Midis Group is pleased to be a sponsor of the 2019 Ultra Trail Des Cedres
Midis Group sends best wishes and good luck to all racers and runners taking part in the Ultra Trail Des Cedres in the Shouf Cedar Reserve on July 7, 2019. Midis is pleased to be one of the lead sponsors of the Ultra Trail race and continue our sponsorship links with Lebanon’s national champion Maxime Chaya.
The race – being run for the first time – takes part over three distances – 25, 45 and 75km for experienced runners in different classes. Each race distance covers difficult terrain and runners in the 75km class tackle a course that rises and falls 3,457m from start to finish. Around 120 racers are expected to take part in the event.
The Shouf Cedar Reserve is more than a natural reserve, it is a UNESCO Biosphere and amazingly contains some cedars that are thousands of years old. Race organisers have put in place detailed environmental protection measures to ensure the event has no negative impact on the Reserve. No single-use plastics are allowed at the event and competitors and spectators alike have to bring their own bottles to fill with drinks on-site.
MDS Computers UAE and LiveRoute host first Azure customer event in Abu Dhabi
With the launch of the first Microsoft Data Center in the UAE, MDS Computers UAE and LiveRoute were proud to host the inaugural #Azure customer event on June 26, 2019 at the Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi.
Sherif Tawfik, Sr. Cloud + Enterprise Regional Business Group Lead Microsoft Gulf – tells how the newly launched Data Center Cloud Regions in UAE help accelerate digital transformation in the region
During the event, the MDS team discussed the value of Microsoft #Azure and how it can help customers save costs, accelerate Digital Transformation and enable them to meet local data residency.
Necip Ozyucel, Regional Director – Commercial Partners, Channel, SMEs Microsoft Gulf – provided a deep dive session on how to enable, migrate and innovate to Microsoft’s Azure Cloud
The new Microsoft Data Centers – in Abu Dhabi and Dubai – were talked about in detail at the event, as well as how LiveRoute, MDS’s service arm, helps businesses accelerate and achieve Digital Transformation. The UAE Data Centers will also enable customers to meet local data residency and much more.
Husam Al-hmoud, Microsoft Relationship Manager for UAE, Saudi & Kuwait, MDS Computers – Kick started the event introducing MDS Computers, MDSC1 and Liveroute with its services and expertiseHusam Al-hmoud, Microsoft Relationship Manager for UAE, Saudi & Kuwait, MDS Computers – Kick started the event introducing MDS Computers, MDSC1 and Liveroute with its services and expertise
MDS Computers UAE is a Microsoft LSP and Gold Partner. To find out the value of #Azure and how it can transform your business, contact #MDS via their website contact form.
iSTYLE retail sites expand into Africa as Casablanca store opens
iSTYLE recently expanded its global network with the opening of its first retail store in Africa in Casablanca, Morocco in early June 2019.
Located in the famous Boulevard d’Anfa, the store designed by Beirut architect Michel Moukarzel covers two floors, displaying a wide choice of Apple products and accessories, with iSTYLE Apple-qualified friendly staff providing a great Apple shopping experience.
iSTYLE Casablanca interior
Making the experience even better, an Authorized Service Center will be opening soon in the same location. The Casablanca store is one of 56 iSTYLE sites in Central Eastern Europe, the Middle East and now the African continent, and is iSTYLE’s first Mono-brand Apple Authorized Reseller, or MAAR. The fast-growing iSTYLE retail network is part of the Midis Group.
iSTYLE Casablanca interior view
“Architecture in the iSTYLE shops reflects the three principles of the Apple design: Form, Function, and Purity. Harmony, beauty, and synergy complement the high-tech look of the new iSTYLE,” said architect Michel Moukarzel.
“Particularly situated in Casablanca, it meets the aspirations of the city, being the high-tech and business hub of North Africa,” he added.
HDF sas celebrates Ramadan with Dell and partners in Morocco and Tunisia
HDF celebrates Ramadan with its partners in Morocco and Tunisia
During the month of Ramadan, HDF in collaboration with Dell organized two iftars in both Morocco and Tunisia. The iftar in Morocco was held on May 13 at Pilotis restaurant in Casablanca with 50 key HDF partners, the Dell team and Sales Director Johny Rahme.
Speakers from both Dell and HDF took the opportunity to give presentations about the two companies and their products. It was followed by the iftar and discussions with key company supplier, Dell, and HDF partners to both improve business relationships and promote Dell products.
