Archives : December 2009

Tourism, real estate, government to drive UAE IT spending increase by 2013

published on 2009/12/16 by Anthony Plewes

Spending in the UAE IT sector is set to increase over the next four years to reach up to US$4.7 billion - and for once, it will not be the oil industry that originates most of the increase. According to the Dubai Chamber of Commerce (DCC), expected growth in the tourism, real estate and government sectors will drive up the increase, from today's current spend of about US$3.2 billion.However, there are some tough times ahead for the sector before it can grow again, with contractions in spending forecast this year compared to 2008. Business Monitor International, which provided the figures......

Hidden costs obscured by cloud

published on 2009/12/16 by

A new report from Diamond Management & Technology Consultants called for enterprises to undertake an objective assessment of cloud computing "free of vendor hype", in order to weigh up the benefits, challenges and their readiness for a shift in operating model. As businesses begin embracing the processes and financial models that accompany the practical realities of introducing a new set of technologies, Diamond said that it is important to consider the "net" value achieved, and not just the "gross" savings trumpeted.It was noted that "hidden cloud expenses can really alter a company's outlook". While expenditure related to people, processes and......

Hidden costs obscured by cloud

satellite can plug broadband gap

published on 2009/12/16 by Anthony Plewes

Satellite is an attractive option for businesses that cannot access other communications services, normally due to their remote location. Compared with terrestrial installations, remote sites can be deployed very quickly with satellite access and are independent of any terrestrial infrastructure....

satellite can plug broadband gap

ITIL: key to service management excellence

published on 2009/12/15 by Stewart Baines

Service management is the process by which enterprise IT infrastructure and services are optimized to meet specific business objectives. As organizations evolve, their demands on the IT system change, and so IT and business must develop in lock-step. So, how does the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) framework guide the organizations that depend on IT excellence for their success?...

ITIL: key to service management excellence

Economic turnaround: MEA server market recovering

published on 2009/12/15 by Simon Marshall

In further signs of IT market stabilization from the economic downturn, the latest figures from analyst firm IDC show that the MEA server market was worth US$340 million last quarter. MEA has had a double-digit share of the overall EMEA marketplace for the last three successive quarters, showing its growing importance versus Eastern and Western Europe which have seemingly been slower to gain ground again after the downturn.The MEA market is now worth 11.7% of the overall pot, growing from single digits a year ago. IDC has been positive in its outlook for MEA, stating that the market here is......