Mindware partners with Jamf to accelerate Apple device management and security across UAE, Bahrain & Jordan
Mindware, a leading value-added distributor (VAD) in the Middle East and Africa, has announced a strategic partnership with Jamf, the standard in managing and securing Apple at work. Under this agreement, Jamf has appointed Mindware as an authorised distributor to expand the reach of its Apple device management and security solutions across the regional markets of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain and Jordan.
Mindware was chosen for its deep understanding of reseller requirements and a proven legacy of reliability and service excellence spanning more than 30 years. The partnership enables Jamf to scale its presence across strategic markets in the Middle East by leveraging Mindware’s extensive network of resellers and system integrators.
Through this collaboration, Mindware will distribute Jamf’s full commercial portfolio, including Jamf for Mac, Jamf for Mobile, and Jamf for K-12, alongside training, certifications, and value-added services to support partners.
As regional organisations increasingly adopt Apple devices within enterprise environments, the demand for purpose-built Apple management and security solutions continues to grow. This partnership comes at a pivotal time, enabling businesses to securely manage, deploy, and scale Apple devices while enhancing user experience and maintaining compliance.
Mindware will play a central role in enabling Jamf’s reseller ecosystem by delivering a comprehensive set of value-added services. The objective is to equip partners with the expertise and tools required to effectively position and deploy Jamf solutions.
The partnership addresses a significant market opportunity driven by rising Apple adoption, employee choice programmes, increasing cybersecurity requirements, and the shift toward remote and hybrid work environments. It also supports growing demand in key sectors such as financial services, government, education, and aviation.
Jamf strengthens Mindware’s portfolio by introducing a dedicated Apple-native management and security platform. Unlike cross-platform tools, Jamf is purpose-built for Apple environments, offering same-day operating system support, deep integration with Apple Business Manager and Apple School Manager, and advanced capabilities in threat detection, compliance, and zero-trust access.
Nicholas Argyrides, left, and David Helfer, right. Photo credit: Mindware, Jamf
“Our partnership with Jamf represents a strategic step in strengthening our endpoint and cybersecurity portfolio” said Nicholas Argyrides, Vice President – Gulf & East Africa at Mindware. “As Apple adoption continues to accelerate within enterprise environments, our role is to enable partners with the right solutions, expertise, and support to meet this demand. Together with Jamf, we are committed to building a strong, scalable ecosystem that empowers organisations to securely manage and maximise their Apple environments.”
“UAE, Bahrain and Jordan represent a significant and fast-growing opportunity for Apple in the enterprise,” said David Helfer, Chief Revenue Officer at Jamf. “Organisations in these countries are increasingly choosing Apple devices for their workforce, and they need a management and security platform that is purpose-built for Apple to realise that investment. Mindware’s reach, regional expertise, and track record make them exactly the right distribution partner to bring Jamf’s platform to scale across the region. We’re excited about what we can build together.”
The partnership will officially go live in July 2026, with a structured rollout plan that includes partner onboarding, enablement programmes, and joint go-to-market initiatives such as launch events, co-branded campaigns, and MDF-supported demand generation activities.
Through this collaboration, Mindware and Jamf aim to empower regional organisations with a unified, Apple-native platform that simplifies device management, enhances security, and supports modern, distributed workforces.
Mindware, a leading IT distributor in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, takes pride in offering top-quality global brands to over 7,500 partners with legal entities in 13 countries. With a rich history dating back to 1991 and headquartered in Dubai, UAE, Mindware’s unwavering commitment spans over three decades, empowering businesses with cutting-edge IT solutions, AI technologies, and fostering digital transformation. Mindware’s comprehensive offering encompasses a selection of leading brands in infrastructure, networking, security, storage, and artificial intelligence solutions.
As part of its Value-Added Distribution (VAD) methodology, Mindware goes the extra mile to provide supplementary value-added services to its reselling partners including pre-sales consultancy, implementation services, local technical support, AI enablement, marketing enablement tools, and multiple channel-enabling programs. Supported by strategically positioned logistic centres in key locations, Mindware ensures seamless distribution across all channels, efficiently catering to the needs of its esteemed partners and customers in both traditional IT and emerging AI landscapes.
Al Jazeera Investments selects MDSap and SAP SuccessFactors to transform HR operations across nine legal entities
Dubai, UAE – MDSap, the SAP consulting and implementation arm of MDS System Integration Group, today announced the signing of a strategic agreement with Al Jazeera Investments LLC to implement SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central and SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central Payroll across nine legal entities within the organization. The implementation will support more than 5,000 employees and provide a unified, scalable HR platform to support the company’s future growth and workforce transformation objectives.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in Al Jazeera Investments’ digital transformation journey, enabling the organization to modernize HR operations, streamline workforce management, and establish a centralized system for employee and payroll processes across its business portfolio.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior representatives from both organizations. Representing Al Jazeera Investments were Rashid Lootah, General Manager IT; Abdul Razak, IT Executive; and Mirna Mahfouz, Group HR Manager, alongside members of the company’s leadership, IT, and HR teams. Representing MDSap and SAP were Marwan Zeineddine, Managing Director, SAP UAE; Tony Achkar, EVP and Managing Director, MDSap; Tony Toutoungy, Regional Head of SAP Practice MENA, MDSap; Amr Awaad, Regional Sales Director ME South, MDSap; and Asad Ghayas, Account Manager, MDSap.
Building a scalable HR foundation
The implementation of SAP SuccessFactors Employee Central and Employee Central Payroll will provide Al Jazeera Investments with a modern cloud-based HR platform capable of supporting its growing workforce while improving efficiency, governance, and visibility across HR operations.
By consolidating employee data and payroll processes within a single platform, the organization will be better positioned to standardize operations across its legal entities, improve workforce planning, and enhance the employee experience.
The project also establishes a strong foundation for future expansion into additional SAP SuccessFactors modules, enabling Al Jazeera Investments to further enhance talent management, learning, performance management, workforce analytics, and employee engagement capabilities as business requirements evolve.
Signing the partnership agreement. Photo credit: MDSap
A strategic partnership with long-term potential
Beyond the initial implementation, the agreement represents the beginning of a broader strategic relationship between Al Jazeera Investments, MDSap, and SAP.
Tony Achkar, EVP and Managing Director of MDSap, said:
“We are proud to partner with Al Jazeera Investments on this important transformation initiative. The implementation of SAP SuccessFactors will provide a scalable and future-ready HR foundation that supports the organization’s long-term growth objectives. This engagement represents the beginning of a strategic relationship, and we look forward to supporting Al Jazeera Investments’ broader digital transformation ambitions through additional SAP solutions and innovations in the years ahead.”
As one of MDSap’s key strategic accounts, Al Jazeera Investments represents significant opportunities for future collaboration across SAP’s broader portfolio, supporting the organization’s continued focus on operational excellence, scalability, and business innovation.