The HDF iftar in Morocco
The iftar in Tunisia was held on May 23, and 70 people were present and shared a lovely meal with the Dell team and HDF CEO Jacques Tachdjian, sales director Johny Rahme, as well as financial manager Colette Eid at the Dar Belhaj restaurant. It was a very successful event that allowed the company to maintain and further strengthen the relationship with the Dell team and HDF partners and clients in Tunisia.
As the leading distributor of quality IT products to the African market, the French Overseas departments and territories (Dom-Tom) and the neighbor islands, HDF, part of the Midis Group, is based in Paris. HDF is unrivalled in their support and commitment to over 500 leading re-sellers throughout the region.
iSTYLE takes over iCentre and becomes the only Apple Premium Reseller in Romania
April 23, 2019 – iSTYLE Retail Romania announces the takeover of the iCentre store in Mall Promenada, in Bucharest, an acquisition that ensures its position as the only Apple trading partner in Romania with APR (Apple Premium Reseller) status.
iSTYLE now manages ten locations in Bucharest and the main cities in the country. Overall, these amount to over 1,500 square metres of premium high-tech retail premises, designed and executed with attention to Apple’s characteristic details, employing more than 50 highly trained consultants.
The acquisition complements the actions taken over the past year, including the integration of the iSTYLE PRO team as Apple’s authorized service department (a priority business segment for 2019), migration to a new e-commerce platform that improves user experience and facilitates the process while providing increased security for online payments as well as expanding the B2B team that supports organizations, targeting the implementation of the Apple ecosystem, regardless of their current size and structure.
“Through this acquisition we achieved two goals: that of becoming the chief Apple Premium Reseller in Romania, a posture that honors us, but also represents a great responsibility towards our customers. It also continues our aim to develop and consolidate the iSTYLE network whenever there is an opportunity in the market,” said Valeriu Ion, General Manager at iSTYLE Romania and Bulgaria.
In 2018, iSTYLE Romania recorded the best financial results in the company’s nearly 20-year history, reaching a turnover of more than 180 million lei, an increase of 16% compared to 2017. The growth is the result of organic growth of iSTYLE, illustrated by expanding its presence in the most popular shopping centers in major cities in the country.
This year iSTYLE aims to put even more emphasis on meeting Apple’s needs, including the opening of a stand-alone service center in the second half of the year, in addition to the service take-over points in stores. It will streamline diagnosis, troubleshooting, repair or replacement of products both during the warranty period, but also for warranty-less products . When it comes to service, iSTYLE customers will have also additional benefits, such as a 25% discount for iPhone loaner units, in the period when the customer device is in service.
Beyond figures and indicators, iSTYLE’s main goal remains not only to market the latest innovative products created by Apple, but also to provide customers with a complete experience with personalized service packages. They combine pre-sale specialized consulting, flexible financing and protection options for iPhone, iPad, or Mac through extended insurance and warranty packages, initial device setup support, and the ability to participate in group training sessions or even one-on-one sessions with an accredited Apple expert.
iSTYLE will continue to invest in staff development through training and verification programs run by certified Apple trainers, as well as by performing regular mystery shopping procedures for objective assessment and quality of service.
iSTYLE, part of the Midis Group, is the largest Apple Premium Reseller network in Central and Eastern Europe. Through its 43 retail and online stores, iSTYLE offers the full range of Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple Watch and Apple TV along with an impressive but carefully selected portfolio of accessories and software.
The first iSTYLE store was opened in 1999. Currently there are ten iSTYLE stores in Romania, five stores in Bucharest, Constanta, Timisoara, Cluj, Brasov and Iasi. iSTYLE Romania has 70 employees.
Midis Group appoints Ernest Sales to run Hewlett Packard Enterprise business across Eastern Europe and Africa
Beirut, May 1 2019: Midis Group announces the appointment of Ernest Sales to run its Hewlett Packard Enterprise business across Eastern Europe and Africa. Ernest had previously started with the group as Chair of K-Tuin, Midis’ recently acquired retail network in Spain. He joins Midis Group after a successful global career within Hewlett Packard, most recently running North America sales for HP Enterprise, but previously as HP’s Head of Middle East and Africa.
“Ernest embodies the key Midis Group values of integrity and accountability, and he strengthens the global multinational experience set of our executive team. He will help us capitalize on the tremendous potential of our HPE relationship. And he will also surely provide strong guidance as we continue to develop the Midis Group more widely in the years ahead,” said Nabil Bustros, CEO of Midis.
The Midis Group relationship with HP Enterprise continues to strengthen, and the group, with Ernest, is more committed than ever to realize the full spectrum of opportunities for the partnership.
