Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Companies in the Middle East are facing a 'new reality' as changes in the global economy impact the local business landscape, and strategic IT investments will play an instrumental role in the future success of the region, according to SAP executives.
SAP is the world's leading provider of business software, offering applications and services that enable companies of all sizes and in more than 25 industries to become best-run businesses, with more than 47,800 customers in over 120 countries.
SAP User Group-Middle East and North Africa (SUG-MENA) is a non-profit organisation in the business of promoting effective use of SAP, while bringing together its various users from the Middle East and North African region, to share experiences and exchange solutions.
Speaking at SUG-MENA in Bahrain, JosŽ Duarte, president of SAP EMEA, said the volatility of the global financial markets has led to an unprecedented business reality, including margin and liquidity pressure, intensified competition and fickle credit markets.
The question facing Middle East organisations, claims Mr Duarte, is how to identify and capture opportunities to stay ahead and continue to establish the region as a centre for advancement.
"The impressive number of registrations for this year's SUG-MENA conference illustrates the importance placed on IT as an enabler of both immediate gain and long-term sustainability. The changing role of IT amid the economic downturn has been the hot discussion topic for IT staff and executives attending," said Salem Al Angari, president of SUG-MENA.
