of Intelligent CIO Middle

East magazine . This month , the Middle East information and communications technology ( ICT ) sector is converging for the 40th edition of the Gulf Information Technology Expo ( GITEX ) Technology Week . It is encouraging to see that the Dubai government has decided to allow the event organisers , the Dubai World Trade Centre ( DWTC ), to go ahead with the region ’ s premier ICT trade fair .

With most businesses gradually returning to some level of normalcy , we have this month ’ s cover featuring Anas Jwaied , Vice President and General Manager for Emerging Markets , Micro Focus , who shares with us how the company is developing its enterprise software business and ramping up partner activities in the Middle East market .

Jwaied talks about how Micro Focus is sharpening its enterprise software business and outlines that the key to successful IT programmes in the short-and long-term is in taking a ‘ smart ’ approach to transformation that capitalises and leverages the value of diverse processes , people and technologies .

“ CIOs will need to focus on enabling hybrid and multi-cloud environments to support the adoption of digital technologies , to be more agile in responding to business needs and of course optimise OPEX . This will accelerate the uptake of emerging technologies . Mixed infrastructures ( cloud , on-premises , etc .) however , bring high levels of complexity . Hybrid IT software supports this reality by bridging IT services from mainframe to mobile , corporate to cloud . The benefits include : accelerated delivery and increased efficiency , creativity and innovation – all essential to staying ahead today ,” says Jwaied . “ Today , CIOs are looking to adapt with intelligent cybersecurity : high-value assets – identities , applications and data – that must be protected , especially during a time of transformation because the stakes are immense .”

Among the many insights Jwaied shares with us is that Micro Focus is witnessing tremendous growth and opportunity across the Middle East and Africa ( MEA ) region with specific and key investments in the GCC region aligned with each country ’ s growth plans . You can hear more of Jwaied ’ s views by turning to page 58 .

Elsewhere in the magazine , we look at this year ’ s edition of GITEX and take a look at companies that you should visit at this year ’ s event . The feature starts on page 40 .

As financial services organisations are undergoing rapid Digital Transformation to meet changing customer needs and to compete with a new generation of digital-native competitors , Ehab Halablab , Regional Sales Director – Middle East , A10 Networks , tells us why it ’ s vital that firms must make critical technical decisions about the clouds and form factors best suited to host their hybrid environment . The article starts on page 44 .

As usual , we have all your favourite features , analysis , opinions and a comprehensive news round-up from across the Middle East . You can also read daily news updates on our website at www . intelligentcio . com / me /.

And kindly , don ’ t hesitate if you would like to get in touch please email me at manda @ lynchpinmedia . co . uk .

I would like to wish you all a great month ahead and please enjoy the read !

Manda Banda Editor www . intelligentcio . com INTELLIGENTCIO

7