Leading business analytics guru Gary Cokins to give talk on the significance of measuring and managing performance of key government offices

September 21, 2011

SAS Middle East, the leading provider of business analytics and enterprise performance management software and services in the Middle East region, has announced its participation in Measuring & Managing Performance in the public sector an event sponsored by the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs (DMA), - Knowledge Management Office  which will be held on September 26, 2011 at the DMA premises. Leading business analytics guru and SAS Principal Consultant for Global Business Advisory Services, Gary Cokins, has been invited to speak on the importance of utilizing Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) solutions in the Middle East public sector and the significant role it plays in measuring and managing the performance of key government offices.

Cokins, who is regarded as a leading industry expert and author in analytics-based enterprise performance management methodologies was trained in EPM by the famous professors Robert S. Kaplan and David Norton. He will give a presentation entitled ‘Performance Management in Government,’ which is an in-depth analysis on the benefits and lessons learned in implementing EPM solutions across various government offices and departments. According to SAS, the increased demand for EPM solutions in Middle East governments demonstrate the public sector’s concentration on the accountability of outputs and end results over demands for higher input like government calls for more funding and new employees. The advantages and benefits gained from using strategic and effective EPM solutions can be realized in six key areas, which includes strategy and policy execution through better alignment and accountability of managers and employees;  performance monitoring;  planning and budgeting;  risk management;  citizen feedback; and  gaining insights and making better informed decisions.

“The public sector in the Middle East region has already started to adopt EPM as a key tool to help drive productivity and efficiency,” said Gary Cokins, Principal Consultant for Global Business Advisory Services, SAS. “These government offices have started to create a stronger focus on the outputs and outcomes via the implementation of EPM methodologies and solutions. To help drive in better results, the public sector should now look at how they can improve performance using the EPM suite of methods, integrate the relevant data gathered and to expand the use of analytics like segmentation and correlation analysis.”

Over the last few years, SAS has been able to introduce key solutions that have been designed for the public sector. ‘SAS for Government’ is an integrated suite of solutions that can help manage government data, increase efficiencies in tax collection, combat fraud and maximize public services for its citizens. The software package allows government agencies to get a better understanding of using and protecting data, regardless of volume, condition, state or location. To date, SAS software is used in more than 50,000 sites worldwide, including 80 global government entities, the 15 US federal departments and all 50 US state governments. Founded in 1976, SAS is beginning its 36th year.

“Based on my observations on the different countries I have recently visited, both the private and the public sector are using the same EPM methodologies and solutions such as activity-cased costing to calculate output costs and scorecards and dashboards to monitor performance and align behaviour with accountability. The commercial and government sectors move to adopt EPM demonstrates the need to use resources in a responsible way to achieve policies that meet the need of their clients and citizens. However, government offices need to get more yield from their resources, ultimately following a ‘doing more with less’ concept,” concluded Cokins.

Newly formed strategic alliance with Al Taqnyah to help increase productivity and efficiencies in various UAE government entities

May 12, 2011

The IT software spending of the public sector of GCC member countries is expected to reach USD 2.6 billion in 2011 and shows a 14.3 per cent increase from the previous year, according to a recent report from IDC, global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications and consumer technology markets.  In line with this expected increase in IT spending, Sage Software, the leading global supplier of ERP, CRM and HRM solutions to medium and large organizations, has announced its partnership with Al Taqnyah Business Solutions, a subsidiary of the UAE-based ARMS Group. The newly formed alliance intends to leverage key solutions among the various government and semi-government offices in the UAE.

According to the IDC report, economies of the GCC states are implementing key strategies that not only ensure an increased output in process and productivity, but also provide integration between interconnected departments; ensuring a smoother flow of information and a better way of maintaining and archiving data. The expected USD 2.6 billion in IT spend represents 30 per cent of the IT software spending of public sectors across the Middle East, Turkey and Africa. Sage’s strategic partnership with Al Taqnyah aims to achieve at least 5 per cent of the current market share for Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) products in the public sector. The company enters into the partnership with its key product solutions like Sage ERPX3, Sage CRM and Sage Accpac. Al Taqnyah provides powerful, highly integrated solutions for customers seeking to automate their business processes through professional implementation and the use of internationally recognized information systems, supported by highly skilled professional consultants. The company also offers localized world-class e-solutions and e-services by partnering with leading organizations around the world and by adhering to its clear vision, mission and core values.

“Our partnership with Sage Software marks the start of a strategic relationship that aims to provide UAE government bodies with effective and reliable solutions,” said Engr. Yassir Hassan Al Naeem, CEO, ARMS Group. “This partnership will also bring us close to our vision of being a leading service provider for the region. Finally, the alliance between Sage and Al Taqnyah offers an exciting future for the customers who will benefit from the combined power and expertise of the two companies.”

