Features

On the ‘digital first’ journey

Published

8 years ago

June 19, 2017

admin

SMB organizations need digital transformation initiatives that improve capabilities to compete and collaborate

For a Business, digital transformation is about enabling itself by adopting various disruptive, relevant technologies to leapfrog in terms of capabilities and grab the opportunity to be one of the industry’s best. The opportunity is much more salient for an SMB to help it scale up and compete. While digital transformation may vary from company to company, there are some pivots around which the transformation hinges which are popularly referred to as 3rd platform technologies (cloud, big data/analytics, social, and mobile).

According to Ralph Hauter, President of Microsoft Asia, data, cloud and analytics are the three pillars which are driving the transformation wave. He refers to the impact as an unstoppable force enabling digital disruption, which will impact all organizations, all industries, all roles.

Digital transformation revolves around the adoption of IT transformation, by adopting tools of the 3^rd platform. The Businesses that are laggards in adopting these new tools run the risk of falling behind peers. A recent study conducted by Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG ) and commissioned by Dell EMC shows 95% of survey respondents indicate their organisations are at risk of falling behind a smaller group of industry peers that are transforming their IT infrastructures, processes and delivery methods to accelerate their goals of becoming digital businesses.

Siloed infrastructures and rigid legacy architectures are seen as being barriers to undertaking a successful digital transformation. Embedding capabilities in the organization to leverage IT resources in accelerating product innovation and time to market needs to be part of the transformation objectives.

According to Mohammed Amin, Senior Vice President, Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Dell EMC, “These findings mirror how the vast majority of customers are telling us they need to optimise their existing infrastructures to take advantage of digital-age opportunities. However, the research shows that most respondents are falling behind a small and elite set of competitors who have cracked the IT Transformation code, and they’re competing more vigorously because of it. As organisations progress in their IT Transformation investments, they can overcome the conflict between legacy IT and digital business initiatives to realize their goals, speed time to market and increase competitiveness.”

IT transformation is indeed a key pillar in the transformation initiatives, towards helping streamline Business processes and enhance customer interactions and experience.

According to Shadi Salama, Channel Leader – Middle East, Cisco, “Technology has changed the way we work and live. Businesses are becoming more efficient, consumers are making better-informed decisions and whole industries are being transformed as the real impact of technology becomes clear. From healthcare to transport and beyond, the shift to digital ways of thinking is helping to streamline processes, remove inefficiency and create better experiences for patients, passengers and the general public alike.”

For mid-market companies grappling with the need to transform towards the new ways of doing Business, there is a need for having a scalable infrastructure in place and the cloud is the easiest way to go about having this.

Khalid Khan, Director of Midmarket and Cloud, MEA & APAC, Avaya says, “Mid-market companies face the same challenges from digital disruption as larger enterprises but too often vendors either focus on their larger enterprise customers, or provide consumer-level solutions that don’t deliver the scalability companies need. While very small companies are often able to take the plunge and leverage new trends such as the cloud, mid-market companies may not have as much flexibility and agility to adapt.”

He adds, “However, mid-sized companies are clearly moving to the cloud today with the objective of streamlining processes and restructuring their business models for the purpose of greater profitability and to gain that competitive advantage. The good news is that moving to the cloud doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience. Cloud migration is not a black-and-white, in-or-out decision, it can be a continuum.”

Along with cloud technologies that have radically transformed the way IT is purchased and consumed, one of the other transformational drivers is the rapid increase in the number of connected devices. This is expected to continue expanding data volumes that is generated. Cisco forecasts that connected devices will grow to 50 billion by 2020. From buildings to buses, energy grids to wild life, everything is being connected and what that means is the massive, unprecedented rise in the number of sources of data intelligence that can impact Business operations and customer experience.

“Almost everywhere, opportunity awaits – not just in tech-friendly vertical sectors such as energy and retail but in arts and entertainment, manufacturing, agriculture waste management, financial services, real estate, and education to name some. The Internet of Things (IoT) is introducing a new era of technology which will transform nearly every industry including the SMB segment to change the way we live and work,” opines Shadi.

IoT is a game changer as it takes networking technology to places where it was once unavailable or impractical and allows Businesses to extract intelligence for operational benefits from different sources of data. However, the challenge for companies is to build the right infrastructure, says Shadi and adds that small businesses face changing requirements of scale and data management, and need standards-based infrastructure that is highly secure and interoperable.

