21 August 2016
Jewel of the Creek Project in Dubai

- Partnership in excess of AED 100 million with Dubai International Real Estate and Roda Hotels its hospitality subsidiary

- GBM to be strategic technology partner for Security, Structured Cabling, Network Infrastructure, Guest Room Management System, Access Control and Audio Video

- Largest deployment of ICT technologies in a single project by GBM in Dubai

Dubai, UAE - Gulf Business Machines (GBM), the region's number one provider of IT solutions, has signed an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) partnership for one of Dubai's largest hospitality projects, the Jewel of the Creek Project. The AED 4 billion project by Roda Hotels, the hospitality subsidiary of the Dubai International Real Estate, is expected to be ready by September 2017.

The value is estimated at over AED 100 million, for the execution of the complete ICT package including LAN, Wireless, IP Telephony, Security, Structured cabling, Guest Room Management System, Access Control & Audio Video. GBM will be using Cisco Systems' latest technology including mobility and analytics. Additionally, the company will be accountable for the supply, installation, testing and commissioning of the entire package of ICT for the five hospitality buildings in the project. The Jewel of the Creek Project is spread over 123,000 square meters and is located in Deira, strategically bound by the Al Maktoum Bridge, Baniyas Road, Floating Bridge and Dubai Creek.

H.E. Khalil Ibrahim Al Sayegh, General Manager of Dubai International Real Estate said, "The Jewel of the Creek is our flagship project and we seek partners who are able to deliver exceptional standards of work. From the start of discussions with GBM, it was clear that they had extensive knowledge of the ICT sector, good customer references and vast experience deploying their solutions in the regional hospitality sector.

"What stood out were the strong partnerships GBM had in place with the world's leading technology companies and its investment in a talented, skilled workforce who are able to adapt and cater to our specific business needs. This gave us the confidence that GBM is the ICT partner who would be able to define and enhance the way we manage the guest experience through the use of smart technology, mobility and Wi-Fi analytics."

Ashok Bhola, General Manager of GBM Dubai and Northern Emirates said, "With the arrival of mega-events such as the Expo 2020, we are in an era of unprecedented growth in Dubai. The hospitality sector is one of the biggest players on this front and the Jewel of the Creek project is an illustration of the stunning projects arising in the city. GBM is proud to partner with a project of such scale, and the technology solutions which will be implemented have been designed to significantly enhance the guest experience.

"The Jewel of the Creek Project will be equipped with cutting edge technologies in ICT which are driven by mobility and analytics. We will be working with a solid eco-system of partners to also help Roda Hotels address any pain points on the project and help support the growth of their business."

GBM has been operational as a System Integrator for the hospitality sector for years with its extensive capabilities to design, deploy and integrate leading industry players such as Cisco Systems and Schneider. The Jewel of the Creek Project will be the largest deployment of ICT technologies in a single project by GBM in Dubai and in GCC countries of operation. It also marks the first-ever use of this technologies by the hospitality sector.

-Ends-

About Gulf Business Machines (GBM)
Founded and operating in the region since 1990, GBM is the number one provider of IT solutions, leveraging industry leading technologies to drive real business results for clients. GBM is the sole distributor for IBM - excluding selected IBM products and services - throughout the GCC, apart from Saudi Arabia. GBM's momentum was further enhanced in 1999, when the company secured the Cisco portfolio.

GBM offers an extensive range of IT infrastructure, solutions and services ranging from consulting, resource deployment and integration to after-sales support. The company has offices in the UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah), Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Pakistan.

Continuously recognized by its international partners, this year GBM has been awarded as IBM's Top Business Partner, Cisco's Middle East Partner of the Year, and Channel Customer Satisfaction Excellence, the highest distinction a partner can achieve within the Cisco Channel Partner Program.

For more information please visit www.gbmme.com

For further information, please contact:
Corporate Communications
Gulf Business Machines
Tel: +973 17584333
Email: communications@gbmme.com

Weber Shandwick
Tel: +971 4 445 2245
Email: gbm@webershandwick.com            

© Press Release 2016