Connect with us

News

Pioneering efforts

Published

8 years ago

on

Based in Brussels (Belgium) and with many offices in the MENA region, Harco Group are specialists in Digital Surveillance and the Distributors in the Middle East and North Africa of leading brands in the Video Security and Surveillance. Roger R. GHOSTINE, Managing Director, MENA – Harco Group discusses some aspects of the pioneering role the company has played in the region’s surveillance segment.

Discuss how the company established its forte in IP security solutions?
One of the major differences between Harco and others is that from the moment we started focusing on the MEA market back in 2002, we always focused on IP security solutions. Analog security solutions was never a focus for the region. While there were no IP camera then to start with, there were IP encoders and DVRs. It was not until 2007-2008 that other distribution companies came focused on IP security.
We were a pioneer, on the positive side of things. However, since IP was nascent, there were bugs in the early technologies. That is one of the challenges we faced as customers were not confident about IP based security.
A few years later, by the time other distributors were getting into the IP security market, we had a clear advantage because of the head-start we had taken. So by 2006-2007 when IP security was beginning to gain wider acceptance, we were already quite an established leader in the region.
One of the challenges in the early years of IP security solutions is that vendors were providing only some part of the solution. There were no one-stop solution vendors back then In IP security. While one vendor may have had the storage part, another offered only cameras and still another the software etc. there was no single point of accountability as far as solution was concerned which is where Harco came in. We designed the turnkey end to end solutions. We made sure of providing a workable solution for the end user through our partners, up to their expectations which helped us consolidate our presence in this region as one of the formidable players in the IP security and surveillance segment.

What is the differentiation you offer as a distributor?
One of the differentiators of Harco is that we are not a regular distributor who is just moving boxes. We are consultants and solution providers for our partners. We are a Belgium based company and when we decided to enter this region, we were certain that we will bring in differentiators in our strategy. We were participating in educating the market in term of new technology trends.
Our go to market strategy was three pronged. One the three key pillars of our strategy was that we decided to focus only on high end and non-competitive products, with no compromise in terms of quality or price.
The second key aspect of our strategy was that we focused on people with technical expertise. And it is not possible that we can be knowledgeable experts across a very wide spectrum and therefore restricted attention to key brands and products. That enables our team of salespeople to have the focus and knowledge to be consultants.
And third, within our go to market execution, we make sure all concerned stakeholders, the consultants, systems integrators and end users, are in sync and working closely- in enabling the required knowledge transfer. Our technical people can demonstrate the solutions to customers with the demo units they typically carry. This approach helped them convince customers that there was a lot of substance to what they had said. This helped Harco in the earlier years of IP security solutions generate a lot of Business.

Do you see many traditional IT focused integrators focusing more in the surveillance segment?
In the earlier years, the integrators in surveillance solutions were mostly companies that were from the physical security industry. Over time, many companies from IT industry came in for the simple reason that IP surveillance solutions required the same servers, networks and storage components that they were already dealing with for enabling other applications. However, with surveillance deployments, the requirements of these components was a multiple of several times over the need seen for regular applications and hence provided a great opportunity for IT integrators. They therefore ended up selling more storage, servers and networking as IP surveillance consumers more bandwidth. Many of them therefore made the shift and have become our partners in this industry.

Discuss your consolidation in terms of vendor association?
In the first 13 years, Harco has added six brands to our offering. In the past 8 months, we have added six more vendors. So you can imagine the new focus in our approach. We are distributors for brands such as Arecont Vision, Exacq Technologies, Raytec, Nexsan Storage, Verint Video Solutions, Theia, ACIC, Riva, Veracity, Protec, etc. We have a wide channel of over 200 system integrators and client base across the region including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, etc. We are happy to have signed up with Seagate, a leader in storage solutions. In the past 24 months, we have been able to consolidate our thirteen years of our experience.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Hospitality

UAE’s Mulk International and India’s Ajeenkya DY Patil Group forge a landmark Dh100m partnership to launch the region’s first large-scale virtual hospital

Published

12 hours ago

on

December 9, 2024

By

partnership healthcare

In a landmark collaboration, Mulk International from the UAE and India’s Ajeenkya DY Patil Group have acquired stakes in Mulk Med Healthcare to become equal shareholders and launch what will be the region’s first large-scale virtual hospital of its kind with more than 20,000 doctors on board.  Both groups have further pledged an investment to the tune of AED 100 million to revolutionise healthcare in the MENA and Asia-Pacific regions. This strategic partnership is set to redefine healthcare delivery by leveraging virtual solutions to enhance access and provide comprehensive services to millions.

Dr. Nawab Shafi Ul Mulk, Founder & President of Mulk Med Healthcare, emphasized the transformative vision of this collaboration: “Our partnership and shared vision with the DY Patil Group is a major landmark agreement which signifies a shared dedication to rapidly evolving innovation and inclusivity in healthcare.”

The new Initiative introduces Mulk Med Virtual Hospitals ecosystem across the globe, one that has already been implemented in countries like Zimbabwe and Papua New Guinea and is in advanced stages of implementation in other territories. The comprehensive healthcare platform is also aided by Mulk Med App and video conferencing system available in 170+ countries currently, offering multiple essential services including 24/7 telehealth with doorstep free delivery of discounted medicines, also facilitating lifesaving smart ambulances, mobile clinics, and round-the-clock home care.

