EME Outlook - Issue 29

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ISSUE 29

From connected cars and flying taxis to folding phones and 5G beehives, Mobile World Congress provided the ultimate forum to showcase innovation

MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS 2019 8

Featuring interviews with Ericsson, Nokia, Vodafone, AT&T, Cisco and more

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDE 44 Athens: The European capital of culture

WATER-LINK 84 Bringing progressive technologies and innovative solutions to the forefront of Flanders’ water market

SAMSKIP 90 Exercising integrational excellence to the advantage of industry logistics

ALSO FEATURING: E S T O N I A N C O N V E N T I O N B U R E A U | W I K O V I N D U S T R Y

Business Travel Guides

A complete guide to EME’s leading business travel destinations

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traddling the giant River Danube, Budapest has long served as Hungary’s cultural and administrative epicentre.

Situated at the confluence of the country’s western hills and eastern and southern plains, the city is named after and split into two parts on either side of the river – Buda to the west and Pest to the east.

While Budapest’s roots date back to Roman times, what visitors will see today is largely influenced by the 19th-century Austro-Hungarian empire, a period when Hungary was around three times the size it is today, the geopolitical aftermath of the First World War drastically reducing its landmass.

It is home to one in five Hungarians and the centre of transport and industry, with more than half the country’s university students attending institutions here.

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Budapest is an architectural marvel with many fascinating buildings offering immense views. The city, including the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, and Andrássy Avenue, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

A vast array of museums, monuments and public baths add into the cultural mix along with an unrivalled nightlife, no better experienced than by a visit to one of the famous ruin bars.

BUDAPEST From rejuvenated ruin bars to relaxing bathing spas, Budapest is a caldron of culture, history and architectural beauty either side of the Danube Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Joe Palliser

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Our Business Travel section not only gives executives the complete guide to the world’s most popular and populous locations, but also gives said locations the perfect opportunity to showcase their own businesses, events, venues and services to a truly international audience and readership of more than 395,000 each month.

To share in this unrivalled exposure and to put your own offering on our map, then please contact our Sales Managers; Joe Palliser, Ryan Gray or Jordan Levey to find out more.

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+44 (0)1603 959 676

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W E L C O M E EDITORIAL Editorial Director: Tom Wadlow tom.wadlow@outlookpublishing.com Deputy Editor: Jonathan Dyble jonathan.dyble@outlookpublishing.com

PRODUCTION Production Manager: Daniel George daniel.george@outlookpublishing.com Art Director: Stephen Giles steve.giles@outlookpublishing.com Advert Designer: Devon Collins devon.collins@outlookpublishing.com

BUSINESS Sales Director: Nick Norris nick.norris@outlookpublishing.com Operations Director: James Mitchell james.mitchell@outlookpublishing.com PROJECT DIRECTORS Joshua Mann joshua.mann@outlookpublishing.com Tom Cullum tom.cullum@outlookpublishing.com HEAD OF PROJECTS Callam Waller callam.waller@outlookpublishing.com Joe Palliser (Business Travel) joe.palliser@outlookpublishing.com Thomas Arnold thomas.arnold@outlookpublishing.com TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Eddie Clinton eddie.clinton@outlookpublishing.com SALES MANAGERS Jordan Levey (Business Travel) jordan.levey@outlookpublishing.com Ryan Gray (Business Travel) ryan.gray@outlookpublishing.com PROJECT MANAGERS Ashley Parfitt ashley.parfitt@outlookpublishing.com Josh Hyland josh.hyland@outlookpublishing.com Matt Cole-Wilkin matt.cole-wilkin@outlookpublishing.com Matthew Selby matthew.selby@outlookpublishing.com Richard Thomas richard.thomas@outlookpublishing.com

ADMINISTRATION Finance Director: Suzanne Welsh suzanne.welsh@outlookpublishing.com Office & Finance Manager: Sophia Curran sophia.curran@outlookpublishing.com Digital & IT: Hamit Saka Helpdesk: James Le-May

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All eyes on Barcelona Late February saw the world’s biggest and brightest technological enterprises descend on Barcelona.

