ALFalak Electronic Equipment & Supplies Co, a leading provider of technology-based solutions to the Middle East, has announced that IT giants and service providers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are now focusing on marketing initiatives that leverage the huge business potential of the fast-growing small and medium enterprises (SME) segment, which now represent an overwhelming majority of 93 per cent of enterprises in the Kingdom and account for nearly a quarter of total employment. Highlighting the growing focus on SMEs, ALFalak revealed that it has recently signed an agreement to provide the Microsoft programs required for a new service that delivers enhanced and customised financial solutions to Saudi's SMEs.

ALFalak has collaborated with Visa, Al Rajhi Bank and Microsoft in introducing the Visa-Microsoft "Aamal" credit card, a new credit card developed specifically for SMEs. ALFalak disclosed that the new credit card has been introduced in line with the growing technology adoption rate with the SME sector, as companies continue to take advantage of modern tools and technologies to address various economic challenges, improve costs and increase sustainability.

Ahmed Ashadawi, CEO and President, ALFalak said: "With an overwhelming majority of businesses in Saudi belonging to the SME sector, ALFalak is focusing on various projects and initiatives that target and benefit SMEs and ultimately strengthen our presence in this very important growth segment. Recently, we have provided the necessary Microsoft programs for the implementation of the Aamal card. This project represents our commitment to be proactively involved in initiatives that aim to enhance the rate of technology adoption among SMEs and enable them to keep pace with the rapid IT growth in the Kingdom."

The Aamal credit card, the first Visa-Microsoft co-branded credit card in Saudi, has been customised to help SMEs in the Kingdom achieve cost savings and attain better returns through a range of discounts and benefits. Moreover, the card is a lower risk payment solution compared to cheques, while it also considerably reduces the dependency on petty cash.

ALFalak has consistently been ranked by Arab News as one of the top 100 companies in Saudi Arabia for four consecutive years. The company delivers enterprise IT solutions through a network of offices and trained technical personnel throughout the Middle East. Al-Falak's portfolio of business partnerships include leading solution and software providers, hardware and consumable manufacturers, business consultancy firms and implementation specialists.

January

ALFalak signs Enterprise Services Marketing & Selling agreement with Saudi Telecom

ALFalak Electronic Equipment & Supplies Co. Ltd., a leading IT and communications solution provider in the region, has signed a strategic agreement with Saudi Telecom Co. (STC) authorizing it to promote and sell STC’s premium line of enterprise services to the burgeoning KSA telecommunications market.

Under the terms of the agreement, ALFalak will be allowed to market and directly sell the services of STC’s Enterprise Business Unit to its customer base. The Unit’s extensive portfolio includes the AL JAWAL business tariff reduction program, customized two-way SMS, bulk SMS with optional Web interface, mobile virtual private network (VPN), client-based email, International National Backbone, Business Internet DSL, Internet Protocol VPN, and Backup Link. STC also offers Business Budget Control and bill splitting, which allows companies to segregate their bills into personal and business categories.

“The agreement with STC allows us to extend the End-To-End Solutions to our customers to meet business-specific connectivity requirements, tailored to small, medium and large enterprises. This new business alliance also provides both ALFalak and its clients with a good opportunity to form partnerships with STC, which enjoys a solid reputation in the rapidly expanding KSA telecom market,” said Ahmed Ashadawi, CEO and President, ALFalak.

The ALFalak-STC collaboration embodies a mutually-productive strategic partnership capable of providing one-stop-shop solutions for global enterprises. ALFalak’s main benefit from the deal is the expansion of its service offerings and the enhancement of its customer-centric approach. For STC, the agreement opens up new business opportunities under the regionally-renowned ALFalak trademark. The agreement is well-timed considering that KSA’s mobile phone penetration rate exceeded the 100 per cent mark in 2007, rising a remarkable 117.15 per cent over the previous year, according to Madar Research. Total mobile phone subscriptions for the same year reached 28.4 million for a solid 44.16 per cent year-on-year growth.

Commenting on the agreement, a senior STC spokesperson said that the partnership enhances the infrastructure and connectivity options of companies that want to gain a competitive business edge in the country and the region. He said that information and communications technologies have become key business enablers across the world’s industries, which is precisely what this agreement aims to capitalize on. He added that STC is highly committed to providing superior telecommunications services to enterprises via a reputable, reliable and highly visible reseller as perfectly embodied by ALFalak.

ALFalak maintains productive partnerships with various other leading global brands such as HP, 3M, Alcatel-Lucent, Bluecoat, Juniper, Oracle, Imation, Genius, Compuware, and SAS. With over 27 years of experience and operations throughout the Middle East, the company is renowned for delivering unrivaled End-To-End solutions. ALFalak was recently ranked among the top 100 companies in the KSA for the fourth year, posting a robust SAR 300 million growth in 2007.

ALFalak awarded Outstanding Regional Business Partner in the Middle East by Alcatel-Lucent

ALFalak Electronic Equipment & Supplies Co. Ltd., a leading provider of technology-based solutions in the Middle East, was named 2007 Outstanding Regional Business Partner in the Middle East by international voice, data and video communication services specialist Alcatel-Lucent.

ALFalak was recognized for its key role in broadening Alcatel-Lucent’s IP Networking business in the region as well as its inclusion in major projects such as PetroRabigh, Khurais and Lost Paradise of Delmon Water Park. The achievement reflects ALFalak’s impressive 2007 performance, which saw the company generating a 100 per cent revenue growth and sustaining momentum into 2008.

Ahmed Ali Ashadawi, President and CEO, ALFalak, said: “We appreciate the recognition by Alcatel-Lucent for our efforts to provide top-quality services to both our business partners and end clients. This award reinforces ALFalak's commitment to help our business partners optimize their performance in key markets through our extensive regional network. It will also further consolidate our position as a leading System Integrator in the region.”

ALFalak has been delivering enterprise IT solutions for over 27 years through a network of offices and trained technical personnel throughout the Middle East. ALFalak's impressive portfolio of business partnerships includes leading solution and software providers, hardware and consumable manufacturers, business consultancy firms and implementation specialists. Through its strategic partnership with ALFalak, Alcatel-Lucent has successfully put in place its expansion strategy across high-growth areas in the Middle East, particularly in the key GCC markets.

“Alcatel-Lucent gave this award to ALFalak in recognition of its excellent performance the past year. ALFalak's consistency and professionalism have certainly been huge factors in helping Alcatel-Lucent consolidate its presence in the region and deliver its promise of becoming a trusted local partner with a global reach,” said Hesham El Nahhas, Regional Director for Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise Solutions in the Middle East.

Incorporated in France and with executive offices located in Paris, Alcatel-Lucent is a leader in fixed, mobile and converged broadband networking, IP technologies, applications and services. Operating in more than 130 countries, the company has the most experienced global services team in the industry and one of the largest research, technology and innovation organizations in the telecommunications sector.