News
INTEGRATOR EA SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON KENYA’S IT CHAMPS
By Editor
2014
Integrator East Africa Awards, Kenya Edition showcases Kenya’s IT marketing and channel talent
The 2014 Integrator East Africa Awards, Kenya Edition was held on the 5th of March in Nairobi at the spectacular Sankara hotel.
The event was a successful showcase of Kenya’s IT marketing and channel talent. Brands, top distributors and key resellers were at hand to receive and give recognition to their peers in the industry.
The second edition of the Awards introduced survey based selection of the winners in different categories. The surveys were done both online as well as offline. The voting saw strong participation from the channel and the winners were selected on the basis of maximum votes won.
The Award categories themselves were reorganized to reflect the shifts in the IT industry.
A few new categories were introduced to make it more encompassing in terms of enabling due recognition for as many deserving achievements across categories in the industry through the year.
Unlike the inaugural edition of the Awards, the recent Awards was only for the Kenya market. Further in-country edition of these Awards are scheduled for Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia later this year. The in-country Awards format has been introduced to make sure that stellar achievements in local markets are duly recognised.
The event provided the attendees ample opportunities o network and meet with peers, distributors and vendors. They were also introduced to the broad suite of Media and ancillary services provided to the MEA It industry by VAR Magazine, the Publishers of Integrator East Africa.
The final list, as voted by the channel was as follows:
Networking Brand of the Year | D-Link |
Security Software Brand of the Year | Kasperky Lab |
Security Appliance Brand of the Year | Cyberoam |
Printer Brand of the Year | HP |
Business Laptop Brand of the Year | HP |
Consumer Laptop Brand of the Year | Toshiba |
Power Solutions Brand of the Year | APC by Schneider Electric |
Tablet Brand of the Year | Samsung |
Storage Hardware Brand of the Year | WD |
Best New product | Asus |
Best Channel Initiatives of the Year | Microsoft |
Accessories Brand of the Year | Targus |
Emerging Brand of the year | TP-LINK |
Components Distributor of the Year | Niti |
Best After Sales Service of the Year | Niti |
Value Add Distributor of the Year | Redington |
Champion Distributor of the Year | Mitsumi Distribution |
Best Retailer of the Year | PC World |
AV Integrator of the Year | AVC Systems |
Security Integrator of the Year | Intracom Ltd. |
Network Integrator of the Year | CRIMSON Technologies Kenya Ltd. |
Storage Integrator of the Year | LANTech Africa Ltd. |
Outstanding Entrepreneurship | Muneer Bharwani, CEO, Red Dot Distribution |
Power Solutions Integrator of the year | Computer Technics Limited |
Home Integrator
Taj debuts its iconic Wellington Mews brand in the UAE in partnership with BNW Developments

In a landmark collaboration that will redefine the landscape of ultra-luxury living in the UAE, BNW Developments has joined forces with Taj, the iconic brand synonymous with unparalleled Indian hospitality, under the aegis of The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL). This partnership, marked by a formal signing ceremony on March 10th at the prestigious Taj Dubai, signifies Taj’s first foray in the UAE into branded residences under the Wellington Mews brand, bringing its renowned legacy of luxury hospitality to the flourishing Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah.
By partnering with BNW Developments, known for its unwavering commitment to architectural magnificence and luxury, Taj will deliver an unparalleled 5-star living experience to residents in Ras Al Khaimah for the first time. Investors can now expect to enjoy the quintessential Taj experience that defines the concept of Tajness, complete with world-class amenities and the impeccable service that has made Taj a global leader in luxury hospitality.
Building upon the success of projects like the Taj Wellington Mews in Mumbai and Chennai, Taj will now bring its expertise to Al Marjan Island, Ras Al Khaimah for the very first time in collaboration with BNW Developments, the ultra-luxury real estate developers in the UAE. Taj also confirmed that this launch is only the start—much more awaits, with new project announcements on the horizon, as they partner with BNW Developments to reshape the very definition of hospitality and luxury.
After BNW’s multiple successful launches in Al Marjan Island, this partnership further sets the stage for BNW’s upcoming collection of ultra-luxury projects in Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah, establishing its position at the pinnacle of high-end real estate development in the UAE.
Gracing this historic occasion were the luminaries who played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life— Arch. Abdulla Al Abdouli, Chief Executive Officer, Marjan, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, IHCL, Mr. Ankur Aggarwal, Chairman & Founder, BNW Developments; Dr. Vivek Anand Oberoi, Managing Director & Co-founder, BNW Developments; and Mr. Shubhkumar Patel, Managing Partner, SAAR x BNW Developers.
Reflecting on this transformative alliance, Mr. Ankur Aggarwal remarked, “At BNW Developments, our mission has always been to transcend conventional paradigms of luxury and create immersive residential experiences that stand the test of time. This esteemed alliance with Taj is not merely a partnership; it is a grand convergence of heritage and masterful craftsmanship, a union befitting those who seek nothing less than excellence.”
Echoing this sentiment, Dr Vivek Anand Oberoi stated, “Ras Al Khaimah is the epicenter of avant-garde luxury, and with this partnership, we reinforced our commitment to crafting spaces that embody timeless refinement. Taj’s unparalleled hospitality ethos perfectly complemented BNW’s architectural brilliance, setting a new benchmark for opulent living.”
Adding to this narrative, Mr. Puneet Chhatwal commented, “IHCL has long been synonymous with excellence in hospitality, and our collaboration with BNW Developments marked an exhilarating step towards crafting luxury experiences in one of the world’s most dynamic landscapes—the UAE. This partnership is a confluence of legacy and innovation, designed to cater to the most discerning global connoisseurs and investors.” Echoing this sentiment, Arch Abdulla Al Abdouli, Chief Executive Officer of Marjan, added, “BNW Developments has played a transformative role in shaping Ras Al Khaimah’s real estate landscape, leading the largest private development in the emirate’s history. Their passion, creativity, and vision have not only elevated the skyline but also reinforced RAK’s position as a thriving investment and tourism hub. At Marjan, we remain committed to supporting BNW in this remarkable journey, ensuring that, together, we continue to drive the emirate’s evolution as a premier global destination. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Taj, the legacy hospitality brand by IHCL, for supporting our vision and passion in transforming RAK’s skyline alongside BNW.
This alliance stood as a defining moment in the evolution of ultra-luxury living, solidifying BNW Developments’ foray into hospitality with its esteemed partner, Taj, expected to launch soon after Ramadan, which will be the first of many to come.
Financial
RemotePass and Wafeq Partner to Automate Payroll and Accounting for UAE & KSA Businesses

