GBM and Irish firm Diona confirm partnership upon success of MOLSA project

Doha, Qatar. 23 April 2015

Gulf Business Machines (GBM), the leading provider of customized IT solutions in the Gulf, today signed a partnership with Irish mobile technology firm, Diona, following the first Middle East implementation of IBM Cúram, a social welfare management software solution, for the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (MOLSA).  The programme was launched in both English and Arabic, the first time the programme has ever been implement in the Arabic language.

Richard Bruton T.D., , Irish Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, visited GBM's office in West Bay, Doha, to attend the partnership signing with Diona, which creates mobility solutions that transform how people's health and human services needs are served around the world.  The Minister was accompanied by H. E. Patrick Hennessy, Ambassador of Ireland, together with other Irish dignitaries.

Speaking at the partnership signing Minister Richard Bruton said "The Diona and GBM partnership is an excellent example of the possibilities of technology, and I look forward to seeing this new relationship grow. It is fantastic to see these types of bilateral partnerships come to fruition so successfully and with such long-term vision in place.  My visit to Qatar has shown tremendous opportunities for Irish companies such as Diona, and I am determined to support more companies to take advantage of these opportunities to create jobs at home".

The MOLSA initiative meets world-class standards in serving its Qatari citizen's requests and requirements, namely families in need.  It is the first programme of its kind to be launched in the Middle East, and has instigated a commitment from both GBM and Diona to widening their partnership further.

MOLSA will now be able to provide an integrated online platform that provides MOLSA professionals and users with access to information, applications and services that will eliminate manual work, minimize error margins and, most specifically, facilitate the tasks of the social care workers.  As part of the deployment, dashboards were provided to all MOLSA management to support them in making accurate decisions and monitor projects development.

The GBM project team assigned with implementing the solution is an outstanding example of multicultural collaboration. Encompassing nine different nationalities and including the first three Cúram certified consultants in the Middle East, the team brings to the project a wealth of regional experience and has worked diligently to complete the deployment in record time.

Soubhi Chebib, General Manager, GBM Qatar said: "MOLSA has embarked on a project that will streamline and automate 11 social support programmes running in the country.  This is also the first time the system has been implemented in the Arabic language.

"Having supported the development of Qatar's IT sector over the past 25 years, this is another contribution from GBM in building Qatar government e-services and m-services to government employees and citizens. MOLSA, has been working with us to innovate and drive this IT services initiatives."

Philippe Jarre, GBM CEO, said: "Our relationship with Diona will help to play an even greater role in building up enhanced electronic and mobile services for Qatar and around the Gulf."

Brendan Flood, International Sales & Partnering Manager, Enterprise Ireland who is accompanying Minister Bruton on the trade mission commented; "Enterprise Ireland is committed to growing Irish exports to the Gulf Region to €6BN by 2020. It is through partnerships such as this one between Diona and GBM that this target will be achieved".

The trade mission to the U.A.E, Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which has 63 Irish companies participating, continues until Friday 24th April 2015.

For more information visit www.enterprise-ireland.com/trademission"

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About Gulf Business Machines (GBM)
Founded in 1990, Gulf Business Machines (GBM) is the leading IT solutions provider in the region fulfilling the IT requirements of local, regional and international organizations in the GCC.

GBM is the sole distributor for IBM- excluding selected IBM products and services -throughout the GCC, except for Saudi Arabia. GBM's momentum was further enhanced in 1999, when the team secured the Cisco portfolio. Today GBM holds the highest level of recognition in the region from Cisco, Gold Partner status, in addition to the Cisco Borderless Network Architecture Specialized Learning Partner status.

GBM offers an extensive range of IT infrastructure, IT solutions and services ranging from consulting, resource deployment and integration to after-sales support, through 1000 professionals and over 20 solid strategic partnerships forged with internationally-recognized IT solution providers.

The company, which is ISO-9001 certified since 1999, has offices in the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah), Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Bahrain. GBM also has established a presence in Pakistan, where the company now operates three offices, one each in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore as an IBM Premier Business Partner. The Pakistani operation also holds a Silver Partner Status from Cisco.

In 2014, GBM achieved Cisco Channel Customer Satisfaction Excellence, the highest distinction a partner can achieve within the Cisco Channel Partner Program.

For more information, please visit www.gmbme.com or contact:
Weber Shandwick
Tel: +971 4 445 2245
Email: gbm@webershandwick.com    

© Press Release 2015