Supporting future growth through digital transformation
As organizations across the region continue to modernize business processes and invest in digital technologies, human capital management has become a critical component of long-term business success. By adopting SAP SuccessFactors, Al Jazeera Investments is investing in a platform that not only addresses current HR requirements but also provides the flexibility and scalability needed to support future growth.
The project further reinforces MDSap’s position as a trusted SAP partner for organizations seeking to modernize operations, optimize workforce management, and accelerate digital transformation through industry-leading enterprise solutions.
MDSap, part of MDS System Integration Group, is a leading SAP consulting and implementation partner serving organizations across the Middle East and EMEA region. With more than 30 years of experience and over 300 organizations served, MDSap helps enterprises accelerate digital transformation through SAP solutions spanning ERP, human capital management, analytics, finance, and business technology platforms.
About Al Jazeera Investments LLC
Established in 1999, Al Jazeera Investments LLC is a leading UAE-based investment company with a diversified portfolio spanning real estate, construction, industrial, food, transportation, concrete, and other strategic sectors. Through its portfolio of companies and investments, the organization continues to drive business growth, operational excellence, and long-term value creation across the region.
HPE operated by Selectium achieves strong impact at the Fifth Intelligent Data Conference
Intelligent Data is the annual event hosted by HPE, operated by Selectium, and serves as the company’s largest gathering of channel partners, business decision-makers, technical experts, stakeholders and industry partners. Now in its fifth year, the event provides a platform to showcase HPE’s latest innovations, strengthen business relationships and share valuable insights into emerging industry trends.
Held once again at the Kaptol Boutique Cinema & Bar in Zagreb, Croatia, the conference brought together more than 200 delegates from across the regional technology ecosystem. Attendees took part in expert-led business and technical sessions focused on how organisations can successfully achieve digital transformation. HPE partners also had the opportunity to connect with one another, hear updates on the latest strategic developments and network during the informal afternoon programme.
Martin Moser from HPE welcomes delegates to the event. Photo credit: HPE, operated by Selectium.
The conference opened with remarks from Martin Moser, GM and VP, East Central Europe, HPE, followed by a welcome from Boštjan Kosi, Director, HPE, operated by Selectium.
Three keynote sessions then explored key pillars of modern technology transformation, focusing on networking, cloud and artificial intelligence. Tomislav Lukačević, HPE Networking & Servers Presales Consultant, presented ‘Networking – Connect & Protect.’ Bruno Funduk, HPE Storage Presales Consultant, and Mladen Vukadinović, Solutions Sales Specialist, delivered ‘Cloud – Modernize & Optimize.’ Denis Stanarević, Solution Portfolio Lead for Data Services Platforms, HPE, presented ‘AI – Automate & Accelerate.’
After the morning coffee break, awards were presented to valued local partners by Robert Mikulin, Country Sales Manager, Croatia, and Irena Čengić, Channel Manager Croatia, both from HPE, operated by Selectium.
Goran Slijepčević presents his insights at Intelligent Data conference. Photo credit: HPE, operated by Selectium.
Importantly, the event welcomed major partners from across the IT landscape. A prominent afternoon speaker was Goran Slijepčević, Sales Manager Adriatic at Commvault, who presented ‘Recovery after the cyber-attack – how to achieve it?’
Further sessions from HPE, operated by Selectium, completed the programme. The event concluded with closing remarks from Robert Mikulin, Country Sales Manager Croatia for HPE, operated by Selectium.
“We are proud that for the fifth year in a row, we have gathered a large number of users and partners and together we have exchanged experiences, ideas and views on the future of data and technology” said a spokesperson for the company on LinkedIn.
“With a large number of users and partners, we presented novelties in the field of networks, artificial intelligence and data storage. It was a pleasure to show how HPE Networking is creating a new generation of self-driving networks for a superior online user experience with agentic AI technology. Thank you all for your participation, great conversations and the energy you brought. See you again next year!”
The HPE, operated by Selectium team, and speakers join together at the end of Intelligent Data. Photo credit: HPE, operated by Selectium.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise operated by Selectium serves as the local representative of Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) in Bulgaria, Croatia, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Serbia and Slovenia. It is a renowned technology company with a comprehensive range of high-quality IT solutions, services, and products designed to assist customers in optimizing their IT environments. It provides innovative technologies that empower organizations to transition to a hybrid infrastructure, safeguard and manage business data, and foster increased productivity and essential agility in the market. In today’s business landscape, these capabilities are indispensable for successful operations.
iSTYLE accelerates its vision for Apple Premium Retail in Romania
iSTYLE Romania continues to shape the future of Apple retail nationally through three strategic store developments: the transformation of iSTYLE Cluj store from Iulius Mall into the first Apple Premium Partner store from outside Bucharest, the opening of iSTYLE Arad, and the expansion of the retail footprint in Iași with a second location. On July 24, 2026, iSTYLE will also open the first Apple Premium Partner store in Timișoara, the main economic, social and cultural center in Western Romania.
Together, these milestones reflect iSTYLE’s ambition to grow alongside its communities and to elevate the Apple experience in Romania’s most dynamic cities. Through these strategic investments, iSTYLE continues to build a strong, future-focused retail network in the nation, driven by innovation, quality, and a deep commitment to customer experience.
“These store developments are more than openings or upgrades; they reflect our belief in the potential of each city and in the communities we serve,” said Dragos Vrinceanu, Country Manager, iSTYLE.
“Whether we are entering a new market, strengthening an established one, or elevating a store to Apple Premium Partner status, our goal remains the same: to inspire people and bring them closer to the best of Apple technology through meaningful, premium experiences” added Dragos.
iSTYLE Cluj – interior view. Photo credit: iSTYLE
iSTYLE Cluj, Iulius Mall: Apple Premium Partner
Situated in the northwest of the country and Romania’s second-most populous city, Cluj is a major academic, cultural, and tourism hub. The development of the existing iSTYLE Cluj store in the Iulius Mall into an Apple Premium Partner site represents a defining moment for the brand. This evolution is a clear recognition of Cluj’s potential as a technology and innovation hub. Importantly, iSTYLE Cluj is the first Apple Premium Partner store outside of Bucharest, bringing a truly premium Apple retail experience to a wider audience across the country. Designed in line with Apple’s global standards, the store offers an immersive environment, in-depth product demonstrations, and premium consulting services tailored to both individual and professional users.
The opening of iSTYLE Apple Premium Partner store in Cluj was designed as a multi-day experience, thoughtfully built around connection, education, and celebration — reflecting both the store’s new status and the vibrant spirit of the local community.
One day prior to the public launch, iSTYLE Cluj hosted an exclusive, invitation-only SMB event, dedicated to business partners and SMB customers from the region. The private session focused on showcasing Apple solutions and tailored services for companies, highlighting how Apple technology can support productivity, collaboration, and growth for small and medium-sized businesses. The event offered attendees a closer look at the specialized consulting, device management, and ongoing support services available to business customers, reinforcing iSTYLE’s role as a long-term technology partner for the local SMB ecosystem.
