesterday (November 16, 2011) at The Armani Ballroom, Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The guest-of-honor for the evening’s event was Yuji Furukawa, Representative Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer, Brother and was joined by other senior officials of the company. In his keynote address, Furukawa detailed Brother’s roadmap and channel strategy for the UAE and also talked about the new products and their engaging new features. Aside from the launch, another highlight for the evening was the ‘Dealer and Power Retail Awards,’ which aimed at recognizing the significant contributions made by Brother’s channel partners in the region. Adding excitement to the event were the exclusive spot offers on Brother products given to guests present at the affair.

The new range of Multi Function Centre (MFC) inkjet printers launched that evening included the MFC -J6510DW (A3), MFC - J6910DW (A3), MFC – J430W (A4), MFC – J625DW (A4) and the MFC – J825DW (A4). The Channel Meet also served as the launch pad for ‘Brother AR,’ the company’s new 3D Mobile Augmented Reality (AR) Application for Printer and MFC series. The new offering is the first of its kind AR application specially designed to experience printers and MFCs at a more interactive level. Installing the free application will allow customers to point their mobile devices at the inkjet Multi-Function Centre series creative visual such as the print advertisement or the brochure to see the features animated. This application can be viewed via the ‘junaio’ plug-in and is made possible by leveraging on the highly advanced technology capabilities of known AR experts, ‘metaio’ (www.metaio.com) and Dante Technologies. The free application will also give users the advantage of learning more about Brother products before making actual purchase decisions.

“The UAE is currently witness to a lot of growth and development across all industry verticals and we are proud to have been a major part of all this growth, helping position the country, Dubai in particular, as the commercial capital of the Middle East,” said Yuji Furukawa, Representative Director and Senior Managing Executive Officer, Brother. “Brother has always been at the forefront of innovation, from inventing the world’s first mono laser multi-function centers in 1995 to the world’s first inkjet multi-function center, which can print, scan, copy and fax in A3 format. Our move to understand the demands of the market and develop printing solutions and products has even led to the release of the first tri-lingual label printer, which can print in English, Arabic and Persian.” 

Utilizing the five new MFCs can help key in savings of up to 50 percent in paper cost with Brother’s automatic double-sided printing, and be more time-efficient with the Automatic Document Feeder (ADF), which allows users to scan, copy and fax multiple pages at one time. The machines are also efficient with high ISO printing speed of up to 12ppm (pages per minute) in black and 10ppm in colour.

“The UAE continues to be one of our key markets in the Middle East region and our long presence in the country has given us a key understanding of the needs and demands of businesses in the country. Today’s event reflects the success that we have achieved in the UAE, being one of the most highly preferred brands in printing systems for companies, organizations, SMBs, SOHOs and even for home users. Brother is onto scaling new heights and we hope you join us as we traverse this pathway to success,” said Shinji Tada, Managing Director, Brother Gulf.  

The new models come in a compact and sleek design that occupies less space and is also being presented with an intuitive interface with key access to many functions via the wide colour 3.3 inch LCD touch screen. The new inkjet series offers two options of ink cartridges, which include the standard-yield or high-yield cartridges, which have been developed to meet different consumer printing needs.

“Innovation alone is not the answer to today’s growing tech-savvy population. It is more on the lines of the development and creation of a product that can exceed customer expectation with the infusion of new technology, ease of use and is backed with strong after-sales support. As a famous saying goes, ‘You don’t just sell a machine, but a concept.’ Brother, with its rich experience and pioneering history, could not have achieved all this success without our partners and the millions of Brother end-users, who are not only from this region but from across the world,” concluded Furukawa.

Leading company to strengthen UAE presence with introduction of latest products and services

February 06, 2011

Brother Gulf, the Middle East subsidiary of Brother Japan, has stressed on the importance of the implementation of more customer centric strategies and approaches among local UAE businesses as an essential tool needed to attract more growth and development. The call for a more customer centred approach of doing business complements Brother Gulf’s ‘Customer First’ approach, a key strategy that allows the leading company to meet customer needs and requirements by providing them with a comprehensive range of products and solutions like its ‘Total Cost of Ownership’ (TCO). In line with this, the company recently conducted a corporate seminar at the Yas Hotel in Abu Dhabi in partnership with Gulf Islands, one of their key distributors in UAE.  The seminar was aimed at highlighting the business benefits of using Brother’s comprehensive line of printing based equipment.

The seminar was attended by some of the capital’s top corporate houses, Government departments and multinational companies, alongside potential customers. Present during the event were key representatives from the Abu Dhabi Police General Headquarters; the Ministry of Interior; the National Drilling Company; the Ministry of Justice; SABIS; the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments; the National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD); Ministry of Culture; the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority; the UAE National Medical Council and the GASCO-Abu Dhabi Gas Industries Ltd. During the event, Brother Gulf demonstrated its key products like laser printers, Multi-Function Centres (MFCs), fax machines, labellers and label printers. The company also discussed the significant value of using world class printing equipment and the productive and cost effective solutions provided by their Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) offerings in addition to the advantages of their three-year warranty plans.