Sage Software has revealed that it remains upbeat towards seeing main growth drivers in the UAE market for 2011 - which has shown a strong demand for CRM solutions. The company has further shared that even during tough economic times; the demand for more CRM products will continue to grow. The region is now witnessing an influx of activity across all verticals, which have been brought about by efforts to recover from the impacts of the global financial crisis. The renewed vibrancy is being accompanied with the need for strategic and reliable software that can help bolster productivity and ensure smooth integration in the flow of data being handled. 

“The main focus of this partnership between Al Taqnyah and Sage Software is to bring highly valued ERP solutions for the public sector and also for small to medium enterprises in the UAE. The growing need for ERP solutions across the public and private sectors gives us the advantage of leveraging key solutions to help them improve on efficiencies and productivity,” said Dr. Usman, Managing Director, Al Taqnyah Business Solutions. “Sage is offering a wide range of business solutions from Financial Management, Customer Relations Management and Human Resources; thereby providing a comprehensive service that can be applied up to enterprise level. We are keen to get started and envision a strong and successful partnership with Sage for the long term.”

“The current efforts towards recovering from the global financial crisis have created an accompanied demand for IT solutions that provide the best results for governments and corporations in the UAE. Our wide range of CRM and ERP solutions offer a host of benefits and advantages that will definitely help our partners - making it easy for the end-users to operate, without reducing the functionality. Sage Software remains steadfast in its commitment to provide all businesses with the essential software to help improve their businesses,” concluded Reggie Fernandes, Director - Gulf Operations, Sage Software Middle East. 

Novell to conduct exclusive demos in KSA about strategic advantages of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 

March 06, 2011

Novell Middle East, the leader in Intelligent Workload Management (IWM), pointed out that public sector IT spending in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has been projected to reach USD 2.4 billion in 2013 from around USD 1.6 billion in 2009 for a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.9 per cent, according to Springboard Research. The trend provides the ideal backdrop to strengthen Novell’s marketing activities in KSA and organise campaigns to educate target audiences about its next-generation enterprise solutions.

Meanwhile, Novell has announced that it will conduct a road show in Saudi Arabia where it will provide exclusive demonstrations of the strategic advantages of its SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, an interoperable platform for mission-critical computing. The road show will be held on Sunday (March 06, 2011) in Riyadh, KSA, as part of Novell’s continuing efforts to create awareness across key growth markets about the latest advances in its cutting-edge IT enterprise solutions.

Diyaa Zebian Managing, Director – Middle East and North Africa, Novell, said: “The SUSE Linux Enterprise Server is designed to handle mission-critical workloads and offers a truly powerful and cost-efficient solution for business enterprises. With IT expenditure across Saudi Arabia growing steadily, it is crucial to organise awareness campaigns that will allow business enterprises to understand and take advantage of the strategic advantages of the SUSE Linux Enterprise Server. Novell is certainly eager to hold the road show in KSA as several companies have already confirmed their participation in the event.”

Novell boasts more than 25 years of expertise in business technology to help enterprises enhance operating flexibility at lower total cost of ownership. Recognised as a global leader in Intelligent Workload Management systems, the company provides solutions and support to over 50,000 companies in 43 countries.

- Ceremony attended by H.E. Khalid A. Bin Sulayem comes ahead of commencement of new marine tourism season
- Highlights growth of Dubai as a marine tourism hub; from one ship carrying 703 passengers in 1993 to 135 ships carrying 375,000 passengers expected in 2011

December 19, 2010

Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has revealed that during the new marine tourism season in Dubai that is expected to last until June 2011, the Emirate will receive as many as 135 cruise ships bringing in a total of around 375,000 passengers. The upcoming season is the strongest marine tourism seasons in terms of the number of ships and passengers received.  

Meanwhile, DTCM recently organised a ceremony at the new cruise terminal at Port Rashid where DTCM Director General H.E. Khalid Bin Sulayem honoured partners from the public and private sectors who have contributed in the opening of the new cruise terminal and also facilitated the inaugural cruise of the cruise ship ‘Costa Deliziosa’. 

During the ceremony, Bin Sulayem said, “Ten years ago, more specifically in the year 2001, DTCM began its major focus on marine tourism and constructed the first terminal dedicated to marine tourism in order to keep pace with the developments this sector was witnessing. Today cruise tourism has become integral to the tourism industry internationally, particularly to Dubai where it plays a major role in boosting the number of tourists visiting the Emirate each year.” 

The government entities honoured during the ceremony included the General Directorate of Dubai Police, Dubai Municipality, Dubai Police Academy, Dubai Corporation for Ambulance Services, Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Customs, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs, and the Dubai world. 