The team at iSTYLE Cluj relax at the grand opening event. Photo credit: iSTYLE
On Saturday, May 23 at 10:00 AM, iSTYLE Cluj officially opened its doors to the public with a dedicated launch event. Customers were welcomed into the redesigned space, centered around discovery, interaction, and inspiration. The event was hosted by Alex Grecu, a well-known Romanian radio personality, who guided visitors through the opening moments and contributed to the energetic and engaging atmosphere of the day.
A highlight of the opening day was a series of four dedicated workshops, led by multiple speakers and special guests. The sessions covered a range of creative and practical topics within the Apple ecosystem, offering attendees hands-on insights, real-life use cases, and inspiration across different areas, from productivity to content creation. The workshops reinforced the Apple Premium Partner concept in Cluj as more than a retail destination, positioning the store as a space for learning, dialogue, and creative exchange within the community.
To mark the occasion, iSTYLE Cluj introduced exclusive, one-of-a-kind offers, available only during the opening period. Designed especially for launch-day visitors, these promotions added a celebratory dimension to the experience and rewarded customers who chose to be part of the milestone moment as the store opened.
Apple fans enjoy the atmosphere at the opening of iSTYLE Arad. Photo credit: iSTYLE
iSTYLE Arad: bringing the Apple experience to a new city
The opening of iSTYLE Arad marks the brand’s first store in the city, representing an important step in expanding access to Apple technology in western Romania. As an Apple Authorized Reseller, the store offers customers the latest Apple products, expert guidance, and trusted services — all designed to make innovation more accessible and inspiring. This new location reinforces iSTYLE’s mission to be closer to customers and to support creativity, productivity, and connection through technology.
The staff team at iSTYLE Iași wait calmly to welcome Apple fans as the store opens for the first time. Photo credit: iSTYLE
iSTYLE Iași: growing together with a strong community
With the launch of a second store in Iași, iSTYLE strengthens its presence in one of Romania’s most vibrant and fast-growing cities. This expansion underlines the strong relationship built with the local community and responds to increasing demand for Apple products and services. The new Apple Authorized Reseller store enhances convenience and accessibility, offering customers an elevated retail experience supported by knowledgeable specialists and a complete Apple ecosystem.
iSTYLE, a proud member of the Midis Group, is the largest network of Apple Premium retail stores across 15 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, and Spain under the K-tuin brand. Since launching its first store in 1999, iSTYLE has grown into a global leader in Apple retail, boasting more than 140 locations in the EMEA.
This includes 69 stores across CEE and 31 in the MENA, offering customers a premium shopping experience with expert guidance and top-tier service. Additionally, its sister company, K-tuin, further strengthens its presence with 46 stores across Spain, ensuring Apple enthusiasts have access to unparalleled service and the latest innovations.
MDS Storage Solutions & MDS System Integration Group achieve double win at Dell Technologies Gulf Executive Partner summit & awards
Dubai, UAE – MDS System Integration Group, the systems integration arm of the Midis Group, today announced a landmark double win at the Dell Technologies Gulf Executive Partner Summit and Awards 2026, held from June 23-26, 2026, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Leading the achievements, MDS Storage Solutions, part of MDS SI, claimed the prestigious Partner of the Year South Gulf award, while MDS System Integration Group was named the Marketing Partner of the Year. Together, these accolades highlight the Group’s comprehensive technical expertise, robust go-to-market execution, and deep commitment to technology partners and clients across the region.
The annual Dell Technologies Gulf Executive Partner Summit and Awards is a premier event in the regional technology sector, celebrating partners who deliver outstanding performance, business impact, and innovation across the Gulf.
Photo credit: MDS Storage Solutions
Partner of the Year, South Gulf: MDS Storage Solutions
The Partner of the Year, South Gulf award honors exceptional business performance, deep technical expertise, and proven customer success across the South Gulf territory. As a premier enterprise systems integrator in the UAE, MDS Storage Solutions is highly regarded for designing and deploying advanced, tailored enterprise data center solutions (encompassing servers, storage, backup, networking, and cybersecurity).
“Winning the Partner of the Year, South Gulf award is a proud moment for MDS Storage Solutions and the entire Group. It reflects our relentless dedication to technical excellence and our proven ability to deliver complex, future-ready data center solutions” said Hadi Nader, Executive Vice President, MDS System Integration Group.
“We want to extend our deepest gratitude to our end users for their continued trust, and to Dell Technologies for their invaluable partnership in making this happen. Together, we remain committed to empowering our enterprise customers across the region” added Hadi Nader.
This recognition reflects the organization’s highly qualified engineering team, profound technical capabilities, and consistent success in implementing mission-critical environments that support the digital evolution of regional enterprises.
Marketing Partner of the Year: MDS System Integration Group
The Marketing Partner of the Year award recognizes a partner who has established stellar brand alignment with Dell Technologies, executing strategic, high-impact campaigns that drive measurable market awareness, engagement, and pipeline growth across the region. MDS System Integration Group’s award emphasizes its excellence in translating complex technology offerings into clear, valuable solutions for the market.
Caroline Kazanjian, Group Marketing Director at MDS System Integration Group, commented: “Being named Dell Technologies Marketing Partner of the Year is a recognition of the strength and depth of our partnership. At MDS SI Group, we believe that marketing’s core role is to create the conditions for sustainable business growth, building market credibility, accelerating pipeline, and positioning our joint capabilities where they matter most to our clients. This award is equally a tribute to the marketing team whose dedication turned strategy into measurable impact. It reinforces our commitment to driving this partnership forward with the same ambition.”
A Landmark Milestone for the MDS SI Group
These dual honors reflect the combined strength of the MDS SI Group, proving its capability to deliver top-tier technical solutions alongside world-class strategic marketing. For an organization with decades of regional leadership, this double victory cements a long-term partnership with Dell Technologies built on mutual trust, outstanding performance, and shared regional goals.
MDS System Integration Group is the systems integration arm of the Midis Group. Having been in the market for more than five decades, MDS SI Group has extensive experience in delivering the most innovative technologies and empowering enterprises across the Middle East and Turkey.
MDS SI has been ranked #1 by IDC in terms of IT Services revenues across several countries in the GCC. Comprising 60+ companies spread across 11 countries and 18 major cities, MDS SI Group serves 5,000+ customers through 3,000+ professionals in sales, pre-sales, implementation, tech support, and more.
The Group provides complete turnkey solutions covering Digital Transformation (Cloud, AI, Data Management, Automation, Analytics), Data Center Infrastructure Services, Managed Services, Cybersecurity, Business Solutions, Professional Services, End User Computing, Mobility and Communications, Enterprise Infrastructure, Technical Services, Site and Power Solutions, ELV and AV, and Mobile and Containerized Data Centers.