Mobile World Congress, the first edition of which launched some 32 years ago, welcomed more than 109,000 visitors from 198 countries, including more than 7,900 CEOs. Deputy Editor Jonathan Dyble and I were just two of the 3,640 media analysts in attendance, and we took full advantage of the mass of expertise, bringing you no fewer than nine interview-based features and several other pieces of content from leading industry figures.

From 5G and cybersecurity to IoT and startup innovation, our special edition insert is a new concept for EME Outlook, and one we very much hope to build on in the future. Be sure to read Jonathan’s introductory note for more insight into our time in Barcelona, and of course take your pick from the wealth of content that follows.

MWC is not the only focus for this edition of the magazine, however.

We explore a variety of other industries, including utilities in the form of an interview with Franky Cosaert, CEO of Belgium’s water-link.

Catching up after a successful 2018, Cosaert tells us about the firm’s plans for 2019 and beyond, including a new Intelligent Control Centre.

“Within this facility we’ll be implementing state-of-the-art software that has been helping to transform our operations,” he states. “We’re now able to use remote sensoring, data analytics, the internet of things and other technologies that can be interpreted, providing network diagnosis and making us better aware of what’s happening throughout our supply chain.”

In the manufacturing sector, Wikov Industry continues to operate strongly having been in business in the Czech Republic for more than 100 years. Starting out as a producer of now-vintage passenger cars, lightweight trucks, buses and agricultural machinery, the company has adapted, currently focussed on the development of gearboxes and precise mechanical

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components for industry use and for railway

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vehicles.

Our attention also turns to logistics with a feature on Samskip in Norway, an intermodal expert covering sea, road and rail.

Finally, our business travel guides cover some of Europe’s most popular destinations, from

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the capitals of Greece and Hungary to an up and Tom Wadlow Editorial Director, Outlook Publishing

coming tech hotspot, Estonia.

Enjoy the issue!

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EME In this issue...

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SHOWCASING LEADING COMPANIES Tell us your story and we’ll tell the world

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ENERGY & UTILITIES

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Turning the Tide Bringing progressive technologies and innovative solutions to the forefront of Flanders’ water market

E V E N T

MOBILE WORLD CONGRESS

A dedicated insert following our visit to the world’s leading mobile event in Barcelona, featuring interviews with Ericsson, Nokia, Vodafone, AT&T, Cisco and more…

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ATHENS

The Multimodal Marvel Exercising integrational excellence to the advantage of industry logistics

BUDAPEST

MANUFACTURING

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IP EXPO MANCHESTER

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RESTAURANT SHOW MIDDLE EAST

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FOOD TRUCK MIDDLE EAST

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INTERNATIONAL SPORTS AND FITNESS MIDDLE EAST

Northern England’s premier IT showcase

SAMSKIP

The European capital of culture

Queen of the Danube

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SHIPPING & LOGISTICS

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDES

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Feeding a Growing Market Satisfying the region’s demands for dairy and juice products

WATER-LINK

SPECIAL EDITION

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AL RAWABI DAIRY COMPANY

WIKOV INDUSTRY

Catalysing Industrial Innovation Driving forward-thinking movement as a customerorientated expert

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The region’s leading event for restaurateurs

The region’s dedicated event for Mobile F&B outlets

The industry’s largest regional tradeshow

INTERNATIONAL BEER STRATEGIES CONFERENCE

Providing unprecedented access to the world’s most iconic beer brands

ESTONIA

North-eastern Europe’s digital frontrunner

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EURELECTRIC

New leadership powering the energy transition

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Outlook Creative Services Complementing the production of Africa Outlook, Asia Outlook and EME Outlook magazines, Outlook Publishing’s award-winning in-house team is now utilising these same specialist production skills to offer a full and bespoke range of editorial, design and marketing services via its new Outlook Creative Services division.