Shadi says, “The connection of devices, machines, and things allows small businesses to dynamically generate, analyze and communicate intelligence data, increase operational efficiencies, and power new and greatly improved business models. The IoT is creating value by lowering costs, improving employee productivity, generating new revenue avenues and enhancing citizen benefits. For SMBs, the benefits include improvements in innovation, supply chain and asset utilization.”

SMB entities are ramping up capabilities to compete and collaborate. UC technologies play a key part as well in these efforts. According to Khalid, in the communications and collaboration space, they are witnessing strong interest in hybrid deployments – with companies looking to maintain their legacy investment while looking at moving new applications such as voice, video, and contact center, into the cloud.

“With Avaya IP Office, we offer a solution that can fit the needs of 98 percent of all businesses out there, and we can offer it in on-premises, hybrid cloud, or pure cloud models. That means businesses can move to the cloud at their own pace and path, adding new features and capabilities to the cloud as they become needed, or while leveraging their existing investments,” he adds.

With possibly covering the largest number of Businesses in the country, the SME segment is often seen as the key segment contributing to economic growth and employment. The need to boost the competitiveness of the Businesses in this segment is therefore an urgent concern, which the path towards a digitalization of their businesses can greatly address.

Khalid says, “The SME sector has the potential to be one of the key drivers in the country where the Expo 2020 is rightly believed to bring massive opportunity to the sector. The sector in this region is one of the fastest evolving sectors and has become crucial in promoting competitiveness and introducing new products or techniques to the changing market dynamics around the world.”

Accompanying this growth and evolution are issues that were previously considered only in larger enterprise organizations. Security challenges, customer experiences etc are factors coming to the fore that need to be addressed.

“New technologies are today powerful drivers of middle market empowerment and the SME sector today is looking to have enterprise-grade solutions that provide the right kind of security and agility they need. While the government is equally supportive of the growth of this sector and actively encourages innovation and enables productivity, costs remain a key concern. In order to shoulder this responsibility of innovation, this sector is increasingly recognizing the importance of the adoption of digital transformation as a must to deliver the customer experience that tech-savvy consumers in this region expect with cost-effective, scalable solutions that can evolve as the SME grows.”

According to Shadi, IoT is offering a whole new level of opportunity in technology leadership for SMB sector companies. IT is in the spotlight to enable actionable information, build new connections and open new revenue streams for SMB organizations throughout the Middle East region. As SMB’s continue to invest in technology today and in the future, the implications, he says will be transformational and he elaborates on how Cisco is enabling SMBs on this journey.

“Cisco helps SMB’s develop business agility by providing solutions to manage and store data in the cloud and data center that can improve productivity and operational efficiency today, while laying the foundation for tomorrow’s IoT opportunities, Cisco takes care of it all. With our IoT products, organizations can expect new operational efficiencies, improved safety and security, distributed intelligence and control, faster and better decision making and new business opportunities and revenue streams.”

The opportunity is quite ripe for Businesses to move rapidly towards adopting new ways of doing Business. And partners who themselves need to accomplish digital transformation milestones in their Businesses would have a larger role in enabling the large number of diversified SMB/SME companies travel on this journey towards digital transformation.

“To better enable our channel partners to meet the needs of their customers for this migration, we’ve recently launched the “Powered by Avaya” cloud offering. The “Powered by Avaya” cloud offering enables channel partners to deliver Avaya’s unified communications (UC), contact centre (CC) and video conferencing (VC) solutions in the way that best meets their end-user customers’ needs.”

In sum, the need of the hour for SMB companies is to identify objectives and target milestones in achieving a digital transformation in the ways they transact Business or face the threat of being left out of the reckoning to be among their industry’s best.

Features

Building businesses that last: Lessons from Dubai’s Startup Ecosystem

Published

2 weeks ago

January 9, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

Dubai-based entrepreneurs and podcast hosts Konstantin Koloskov and Anastasia Davydova share lessons from 2024’s dynamic business landscape, exploring the power of collaboration, sustainable growth, and staying true to your vision amidst rapid change. Dubai in 2024 was a hub of energy and innovation, with startup founders raising capital, scaling rapidly, and embracing the city’s ever-changing landscape

As co-hosts of Culture Mapping, a podcast exploring the intersections of culture, entrepreneurship, and life in the UAE, we’ve had the privilege of looking at Dubai through a unique lens. Our conversations with inspiring guests—from startup founders to artists—have offered us fresh perspectives on the opportunities and challenges 2024 has brought.

At the same time, our collaboration on the podcast has been a powerful reminder of the strength found in partnerships. Beyond being co-hosts, we’re both entrepreneurs leading our own companies — Konstantin, the co-founder of Storm, a content studio, and Anastasia, the co-founder of Movingo, a relocation platform for businesses and talents moving to the UAE.

