News
Kodak Alaris targets Government Sector with Electoral Processing Solutions
With digital transformation being top priority for Government agencies around the world, it is clear that digital technology is the way forward for electoral processing. With this in mind, Kodak Alaris offers an end-to-end solution for management of elections including ballot paper processing technology, design, print, logistics and the associated professional services.
Today in the ‘paper voting’ election process, paper ballots are counted by hand or by using Optical Mark Recognition (OMR). But with OMR, the marks need to be made in very specific places. The legacy approaches are more sensitive and therefore prone to errors, plus the overall process is slower. Digitising ballots is important because it offers governments the ability to show transparency & accuracy in a vital democratic process, while also being able to provide results quickly.
Mr. David Whitton, General Manager of Kodak Alaris Information Management – Eastern Cluster (Middle East, Africa, East Europe, Turkey & Russia) says, “The future of elections is undoubtedly digital technology and most electoral management bodies must adopt new solutions to improve the electoral process, both in terms of speed and transparency of the results. Digital in this case doesn’t mean electronic voting but rather digitizing ballot papers and processing the information after it’s scanned. The requirement for this is a reliable scanning and software solution to help save time and reduce errors when tallying the votes.”
The Kodak Alaris solution is extremely versatile, as a number of election bodies have seen. The ballots can be presented in any orientation and it handles varying sizes of ballot papers, which is dictated by the number of candidates on the ballot. All of the scanning takes place within one unit. This allows the solution to be centrally administered with the various job profiles being drawn down to the relevant counting centre and processing line. This flexibility means that should there be a rare machine failure, the ballots can easily be processed on another, ensuring the results are gathered in the required time.
Kodak Alaris together with its partners provides specialist election consultancy services to manage compliance and improve performance and efficiency of the overall ballot process. The partnership delivers a highly successful solution combining the best of both providers’ capabilities in advanced ballot information capture and sophisticated data processing. As a result, one electoral management body was able to digitize ballots, count votes, and announce results twice as fast as similar elections previously conducted.
Kodak Alaris offers an end-to-end ballot processing solution. This includes high-volume scanners with integrated sorters, ballot paper processing & exception handling software, ballot paper design, secure printing and delivery, on-site ballot processing operations and training. Kodak Alaris works with government agencies to design ballot papers and reduce the risk of fraud. Such security features are embedded in the ballot papers and activated in the counting process to remove the possibility of duplication and forgery.
“The strength in the Kodak Alaris solution is the ability to place the ballot papers in any orientation in the scanner and the machine can still process the ballot sheet. This is a marked improvement from earlier systems where the sheets had to be placed in a very specific manner. Obviously as numbers go up, the chances of error increase and the amount of labour increases greatly. Failure/ return rate from analogue technology is quite high, and the processing speed is slow. Speed and accuracy go up considerably by working with digital technology. Adopting a digital strategy has benefits of improving efficiency and thereby cutting cost. Besides the security, compliance, time savings and reduction of errors, one of the main benefits is that the solution results in transparency and reassures the public that the process is legitimate,” says Mr. Whitton.
Kodak Alaris will be exhibiting at GITEX Technology Week, stand C4-10 in Hall 4 at the Exhibition Centre.
Hospitality
C2 Licensed District at City Walk Welcomes 3 New Casual Dining Hotspots
City Walk, Dubai’s premier lifestyle destination by Merex Investment, has added three new restaurants to its licensed dining district, C2, providing even more diverse options for family and friends to enjoy quality time together. As the weather gets better, it’s the perfect time to spend lively evenings outdoors on alfresco terraces with loved ones.
Since its debut in January 2024, C2 has quickly established itself as the city’s go-to destination for elevated dining experiences, with its eight original culinary concepts – Baku Cafe, Brass Monkey, Daikan Izakaya, L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele, Mythos Urban Green Eatery, Nola Bijou Bistro & Bar, Primi Cucina Italian, and Rare Cocktail Bar & Modern Brasserie – setting the tone for diverse and memorable dining.
Adding to the vibrant culinary landscape of C2, two new hotspots have already opened their doors, each offering a unique and globally inspired dining experience. La Serre enchants visitors with its Parisian-style boulangerie, café, and bistro, delivering the charm of European farm-to-table dining right to Dubai. Nox offers a dynamic blend of laid-back dining with high-energy parties, creating the perfect atmosphere for unforgettable nights with friends.
