EDITOR’S NOTE
W
elcome to the latest edition of
Intelligent CIO magazine for the
Middle East. This edition is a very
special one for us as it is the 50th issue. Since
the launch of the magazine in 2015 we have
covered key developments in Information
Technology across the region and much more.
The cover of our first issue featured Ali Abdul
Aziz Al Ali, Vice President – Information
Technology, ADNOC Distribution, along with
an article about how the organisation had
implemented projects to enhance the way
convenience stores were being operated at
its service stations.
The issue also featured a sneak peak of
GITEX 2015 and although most of the
names of the vendors are familiar, a quick
flick through the magazine reveals how
much progress has been made in the
intervening years.
This month’s cover features Yousef
Mohammed Bin Lahej Al Falasi, a Director
of the Community Development Authority
(CDA) in Dubai. In an in-depth interview,
we discuss how the organisation is utilising
technology to better deliver its services to
help vulnerable groups enhance their lives.
The CDA provides vital services to vulnerable
groups in Dubai, particularly senior citizens,
widowed women, separated people, people
with disabilities and those socially excluded.
On page 58 you can discover how the
organisation is utilising analytics to deliver a
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360-degree view of data and we also discuss
the potential of Artificial Intelligence and
Machine Learning.
With another year and decade upon us we
feature some insightful predictions from
Jacob Chacko, Regional Business Head –
Middle East, Saudi and South Africa (MESA)
at HPE Aruba.
On page 23 he makes predictions about the
rise of AI-based and autonomous security,
network management, the future of network
software subscription models, securing
the widespread adoption of IoT and the
continued integration and orchestration of
security tools.
He tells us: “It is hard to grasp the scale of
innovation with the dynamic nature of the
tech industry and the pace at which changes
are happening. The list of predictions
highlights some of the technology trends
that we at Aruba believe CIOs and IT
managers should take note of, but it is far
from exhaustive.”
CFO, pulling the rope in opposite directions
accomplishes very little.”
He recommends that both IT and finance
teams learn to speak each other’s language
as the basis for an improved relationship
between the CIO and CFO.
He adds: “By appealing to the CFO’s
near-certain desire to ensure the spending
supports the strategy, the CIO can build
stronger and more valuable relationships
with the financial officer, while having a
positive impact on the wider business.” Turn
to p36 to find out more.
We have, as ever, all the regular features and
news stories from around the region. If you
would like to contact me send an email to
mark@lynchpinmedia.co.uk
And don’t forget to check our website
ar www.intelligentcio.com/me/ for daily
updates. For the time being, enjoy the read!
It will certainly be interesting to wait and see
what exciting innovations 2020 will bring.
Elsewhere, Chris Pope, VP of Innovation at
ServiceNow, discusses the importance of
CIOs building and maintaining effective
relationships with their CFOs.
Mark Bowen
Editor
He tells us: “While it’s understandable for
there to be tension between the CIO and
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