For more information on how we can work with you in providing a plethora of completely flexible and customisable production services, please visit: www.outlookpublishing.com/creative-services

DESIGN: Stephen Giles +44 (0) 1603 959 656 steve.giles@outlookpublishing.com

E D I TO R I A L : Tom Wadlow +44 (0) 1603 959 657 tom.wadlow@outlookpublishing.com

Devon Collins +44 (0) 1603 959 661 devon.collins@outlookpublishing.com

Jonathan Dyble +44 (0) 1603 959 660 jonathan.dyble@outlookpublishing.com

Contents 12 Ericsson

24 AT&T

34 LaLiga

HĂĽkan Andersson, Head of Technology Strategy, talks transformation

Tapping into new, creative, aspirational ideas

Expanding experiences to the benefit of fans, players and officials alike

16 KPMG

28 Vodafone

36 Cisco

How the auditing giant is helping to put smaller enterprises on the map

Phil Skipper of global IoT leader Vodafone Business on the bounds of connectivity

Gee Rittenhouse on the evolving security landscape

20 Nokia

32 SAP

40 Lenovo

Enabling the implementation of intuitive technologies

SAP on the increasingly customer-centric cloud

Intelligent alteration in new, fresh, practical directions

5G For All

Startup Springboard

Administering the Intelligent

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Inspiring Innovation

IoT: The World’s Great Enabler

Counting on Cloud

Football Transfigured

Countering Complexity

Transforming Perspectives

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Making the most of Mobile World Congress 2019 Stepping off an early evening flight and strolling through the Josep Tarradellas Barcelona El Prat Airport, it was near impossible to miss that Mobile World Congress was in town.

A short taxi ride from the airport to the city centre, this remained a running theme wherever you looked, with countless billboards and signs showcasing the unavoidable black and red logo of GSMA. Monday morning, however, was when this perceived hype really came to fruition. From Liceu to Espanya to Fira, navigating the crowded city metro was easier than anticipated, owed to the countless attendants sporting red gilets who shepherded swarms of people up to the grand entrance of the Fira Gran Via. A quick security check aside, the 400,000 square metre building swallowed us up into a new world of technology and innovation for the next 48 hours. Finding our bearings quickly transitioned into being greeted by a robot band, flying taxis, autonomous supercars, countless VR demonstrations and more.

Despite often feeling like children in a chocolate factory, however, Mobile World Congress itself provided the perfect opportunity for myself and Tom to meet and speak to some fantastic people, covering topical subjects such as 5G, IoT, enterprise transformation and even technology in football.

Surrounded by countless experts in each field, the majority of our time was insightfully spent sitting down with executives from globally renowned companies such as Ericsson, Vodafone, SAP and Nokia – conversations that are presented to you in this special portion of the 29th edition of EME Outlook.

Jonathan Dyble Deputy Editor, Outlook Publishing

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Around MWC in seven stories…

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GSMA announces GLOMO Award winners for 2019

GSMA wraps up successful MWC19 Welcoming more than 7,900 CEOs from around the world during the world’s largest exhibition for the mobile industry, GSMA has revealed that Mobile World Congress attributed approximately €473 million this time around.

Highlights included GSMA’s infamous Innovation City, the participation of 2,400 companies, 2,000 delegates, the hugely

successful 4 Years from Now (4YFN) startup showcase and the introduction of biometric recognition that provided attendees with easy access to the event.

Alongside this, emphasis on women and education in technology were two prominent topics, while the event retained its status as the world’s largest carbo neutral event, recognised by Guinness World Records.

MWC event organiser GSMA named the winners of the 2019 GLOMO Awards during the Tuesday of the exhibition, showcasing companies and individuals driving innovation in the rapidly evolving mobile industry.

With 38 awards up for grabs, the likes of Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung, Huawei, SK Telecom and Accenture were recognised in a multitude of different categories.

