EDITOR ’ S COMMENT
Welcome to Issue 49 of Intelligent Tech Channels . A recent study commissioned by Dell Technologies and conducted by Forrester Consulting titled : Unveiling Data Challenges Afflicting Businesses Around The
World has revealed that for most businesses , data has become their most valuable business asset but are overwhelmed with the sheer volume , velocity and variety of data . Based on a survey with 4,036 data decisionmakers from 45 locations , including the UAE and Saudi Arabia , the findings build upon the biennial Dell Technologies Digital Transformation Index study , which assesses the digital maturity of businesses around the globe .
In this regard , we continue to cover articles in this edition of the magazine addressing the issue of cybersecurity , data , Digital Transformation and digital maturity of companies in the Middle East and Africa region and the opportunities this is creating for channel partners .
Gracing the cover of this month ’ s edition is Hesham Tantawi , Vice President , ASBIS Middle East , who tells us how the company is pushing a value focused approach in the channel as it continues to nurture partners to become strategic solution providers in a fast evolving and maturing MEA IT market .
Among the many insights , Tantawi shares that : “ The market is experiencing channel stability , and we are seeing a lot of resellers and solutions providers developing their businesses to be more value and solutions focused , and not the trading in commoditised IT products that characterised the regional channel in the years gone by . A huge focus for ASBIS and its channel ecosystem this year is on value . To this end , we have established and or cemented our video conferencing , networking , server and storage businesses .” You can read more by turning to page 19 . This month ’ s Expert Speak comes from Karlton Gray , Channel Director , Schneider Electric , UK and Ireland , who discusses changing business models , the need for real-time application availability , resilient connectivity , and why the surge in IoT devices is creating opportunities for channel partners .
And don ’ t forget to find out about this month ’ s channel chiefs on pages 61 to 64 . The interviewees are Ossama Eldeeb , Senior Director , South EMEA Partner Organisation , VMware and Sandrine El Khodry , Vice president , MEA , Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise .
And , as usual , we have all your favourite features and news from around the regions – check our website for daily updates . I hope you enjoy this edition and do not hesitate to get in touch if you have anything you would like to share with regards to the channel . You can email me at manda @ lynchpinmedia . com .
Manda Banda Managing Editor
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