Mindware Acquires Arrow ECS – Channel ME Online
Channel MEhasjust published, in their print edition, a feature interview with Mindware CEO Philippe Jarre. Jarre talks about the Arrow ECS acquisition and outlines company plans to build a billion dollar business through timely acquisitions and organic growth.
“Mindware has acquired regional distributor Arrow ECS increasing its overall business by 15%. The merged entity will immediately take on Mindware’s name. In the next two years, the VAD plans to build a billion dollar business through timely acquisitions and organic growth.
Mindware will also extend its existing partnership with Dell EMC to include Arrow’s strong capabilities with EMC in the UAE. After the acquisition, Mindware’s UAE market will be as big as its total business two years back. For partners, this integration means that they have access to a bigger product range and a broader reach across the region.”
Mindware acquires Arrow Electronics’ enterprise computing solutions business in Middle East
Dubai, UAE – April, 2019: Following approval by governmental authorities in the United Arab Emirates, Mindware FZ-LLC, the renowned distributor of quality IT products to the Middle East and North Africa, announced the addition of new intelligent IT solutions to its wide-ranging portfolio, by acquiring Arrow Electronics’ enterprise computing solutions business in the Middle East.
The agreement includes distribution of Arrow’s enterprise computing solutions FZCO product and services portfolio in the Middle East
The acquisition is part of Mindware’s growth strategy to advancing as the leading Value-Added Distributor in the region. Via this acquisition, Mindware will expand its Dell EMC territorial coverage and enhance its security portfolio with additional global vendors such as RSA, CheckPoint, Forcepoint, and TrendMicro.
Arrow Electronics has recruited a large number of enterprise re-sellers, always operating as their trusted technology advisor and growth enabler.
“This acquisition reinforces our strategy to support the digital transformation of the regional IT industry and the high demand for Storage, Cloud, and Security solutions,” said Philippe Jarre, CEO of Mindware. “Moreover, it significantly strengthens our position in this rapidly growing segment. We are delighted to welcome the Arrow team to Mindware,” added Jarre.
About Mindware:
Mindware is part of the Midis Group, an international organization comprised of over 150 companies across the emerging markets of Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
As the leading Value-Add Distributor of the finest IT products in the Middle East and Africa, Mindware’s extensive portfolio includes world-class global brands reaching out to over 3,500 resellers across more than 25 countries.
Mindware’s comprehensive offerings include a selection of networking, security, virtualization, unified communications, and storage leading brands such as Dell EMC, Juniper, Microsoft, McAfee, Citrix, and Veritas. As part of its VAD methodology, Mindware also offers supplementary value-added services to its reselling partners including pre-sales consultancy, implementation services, local technical support, marketing enablement tools, and multiple channel-enabling programs. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, Mindware has been uncompromisingly serving its customers for more than a quarter-century in the Middle East and Africa.
New Beirut iSTYLE Apple Authorised Reseller boutique opens at Holcom technology hub
Beirut, March 14th, 2019: at a memorable night event held at their base at the Holcom technology hub, Midis Group premiered it’s new iSTYLE Apple Authorised Reseller boutique in the presence of VIPs, businessmen, clients, media representatives and Apple fans.
More than 300 invitees attended the boutique launch, MC’d by Lebanese national champion Maxime Chaya, who welcomed guests and introduced the iSTYLE boutique concept. There was a lot going on to celebrate at the opening: iSTYLE Apple Experts shared tips and shortcuts in tutorial workshops, while a live art show featured a caricaturist and a calligrapher both using iPads, creating unique memories for attendees. DJ ED’N’RAY kept everyone moving playing the latest sounds on his MacBook Pro.
“iSTYLE Apple Premium Reseller operates one of the biggest chains of Apple stores in Central Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, running 56 dedicated Apple points of sale and recently acquired 15 stores in Spain,” said Mr. Nabil Bustros, Chairman and CEO of Midis Group. “iSTYLE in Lebanon is not only a store, it is a success story as a brand, hence the opening of this second boutique,” said Mr Bustros.
iSTYLE stores are certified by Apple as Premium Resellers. This means living and breathing the Apple experience, offering a full range of official Apple products and complementary offerings, coupled with unmatched Apple expertise, advice, and proficiency. The iSTYLE team are directly trained and supervised by Apple in order to transfer the right Apple experience to consumers.
To provide a complete Apple solution, iSTYLE has partnered with ABMCARE, an experienced Apple Authorized Service Provider, to offer a comprehensive approach to customer service. For professional users, timely service is king, so ABMCARE offer the region’s quickest repair service “on the spot”.
