The Internet of Things (IoT) is poised for solid growth in the Middle East as it will catalyse the region's $70 billion digital contribution to GDP, said leading global digital transformation enabler SAP on the eve of Gitex Technology Week 2017.

 

An annual consumer computer and electronics trade show, exhibition and conference, Gitex Technology Week 2017 kicks off tomorrow (October 7) and will run till October 12 at Dubai World Trade Centre.

 

Governments across the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) and Southwest Asia are increasingly driving innovative government digital transformation visions to transform lives, from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, to Kuwait and Egypt, and Pakistan.

 

This is powering the Middle East and Africa’s IoT spend, which is set to grow 20 per cent to $8 billion in 2017, said the statement citing IDC.

 

As this year’s Gitex Business Transformation Partner, SAP will be endorsing the Middle East adoption of IoT solutions. In addition to the Smart Hajj demo, the SAP stand at the event will showcase Internet of Things in Live Airports, the SAP Leonardo Experience for the digital innovation system and SAP Blockchain for Real Estate. 

 

SAP Leonardo also interconnects with artificial intelligence, blockchain and machine learning, the statement added.

 

Steve Tzikakis, the regional president for South Europe and MEA, said across the Middle East, the IoT is already delivering innovative benefits to people’s day-to-day lives. 

 

"At Gitex, SAP will showcase the “Smart Hajj” concept, which can significantly enhance the journey experience for millions of pilgrims. Organizers can use real-time analytics based on monitoring bracelets, bus GPS locations, and video and environmental data to ensure pilgrims have a seamless end-to-end experience, from the airport to the Holy Sites," noted Tzikakis. 

 

"The technology can enable organizers to optimize transport, immigration and digital payment processes, while simultaneously promoting crowd safety," he noted.

 

Gitex continues SAP’s momentum from the recent announcements of a five-year $200 million UAE investment plan and a four-year SR285 million ($76 million) investment plan for Saudi Arabia, with plans to launch local cloud data centers in both markets. 

 

"According to the new SAP and Oxford Economics Digital Transformation Executive Study, 76 per cent of digital transformation leaders are investing in the IoT, 70 per cent derive significant value – four times higher than non-leaders - and 71 per cent better develop talent," he added. 

 

Tzikakis pointed out that world class digital business competitiveness demands collaboration and co-innovation across all industries. 

 

"Gitex Technology Week is both an exciting and strategic platform for SAP to showcase transformational cloud business models and exchange innovative IoT best practices with the goal of positively altering citizen experiences and enabling Smart Cities across the entire region," he added. 

 

SAP said it has also signed a co-innovation Internet of Things partnership with a specialist technology partner, Spectrum, to develop a comprehensive and seamless Digital Hospitality Platform. 

 

The unique platform will enable hospitality stakeholders to deliver an omnichannel end-to-end customer experience, with an inherent ability for targeted marketing, business analytics, customer loyalty, operational cost optimization, digital travel booking, and e-commerce, amongst others.

 

"With mega-events fever in full swing and all of UAE gearing up towards the realization of the same, our partnership with SAP is a well-timed and extremely exciting one," remarked Ajay Singh Chauhan, the owner of Spectrum Group. 

 

"The core vision of our relationship is to develop a high-end futuristic and particularly interactive Customer Experience Platform, within the next year or two, wherein customers are subject to unique, fun-filled, and seamless experiences on their visit to the UAE," he added.-TradeArabia News Service