Answers by Shamsa al Seefi, Deputy Head, IT, BankMuscat (SAOG).
What is your record both in developing IT and ICT solutions and what has been the response of its customers and business partners?
BankMuscat has been at the leading edge in making use of IT and ICT. Right from 1988, when a fully on-line banking system has been introduced, connecting all branches of the bank to head office through dedicated data lines, we have made use of all technology developments like Automatic Teller Machines, Internet, Mobile Telephony, Call centres, Electronic storage of signatures, Swift International Funds Transfers, Smart Cards, Credit Cards, Debit cards and so on.
What is the degree of computer literacy now expected from any employee joining in an executive capacity?
Basic computer literacy is today a must. However, with the advancement of technology and the consequent ease of usage that it has brought about, it is enough to be able to use standard MS Office packages and browse the Internet to be work ready.
How quickly is ICT changing the whole way you do business?
Technology provides the backbone to banking operations today. Every new development in IT like the Internet, Mobile Telephony, and Open Source, etc results in better ways of serving our customers. This is a trend that we only expect with gather momentum in the days ahead with vital product and brand differentiation resulting out of an organizations relative investments in technology and the ability to efficiently deploy the same in a meaningful customer environment. Most customers too today prefer to interact with the bank through ATM's, the Internet or Call Centre. In fact, I can't quite recall the last time I personally went to a bank branch!
Do you think that Oman is a leader in ICT in the Gulf Region?
Unfortunately, we still have to progress a fair bit before we can claim as much. Business users in the Sultanate are still quite conservative in their approach and appreciation of how IT can help them. This has resulted in many IT managers often not being given adequate freedom and resources to develop a cutting-edge stance. Though there are definitely exceptions in both the private and government sector, organisations in other countries across the region are far more liberal in their expenditure on IT.
This has also been borne out in the Economist's recently published country-wise index that places IT/ICT in Oman behind other Gulf countries. However there is a no denying that winds of change are afoot. Oman has a large pool of youth who are keenly interested in careers in IT and given the right motivation, ie investments in the sector a leading manpower and technological base can be created. It should be remembered that manpower in IT can only be honed by hands-on experience, working side by side with experienced people on a continuous basis, is the surest way of developing human capital in this fast changing field.
What impact has the creation of KOM had on the business climate in Oman? Is it doing its job in pointing the way to ITC solutions? What more should it be doing?
KOM has been one of the biggest success stories for Oman in the ICT space. However, there is still much to be achieved by way of improving its communications infrastructure to world-class levels and also providing it with the resources to work with the concerned Ministries to obtain quick and easy approvals to set up organisations and employ the finest professionals from around the world.
This is what other countries are doing even across the region. Oman can always then compete on its cost advantage and the excellent quality of life that it offers to attract more and more global organizations to come and set up base here. Once a critical mass is reached, expansion of ICT in Oman will take place almost automatically.
Do you think that the Digital Oman magazine is having an impact on the way people in the ICT field think and act in Oman?
I do believe the magazine has made a good start and has a great future ahead of it. The magazine has provided the sector with a quality platform to air its views and work constructively towards creating a strong, competitive and well equipped IT enabled Oman.
© Oman Daily Observer 2005