RemotePass and Wafeq have partnered to fully automate payroll accounting for businesses in the UAE and KSA. This integration seamlessly syncs payroll and financial data from RemotePass to Wafeq’s accounting system in real-time, eliminating manual entry, reducing errors, and ensuring compliance.
The two-way native integration eliminates manual entry ensuring accurate, efficient payroll reconciliation for businesses in the UAE and KSA on both platforms, resulting in an 80% reduction in payroll and expenses processing time.
“We’re excited to partner with Wafeq; our integration enables businesses in the region to put payroll processing and financial data synchronization on autopilot, allowing them to focus on growing their business,” said Kamal Reggad, CEO of RemotePass.
A Shared Vision for Scaling Businesses
RemotePass and Wafeq provide localized platforms tailored for businesses in the Middle East, serving many shared clients and addressing the unique challenges faced by companies in the UAE and KSA.
Key Benefits of the Integration:
- Seamless integration – Payroll data from RemotePass is automatically reflected and categorized in Wafeq’s accounting platform providing real-time financial visibility and improved accuracy
- Error-Free Financial Records – Manual reconciliation and categorization errors are eliminated, ensuring payroll accuracy in financial reports.
- Time-Saving Automation – Finance teams no longer need to manually input payroll data, reducing administrative work.
Empowering Businesses with Financial Automation
By integrating two leading regional SaaS solutions, companies in the UAE and KSA can now better manage payroll and financial records with greater efficiency. This collaboration is a significant step toward simplifying payroll accounting and helping businesses scale with confidence.
“At Wafeq, we are committed to empowering businesses with seamless financial automation. Our partnership with RemotePass allows companies in the UAE and KSA to streamline payroll accounting effortlessly, reducing errors and saving valuable time. This integration is a game-changer for finance teams looking to enhance efficiency while staying fully compliant with local regulations.” said Maher Aoun, VP of Sales and Business Development, Wafeq.
Hospitality
Akabeko Launches The Matcha Experience: An Afternoon Tea with a Japanese Twist

Akabeko, Dubai’s first table-top Yakiniku Japanese restaurant is introducing a unique matcha experience, where guests can immerse themselves in a specially crafted afternoon tea spread. Running from February 2nd to March 31st between 12 pm to 4 pm, the afternoon tea celebrates the art of Japanese tea with uniquely conceptualized matcha desserts paired with an array of savory Wagyu delicacies and an indulgent tea selection from Mucharaka Tea. The one-of-a-kind experience offers an authentic taste of Japan in a serene setting, perfect for sharing with friends and family.
The afternoon tea presents a harmonious blend of savory and sweet creations, thoughtfully curated by the owner from menu to plating to bring an exquisite spread for guests. Staying true to Akabeko’s nose-to-tail philosophy, the savory Wagyu bites are transformed into delectable culinary creations where every section of the meat is efficiently utilized. These include a Bao Bun with Japanese A5 Wagyu slices, greens and garlic chips, a Mini Croissant with Japanese A5 Wagyu slices, shiso leaf and spicy mayo, a Japanese A5 Wagyu Cheese Burger Slider and a Grilled Rice Ball.
For matcha lovers with a sweet tooth, the menu features uniquely crafted Matcha-infused sweets and pastries including a rich Caramel Matcha Pudding with sesame snap, an airy Matcha roll cake with Matcha cream, a Matcha macaron and a Matcha Dorayaki – a traditional Japanese snack with a matcha twist.
To complement the culinary delights, Akabeko has partnered with Mucharaka Tea – an authentic Japanese tea brand that offers tea sourced from Japan to the UAE, to offer a curated selection of hot and cold teas that elevate the dining experience. For those who prefer the warmth, there are plenty of hot tea options to choose from including green tea, Genmaicha, caramel roasted green tea, Japanese Earl Grey tea and Japanese Black tea while those who prefer their tea cold, can enjoy a selection of mango green tea, peach green tea and lemon green tea. The cold brew tea is also now available in a sparkling version, adding a bubbly touch to your tea experience while still enjoying Japanese tea. Additional beverages such as a matcha latte and coffee are also available.
The matcha experience is beautifully presented amidst a captivating Zen garden-inspired décor on the table, featuring a stone garden layout and traditional Japanese masu boxes and wooden trays, artfully displaying the culinary creations. This intricate, yet serene setting transports guests straight to the heart of Japan, bringing an experience that is as visually stunning as it is delicious.
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