Gitex

GITEX, the largest information and communications technology (ICT) event in the Middle East, is the place to go to if you’re into gadgets and electronics. Hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre, from 12 to 16 of October, the event attracts more than 140K ICT Professionals from 150 countries and nearly 4,000 ICT companies and brands from 61 countries.

According to American information technology research and advisory firm, Gartner, total Middle East IT and telecoms spend is set to grow 24 per cent from USD 195.6 billion last year to USD 243 billion by 2018, with device spending set to jump 30 per cent from USD 30 billion to USD 39 billion over the same five-year period.

The surge in IT and device spending represents huge potential for increased automation opportunities in nearly all fields of industry, as businesses seek to leverage a rise in mobility, smart government, Big Data and the Internet of Things - the interconnection of embedded computing-like devices, systems and services across a variety of protocols, domains and applications that go beyond standard machine-to-machine communications (M2M).

According to a recent report issued by Frost & Sullivan, half of all global businesses find M2M, mobile device management and mobile software applications to be highly effective technologies. The number of international businesses deploying M2M technologies is set to grow 42 per cent by 2016.

On October 15 there will also be a forum dedicated to social media; under the theme ‘Smart Innovation in the Digital Age’, the Digital Strategies Forum will help organisations better understand how to leverage social media, mobile technology and emerging customer touch points in this new digital frontier.

During the 4-day event there will be plenty of demos and product launches; definitely worth a visit. In case you want to attend click here.