Celebrate Windows 8 in Qatar

And yes, we will be talking about Windows Server 2012, too!

Bootcamp in Qatar! Windows Server 2012 Virtualization

Microsoft, in partnership with Qatar Datamation Systems and HP are organizing an IT Pro bootcamp in Qatar during Feb 27-28, focusing on Windows Server 2012 Virtualization and Management.

This much-awaited bootcamp has only limited space and seats are filling up quickly, please register soon and be on time at the venue to avoid disappointment!

EVENT: BI and the Public Cloud

The popularity and usage of mobile devices, from smartphones to tablets and PCs, is building a significant trail of data from users, leading to an exponential growth and variety of data, globally. This is Big Data, one of today’s hottest trends – produced, fuelled and enabled by the Cloud, Mobile and Social trends.
The Cloud, especially, can play a major role in providing the storage and computing capacity to deal with all of this data, empowering enterprises like yours to provide real business intelligence, through the platforms that are already deployed.

Join us as we see how information leaders like yourselves can use the Cloud on your terms and provide real value and collaboration through business intelligence.

When: February 5, 2013

Where: Hilton Hotel, Doha

Event: Qatar Datamation Systems, Veeam, and Microsoft

Our partner Qatar Datamation Systems (QDS) are organizing an event on the 15th of January at the Crowne Plaza Doha (Airport Road).

The event will feature QDS solutions based on Veeam and Microsoft Windows Server 2012, and System Center 2012.

Be sure to attend this event, more details and registration information below.

Mannai, Microsoft and Qtel offer cloud-based solutions for Qatar’s SMEs

Mannai Corporation’s ICT group presented a set of its new IT and communication Cloud-based solutions and services for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Qatar together with its partners Qtel and Microsoft. This event was held during its ‘First End to End Cloud IT Solutions for the Private Sector’ event held at the Holiday Villa Hotels and Residence, Doha.

"With the Cloud, smaller budgets are no longer a hindrance to an SME’s ability to compete in the market with its peers and larger enterprises. SMEs can operate cloud based virtual servers and a host of applications that can be rapidly deployed and achieve a higher ROI," said Dr Sanjay Modak, Group General Manager, Mannai ICT Group.

SMEs can now obtain all their Qtel business products and services requirements from Mannai, which acts as a one-stop shop and brings a greater range of offers and value to the customer from both companies.

"Today, Mannai takes an innovative approach in offering end-to-end ICT products and services with its partners. This wide range of IT solutions, ranging from economical ERP packages to Microsoft’s Office 365 cloud based offerings to website construction and e-commerce enablement, is provided on a flexible OPEX model, which reduces SME costs while providing highly scalable, elastic and affordable scenarios for SMEs to enjoy the same levels of IT enablement as large enterprises but at a fraction of the cost. As a value addition, Mannai’s managed services model allows these businesses to focus on their core competencies while leaving their IT and communications worries in the hands of Mannai," said Moni George, General Manager, New Business & Markets, Mannai ICT Group.

Microsoft, who were co-sponsors of the event, presented their Microsoft Office Productivity Solutions on the cloud. Microsoft Country Manager, Naim Yazbeck, was present at the event.

Mannai’s team presented the latest state of the art cloud based ERP and other solutions. The SME market for managed IT services is poised to grow rapidly during the coming years.

Mannai, recognizing this trend, has forged partnerships with key players and is today providing a comprehensive portfolio of ICT solutions to Qatar’s large SME market.

This includes products and services such as ERP, CRM, security, webhosting, domain-based emails, backup/recovery solutions, document management, e-commerce and Qtel’s range of voice and data solutions.

Coupled with Microsoft’s Office 365 and an unmatched support infrastructure with 24×7 customer support, Mannai is proud to bring the best technology to Qatar’s growing SME segment.

Microsoft Qatar announces Windows Server 2012

Just wanted to cover some of the buzz in the local press last week about Windows Server 2012, centered around our Private Cloud Enterprise Connect event in Doha.

For those of you that missed the event, I covered Windows Server 2012’s new virtualization features, while others covered VDI, the Microsoft Private Cloud story, Windows Azure and Identity Management.

Here are links to some of the local press coverage:

• Qatar Tribune
• AMEinfo
• Zawya

Speaking about the launch, Microsoft Qatar Country Manager Naim Yazbeck said, “At Microsoft, we have been hard at work delivering cloud innovation to help businesses succeed in this transformational time. What we are seeing in the industry calls for a different approach. Now, organisations can achieve a data centre without boundaries.” “The OS and apps are wherever you need them to be. We are committed to this vision and we call it the Cloud OS.

This platform should unlock further potentials for Qatari businesses and we wish to work closely with our partners in Qatar to leverage its maximum potential. I would like to congratulate Qatar Airways as the first to incorporate this platform in their ever growing business.” Yazbeck added.

“We have been using Windows Server 2012 through the rapid development programme (RDP) to experience how it can empower a dynamic data centre,” said Shibu Mathai, manager of infrastructure design at Qatar Airways.
“We have benefited from the new virtualisation enhancements in Windows Server 2012, I can envisage that cloud computing will be extremely beneficial for our business development’.

