Intelligent Tech Channels Issue 30 | Page 6

NEWS ServiceNow makes no layoff pledge for 2020 ServiceNow, a leading digital workflow company that makes work, work better for people, is committing to protect the jobs of its 11,000-plus global workforce through 2020 despite the economic uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company also expects to keep hiring for new jobs worldwide this year. In addition, ServiceNow expects to continue to protect the jobs and salaries of several hundred support staff and contractors who are not working while ServiceNow’s offices remain closed. “We want our employees focused on supporting our customers, not worried about their own jobs,” said Bill McDermott, ServiceNow’s CEO. “We are committed to no layoffs for 2020. We are continuing to hire worldwide.” “We are grateful to be in this position.” McDermott continued. “Keeping our company strong means we can help our customers succeed. Supporting our customers, we can help get the US and global economy working again. More than ever, companies see that creating great workflow-designed experiences help protect revenue and growth, provide Business Continuity and drive productivity. These are the priorities for every company now. We are all in this together.” ServiceNow has continued to hire and onboard new employees throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Cisco and Bahwan to implement Smart Cities tech for Oman ministry Oman’s Ministry of Technology and Communications has launched a pilot project for Smart Cities in the Knowledge Oasis Muscat (KOM) in partnership with Oman Telecommunications Company (Omantel) and the Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn). The project is being implemented by Cisco and Bahwan Information Technology and was unveiled under the patronage of the Sultanate’s Minister of Technology and Communications, Azza bint Sulaiman al- Ismailia. During the launch, a presentation on the Smart City system was presented by Technical Director at Cisco, Turki bin Saif al-Yahmadi. He explained some of the benefits of implementing the project, which included controlling traffic in the KOM using an advanced database that enables rapid data analysis. Chief Executive Officer at the ministry, Dr Salim bin Sultan al-Ruzaiqi, explained how the project, which will be an experimental model, contributes to providing an infrastructure for Smart Cities in the Sultanate. He added that the decision makers and various concerned authorities and institutions could benefit from the project when implementing Smart City projects in all governorates across the country. Al-Ruzaiqi said: “The launch of the Smart Cities project at the SAS Center for the 4th Industrial Revolution comes with the objective of launching Omani projects and institutions working in the field of the Fourth Industrial Revolution applications, such as IOT, AI, Blockchain and others.” 6