EDITOR ’ S COMMENT
Welcome to Issue 61 of Intelligent Tech Channels . A recent Gulf Business Machines ( GBM ) report has revealed top insights from its first sustainability survey , where it explored how sustainability has risen to the top of organisations ’ agendas . The GBM sustainability survey , in partnership with the International Data Corporation ( IDC ), was conducted among C-suite executives across multiple sectors in UAE , Qatar , Oman , Kuwait , Bahrain and Egypt . The findings of the survey were released in GBM ’ s ESG report at the IDC Middle
East CIO Summit recently . According to the findings , only 13 % of regional organisations have a sustainability practice that is deeply rooted across their operations . 16 % of the surveyed organisations are still in the planning phase of their sustainability programmes and 57 % are at the early stages of their sustainability journey . 76 % of regional organisations also identified environmental impact as the top driver of their organisation ’ s sustainability strategy . In this regard , we continue to cover articles in the magazine that address the issue of ESG and the environmental impact technology is having .
Gracing the cover of this month ’ s edition is Doug Woolley , Managing Director , Dell Technologies South Africa , who talks to us about the 2023 Dell Partner Programme updates , Asset Recovery Services programme , sustainability initiatives , and how the company is working with partnering ecosystems in South Africa and the rest of the Sub-Saharan market . Among the many insights , Woolley shares that : “ With the launch of our 2023 Partner Programme , we recognise that consistency is key . We continue to set high standards to support partners , grow and modernise Dell ’ s core business , and create market opportunities .” You can read more by turning to page 19 .
This month ’ s Expert Speak comes from Thiani Ramaya , Business Practice Lead for Microsoft at Westcon-Comstor , who discusses how Microsoft data centres in Johannesburg and Cape Town provide 24 by 7 support for critical services in South Africa .
And don ’ t forget to find out about this month ’ s channel chiefs on pages 61 to 64 . The interviewees are Eva-Marie Elya , Senior Director , Worldwide Channel Sales at Lookout and David Jordan , Senior Director , Global Partner Programmes and Strategy , Thales Cloud Protection and Licensing Solutions .
And , as usual , we have all your favourite features and news from around the regions – check our website for daily updates . I hope you enjoy this edition and do not hesitate to get in touch if you have anything you would like to share with regards to the channel . You can email me at manda @ lynchpinmedia . com .
Manda Banda Managing Editor
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