“Local businesses can improve and develop their businesses if they look towards implementing more customer centred strategies. Brother Gulf understands the importance of meeting the needs and requirements of its customers and we are sharing this through the corporate seminar conducted here in Abu Dhabi,” said Shinji Tada, Managing Director, Brother Gulf. “Our aim is to educate and inform companies and individual users, both old and new ones, on the immense benefits that you can gain from using Brother products and services. We offer unique benefits and advantages like three-year warranties, TCO’s, wireless network features and the latest in printing LED colour technology. We offer the most comprehensive line of printing products that helps office environments promote more productivity and efficiencies.”

For more than a century, Brother Gulf has lived up to its reputation as a brand synonymous with innovation and customer satisfaction. With its regional headquarters located in the Jebel Ali Free Zone in the UAE, Brother Gulf works closely with its authorized distributors across the Middle East, Levant and different parts of the African continent, including South Africa.

“The corporate seminar not only aimed at strengthening our position in the UAE as a leading manufacturer and distributor of printing products and services but also allowed us the opportunity to help local businesses in their move towards growth and development. During this recent activity, we were fortunate to meet new contacts and prospective clients and we are looking forward to creating new partnerships and opportunities with them - and further consolidate our reputation as the most comprehensive printing solutions provider in the MENA region,” concluded Tada.

Move in parallel with manufacturer’s commitment towards expanding IT literacy in the region

August 18, 2010

Shinji Tada

Brother Gulf, the Middle East subsidiary of Brother Japan, a global leader in the development and manufacturing of printing, communication and digital imaging products for homes, SOHOs and enterprises, will grant major prizes to top-performing participants at the International Computer Driving License (ICDL) summer camps on-going across the GCC, in line with its commitment towards expanding IT literacy in the region. The initiative, which has been organised by various regional academic organisations and universities and overseen by the ICDL GCC Foundation, will run from June 01 to October 31, 2010.

Participants from all over the region are undergoing extensive computer training, as well as lectures on how to use computers ethically and safely based on the standards set by ICDL, and afterwards be awarded with an ICDL certification. Upon completion of the training, candidates are expected to be more equipped to improve their academic or professional performance, which can open up significant opportunities for growth among regional economies in today’s information age. In addition to supporting the development of IT knowledge in the region, Brother’s active participation in the ICDL initiative is aimed at combating the growing concern on the shortage of IT skills in the Middle East.

“Probably the most alarming of all the effects of the IT skills shortage in the region is the decline in customer service levels, and in order to consistently provide outstanding value to our customers worldwide, providing training that will help develop the youth’s IT competence should take precedence,” said Shinji Tada, Managing Director, Brother Gulf. “Our support for this initiative underlines our belief that such actions will create an important catalyst, especially among the youth to pursue excellence in the realm of information technology, which in the end will benefit us all.”

A vendor-neutral digital literacy program that is acknowledged through testing, ICDL provides intensive training on fundamental skills in IT, using the computer, managing files, word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation and handling of the internet and e-mail. Being held for the eighth consecutive year in the GCC, the ICDL Summer Camp is organised in the UAE in cooperation with Abu Dhabi University, UAE University, UAE Academy, Sharjah University and Higher Colleges of Technology (Center of Excellence for Applied Research and Training - CERT). It is also being staged in Kuwait, in cooperation with Kuwait University and a selection of approved centers, as well as in Qatar. More than 10,000 male and female students 18 years and below from different GCC countries are participating in the ICDL Summer Camps 2010, where they aim to earn the ICDL certificate, which is recognised and endorsed by education ministries, universities and government organisations worldwide.

“The overwhelming support we have been receiving from regional companies such as Brother Gulf is a tremendous encouragement and an uplifting indication of the private sector’s interest in furthering the IT competence of students and professionals in the region. We are confident of the impact this initiative will create in the level of IT competence in the Middle East, which makes the enthusiasm of leading companies support our initiatives most importantly,” said Jamil Ezzo, Director General, ICDL GCC Foundation.

New partner announces 25 per cent target growth for Brother’s domestic market share within next 5 years

July 28, 2010

Brother Gulf, the Middle East Subsidiary of Brother Japan, a global leader in the development and manufacturing of printing, communication and digital imaging products for homes and offices, has named Smart Technology Company (SMARTEC) as the newest distributor to carry its entire range of Printing & Solutions Products in Egypt. Mr.Shinji Tada from Brother Gulf and Mr. Ihab Anis from SMARTEC inked the agreement during a signing ceremony, which was also attended by top officials from both companies. Following the announcement, the newly-appointed partner has revealed its target to boost Brother’s domestic market share by 25 per cent within the next five years.