“Our congratulations to all of the winners and nominees of the GSMA’s GLOMO Awards 2019,” said John Hoffman, CEO of GSMA. “The GLOMO’s are a testament to the incredible innovation and ingenuity shaping our industry and it is truly an outstanding achievement to have been selected by our esteemed judging panels.”

decisions about their daily transportation options including cars, scooters, bikes and public transport.

“Traffic congestion and environmental challenges are putting huge pressure on cities to transform,” said Spanish carmaker SEAT and US Jordi Caus, SEAT’s Head of New Urban tech giant IBM have announced Mobility Concepts. “At SEAT we are the development of a new solution designed to transform driving in cities. leading the way by working with innovative cities and technology companies Announced at MWC, ‘Mobility to come up with solutions to make Advisor’ uses IBM Watson AI to mobility easier and more efficient.” help urban citizens make informed T R AV E L

SEAT and IBM in urban mobility partnership

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Samsung and Huawei unveil foldable phones A major highlight of this years MWC has been the launch of foldable devices.

Asian tech powerhouses Samsung and Huawei both unveiled their visions of the future, showcasing phones which are folded in the middle, unfolding to make the screen twice as large.

Huawei’s consumer business CEO Richard Yu announced the company’s Mate X, while Samsung’s Galaxy Fold was on display in a glass box surrounded by security personnel.

Yu said that he believes the Chinese firm can become the number one company in the industry inside two years – its fate may well be decided by the success of its folding innovation.

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Ericsson, Telefónica sign AI-powered network agreement Global telecommunications players Ericsson and Telefónica penned a new four-to-six-year managed services deal for AI-powered network operations spanning the UK, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Uruguay.

The deal supports and reinforces Telefónica’s strategy to focus on

Connected cars: Vodafone teams up with AT&T

Unveiled February 20th, the Samsung Fold pictured above will be first released in the US on April 26, 2019 and in Europe on May 3, 2019

increased use of AI-based automation for evolved network operations.

“Expanding our long-term partnership with Ericsson with the implementation and support of their global Network Operation Centers will now allow us to build a more agile network, while implementing new tools and developing technologies for the network and our customers. AI and automation are key pillars of the network operations of the future,” stated Juan Manuel Caro, Global Director of Operations & Customer experience, Telefónica.

AT&T and Vodafone Business are working together to accelerate IoT connectivity and innovation in the automotive industry.

The companies will bring together their expertise to develop connected car solutions and experiences for customers across their combined footprints in North America, Europe and Africa.

Stefano Gastaut, IoT Director, Vodafone Business, said: “As technology complexity increases, this is the right time to make technology adoption easier for the automotive industry to help them achieve their business outcomes. This is the goal of this alliance.”

The companies will prioritise projects to enhance safety, security and entertainment capabilities.

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5G to account for 15 percent of mobile connections by 2025 According to a report from GSMA released February 25, 5G is expected to account for 15 percent of global mobile connections by 2025.

The mass-increase is expected to be owed to the rising number of 5G network launches and compatible devices throughout the coming six years, with a further 16 markets worldwide set to switch on commercial 5G networks in 2019 alone.

It is calculated that mobile operators around the world are investing approximately $160 billion yearly on upgrading their networks, despite growing regulatory and competitive pressures.

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FOR ALL

Leveraging immense research capabilities, Ericsson is making transformative technologies available for everyone, from global manufacturing firms to refugees Writer: Jonathan Dyble

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bba’s single ‘Does Your Mother Know’ has remained timeless since its release in 1979.

Celebrating a landmark 40th anniversary next month, the song heavily featured in box office hits Johnny English in 2003 and Mamma

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Mia! in 2008, even being performed

by UK rapper Dizzee Rascal during a recent tour.

However, despite having established itself as a staple of the pop genre, a booming live performance of the song was not what we were expecting to hear as we entered Ericsson’s Mobile

World Congress booth.