DTCM has been promoting Dubai’s cruise tourism sector by participating in specialised trade shows, exhibitions and conventions, and by hosting specialised tourism industry delegations, with the underlining objective of highlighting Dubai’s position as a regional hub for marine tourism related activities.   

DTCM’s efforts in this regard have contributed to a steady increase in the number of cruise ships visiting Dubai year on year. Last year a total of 100 cruise ships visited Dubai, bringing in 260,000 passengers and by the end of this year a total of 120 cruise ships would have visited Dubai, bringing in 325,000 passengers. Over the coming years, DTCM expects these figures to increase as follows: 135 cruise ships with 375,000 passengers in 2011; 150 ships with 425,000 passengers in 2012; 165 ships with 475,000 passengers in 2013; 180 ships with 525,000 passengers in 2014; and 195 ships with 575,000 passengers in 2015.

Through its participation in international cruise exhibitions and conventions, DTCM has been inviting international companies to collaborate in organising cruises taking Dubai as a starting point and to benefit from the range of high quality services and facilities that the Emirate’s cruise terminal offers. 

DTCM has also thanked the Marriott Hotels Group for their continuous support in different activities.

GETEX Dubai’s HRD & Training Forum to discuss critical issues in Middle East’s HR agenda

March 1, 2010

GETEX Dubai 2010, the Middle East and Asia’s leading education, training and professional development event, has revealed that issues concerning Emiratisation will be one of the biggest challenges of HR professionals at the start of the new decade as the UAE Government intensifies its efforts to integrate the increasing number of local graduates into the UAE workforce, particularly in the private sector. Up to 80 per cent of UAE nationals work in the public sector primarily because of more attractive salaries, more conducive working hours and job security, while GETEX Dubai also noted that unemployment among Emiratis currently stands at around 12 per cent according to figures from the International Council on Security and Development.

GETEX Dubai has pointed out the need for HR professionals to be fully aware of the issues, challenges and opportunities linked to the ongoing drive for nationalisation in the UAE, as part of the changing focus of HR departments from pure administrative and risk functions to a more strategic outlook. In this regard, GETEX Dubai has announced that Emiratisation will serve as one of the key topics to be discussed by leading industry professionals at the HRD & Training Forum, one of the segments of GETEX Dubai 2010, which will be held from April 14 to 17 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Forum will present an ideal platform for HRD and training service providers to showcase their services to conference delegates and speakers. The opening day of the Forum will focus on addressing issues in nationalisation and will feature regional case studies from leading companies and best practices from HR leaders who have successfully developed nationalisation programs, while government officials will be present to outline the initiatives and the business benefits for recruiting nationals in the private sector. Forum speakers and facilitators during the first-day discussions include senior officials of government agencies and directors of nationalisation programs from various private sector companies.

Innovative practices on global HRD, training best practices and other topical issues will be discussed during the second day of the Forum. Activities will particularly focus on the latest cost-effective initiatives that can be easily implemented in any organisation such as in-house coaching and performance metrics. Renowned HR specialists and consultants from the USA and the UAE have been enlisted to serve as keynote speakers and facilitators on day two of the Forum.

Anselm Godinho, Managing Director, International Conferences & Exhibitions (IC&E), organisers of the event, said: “As new challenges continue to emerge, business organisations now aggressively optimise performance and productivity across all levels of the corporate hierarchy. HR departments, in particular, are now given greater responsibility to develop strategic HR programs and solutions that deliver concrete business value. Moreover, in light of the government’s growing focus on Emiratisation, HR has now become a crucial link in the process of integrating a growing number of UAE nationals into the job market, particularly in the private sector.”

“It is therefore critical for HR practitioners as well as corporate organisations to be fully aware of the new trends and best practices that are reshaping the local and regional HR landscape. The HRD & Training Forum of GETEX Dubai 2010 will provide the perfect platform for HR professionals, industry analysts and senior corporate executives to dissect the most important issues and establish new benchmarks in the HR industry,” added Godinho.

The high-profile speakers attending the HRD & Training Forum include Fatma Al Hashimi, Head of Employer Relations, Tanmia, who will discuss the topic “Evaluation Of The Latest Emiratisation Rules And Regulations And What This Means For Business”; Wissam Hachem, Head of Emiratisation & Corporate Development, Etihad Airways, who will present a case study on “Graduate Management Development Programme: Bringing A Continuous Flow Of Talented Emiratis Into Your Organisation”; Abdulrahman Saqr, Head of Emiratisation at Lloyds TSB, who will talk about “Developing HR Best Practices In Line With Cultural Awareness”; and Nigel Jeremy, Head of Learning and Organisation Development, Marks and Spencer, UK, who will feature a case study on “Developing a Successful Talent Management Strategy”.

Abu Dhabi Conference 2009 to provide strategic business insight in line with Abu Dhabi’s long-term socioeconomic strategy Read the full story