MDS Storage Solutions (MDS SS), part of MDS System Integration Group, is a leading enterprise Systems Integrator in the UAE, leveraging long experience in the region and providing excellent service through a highly qualified, trained, and experienced team of engineers. Since its inception, MDS SS has focused on integrating and delivering customized advanced enterprise Data Centre Solutions, including servers, storage, backup, network, and security across the Middle East. Regional coverage is an indicator of the company’s experience, strengths, and ability to grow, manage, and support various types of projects and environments.
MDS awarded EcoVadis Bronze Medal for sustainability performance
Mideast Data Systems (MDS) LLC has been officially awarded the EcoVadis Bronze Medal, recognizing its strong sustainability performance and unyielding commitment to responsible business practices.
EcoVadis is one of the world’s most trusted and widely recognized providers of business sustainability ratings. Its comprehensive framework evaluates organizations across four core pillars: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics and Sustainable Procurement. The assessment is based on internationally recognized sustainability standards and evaluates the effectiveness of a company’s policies, actions, and reporting practices.
MDS achieved an overall score of 69/100 and ranked in the 77th percentile globally, outperforming 77% of companies assessed by EcoVadis – a truly impressive performance and a great tribute to the work of the MDS Sustainability Team.
The achievement, announced on June 5, reflects the significant progress made in strengthening sustainability management systems, enhancing governance practices, improving transparency, and embedding ESG principles across the organization.
Commenting on the achievement, Khaled H. Nehme, Project Director at MDS, said: “The EcoVadis Bronze Medal is an important milestone in our sustainability journey and reflects the dedication of our teams across the organization. We are proud of the progress achieved and remain committed to continuously improving our sustainability performance and creating long-term value for our stakeholders.”
MDS is part of MDS SI Group, whose sustainability vision is to integrate responsible environmental, social, and governance practices across its diverse operations, while driving long-term value creation and positive impact for stakeholders
SOLEC Solar Energy Systems joins the MDS Site & Power Group, part of MDS System Integration Group
Abu Dhabi, UAE, June 22 – MDS System Integration Group today announced that SOLEC Solar Energy Systems has joined the MDS Site & Power Group, further expanding the Group’s capabilities in renewable energy, solar power solutions, and sustainable infrastructure.
The addition of SOLEC reinforces MDS SI Group’s commitment to supporting organizations as they pursue energy efficiency, sustainability, and long-term operational resilience. With its expertise in solar energy solutions, SOLEC enhances the Group’s ability to deliver a broader portfolio of power, infrastructure, and energy services that address the evolving needs of businesses and public sector organizations across the region.
“SOLEC strengthens the Site & Power Group’s ability to support customers with innovative solar energy solutions that help reduce energy costs, improve efficiency, and contribute to environmental goals” said Ghassan Abdel Rahman, Executive Vice President of MDS Site & Power Group. “Integrating SOLEC’s capabilities into the Group means customers benefit from access to a comprehensive range of services that combine renewable energy expertise with established power and infrastructure solutions.”
A group photograph as SOLEC joins MDS Site & Power. Photo credit: MDS Site & Power
Supporting the region’s sustainability ambitions
The move reflects MDS SI Group’s ongoing strategy of investing in specialized technologies and expertise that create long-term value for customers. By expanding its presence in the renewable energy sector, the Group is better positioned to support organizations as they navigate the transition toward more sustainable and resilient operations.
Together, the Site & Power Group and SOLEC will continue to deliver innovative solutions that help customers address energy challenges, strengthen operational performance, and achieve their sustainability objectives.
SOLEC Solar Energy Systems specializes in solar energy and renewable power solutions, helping organizations implement sustainable technologies that improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and support long-term energy objectives.
MDS Site & Power Group, part of MDS System Integration Group, delivers specialized solutions across power infrastructure, energy management, critical facilities, and related technologies. Through its expertise and portfolio of services, the Group helps organizations build resilient, efficient, and future-ready environments that support business continuity and sustainable growth.
Southcomp Polaris and Dell Technologies bring together Libyan partners to unlock business value with AI, Secure Cloud, and Cyber Resilience
Hammamet, Tunisia – June 17 to 19 2026; Southcomp Polaris, part of Mindware, in collaboration with Dell Technologies, successfully hosted an exclusive Partner Enablement Event at the prestigious Sindbad Hotel, bringing together key partners from Libya for a day of strategic insights, technology innovation, and business collaboration.
Held under the theme ‘Unlocking Business Value with AI, Secure Cloud, and Cyber Resilience,’ the event showcased the latest advancements in Artificial Intelligence, Private Cloud, Data Protection, Cyber Resilience, and Modern Infrastructure, while providing attendees with an in-depth overview of the opportunities available through the Dell Technologies FY27 Partner Program.
The event featured expert-led sessions covering Dell Technologies’ strategic vision, partner growth initiatives, storage modernization, cyber resilience, data protection, and next-generation AI-powered client solutions. Participants also benefited from dedicated networking opportunities and one-to-one discussions with Dell Technologies and Southcomp Polaris experts.
Commenting on the event, Anis Abdessalem, Country Manager Tunisia, Libya & Ivory Coast at Southcomp Polaris, said: “At Southcomp Polaris, we strongly believe that our partners play an important role in accelerating digital transformation across the region. This event reflects our commitment to empowering our ecosystem with the knowledge, tools, and innovations needed to unlock new business opportunities and drive sustainable growth through AI, Secure Cloud, and Cyber Resilience.”
Anis Abdessalem presents at the event. Photo credit: Southcomp Polaris
Mohamed Basti, General Manager NAL at Dell Technologies, highlighted the importance of collaboration within the partner ecosystem: “The technology landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Through our FY27 Partner Program and our continued investments in AI, infrastructure, and cyber resilience, Dell Technologies remains committed to helping our partners capture new market opportunities, deliver greater value to customers, and achieve long-term success.”
Samir Rachedi, Account Executive Algeria & Libya at Dell Technologies, emphasized the strategic role of partners in the region: “Our partners are at the heart of Dell Technologies’ growth strategy. By combining innovation, expertise, and a customer-centric approach, we can help organizations across Libya embrace emerging technologies and build resilient, future-ready IT environments.”
The event reaffirmed the shared commitment of Dell Technologies and Southcomp Polaris to strengthening the partner ecosystem across Libya and supporting organizations in navigating the opportunities and challenges of the AI era.
Southcomp Polaris, part of Mindware, is a leading value-added distributor providing innovative technology solutions, services, and expertise across Africa and the Middle East, supporting partners to accelerate growth and deliver greater value to their customers.
MDS for Computer Systems wins KSA Partner of the Year at Cisco Partner Summit
MDS for Computer Systems (MDS CS) was awarded the accolade KSA Partner of the Year at Cisco Partner Summit 2025. The company was recognized as Partner of the Year for its innovation, leadership, and best practices as a Cisco Partner.
“Being named KSA Cisco Partner of the Year 2025 for the EMEA Middle East & Africa Theatre is a remarkable achievement and a proud milestone for our organization” said Yazid Irshaid, General Manager, Eastern Province, MDS CS.