As part of its expansion initiative in the country, the manufacturer has identified SMARTEC’s strong sales team, who covers the government, banking, oil and gas, telecom and corporate accounts sectors, to boost its presence within these verticals, which Brother is setting its sights on this year. The distributor has also proven its capacity in delivering printing solutions that satisfy client requirements through its team of pre-sales consultants who specialise in providing clients with competitive technical analysis and service trainings. Finally, Brother has recognised SMARTEC’s strong active reseller channels, which can open up excellent opportunities to reach to all remote clients and have more coverage in the Egyptian market.

“We believe Egypt is a key market that provides good investment prospects for international companies that are looking to expend their operations,” said Shinji Tada, Managing Director, Brother Gulf. “Appointing SMARTEC as our distributor in this ever-growing and highly dynamic market is in line with strategy to reinforce our strong commitment towards Egypt, and we intend to leverage their outstanding domestic presence and proven expertise in delivering efficient and cost-effective printing solutions to make our products even more accessible to the growing local customer base.”

With experience in the printing field spanning over 10 years now, SMARTEC has managed to become a leading expert in providing customers with specialised printing solutions and managing document workflow through cost effective equipment. Founded in 2000, the company’s area of expertise expands to software solutions, computer and computer support systems and data communications (LAN and WAN). After more than 10 years of continuous and steady growth, it has established itself as a highly professional and reputable provider of turnkey IT solutions for various market sectors, with a total staff of 35 employees. 

“We are proud to be appointed as the newest Brother distributor in Egypt, as their products will help us bolster the strength of our portfolio, in our mission to create a long-term, sustainable value for our customers. As an initial offshoot of this partnership, we are preparing to undertake intensive training among our staff for them to be acclimatized with Brother’s pioneering products and be able to provide outstanding pre-sales services to customers,” said Ihab Anis, Technical Director, SMARTEC.

“We are confident that we will achieve the goal we have set for Brother’s share in the Egyptian market by underlining to the customers its benefits in terms of lower costs and operational efficiency. This partnership marks a significant milestone in our operations, as Brother products fall perfectly in line with our commitment to enable our customers benefit from reliable and efficient printing equipment. We are outlining various plans to maximise the sales activity for Brother, and we will be unveiling the first phase of this extensive marketing initiative soon,” concluded Amir Anis, Sales & Marketing Director, SMARTEC.

Leading printing solution provider highlights label printers suitable for electricians, cable installers and other electrical professionals

February 09, 2010

Brother Gulf, a global leader in the development and manufacturing of printing, communication and digital imaging products for homes, SOHOs and enterprises, is showcasing its ‘P-Touch’ label printers at the ‘Middle East Electricity 2010’, a leading regional event dedicated to the energy and power generation industry, which opened today (February 9, 2010) at the Dubai International Exhibition Centre. The company’s participation is in line with its aims to deliver reliable label printers that can withstand harsh environments and provide key benefits for electricians, cable installers and other electrical professionals.

The two ‘P-Touch’ label printers currently being showcased at the event include the PT-7600, and the new PT-9700PC, which boasts of a print speed of up to 20mm/second using TZ laminated tape and up to 80mm/second using HG tape. Both are high performance, PC compatible labelling systems that are capable of database and barcode printing, with the PT-9700PC also incorporating an automatic cutter. In addition to creating labels that can withstand water, chemicals and heat, the key benefits of using ‘P-touch’ also include professional installation, and ease of operation and maintenance through labels that help in identifying electrical and network components and safety through professional warning signs.

“Our decision to participate at the ‘Middle East Electricity 2010’ for the first time is aimed at positioning ‘Brother’ as printer of choice within the electrical and energy sector, seeing the extensive use of these equipment for both efficiency and safety purposes,” said Shinji Tada, Managing Director, Brother Gulf. “By demonstrating our professional labeling machines and durable labels to visitors, we are looking forward to identifying key contractors and cable installers who require our reliable labeling solutions. “

Other features incorporated within PT-7600 label printers include a backlit LCD display, rechargeable battery, automatic numbering, and ability to upload database and label designs using USB connection. It can also print electrical, audio and video symbols, and has built-in label formats that serve electrical industry applications including normal, port, panel, cable, rotate, rotate and repeat and vertical. Meanwhile, Brother Gulf’s ‘P-Touch’ distributor in the UAE, Almoe Digital Solutions – which is active in serving labeling needs of corporate clients across industries – has joined Brother during its participation in Middle East Electricity 2010. Brother’s booth is located at Stand No. 8E26, Hall No. 8.

“Our label printers can create detailed, easy-to-read labels that contain symbols and even the company logo, as well as professional warning signs and information labels to instruct users on key safe points. We have identified ‘Middle East Electricity 2010’ as an excellent platform to highlight all these benefits within the electrical and energy sector, and we are confident that this initiative will yield favourable results for us,” concluded Tada.