October 25, 2006

GITEX 2006 TO HELP BOOST OFFICE PRINTING PRODUCTIVITY FOR SMBS

ME Demand For Laser Multi-Function Products To Grow At A CAGR Of 40%

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

This year's GITEX 2006 is all set to be the premier platform to help SMBs across the region gain from a plethora of productivity solutions aimed at enhancing business operations. The printer market is one segment that is set to be a draw for visitors at the show, who can expect gain from vendor showcases.

One of the initiatives at the show, organised by the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) scheduled to be held in Dubai between 18 - 22 November 2006, will be to highlight the multi-function printer segment. A recent IDC study shows that the demand for Laser Multi-Function Products in the Middle East is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of around 40% between 2004 and 2006.

A number of major vendors including names like Brother International, Canon, Hewlett-Packard (HP), Samsung, Lexmark Olivetti, Sanyo and Epson are geared up with new technology features for this segment out to customers at the GITEX.

"The growth in this market is being fuelled by a vibrant and fast growing SMB market. GITEX 2006 therefore will help put the spotlight on this market with a view to help visitors access the latest products and solutions that improve their work efficiency and support vendors to capitalise on this trend by bringing the corporate buyers to them," commented DWTC Director General, Helal Saeed Al Marri.

Speaking on behalf of HP, Joseph Hanania, Managing Director at HP Middle East said: "As the main IT exhibition in the Middle East, GITEX is a vital event for HP and it is an important event for us to reach out to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through and it is also an important showcase for HP's retail and consumer portfolio."

Vendors are already beginning to beef up their product lines in time for GITEX. "GITEX is undoubtedly one of the biggest IT industry events that take place in the Middle East, and thus it is important for us to try and get maximum mileage from this show," said Mohammed Addarrat, Lexmark channel and retail manager. Lexmark says it will be focusing on its new line of inkjet multi-function devices at the show, as it tries to tap into this high potential market.

Brother Gulf for example has already boosted its Laser Flatbed Multi-Function Centers (MFCs) range and expects the demand for MFCs to grow by 40% by the end of 2006.

The rapidly evolving business environment in the Middle East has seen significant changes taking place in business practices across the corporate sector, keeping pace with the technological innovations. One area that has definitely seen a growing trend in the recent years is office printing, where there has been a notable shift from single function devices to machines that offer multi-function capabilities.

"These products can offer cost effectiveness, better space utilisation and greater practicality of use since it allows printing, scanning, copying and faxing from one machine," commented Toyomi Ido, President, Brother International Corporation, Japan. Brother is one of the major vendors supporting GITEX 2006.

Small form factor products will also be a draw for visitors coming to GITEX 2006 with supporting vendors lining up products to showcase. Samsung for instance, has already made its entry into this segment by launching what it claims is the world's smallest laser-based flatbed MFP, the SCX-4200 multifunction printer positioned to be the affordable and compact productivity tool for small and home office multi-taskers.

"Samsung is poised to make more headway into the SOHO and SMB markets. In addition to offering optimised input and output flexibility, these small form factor printers will deliver superior performance and offer a compact design making it the perfect unit for any busy desktop," said Lancy Menezes, Sales and Marketing Manager, Digital Printing Division, said Samsung Gulf Electronics.

"This GITEX 2006 will be a busy time for both vendors and visitors at the show. Given the strong vendor participation, we hope to see both parties gain significant value from being at the show and improve work efficiency using world class technology products," added Al Marri.

Running in conjunction with GITEX 2006 will be a new dedicated exhibition aimed exclusively at the telecommunications sector - GULFCOMMS 2006. The new show brings together some of the world's largest and most innovative companies in the telecommunications sector, including operators and specialists in mobile communications, network development, satellite applications, IP technology and infrastructure solutions.

This trade-only focused exhibition will provide the most sought after business networking platform for the global telecommunications industry, particularly given the high levels of interest in the potential of the Middle East market.

GITEX, The Middle East's Premier Information Technology and Communications exhibition, takes place on the 18-22 November 2006 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Dubai, UAE and will be held in concurrently with GULFCOMMS, the Middle East's Largest International Telecommunications Technology Event for Mobile, Fixed, IP and Satellite.

ADMISSION POLICY:

GITEX and GULFCOMMS are open to Trade and Business Visitors only. Admission: One Day Ticket: 30 AED and Five Day Ticket: 80 AED. Persons under the age of 18 will not be permitted entry. University students must be accompanied by faculty members and will be permitted entry during the 20-22 November ONLY.

For more information, please visit www.gitex.com or contact:

Aliya Al Ali
Dubai World Trade Centre
Tel: +971 4 308 6058
E-mail: gitex@dwtc.com 
 

For more details on GULFCOMMS please visit www.gulfcomms.com or contact:

David Lim
Dubai World Trade Centre
Tel: +971 4 308 6012
E-mail: gulfcomms@dwtc.com