Paying tribute to its home nation’s favourite band, the Swedish telecommunications giant put on a collaborative spectacle with Vodafone, showcasing 5G’s ever growing capabilities by demonstrating how a live band can now play together when not together.

“The idea, from Ericsson’s side at least, came from two guys at the Ericsson Research team,” explains Håkan Andersson, Head of Technology Strategy at the company. “Exploring the seemingly endless potential of 5G and low latency technology, they put forward the idea that then worked its way through an internal incubator, and it’s now become a reality here at

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Mobile World Congress.”

One of the largest booths at MWC 2019, Ericsson’s showcasing portfolio offered a true glimpse into the future.

From allowing attendees to remotely drive an all-electric autonomous truck in Gothenburg in real-time to providing attendees with access to its new Batman AR/ VR experience, a sweep of the firm’s stands reinstated that this is a company pioneering next generation technologies, shaping the future of global connectivity.

Ahead of the game

“Myself? I’ve been responsible for both the strategies and investment decisions for the development of our

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LTE and 5G technologies,” explains Andersson as we sat down for a chat behind the scenes. “From very early research activities to engagement with customers and the European Union, it’s been a real journey.”

Having joined Ericsson back in 1990, Andersson has worked across various internal divisions, starting out at Ericsson Research before moving into product development, portfolio management and now technology strategy.

“With such wide flexibility in opportunity, I’ve never had the desire to move on,” he explains. “The company offers personal diversification from within, the chance to travel extensively, and it’s a business where

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ABOUT ANDERSSON Currently acting as Head of Technology Strategy for Ericsson, Håkan Andersson has been a part of the company for 29 years. With an MSc in Electric Engineering and PhD in Physics from the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Andersson has held various management positions for the firm in Singapore, the Philippines, the US and in Sweden itself.

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the culture is defined by innovation.”

Having accumulated broad oversight of Ericsson during the past three decades, Andersson is quick to emphasise that the firm’s research arm has been key to its ongoing success. A unit constituting 700 of the firm’s best and brightest, this division provides the platform from which its overriding strategies can thrive.

“Ericsson Research effectively makes it possible for us to navigate the technology landscape by piecing together calculated long term forecasts,” Andersson affirms.

ERICSSON’S GLOBAL MOBILE AWARDS 2019 NOMINATIONS Best Mobile Network Infrastructure: Ericsson for 5G high-band Massive MIMO (Winner) Best Network Software Breakthrough: Ericsson and Telstra for NB-IoT extended cell range Best Mobile Innovation supporting Emergency or Humanitarian Situations: Ericsson and Vivo (Telefónica Brazil) for Connecting Venezuelan refugees European 5G Pioneer Award: Ericsson and Swisscom for Getting 5G Ready for Business 5G Industry Partnership Award: Ericsson, Fraunhofer Institute and MTU Aero Engines AG for 5G real-time process monitoring and control in manufacturing

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“Historically this is something Ericsson has been extremely effective at. We don’t push technologies aimlessly – everything we pursue is built on the foundations of measured research, an approach that provides us with substantial credibility.”

One such example can be found in the firm’s introduction of the 5G PlayStations, products that the company has been producing since 2015, according to Andersson.

“We’ve now actually shipped three million such consoles that have been 5G-readied,” he reveals. “Our research allowed us to have a good early understanding of how 5G should be used and we made early adjustments to ensure that this was aligned with the existing LTE interface.

“As a result, we could actually start developing these PlayStations in order to support 5G, even before the technology itself was rolled out. This futureproofing really provides us with an edge.”

Inspiring collective excellence

Collaboration, alongside research, is another area that the Head of Technology Strategy is quick to highlight as a hugely important aspect of Ericsson’s grasp on innovation.

Readily involved in transformative industry bodies like the 5G Automotive Association and aiding Stockholm’s smart city efforts, Ericsson has established itself as a fundamental player within the global technological ecosystem.

“We’re not betting on any one thing,” explains Andersson. “We have extremely smart guys working at Ericsson Research, however, we also recognise that cooperative agreements an alternative yet fantastic source of new ideas.”