Transforming Healthcare Delivery in the region

According to Dr. Ul Mulk, these innovations are designed to improve healthcare accessibility, providing unmatched convenience for both urban and remote patients. Patients will benefit from virtual 24/7 consultations from over 20,000 doctors on board globally along with more than 500 pharmacies and service providers. Additionally, non-insured patients and UAE visitors can avail huge discounts on laboratory, radiology, hospital admissions and surgeries besides doorstep medicines, wellness, and aesthetics using the newly launched Mulk Medicare Privilege Health Card for the most affordable services that also give users access to longevity & precision medicine centres and genomics labs.

Shaji Ul Mulk, Chairman of Mulk International said: “Our global investments underscore Mulk Group’s long-standing commitment to driving impactful societal change.  We are dedicated to fostering partnerships with local communities and governments to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.”

The initiative is also set to redefine emergency response with lifesaving smart ambulances and will extend services to underserved communities through mobile clinics. For travellers, both in & out bound comprehensive tourist healthcare insurance will provide peace of mind with robust medical coverage, while cutting-edge ICU Pods, Mulk Vital signs devices and kiosks with advanced AI enhanced technology incorporated to continuously monitor patients with chronic diseases will optimise recovery, and enhance hospital efficiency.

Dr. Ajeenkya Patil, Chairman of DY Patil Group, highlighted the initiative’s significance: “We intent to facilitate medical tourism strong demand in India from Africa & other regions in our newly build world class Hospitals care in the Indian state of Maharashtra. Together, we aim to deliver a transformative, patient-centric healthcare ecosystem that prioritizes accessibility, affordability, and quality.”

“Innovation is key to solving the world’s healthcare challenges and Mulk Med Healthcare is rightly poised to embark on the global expansion to bring affordability and top notch  equitable healthcare facilities to one and all. Mulk Medicare comprehensive hybrid model of  digital and onsite healthcare innovative solutions not only address immediate medical needs but also lay the foundation for a sustainable, scalable future in healthcare,” added Dr. Shafi Ul Mulk.

Continue Reading

Financial

Fujairah Digital Government and Torry Harris Business Solutions sign MoU to support digital transformation initiatives

Published

2 weeks ago

on

November 28, 2024

By

Fujairah Digital Government

Torry Harris Business Solutions Private Limited (THBS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Fujairah Digital Government to accelerate the Emirate’s digital transformation efforts. This agreement underscores the collaboration in digital transformation in Fujairah, leveraging the latest technologies and innovations in alignment with the emirate’s vision to enhance government services and better serve its citizens.

The MoU was officially signed by Sheikh Engineer Mohammed bin Hamad bin Saif Al Sharqi, Director General of Fujairah Digital Government, and Shivdayal Charan, Director and Legal Representative of Torry Harris Business Solutions, in a move to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange in digital governance and best practices, aligning with the UAE’s vision to become a global leader in delivering digital government services.

Rabih Nasr, Vice President of Torry Harris Business Solutions in the Middle East, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating: “We are honored to work alongside Fujairah Digital Government to achieve their strategic goals of enhancing digital services and citizen engagement. This MoU reflects our long-standing commitment to the UAE, where we have been operating since 2002, and demonstrates our shared vision of empowering government entities to better serve their citizens through integrated and seamless digital platforms.”

Continue Reading

News

UAE National Day: Women Choice applauds UAE’s diversity, leadership efforts

Published

2 weeks ago

on

November 27, 2024

By

women choice event in the UAE

As the United Arab Emirates (UAE) prepares to celebrate its 53rd National Day, Women Choice proudly reaffirms its dedication to championing diversity, equality, and leadership across all sectors. In recognition of the UAE’s remarkable progress toward gender parity and inclusivity, Women Choice celebrates the pivotal role of women leaders in building a brighter, more equitable future.

With a strong presence in the region, Women Choice has hosted and participated in over 100 events across seven countries, half of which took place in the UAE. This milestone underscores the organization’s impactful efforts in promoting diversity and leadership, reflecting its alignment with the UAE’s vision of empowering women.

The UAE’s dedication to empowering women is evident, with women constituting 66% of public sector workers and 50% of the UAE Federal National Council (FNC) members being women – one of the highest representations globally. Women Choice echoes this spirit, advocating for inclusive leadership and equal opportunities in workplaces, education, and entrepreneurship.

Nezha Alaoui, Founder and CEO of Women Choice, reflects on the UAE’s achievements:

“As we celebrate the UAE’s National Day, we also honor its remarkable progress in diversity and equality. Women Choice stands aligned with this vision, empowering women to lead, innovate, and inspire. True leadership flourishes when opportunities are inclusive and diverse perspectives are embraced.”

Women Choice’s initiatives are grounded in actionable steps to drive change, including leadership training programs, mentoring opportunities, and advocacy campaigns. Ahead of National Day, Women Choice calls on organizations and individuals to strengthen their commitment to building a more inclusive society.

  • The UAE ranked 1st in the Arab world for gender equality (World Economic Forum, 2023).
  • Women contribute to 23.5% of the UAE’s GDP, a testament to their economic leadership.
  • Female participation in STEM fields has risen to 37%, demonstrating progress in traditionally male-dominated sectors.

Through its global platform, Women Choice continues to spotlight stories of women leaders and changemakers, inspiring the next generation to break barriers and contribute to a more inclusive future.

Continue Reading

Trending

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Copyright © 2023 | The Integrator