“This recognition underscores the strength of our strategic partnership with Cisco, our commitment to innovation, and our relentless focus on delivering value to our customers. I would like to thank our teams for their dedication and our customers for their continued trust.”
Photo credit: Cisco
Recipients of Cisco Partner Summit Awards are top-performing partners that have introduced innovative processes, seized new opportunities, and adopted sales approaches that achieve substantial business outcomes for customers.
The awards recognize partners for their achievements within specific technology categories and markets across the world. Award recipients are selected by a group of executives representing Cisco’s Global and Regional Partner Sales Organizations.
Founded in 1982 by Sheikh Mohammed Mansour Al-Rumaih as Mideast Data Systems, today MDS CS is a well-known and highly reputable organization with a team of professional engineers and technicians, with a large base of satisfied customers, including significant numbers of large turnkey projects.
MDS CS takes a highly professional approach to meeting each of its customers’ unique business requirements. Its commitment in terms of financial investment and customer support is aimed at a long-term relationship with its customers.
Computer Direct Access (CDA) named as NVIDIA’s EMEA rising star
Dubai, UAE – Computer Direct Access (CDA), part of MDS System Integration Group, today announced it has been named the Rising Star at the EMEA NVIDIA Partner Awards 2026. The distinction recognizes CDA’s outstanding growth, technical expertise, and success in delivering AI and accelerated computing solutions powered by NVIDIA technology.
The “Rising Star” award, which celebrates the achievements of top-performing partners across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, is a testament to CDA’s significant investments and rapid advancement in building capabilities around NVIDIA’s industry-leading platforms. These platforms are critical for developing and deploying AI, machine learning, and high-performance computing (HPC) applications.
Mohamed Al-Bolbol, General Manager at Computer Direct Access: “To be recognized by NVIDIA as their Rising Star in the EMEA region is a powerful validation of our team’s dedication to AI and accelerated computing. This award is not just an honor; it is a reflection of our commitment to delivering transformative technology solutions that drive real-world innovation for our customers across the UAE.”
A partnership driving regional innovation
For years, Computer Direct Access has been a trusted technology partner for enterprises and government bodies throughout the UAE. This award from NVIDIA marks a key milestone in the company’s evolution, highlighting its strategic focus on the technologies that are reshaping industries.
The collaboration with NVIDIA empowers CDA to provide its customers with a comprehensive suite of solutions, from NVIDIA DGX™ systems for AI infrastructure to advanced networking and software platforms. This enables organizations to harness the power of AI to optimize operations, unlock new insights from data, and create innovative services.
Commitment to AI and accelerated computing excellence
The NVIDIA Partner Award underscores CDA’s deep-seated commitment to technical excellence and customer success. The company’s certified team of experts works closely with clients to design, deploy, and manage bespoke solutions that meet their unique challenges. By leveraging NVIDIA’s ecosystem, CDA is helping organizations across the region accelerate their AI journeys and achieve tangible business outcomes.
This honor is a shared success, made possible by the dedication of the entire CDA team and the strength of the partnership with NVIDIA.
Computer Direct Access (CDA), part of the MDS SI Group, is committed to driving business excellence by utilizing world-class technology solutions backed by the most powerful ecosystem. CDA delivers the latest technical solutions to the region, utilizing adopted worldwide best practices to be the premier option for a varied array of products, solutions, and client relations.
As a Solution Integrator, CDA is a Titanium Black Dell partner, an Enterprise VMware Solution provider, and an authorized reseller and service provider for a wide range of global brands. CDA delivers robust, cost-effective, and secure IT solutions to the education, advertising, hospitality, industrial, commercial, and governmental sectors, empowering organizations to transform their operations and drive continuous innovation.
MDS Solutions: a name you know, a new chapter.
Dubai, UAE – May 2026 – eSolutions has officially rebranded as MDS Solutions, marking a strategic evolution that broadens the company’s enterprise technology mission while preserving the team, expertise, and partnerships that have anchored its work across the Gulf.
The new identity signals bigger ambitions: a sharper focus on AI-Led Business Transformation, the Data Value Platform, and Intelligent IT Automation, built on the same foundation of infrastructure and asset management that defined the business for years.
“Becoming MDS Solutions does not change who we are. It expands what we can do for our customers. The same accountability, the same IBM partnership, and the same people, now backed by a much wider mandate to drive AI-led transformation and measurable business outcomes across the Gulf” said Miguel Khouri, Senior Vice President at MDS Solutions.
A Foundation That Remains
For years, the team behind MDS Solutions has stood at the center of its customers’ infrastructure, asset management program, and IBM technology journeys across the Gulf. That foundation does not change. The same practitioners, the same engineering depth, and the same commitment to taking personal responsibility for customer outcomes carry forward under the new identity.
Scaling Enterprise Capabilities
The shift to MDS Solutions reflects an expanded scope of services designed to address the most pressing priorities of enterprise and government customers in the region. The broader portfolio spans:
Enterprise Asset Management
Data & Enterprise AI
Hybrid & Sovereign IT
Cybersecurity & Compliance
Enterprise Integration
These practices bring together AI-Led Business Transformation, the Data Value Platform, and Intelligent IT Automation, alongside the asset lifecycle management discipline that has long defined the company.
An Enduring IBM and Red Hat Partnership
MDS Solutions continues as an IBM Platinum Partner and Red Hat Premier Partner, sustaining one of the region’s strongest and longest-running IBM alliances. This partnership remains central to how the company designs, deploys, and operates mission-critical platforms for customers across the Gulf, ensuring continuity for the enterprises that rely on its technology stack.
Technology as the Tool. Outcomes as the Mission.
At the heart of the rebrand is a renewed focus on practical, trusted, and measurable outcomes. Technology is positioned as the means rather than the end, with engagements structured around tangible business results for customers navigating digital transformation, regulatory change, and the accelerating adoption of enterprise AI.
Same people. Same expertise. A broader mission. Welcome to MDS Solutions. Empowering businesses.
MDS Solutions is an enterprise technology partner operating across the Gulf, delivering AI-Led Business Transformation, Data Value Platform services, Intelligent IT Automation, and enterprise asset lifecycle management to public and private sector organisations.
As an IBM Platinum Partner and Red Hat Premier Partner, MDS Solutions combines deep platform expertise with a team of practitioners who take personal responsibility for customer outcomes.
Building on the legacy of eSolutions, the company’s expanded capabilities span Enterprise Asset Management, Data & Enterprise AI, Hybrid & Sovereign IT, Cybersecurity & Compliance, and Enterprise Integration. MDS Solutions is part of MDS System Integration Group.
Thank you, Lagos – for SHIFTing the conversation on redefining cyber resilience for the AI era and modern enterprises
Commvault SHIFT Lagos, on May 14, was full of energy, connections, and conversations that made the event truly special. Commvault Systems, the American cyber resilience and data protection software company, has been running SHIFT, a global cyber resilience roadshow in 40 key business locations across the world.