2024 was a challenging year for both of us, but it reinforced a key insight: the power of collaboration within teams and across industries and ventures. Supporting each other in our businesses while building the podcast together has opened new opportunities, sparked creative ideas, and brought energy to everything we do. We also saw This spirit of collaboration reflected in our podcast guests. Dubai in 2024 has been a hub of energy and innovation, with startup founders like those we interviewed raising capital, scaling rapidly, and embracing the city’s ever-changing landscape. Their stories reminded us how crucial it is to stay connected to a network of thinkers and doers who inspire and challenge you.

Key Lessons from 2024

Stay Open to New Opportunities, But Don’t Lose Sight of Your Core Vision: One of our most memorable guests this year was Phillipo Minelli, a visionary artist who embodies this principle. While he sees the growing potential of the UAE and its flourishing art scene, he stays grounded in the values of his work. Phillipo reminded us that growth and opportunity mean little if they compromise your core mission or beliefs.
Prioritize Sustainable Growth Over Short-Term Gains: Felix Erdman, a businessman featured on our podcast, is a shining example of this lesson. His approach to building wealth with a long-term perspective—eschewing fleeting trends and buzz-worthy ventures—was inspiring. His story reinforced what we’ve learned firsthand in our businesses: thoughtful, strategic growth is the foundation for lasting success.
Collaboration Drives Innovation: Dubai’s vibrant, multicultural energy fosters collaboration in a way few places can. Whether it’s the three startup founders we interviewed—who shared how working with the right partners helped them scale—or the creative synergies we’ve experienced in our work, it’s clear that great things happen when ideas are shared and connections are made.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As we prepare for the New Year, we’re embracing the lessons of 2024 with a renewed focus on intentional growth. The global economic shifts have made us even more mindful of how we approach risk and investment. Innovation matters, but so does sustainability. To our fellow entrepreneurs, here’s the advice we’ll be taking with us into 2025:

Keep an eye on new horizons, but stay true to your vision.
Prioritize sustainable growth over chasing quick wins.
Value collaboration—it’s a game-changer.

Dubai continues to be a city where ambition meets possibility, and we’re excited to see how it will evolve in the year ahead. For us, the focus is clear: building businesses that last, telling stories that matter, and embracing the power of collaboration to make it all possible.

Features

The GCC Fintech Revolution: A Deep Dive into AI and Financial Literacy

Published

2 weeks ago

January 9, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

By Mo Ibrahim, Founder & CEO, Maly

The sheer volume of growth that the fintech industry in the region is experiencing is astounding. Driven by a solid regulatory framework that enables both small and big players to contribute to the region’s digital transformation, the UAE and KSA in particular are both making a strong mark as powerhouses of innovation in the larger fintech ecosystem. As a homegrown brand that is striving to make a mark in the tech sector, this is a very exciting time for us at Maly.

There are many key areas that have dominated the fintech scene this year and will continue to play a definitive role next year as well. AI and machine learning will continue to shape the future of finance, along with digital banking, payment landscapes, and public and private partnerships.

AI and machine learning have opened new opportunities for the sector, pushing boundaries of how it can augment customer service and collect data to help redefine financial services for consumers. At Maly, our aim is to seamlessly integrate artificial intelligence into our product offerings, enhancing both customer experience and operational efficiency. Born out of the vision to reduce the financial literacy gap in the region and empower people to improve their knowledge about concepts such as credit scores, interest rates and budget management, Maly is committed to helping customers set short- and long-term financial goals and achieving them by committing to better financial management.

There has been a lot of debate this year on how AI will replace humans eventually, but with fintech, AI has only enhanced and streamlined processes by helping reduce fraud and improving accuracy. At Maly, we are a step ahead of our competitors with our revolutionary tech stack, which is built and managed inhouse. By combining cutting-edge AI algorithms with a scalable, cloud-native architecture, Maly has created a platform that is not only robust but also highly adaptable to the diverse needs of the evolving fintech landscape.

As a tech-focused business, we are deeply investing in understanding the customer behavior and preferences of our target audience in order to customize their experience. With Maly, you can grow, spend, send, and track your money in the same app and make use of group payments features to split costs, simplify payments between friends and set up a Grow Plan for effortless saving.

