Maximo EAM implementation to take two years
Dubai Internet City-based eSolutions, the business partner for IBM Maximo software, has inked a mega deal to implement the Maximo Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software for Kuwait Oil Company (KOC), a top company official said.
"We have signed a deal with KOC to implement Maximo EAM software for around 3,500 users at their office. This is one of our biggest projects which will take two years for full implementation," Gaby Matar, group managing partner, eSolutions, told The Business Weekly.
75pc market share
Matar was not willing to disclose the financial details of the deal saying that the confidentiality clause of the agreement does not allow him to do so. The deal is pending approval from the client.
"Once we get the clearance, we will be announcing the details to the press," he said. eSolutions, established in 1996, is the business partner for IBM Maximo and covers the entire Middle East region. "In the UAE, we have a 75 per cent market share of the oil and gas sector and 80 per cent share in the utilities sector for Maximo EAM software," Matar said.
In the coming years, the company is aiming to diversify and seek a larger share in other sectors like government, transportation, facilities and IT, where the solution can be used.
According to a study, the total market for EAM is $1.5 billion, out of which $400 million is the share of Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. The Middle East forms 10 to 15 per cent share of the EMEA and its share is in the range of $50 million. "We alone have done $20 million and our share in the region is nearly 40 per cent," Matar said.
Over the past five years, the company has been growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27 per cent. Last year eSolutions reported a record year and grew by 40 per cent. "We would like to maintain that growth rate this year also," Matar said.
Premier clients
The company today has 220 clients and has trained 19,000 users. Its premier clients, among others, include RTA's Dubai Metro which will be maintained by Maximo EAM, UAE Armed Forces, General Maintenance Division (GMD) of the Armed Forces.
The company has chalked out a plan to set up new centres of excellence in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
"Consultants must be residents of that country where they are working so as to provide a better service to clients. At the centre of excellence, we intend to provide training to the users," he said.
Currently, the company has a staff strength of 80 with Dubai as the head office and branch offices in Abu Dhabi and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.
By Vinod Kumar PK
© The Business Weekly 2008