The day was anchored by powerful leadership insights, beginning with Fady Richmany, who set a bold strategic tone with his presentation, ‘The AI Imperative – Resilience Reimagined,’ reinforcing the critical role of cyber resilience in an AI-driven world.
Fady Richmany tells the SHIFT audience about the new Commvault product, Unity. Photo credit: Commvault
Richmany said cybercrime is a huge threat to digital businesses, with ransomware now a $10.5 trillion global crisis. If it were an economy, it would rank third in the world, and the World Economic Forum lists cybercrime as a major global risk. He explained that Generative AI and especially Agentic AI are creating new cyber risks. Businesses feel pressure to adopt AI to stay competitive, even as many still depend on legacy systems and outdated skills; security is strained by data spread across clouds, SaaS apps, data lakes, DevOps pipelines and endpoints.
Richmany concluded by asserting AI is now central to business and demands both operational and AI resilience. Commvault’s response to this evolving landscape is “resilience operations,” powered by Unity, the next-generation release of Commvault Cloud. Building on this vision, Ravi Baldev Singh introduced ‘The Next Standard of Resilience,’ translating strategy into practical direction for organizations navigating increasingly complex threat landscapes.
The 313 attendees, including both customers and partners, were welcomed by Cristobal Macedo, General Manager, who set the tone for a day centered on innovation, collaboration, and forward-thinking resilience strategies. Additional insights were delivered by key Commvault experts Waheed Adeoye, Sr. Sales Engineer, West & Central Africa, and Rasheed Ola Jimoh, Sr. Director, Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ecosystem Sessions played an important role in the event, with expert perspectives on innovation, cyber resilience, digital transformation and the broader technology ecosystem. Key contributions were heard from Babajide Lewis, Technology Architect, HPE, who offered insights on ‘Strengthening Cyber Resilience with HPE and Commvault.’
Attendees also heard ‘The Future Belongs to the Resilient: Partnering for Cyber Readiness’ from Stanley Onyetem, Senior Vice President (SVP), Enterprise Infrastructure & Business Operations, Tenece. Ben-Young Amafonye, Senior Cloud and AI Specialist at Microsoft, added news about the Commvault and Microsoft alliance.
Closing remarks were made by Rasheed Ola Jimoh.
Ravi Baldev Singh followed Fadi Richmany by outlining ‘The Next Standard of Resilience.’ Photo credit: Commvault
Commvault was grateful to a number of key sponsors whose support made the event possible: Tenece, HPE, Uridium Group, Mitsumi Distribution, CPAAT and Cyberoutcome.
A Commvault spokesperson thanked the team for their hard work creating and delivering the event: “A heartfelt thank you to the Commvault Team – your passion, dedication, and flawless execution helped us deliver an unforgettable SHIFT experience. Your behind-the-scenes efforts made the day seamless and impactful, and we couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Once again, thank you to everyone who was part of SHIFT Lagos whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience. Let’s keep the momentum going as we continue building trust, driving innovation, and leading the way in cyber resilience across the region.”
Commvault (NASDAQ: CVLT) is the gold standard in cyber resilience, helping more than 100,000 organizations keep data safe and businesses resilient and moving forward. Today, Commvault offers the only cyber resilience platform that combines the best data security and rapid recovery at enterprise scale across any workload, anywhere—at the lowest TCO.
AI as the operating layer: how autonomous intelligence is redefining the future of work
“Welcome to a world where work gets done… and we’re mostly there for AI’s moral support.”
Bashir Kassis – Senior Vice President Technology and Security, Midis Group – on AI
We are shifting away from AI as a tool, toward AI as an operating layer. For years, enterprise technology followed a familiar pattern: systems supported people, people executed processes, and decisions remained human. Even with the rise of copilots, that model largely held.
Now it’s starting to break. More profoundly than most, leadership teams have internalized. This is not just better software, but systems that execute work: networks of AI agents capable of initiating, processing, and validating tasks with minimal human intervention.
We’re No Longer Paying for Software
We’re paying for a financial close. A vendor onboarded. A customer issue that disappears before it becomes a complaint. A risk caught before it becomes a headline.
This shift is often described as the rise of “Agent-as-a-Service” with vendors packaging agents across finance, HR, procurement, and support. But that framing misses the point. Enterprises don’t buy agents – they buy outcomes.
A CFO doesn’t want reconciliation tools; they want the books closed accurately, quickly, and compliantly. Procurement teams don’t want onboarding systems; they want suppliers activated, risks controlled, and the cycle reduced.
The unit of value is no longer the user. It is the outcome. And when software delivers outcomes directly, something fundamental changes. Software stops supporting the business and starts running it.
Only the Runway Belongs to IT
AI is turning every knowledge worker into a builder – not a developer, but someone assembling solutions through prompts, workflows, and data. We are transitioning from humans executing tasks, to building solutions, to supervising autonomous systems. Work is defined not by who does it, but by how it gets done.
In this context, IT’s role does not diminish it sharpens. IT lays the runway: security, data governance, and compliance. These remain non-negotiable in a world where systems act autonomously. But IT no longer controls where the plane goes. Users define the destination, adjust the route, and innovate at the edge.
This is not chaos – it is a redistribution of capability.
The Human Pause
Imagine this: a company where AI runs it all, optimizes everything… and the only inefficiency left is us.
My transformation roadmap is simple: automate processes, augment humans… and then quietly remove humans from the approval workflow. Soon enough, agents will be doing business with their own kind, getting approved by a senior agent, maybe even earning points as incentives.
I mean it as humor but it lands differently every time I say it out loud.
Because behind the joke is a question I keep coming back to: as AI grows faster, more consistent, and increasingly reliable, where do we still add value?
This is not just about automation or job displacement. The deeper shift is in how work is redefined from doing to deciding. That transition is not technical; it is cultural, structural, and a leadership challenge.
Where Leadership Still Lives
AI will not replace leadership but it will redefine it.
The role is no longer just to adopt technology, but to design how intelligence operates within the organization, ensuring that automation remains aligned with business intent and risk appetite.
This shift is happening, and the question is: how much of our business are we willing to let run without us?
And more importantly: do we shape that future or simply watch it unfold?
WOMEN@MIDIS – empowering equal opportunities
Every day, talented women across our organization help drive our teams’ success. Their ideas, leadership, and collaboration shape not only the work we do, but also the impact we create together.
With the support of Sonia El Alia, CFO & COO of Midis Group, WOMEN@MIDIS was launched to build on this strength, creating space for growth, conversation, and connection. The belief is simple: when people are supported in reaching their full potential, teams thrive and ideas go further.
Learning and growing together
Since October 2025, WOMEN@MIDIS have been creating meaningful opportunities for learning and exchange across the network.
Through monthly webinars featuring external speakers, participants explore topics such as leadership, bias awareness, work-life balance, and personal growth, with practical insights they can immediately apply in their day-to-day roles.