Microsoft Qatar announces Windows Server 2012

Just wanted to cover some of the buzz in the local press last week about Windows Server 2012, centered around our Private Cloud Enterprise Connect event in Doha.

For those of you that missed the event, I covered Windows Server 2012’s new virtualization features, while others covered VDI, the Microsoft Private Cloud story, Windows Azure and Identity Management.

Here are links to some of the local press coverage:

• Qatar Tribune
• AMEinfo
• Zawya

Speaking about the launch, Microsoft Qatar Country Manager Naim Yazbeck said, “At Microsoft, we have been hard at work delivering cloud innovation to help businesses succeed in this transformational time. What we are seeing in the industry calls for a different approach. Now, organisations can achieve a data centre without boundaries.” “The OS and apps are wherever you need them to be. We are committed to this vision and we call it the Cloud OS.

This platform should unlock further potentials for Qatari businesses and we wish to work closely with our partners in Qatar to leverage its maximum potential. I would like to congratulate Qatar Airways as the first to incorporate this platform in their ever growing business.” Yazbeck added.

“We have been using Windows Server 2012 through the rapid development programme (RDP) to experience how it can empower a dynamic data centre,” said Shibu Mathai, manager of infrastructure design at Qatar Airways.
“We have benefited from the new virtualisation enhancements in Windows Server 2012, I can envisage that cloud computing will be extremely beneficial for our business development’.

Find out about Qatar Airways’ evaluation of Windows Server 2012 in the Rapid Deployment Program

Qatar Airways, awarded the World’s Best Airline in 2011 and 2012 is one of our customers in Qatar that have enrolled into the Windows Server 2012 Rapid Deployment Program (RDP) powered by our partner ICT WLL.

Join us on September 18 for the Microsoft Enterprise Connect event and hear Mr. Shibu Mathai, Manager – Infrastructure Design at Qatar Airways share Qatar Airways’ experiences on Windows Server 2012 Hyper-V.

Also speaking at the event are Mark Chaban (MEA Director Product Marketing), Jesus Martin (Infrastructure Specialist Lead – Gulf), Mohammed Alaa Eldin (Gulf Solutions Specialist – Identity & Azure),

Attendance to this event is free, but seats are filling up fast. Please make sure you register ASAP to confirm your place.

Microsoft Enterprise Connect: Your Own Private Cloud Roadmap
Where: Qamar Room, Hilton Hotel, Doha, Qatar
When: September 18, 2012, Registration begins at 8.30am
Agenda:

08:30 – 09:00   Registrations & Welcome Refreshments       
09:00 – 09:15   Keynote: Qatar Airways
09:15 – 10:00   Private Cloud Infrastructure       
10:00 – 11:00   Private Cloud and Datacenter Management
11:00 – 11:15   Coffee Break       
11:15 – 12:00   Desktop Virtualization & VDI
12:00 – 12:30   IaaS and Storage in Windows Azure       
12:30 – 13:00   Identity and Cloud Better Together       
13:00 -             Lunch & Networking

Click here to register | Save to Calendar

Private Cloud Roadmap event, Qatar

Your Own Private Cloud Roadmap with Microsoft

The shift of enterprise IT to the Cloud is a tremendous opportunity for you to reduce costs, increase business agility, efficiency and productivity, as well as engage people in innovative ways. According to the Gartner 2011 CIO Survey, ‘almost half of all CIOs expect to operate their applications and infrastructures via cloud technologies within the next five years’. As Cloud becomes an increasingly significant priority in the Enterprise space, and more Cloud offerings become available with time, we invite you for an exclusive session where we will share the vision of Cloud Computing and have a value dialogue with you to see how cloud services can be incorporated in organization’s infrastructure for competitive advantage and minimal risk.

Hilton Hotel Qatar Qamar Room September 18, 2012 Registration begins at 8.30am

REGISTER   SAVE THE DATE

Agenda:

Registrations & Welcome Refreshments        08:30 – 09:00
Keynote ‘Enterprise & Cloud Vision’        09:00 – 09:15
Private Cloud Infrastructure        09:15 – 10:00
Private Cloud and Datacenter Management        10:00 – 11:00
Coffee Break        11:00 – 11:15
Desktop Virtualization & VDI        11:15 – 12:00
IaaS and Storage in Windows Azure        12:00 – 12:30
Identity and Cloud Better Together        12:30 – 13:00
Lunch & Networking        13:00

2012 Qatar Partner Awards – Feb 7 – Qatar Open Door

At the Open Door event in Qatar, Microsoft recognized some of our top partners and customers and presented them with awards.

Mamoun Al Bishtawi SMS&P Lead Qatar, Naim Yazbeck, Country Manager Qatar, Bruno Delamarre, SMS&P Director at Microsoft Gulf, and Samer Abu Ltaif, General Manager at Microsoft Gulf presented the awards to partners and customers at a Gala Dinner ceremony on February 7.

The nominees and winners in each category are listed below.

Partner Awards

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you for all that you do!