According to the 2024 Financial Literacy Survey by Visa, 37 per cent of respondents spend as much as their income and 65 per cent want to improve their knowledge of savings and investments. With a year-on-year increase in the cost of living in the country, influenced by rents, petrol prices and other factors, it is becoming critical for residents to take measures to put a long-term savings plan in place and maintain a good quality of life.

Some of the biggest spenders in both the UAE and KSA are the millennials, and being a tech savvy generation, these customers put substantial focus on personalisation and customer experience. Keeping this in mind, we launched our AI-powered financial guide, Luna. With this service, customers can receive tailored plans and advice based on their financial requirements.

The fintech sector in the UAE and KSA is poised for continued growth, driven by supportive policies, technological innovation, and an appetite for digital transformation. Stakeholders, policymakers, and consumers alike must continue to support and engage with fintech innovators to ensure a dynamic and inclusive financial landscape in the Middle East. By fostering collaboration and embracing technological advancements, we can ensure that the benefits of this digital revolution are realized across all sectors of society.

Features

The Technology and Processes Shaping the Hospitality Industry

Published

2 weeks ago

January 8, 2025

Integrator Web-Editor

By – Dr. Sean Lochrie, Associate Professor at Heriot-Watt University Dubai

The hospitality industry has undergone a transformative journey shaped by integrating technology and innovative processes. Particularly in the UAE, a region known for its forward-thinking approach and desire to lead in luxury and service, the impact of these advancements is evident. In a highly competitive market catering to an international clientele with high expectations, embracing technology is beneficial and essential for sustained growth and success.

One of the most significant shifts in hospitality has been the digitisation of the guest experience. Today, digital tools enable a seamless experience from booking to check-out, often with a high degree of personalisation. Many hotels in the UAE use artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbots. For instance, Address Hotels and Resorts in Dubai leverages artificial intelligence (AI) for virtual concierge, which can provide an in-depth tour of the Address Downtown Hotel, spotlighting everything from luxurious rooms to gourmet dining and serene spa sanctuaries. Another example is the Ritz-Carlton, a hotel renowned for its exceptional service, which has embraced AI to elevate the guest experience. They introduced an AI-powered chatbot to streamline guest interactions and deliver personalised recommendations.

Many hotels also offer personalised mobile apps that allow guests to check in remotely, access room controls, and request services without interacting with staff directly. These apps are a single interface for managing everything from lighting and temperature to ordering room service. Such conveniences, luxuries just a few years ago, have become essential as guests seek contactless and streamlined interactions. This level of convenience is particularly valuable in the UAE, where the diversity of visitors necessitates quick and personalised communication.

AI and data analytics have transformed how hotels understand their guests and predict their preferences. For instance, by analysing data from previous stays, hotels can tailor their offerings to individual guests, ensuring that each visit is unique and memorable. This predictive capability enables hotels to surprise and delight their guests while optimising resource allocation. AI also plays a significant role in revenue management, allowing hotels to adjust room rates dynamically based on demand and occupancy levels. For instance, many hotels use AI-driven pricing strategies that analyse market trends and competitor pricing, adjusting room rates to maximise occupancy and revenue. Such proactive approaches help hotels stay competitive in a fluctuating market like Dubai, where tourism demand varies throughout the year.

Furthermore, blockchain technology, the foundation of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, offers transformative potential for hotel loyalty programs, enhancing security, interoperability, and user experience. With its decentralised ledger, blockchain secures guest information and transaction histories, significantly improving data integrity and privacy. Blockchain enables secure and transparent transactions, reducing the risk of fraud and enhancing data security, an essential consideration in the UAE, where high-end transactions are common. This protection bolsters guest trust in the program. Blockchain also supports interoperability, allowing loyalty points to be earned and redeemed across different hotels or chains, increasing rewards’ flexibility and value. This technology enables real-time, transparent transactions, letting guests track and use points without complex conversion processes. Many blockchain loyalty programs also use tokenised points, which can be traded or transferred, expanding their usability beyond hotel services.

The UAE’s hospitality industry is a beacon of innovation, continually embracing the latest technologies to enhance guest experience, improve efficiency, and drive sustainability. By integrating digital tools, AI, robotics, VR, and blockchain, UAE hotels and resorts are meeting the evolving expectations of modern travellers. These technologies streamline operations and create a memorable and differentiated experience that sets UAE hospitality apart globally. As technology continues to grow and evolve, so will the processes that define hospitality in the UAE, ensuring that this sector remains at the forefront of service, luxury, and innovation. For professionals and stakeholders in the hospitality industry, staying abreast of these advancements is crucial, as they not only influence day-to-day operations but also shape the future of hospitality in a rapidly changing world.