Holiday Requests by Expats in Oracle HR Generate Automatic Visa Requests by Muqeem

Dubai, UAE, 21 Nov 2006: Al-Elm Information Security Company today signed a strategic agreement with Oracle, to integrate Oracle E-Business Suite's HR Module with Al-Elm's Muqeem Service. The Muqeem service acts as an online go-between service for private sector HR departments looking to track the status of foreign expatriate worker's iqama (working visa) or passport status. Previously, the service worked through an online web portal, requiring companies to manually process requests. The integration with the Oracle application will automate these processes, delivering massive time savings for employees, which translates into revenue for the company. 

"This agreement will allow a great number of foreign employees in the Kingdom to benefit from the distinguished services that Muqeem provides," commented Dr. Khaled Bin Abdulaziz Al Ghunaim, Managing Director of Al Elm Co. " Running Muqeem on Oracle will allow companies to more easily manage their HR processes, by connecting their systems electronically to the database of the Directorate General for Passports, enabling them to access the registers of their employees, as well as the search and inquiry feature. In addition to that, users can receive instant notifications for any record updates executed at the Directorate General for Passports at all branches in cities or borders."

Muqeem is an enhancement to existing HR processes and software, adding functionality to private sector companies that previously required long hours of queuing in many government departments. If an employee requests leave through the standard Oracle HR portal, the request will immediately alert the Muqeem service, which generates a visa request form based on the employee's details, which are also stored on the Oracle HR Application.

Ghunaim added: "The main difference between the Muqeem service and standard HR software is that Muqeem obtains its data from the government databases instantaneously, whereas HR software relies on manual data entry. This integration will deliver huge benefits for HR employees who are users of the Oracle HR module, who have expatriate workers in the company.

Dr. Khaled also highlighted the significant success achieved by Muqeem service with the launch of the electronic exit/entrance visa in collaboration with The Directorate General for Passports. " This is the first electronic service that fully integrates the e-government in the Kingdom, through this service any "Muqeem" subscribed company can issue electronic exit/entrance visas for its workers without referring back to the Directorate, in a fully electronic way" he commented.

"This agreement marks a strategic partnership between Oracle and private companies serving the public sector," commented Abdul Rahman al Theiban, VP, Oracle Saudi Arabia. "We are focused on delivering business benefits through better integration of data. This partnership will free expatriate workers to focus on their job rather than queuing in Ministry departments, as well as giving hours back to HR employees who can now focus on innovative new programs to incentivize staff and drive productivity."

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© Press Release 2006