Quarterly on-site talks further create informal space to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from peers. Over time, these conversations help strengthen networks, spark mentorship, and foster greater collaboration across teams.
Beyond these moments of connection, the broader talent landscape also reinforces why initiatives like WOMEN@MIDIS matter.
Turning education into opportunity
Women now represent a significant share of highly educated talent worldwide. In the United States for example, they earn the majority of master’s and doctoral degrees, and recent research highlighted by Fortune suggests that fully leveraging this talent could generate more than $3 trillion in annual economic value in the U.S. alone.
Across our regions, similar trends are also emerging: women represent over 70% of university graduates in the UAE and Poland, around 55% in Romania and Saudi Arabia, and near parity in Morocco, according to gender data from the World Bank.
Yet leadership roles do not always reflect the progress women have made academically. Ensuring that advancement opportunities align with available talent is essential to unlocking performance, innovation, and long-term value.
Achieving this alignment is critical. When women and men contribute together, organizations benefit from broader perspectives, stronger collaboration, and better decision-making.
Photo credit: Midis Group
Looking ahead
Women@midis is just beginning, but the goal is clear: to foster learning, dialogue, and connection across the organization. Step by step, the initiative aims to support talent and contribute to a workplace where opportunity is accessible to all.
Advanced Business Computing (ABC) earns prestigious 2026 Google Cloud Partner of the Year award
Advanced Business Computing (ABC) Qatar has been awarded the 2026 Google Cloud Partner of the Year award for the MENA area. This recognition highlights ABC Qatar’s exceptional achievements within the Google Cloud ecosystem, helping joint customers leverage cutting-edge technology to solve complex technical challenges and drive national growth.
ABC Qatar is being recognized for its unique ability to deliver research-grade environments through deep local expertise and on-site guidance. By bridging the gap between global technology and national research goals, ABC Qatar has established itself as the premier partner for organizations requiring secure, high-performance Google Cloud implementations that align with the Qatar National Vision 2030.
Throughout 2025, ABC Qatar demonstrated technical mastery by spearheading some of the region’s most advanced cloud infrastructures. Key milestones that led to this recognition include:
High-Performance Infrastructure: The engineering and optimization of advanced AI accelerator clusters designed to support large-scale computational requirements and national innovation goals.
Platform Integration: Enabling end-to-end machine learning lifecycles utilizing the Google Cloud Vertex AI platform, from large-scale data analysis in BigQuery to complex model training.
Technical Delivery: Management of rigorous implementation roadmaps, including specialized workshops that map complex scientific use cases to specific cloud technologies.
Sustainable Governance: Implementation of ongoing managed services and FinOps practices to ensure the efficient and fiscally responsible use of high-performance resources.
The ABC Qatar team at the Google Cloud Next 26 event in Las Vegas. Photo credit: ABC
“Our mission at ABC Qatar is to translate global innovation into local impact” said Bassem Shatila, General Manager at Advanced Business Computing (ABC) Qatar.
“Being named the 2026 Google Cloud Partner of the Year validates our commitment to engineering secure ‘Landing Zones’ that remove technical barriers to discovery. We are proud to provide the raw computational power and managed environments that allow the region’s brightest minds to lead the next generation of breakthroughs” added Bassem Shatila.
“The Google Cloud Partner Awards honor the strategic innovation and measurable value our partners bring to customers,” said Kevin Ichhpurani, President, Global Partner Ecosystem and Channels, Google Cloud. “We are proud to name Advanced Business Computing a 2026 Google Cloud Partner Award winner, celebrating their role in driving customer success over the last year.”
The 2026 Google Cloud Partner of the Year award is a global recognition of partners who have demonstrated outstanding success in helping organizations grow and innovate using Google Cloud.
Advanced Business Computing (ABC) Qatar, a part of the MDS SI group, is Qatar’s premier technology integrator and a leading Google Cloud partner. Specialized in digital transformation, cloud architecture, and AI/ML deployment, ABC provides local organizations with the expertise and on-site support required to implement complex, high-performance technology solutions that drive national growth and innovation.
In conversation with Nicolas Daher on retail
We sat down with Nicolas Daher, Managing Director Retail at Midis Group, to talk about building a premium Apple retail experience across some of the world’s most diverse markets
Q: iSTYLE is an Apple Premium Reseller and Partner, but that label probably undersells what the business actually is. How would you describe what iSTYLE does and what makes it distinct?
iSTYLE is not simply a retail business, it is an ecosystem that connects customers, businesses, and communities to Apple’s world. We are building platforms, not just stores, where customers discover, learn, and engage with technology in a meaningful way. A good example is a small business customer who comes in to purchase a few devices and leaves with a complete solution setup, data migration, training, and ongoing service.
In many cases, this completely changes how that business operates day to day. This is where iSTYLE becomes a partner, not just a retailer. And that consistency is what has built iSTYLE’s own reputation, independent of Apple. For many customers, iSTYLE means trust, expertise, and a relationship that goes beyond any single product or purchase, something we have earned, market by market, over many years.
Exterior view of the K-tuin store in Andorra. Photo credit: K-tuin
Q: From Budapest to Morocco, and from Dubai to Madrid, your customers are living very different realities. What actually unifies them as Apple customers and where do the differences really matter?
What unifies them is the aspiration for quality, simplicity, and reliability. The differences are more nuanced than you might expect. A good example is Romania. We initially assumed that customer decisions would be primarily driven by price sensitivity and short term considerations. What we observed instead is a very rational and value driven customer.
They take the time to understand the product, compare options, and make informed decisions, often choosing higher end models when they clearly see the long-term benefit. It is less about spending less, and more about spending right. This required us to shift our approach toward better in-store education and a more consultative sales experience.
In Spain, the behavior is more structured and ecosystem driven. Customers are very informed, they compare, they plan, and they are often already integrated into the Apple ecosystem. The discussion is less about the product itself and more about how it fits into their existing setup and how it enhances their daily usage.
In Dubai, the dynamic is different again. Speed, availability, and service quality are critical. Customers expect immediate access to the latest products and a seamless experience, both in store and after sales. The tolerance for friction is very low.
So while the core expectation around quality and simplicity remains consistent, what differs significantly is the decision making process and the triggers behind the purchase – and recognizing those nuances is what separates good retail execution from great.
Q: The region and the world are going through a lot right now with economic pressure, currency volatility, and geopolitical tensions. Premium consumer tech is often the first category customers reconsider when times get tough. How do you navigate that headwind while protecting the business and keeping your teams motivated?
Discipline and clarity are essential in such environments. We focus on what we can control, which is execution, cost management, and delivering value to customers. At the same time, we shift our mix toward services and accessories, which are more resilient and margin accretive.
For our teams, transparency is key. When people understand the context and see a clear plan, they remain engaged and focused. It is about staying realistic while maintaining ambition.
iSTYLE Masaryčka, Prague. Photo credit: iSTYLE
Q: Your store teams are often the first humans a customer meets after falling in love with an Apple product. How do you build a culture that lives up to that moment?
