Microsoft joined with Bahrain-based Computer World to hold an event aimed at helping Bahrain businesses map out a cost-effective approach to technology through transformation and innovation.

The focus of the event was on empowering corporate leaders to concentrate on building a digital economy through operational strategy, rather than battle with unwieldy IT infrastructures, said a statement.

The Minimise IT Infrastructure Cost event, held in Manama, explored the power of cloud-based infrastructures to drive business transformation and significantly reduce IT infrastructure costs, without compromising security, scalability or reliability.

Delegates were introduced to the age of digital transformation, in which technology is being used to elevate organisations to new and agile levels of operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Computer World forged a strategic alliance with Microsoft ISV (independent software-vendor) partners; Saviant Consulting and Mindtree, each with their own specialist solutions developed to overcome current industry challenges.

The event was designed to explain to corporate representatives and business decision makers how Microsoft’s cloud services can be harnessed to promote real change in businesses by lowering the cost of ownership of corporate IT systems.

The demonstrations reiterated Microsoft’s commitment to Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, launched in October 2008 by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. His Majesty’s vision mapped out a development strategy for the kingdom's private and public sectors, for the betterment of the nation and its citizens.  

“The Azure cloud can make Bahraini businesses come alive and achieve more with less, in line with His Majesty’s Vision 2030,” said Sherif Tawfik, general manager, Microsoft Bahrain and Oman.

“Instead of having to wrestle with disparate IT systems, you lift everything into the cloud and let Microsoft take care of it for you. We become trusted partners, working in the background, taking all the clunky, laborious IT tasks out of your hands. You no longer need to worry about security, backup and maintenance, freeing your IT staff to become innovators. Your costs go down, while your scalability becomes more elastic than you could possibly imagine. If your business needs change overnight, then your IT infrastructure can change to match them.”

“Imagine all the technology tools you use every day; that you have used for 20 or 30 years,” said Cherian Abraham, general manager of Computer World. “When Computer World guides you through cloud migration to more agile infrastructure and knowledge management, your entire business becomes more well-oiled. You can respond to change instantly and boldly. When you decide you need more functionality in your finance systems or Office suite, you can have it instantly, without having to engage in costly procurement projects. Rather than a daily chore, IT becomes an instrument of transformation.”

Microsoft ISV & Computer World’s strategic Partners for the Bahrain Market Saviant Consulting and Mindtree also gave overviews of their specialist solutions at the “Minimise IT Infrastructure Cost” event, with each demonstrating how their offerings fit into organisations’ digital transformation journeys. Each also led an industry track, outlining specific examples of business-process transformation. Saviant concentrated on how its solutions enabled asset-heavy enterprises to leverage their existing operational data to make intelligent operational decisions that had real-world benefits. Mindtree focused on transform-as-you-go strategies for cloud migration. – TradeArabia News Service