Avaya’s EMEA President, Michael Bayer, has said that 2012 is the year of execution for the company following a year of careful consideration and planning.
Focusing on unified communications and new, multiplatform video solutions, which can be implemented into communities, either to add value to existing infrastructure or to help build new smart communities from scratch, Avaya is demonstrating its biggest presence at GITEX to date, which Bayer claims is a way of showing its dedication and commitment to the region.
“This is our biggest presence yet, we have good penetration in the Middle East and GITEX is a fantastic opportunity for us to meet people face to face and talk with our partners,” said Bayer.
Avaya is keen to promote its latest unified communication solution package – IP Office 8.1 – in the emerging regions, which it says is very attractive due to lack of legacy compared to other regions.
“Greenfield areas, such as the Middle East and Africa want completely new infrastructure. These areas lack legacy and as a result they can leapfrog technology,” said Claire Macland, EMEA Head of Marketing, Avaya.
“The partners that I’ve been meeting this week are looking at opportunities where whole areas of real estate are being built from scratch and how villa based communities can use our technology to be able to provide that very smart home solution, for a quality intense system.”
Avaya is focusing specifically on the mid market range, claiming these areas are ready and willing to invest. Using Avaya video capabilities and networking capabilities to add value to pre-existing telephony systems which will improve their overall infrastructure.
“Everybody seems excited about the idea of adding this technology and creating these modern, smart infrastructures. We have a strong legacy of committed customers in this geography as well as brand new customer opportunities, it’s two different things. It’s the ideal time for us to be exhibiting our largest presence yet and we have big growth opportunities coming up,” Macland said.
Last month, Avaya has signed a deal with Dubai Silicon Oasis to create a new technology training facility, which Bayer believes, again, demonstrates its willingness to invest and deploy big projects in the region.
“The signing shows our commitment. The difference to this year from the last is that last year was a year of consideration. Our customers were uncertain about spending, and there was a lot of uncertainty for us. This year is the year of execution. We’ve been able to prove our value to business and since Ramadan we’ve made great progress with contracts and customers,” concluded Bayer.
