INDUSTRY APPOINTMENTS
Ali Amer to lead Cisco’s MEA Global
Service Provider business
Redline appoints
channel specialist to
oversee expansion
in MEA
Redline Communications Group Inc, a
leading provider of wide-area wireless
networks for the most challenging
applications and locations, has appointed
Guruprasad Padmanabhan to lead its sales
and channel partner operations for the
Middle East and Africa (MEA).
Based in Dubai, UAE, Guruprasad (‘Guru’)
Padmanabhan is responsible for recruiting
new channel partners in Redline’s targeted
vertical markets and overseeing sales,
professional services and logistics support
to these partners.
“The Middle East and Africa are
important markets for Redline,” says Rob
Williams, Redline CEO. “We see a growing
demand for wireless broadband systems in
both commercial and industrial applications
throughout the Middle East and Africa. We
believe that Redline’s investment in people
and resources in developing and supporting
markets in key Middle Eastern and African
countries will yield a solid payoff. Guru
brings over 25 years of experience doing
business in the region, having worked for
leading technology companies such as IBM,
Amazon, Etisalat and Tech Data.”
Redline is a leading supplier of mission
critical communications for MEA Oil and
Gas and Mining operations. In addition,
Redline supports new wireless broadband
applications among Telecom Service
Providers, and in Smart Cities and Internet
of Things (IoT) projects. Redline is expanding
its channel presence across the MEA region
and exploring new partnerships to tap into
new market segments in the region.
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Cisco has announced that Ali
Amer has been appointed
Managing Director for Global
Service Provider Sales in
the Middle East and Africa
at Cisco.
In his new role, Ali will
be responsible for helping
telecommunications service
providers transform their
networks, businesses and
customer experiences to
capture the opportunities
created by the digital era.
In addition to driving the
segment’s sales strategy and
growth across the Middle
East and Africa, he will
also focus on streamlining
business operations, including
sales and channel strategy,
business development and customer support.
Amer will report to Peter Karlstromer,
Senior Vice President for Global Service
Provider Sales, Cisco EMEAR. He will work
closely with regional mobile operators
to develop their digital transformation
roadmaps as they evolve their business
and revenue models to meet the growing
demand for data services and financial and
commercial services.
“It gives me great pleasure to announce
Ali as the new leader for our Service
Provider business in the Middle East and
Africa,” said Karlstromer. “Ali is a highly
regarded leader known for his close working
relationships and deep understanding of the
telecoms industry landscape. His expertise
and ability to build high-performance teams
will undoubtedly accelerate our momentum
in delivering the digital ecosystem and
network infrastructure that our customers
need to capture rising opportunities.”
Amer joined Cisco in 2013, most recently
serving as Managing Director for Cisco’s
Service Provider segment in the Middle
East and Turkey. He brings to the role
over 25 years of industry experience and
was previously the Senior Telecom and
IT Consultant in the same unit, advising
multinationals and start-ups on market
entrance and go-to-market strategies in the
region. Prior to Cisco, Amer spent 15 years
at Motorola Networks, rising to the position
of Vice President and General Manager for
Europe, Middle East and Africa, where he
ran an organisation of 2,500 employees and
business professionals with annual revenues
in excess of $1 billion.
“I am excited to take on this expanded
role within our Service Provider business
as Cisco continues to push the envelope
with solutions, technologies and a vision
that drives exponential value and success
for our customers and partners,” said
Ali Amer, Managing Director, Global
Service Provider Sales, Cisco Middle East
and Africa. “With its significant growth
potential, a rapidly expanding population
and increasing smartphone penetration,
the telecommunications market in the
Middle East and Africa is at an important
junction. Cisco’s technology capabilities and
strong partnerships will play a pivotal role
in enabling SPs to become truly intelligent
network operators that are able to unlock
opportunities, enhance business agility,
and drive service innovation and customer-
experience enhancement.”
Issue 09
INTELLIGENT TECH CHANNELS