It starts with hiring people who genuinely care about customers, not just about sales. Culture is built daily through leadership presence, feedback, and recognition. When teams feel ownership and pride, the experience naturally follows. When we hire, we are not primarily testing product knowledge, we are testing mindset. One question I often like to ask is: “Tell me about a time you chose to do more than what was expected for someone, even when it was not required.” The content of the answer matters, but more importantly the intent behind it.
You can quickly sense whether the person is naturally wired to care, or simply trying to perform a role. Technical skills can be trained, genuine care cannot. Another aspect we look for is curiosity. Someone who asks questions, who wants to understand the customer, will always outperform someone who is just focused on closing a sale.
The hardest part, especially across multiple countries and cultures, is maintaining consistency without losing local authenticity. You cannot impose a single rigid model everywhere, but you also cannot allow standards to drift. The balance comes from being very clear on non-negotiables, which are the level of service, professionalism, and customer respect, while giving flexibility in how teams express that locally.
In practice, this means strong training frameworks, constant calibration, and leadership presence on the ground. Culture is not something you define once, it is something you reinforce every day through small decisions, behaviors, and expectations.
Opening event at iSTYLE Árkád. Photo credit: iSTYLE
Q: What is something you got wrong earlier in your career that ended up shaping how you lead today?
Earlier in my career, I was too focused on driving outcomes myself, believing that speed and control were the most effective ways to deliver results. While that can work in the short term, it limits the growth of the organization. Over time, I understood that sustainable performance comes from building strong people, clear structures, and a culture of ownership.
Leadership is not about being the one who solves everything, but about creating the conditions where the right decisions happen consistently without you. That realization fundamentally changed how I operate. Today, I spend more time developing leaders, aligning teams around a clear direction, and ensuring accountability at every level, because that is what ultimately drives long term success.
Exterior view of iSTYLE City Walk, Dubai. Photo credit: iSTYLE
Successful OBM and Fortinet cyber security seminar gathers delegates from across Oman
There was a full house at the Overseas Business Machines (OBM) and Fortinet Security Tech Seminar at the Kempinski Hotel, Muscat, Oman on May 5. The popularity of the event was a great testament to the importance of security in today’s digital landscape.
Around 100 attendees from a broad range of organizations across Oman enjoyed the day’s presentations. Key speakers at the event were from OBM management, sales, presales and the technical team and Fortinet were represented by their entire Oman team.
The agenda covered key topics, including:
Securing the LAN Edge – Delivering Key Business Outcomes by Converging Networking and Security
Breaking the Attack Chain and Modernizing SOC with Fortinet SecOps Platform
SecOps Demo Session
Secure Hybrid Access with FortiSASE
100+ delegates attended from across the region. Photo credit: OBM
OBM continues to drive a specialization-led approach, delivering advanced security solutions across SASE, SD-WAN, Secure Networking, SecOps, and Zero Trust —backed by a highly certified engineering team and proven execution capabilities across different sectors in Oman.
“As a Fortinet Expert Partner and Partner of the Year – Oman 2025, we remain committed to delivering secure, scalable, and future-ready platforms while continuously elevating security standards in the market” said Hasan Masri, Deputy General Manager, OBM.
“We are looking forward to building on this momentum together. A big thank you to all our customers and partners for your presence, engagement, and insightful discussions—it truly made the session impactful.”
“Special thanks to the Fortinet team for their continuous support and strong collaboration. Together, we are accelerating the adoption of advanced security architectures across Oman” added Hasan Masri.
Overseas Business Machines (OBM) is an Integrated IT Solution company based in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman. OBM bring value to businesses by providing Hardware, Software, Networking and Security solutions not only for sustainability and growth but also to provide much needed competitive edge. The company provides the right IT solution by thoroughly understanding business processes. They put lots of effort into clear and precise communication to ensure delivery of high-quality effective solutions with minimum cost. OBM solutions are designed considering the risks and strengths of client business.
Southcomp Polaris and Dell Technologies hold Partner event in Senegal
Southcomp Polaris, part of the Mindware Group, held a successful partner event recently at the Noom Hotel in Dakar in collaboration with Dell Technologies, focused on the theme: “Unlocking Business Value with AI, Secure Cloud, and Cyber Resilience.”
The half-day event featured valuable and practical discussions centred on three primary areas: Artificial Intelligence, Cloud and Infrastructure, and Cyber Resilience. Participants had the opportunity to explore recent innovations, exchange perspectives, and identify emerging growth opportunities alongside other company partners.
The event began with a welcome from Khalid Cherradi, Business Unit Manager, Southcomp Polaris, who set the tone of the meeting in this way: “At Southcomp, our role is to go beyond distribution — we are committed to enabling our partners with the right strategy, skills, and ecosystem to drive sustainable and scalable growth.”
Khalid was followed with presentations by the Dell Technologies team: firstly Younes Abejja, Regional Channel Program Manager, Africa, then Youssef Ibrak, Advisory Sales Engineer, and Mohammed Tarik Zarkik, Inside Product Specialist. Their talks featured the Dell Partner Program, the Dell AI Factory, and ‘Power your innovation with modern Compute.’
Khalid Cherradi, Business Unit Manager – Dell, from Southcomp Polaris at the Dakar event. Photo credit: Southcomp Polaris
After morning coffee, the second session of the day began with Benoit Gougeon, Consultant for Southcomp Polaris, with an agenda-setting presentation entitled ‘Artificial Intelligence: Applications and Perspectives.’ Benoit added a key thought after the event: “AI is not just about technology — it’s about turning data into real business outcomes. The organizations that will lead are those that can combine infrastructure, data, and security to scale AI with confidence.”
Badr Mazini, Security and Resilience Platforms Sales Executive (North & West Africa) from Dell Technologies, followed up with thoughts on cyber resilience solutions, and his colleague Yasser Elouarith, Services Account Executive, added insights in a presentation entitled ‘Putting it all together with Dell Technologies Services.’
Further key thinking about unlocking greater business value in the age of AI came from Naji Elhassouni, Sales Account Director, Dell Technologies: “In today’s digital era, success is not just about adopting technology — it’s about building an ecosystem where infrastructure, data, and services come together to deliver real business outcomes.”
A moment together at the close of the meeting. Photo credit: Southcomp Polaris
“We extend our sincere appreciation to all attendees for their dedication, and we look forward to furthering these conversations and pursuing new collaborative opportunities in the future” said a spokesperson for Southcomp Polaris on their LinkedIn profile.
Southcomp Polaris, a Mindware Group company, is a value-added distributor (VAD) specialized in IT solutions across North, West, and Central Africa. With a presence through several local entities, Southcomp Polaris supports a wide network of partners by offering a comprehensive portfolio of solutions covering infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence.
Through a combination of local proximity, technical expertise, and the strength of an international group, Southcomp Polaris plays a key role in developing regional IT ecosystems and supporting organizations in their digital transformation journey.