The excitement continues as Myata Platinum is set to open in the coming weeks, promising a sophisticated lounge experience with a diverse international menu crafted to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
These new additions create the perfect setting for any occasion, from casual lunches to elegant evening gatherings. To experience these culinary journeys firsthand, diners can enjoy a range of theme nights and offers.
City Walk brings together retail, dining, entertainment, hospitality, wellness, and automotive services, making it the desired location for visitors seeking unique and memorable experiences. Serving as a hub for the surrounding neighbourhoods of Downtown Dubai, DIFC, and Business Bay, it offers diverse dining options that seamlessly transition from day to night. With the addition of C2, its licensed dining district, City Walk provides an ideal urban setting to relax, recharge, and enjoy quality time.
Hospitality
Get Ready For Sur.Dubai: The Ultimate Destination For Seafood Lovers Coming Soon
Sur.Dubai, Dubai’s newest upscale seafood restaurant, is set to make its mark on the region’s diverse dining scene this November. Specializing in seafood and more, the restaurant masterfully blends the authenticity of Mediterranean and coastal cuisines with a contemporary twist. Offering a fresh, innovative take on beloved regional favorites, Sur.Dubai promises a dining experience that will leave a lasting impression on discerning palates.
Located in the vibrant UPTOWN/DMCC district, one of Dubai’s premier new destinations, Sur.Dubai is poised to become a must-visit for food lovers in search of bold, flavorful dishes. Inspired by Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coasts, the restaurant masterfully blends coastal seafood with herbs and spices, offering diners a modern interpretation of timeless culinary traditions. By combining high-quality ingredients with creative culinary techniques and presentations, Sur.Dubai promises to deliver classic dishes with a distinctive flair, ensuring each plate reflects the freshness and lightness that define Mediterranean cuisine.
Guests can look forward to a flavorful adventure at Sur.Dubai, featuring an extensive selection of mouthwatering seafood dishes that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. From Grilled Fish and Seafood Mezze to Succulent Seabass and Tender Octopus, each dish is expertly crafted to deliver an extraordinary culinary journey that brings the taste of the sea to the heart of Dubai. For those non-seafood eaters, Sur.Dubai also caters to every palette, offering perfectly grilled lamb chops, flavorful baby chicken, and an exquisite selection of diverse, mouthwatering meats.
Ahmet Serdar Korukcu, President of Dorak Holding, expressed his enthusiasm for Sur.Dubai’s opening, mentioning. “We are delighted to introduce Sur.Dubai to the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Dubai. This is a major milestone for Dorak Holding as we expand our presence in one of the world’s most dynamic culinary and cultural landscapes. Looking ahead, we are excited to announce our plans for taking Sur.Dubai global, leveraging our expertise in tourism to bring this unique concept to new markets. Thank you for being part of this journey as we continue to push boundaries and deliver exceptional, world-class experiences to our valued customers worldwide.”
Hospitality
Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA Announces New Hotel Openings
Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA proudly announces the successful unveiling of its latest developments at Future Hospitality Summit World 2024. The summit, held from September 30 to October 2 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, attracted over 1,500 industry leaders from across the world. The summit, held from September 30 to October 2 at the Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai, attracted over 1,500 industry leaders from across the world, marking it as one of the largest gatherings of hospitality professionals to date.
“We were delighted to participate in Future Hospitality Summit World 2024,” said Mr. Konstantinos Michail, Chief Commercial Officer, Millennium Hotels & Resorts MEA. “The event provided a valuable platform for us to announce our expansion plans, connect with industry leaders, share our expertise, and explore new growth opportunities.”
Major Announcements
The two new properties announced by Millennium Hotels & Resorts at FHS are Studio M Airport Muscat and Millennium Residences Saadiyat Island. These strategic additions to the company’s portfolio further solidify its presence in the Middle East and Africa region.
Millennium Residences Saadiyat Island
Just a minute’s walk from the pristine white sandy beaches of Saadiyat Island, Millennium Residences offers an invigorating retreat for families, couples, and solo travellers seeking both short and extended stays. The property features an infinity pool, a fully equipped gym, and 85 beautifully designed studios, alongside spacious one- and two-bedroom apartments with breathtaking views of the Arabian Gulf.
Studio M Airport Muscat
Nestled in Al Seeb, just 11 KM from Muscat International Airport, Studio M Airport Muscat presents a stylish urban retreat for both leisure and business travelers. The hotel masterfully combines modern design with innovative technology and is conveniently located near City Centre Mall and various attractions, including beaches ideal for wakeboarding and Al Mouj Marina for diving and sailing.
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