ABMCARE is the sole distributor for Apple service in the Middle East, managing over 30 service channels in the region, equipped with state-of-the-art repair facilities as per Apple’s guidelines for a service center. ABMCARE technicians are highly qualified and certified by Apple to be able to service all Apple products, including desktops, portables, iPhones, iPads, iPods and Apple accessories, with customer satisfaction as an integral part of their mission.
Now it’s launched, Apple fans can check out the iSTYLE boutique at the Holcom Building, Corniche Al Nahr, open Monday to Friday from 09:00am till 7:00pm and Saturday from 9:00am to 2:00 pm.
February 1, 2019 Dubai – Mindware has appointed a new CEO, Philippe Jarre.
Philippe has spent 25 years as CEO across a broad spectrum of companies in the technology sector, notably IBM.
At IBM, Philippe worked across a wide range of tech sectors and held a variety of leadership positions, from a post as VP of retail banking in Europe, based in London, to Global General Manager for cloud, business continuity and security business in New York and General Manager for IBM Global Services in France. Additionally he was CEO at Gulf Business Machines in Dubai, where he led regional business development.
Philippe spoke about the reasons for joining such a major group of companies. “Midis group has more than 40 years of experience in the region, offering the region’s broadest portfolio, including leading global brands throughout the MEA region. The commitment to customers is unrivalled. The culture has grown out of the understanding that customers are of primary concern”
“Midis is a name that resonates in the region, which is very important. The Group is extremely strong financially and therefore has been able to weather many challenges over the years. Moreover Mindware is a solid reality within the Midis Group with an extraordinary potential of partnerships development continuing to succeed in the Region”.
Philippe graduated from the prestigious Central Supelec in Paris (France).
eHosting DataFort highlights the key trends for upsurge in Managed Security Services in UAE
eHosting DataFort (eHDF), the region’s leading Cloud Infrastructure, Managed Hosting and Security Services Provider, today announced the growing trend of Managed Security Services (MSS) globally as well as in the Middle East. Few reasons for the increasing demand are the increased levels of Cyber threats, in-house shortage of security skills talent, digital transformation and increased adoption of BYOD due to the progressive increase in the mobile workforce. Simultaneously, organizations are also relying on MSS providers with portfolios that include advanced predictive security intelligence and analysis as well as detection services to manage and mitigate the complex security landscape.
Markets and Markets projects that the global MSS market will expand at a CAGR of 14.6 percent between 2016 and 2021 and that the sector will be worth nearly USD33.7 billion by 2021. The research also suggests that the increase is not just related to growth of enterprise IT infrastructure, but also corelates to the increase in compliance requirements. Simultaneously, SMBs are now adopting advanced IT technologies and are keen to ensure a secure IT infrastructure. This segment is expected to see the highest growth of Managed Security Services during the projected forecast period.
“The frequency and very powerful security threats that organizations are facing are now being recognized and discussed in boardrooms. Focused efforts are going into detailed strategies to build and implement comprehensive security for risk management and protection. The fast-paced developments in cybersecurity also call for specialized skills. Most organizations are unprepared to adapt to this next chapter. As MSS providers, we see increasing number of CIOs contracting these services to reduce the vulnerabilities to attacks as well as enable a quick response to information security breach incidents.,” said, Yasser Zeineldin, CEO, eHosting DataFort.
According to a Cisco 2016 Annual Security Report, there is a deficit of 1 million security practitioners, increasing to 1.5 million by 2019. Globally, 26% of organisations are facing staffing shortages, and 35% are facing expertise shortages with security jobs growing at 12 times the rate of the overall job market, and 3 times the rate of general IT. This skills shortfall is the basis for the increasing use of MSS globally.
Digital penetration across the government and business sectors in the Middle East has been growing at a very rapid pace. The push is being spearheaded by local governments especially in countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Egypt with digital transformation strategies to building smart cities as well as for eCommerce. While the progress has very positive consequences for the society at large as well as businesses, it also brings along the added challenges of cybersecurity.
“As an MSS provider, we focus on ensuring that our services are positioned to provide advanced threat intelligence and management for larger organizations as well as the growing SMB markets in the Middle East. Our team of skilled professionals and experts are equipped to provide short as well as long term security strategies and we have continued to grow our customer base by meeting their diverse demands. This is supported by the substantial investments we make in updating and upgrading our services with new technologies and services to stay abreast with the dynamic threat environment,” added Zeineldin.
MDS provides outstanding technical support to UAE Department of Finance 2012 – 2015