The company’s extensive 5G collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Production technology and MTU Aero Engines showcases this strategy effectively. Leveraging the different expertise of the three

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organisations, the trio researched and developed new methods for improving process control and discovering manufacturing failures during the production of bladed disks in real-time.

The result? MTU Aero Engines is now able to use 5G and sensory technology to reduce the time for the process design phase by 75 percent, create annual savings of up to €27 million for a single factory.

Moreover, the firm often benefits from similar synergies between itself and its customers, this revealed in its work with leading Australian telecommunications giant Telstra in expanding its Narrow Band IoT range.

“This was an exciting challenge,” Andersson states, “looking at how to get good coverage in a country like Australia with its huge landmass and geographically divided populations.

What we’ve done is extend the range of many existing cell towers to 100 kilometres, 60 kilometres more than 3GPP standards-based limits.

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“A big focus of our 5G research from the beginning was focusing on bolstering antenna capabilities and the Telstra project is a real showcase of this evolution. In certain instances, we’ve actually driven 10-fold capacity increases in Telstra’s networks in a cost-effective manner, something we’re really proud of.”

Virtualisation and realisation

The Telstra and Fraunhofer Institution collaborations are two of examples for the firm’s wide remit, a third being its Technology for Good @ Roraima project.

First conceived in 2017, the programme was borne in the wake of the Brazilian government’s requests for a new technological solution to provide an enhanced response to the Venezuelan migration situation that would benefit both the migrants themselves and the local Roraima population.

In response, Ericsson founded a

EME new partnership with Vivo (Telefónica Brazil) in order to both bring 4G connectivity to the region and build a digital lab in Boa Vista, the capital of Roraima, that would provide digital inclusion for many of the Venezuelan migrants.

A prime example of how technology can be used not only to the benefit of industrial and commercial spheres but equally humanitarian ventures, the Technology for Good project was nominated as Best Mobile Innovation supporting Emergency or Humanitarian Situations – one of five Global Mobile Award nominations that Ericsson received this year, one of which they won.

From automated network operations, cloud infrastructure and managed network solutions to intelligent optimisation, agile application management and data driven operations, Ericsson will undoubtedly remain a key facilitator of digital transformation for decades to come.

“When we talk about 5G, we’re talking about the virtualisation of core networks,” Andersson states, summarising his outlook on the technology’s growing capabilities.

“Slicing had allowed workloads to be distributed in different places, while software definition has allowed us to repurpose the same infrastructure for different things.”

“Whether this is a public safety network, a network for industry use cases or one for mobile broadband, we are now able to run these on a common infrastructure.”

He concludes: “Taking these transformative framework capabilities and coupling them with artificial intelligence, cloud capabilities and new software-led developments, we will see networks becoming increasingly elevated for all.”

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K P M G

STARTUP Springboard KPMG is providing a platform at MWC’s startup event, 4FYN, for smaller enterprises to draw the attention of potential investors Writer: Tom Wadlow

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WC is not just about the world’s tech giants showcasing their latest inventions.

A short, but traffic-laden trip up the road from Fira Gran Via is Fira Montjuïc, home to 4YFN (Four Years From Now) and a hive of energetic startup companies looking to become the next unicorns.

In and amongst the bustle we found Patrick Imbach, Head of KPMG Tech Growth, the auditing giant’s innovative startups practice.

“The bottom line is startups are relevant players nowadays,” he tells us, “and from my personal perspective

it is much more exciting to be working with them as they get stuff done, are agile and exist to solve problems. The corporate environment is less agile and can be a bit painful at times.”

KPMG, itself very much in the corporate realm, has been Imbach’s professional home for 15 years.

BEST BRITISH TECH STARTUP 2019 – THE FINAL FIVE Eventual competition winner Hummingbird Technologies is an artificial intelligence business, using imagery and data analytics from UAV, satellite and plane technology, together with machine learning and computer vision techniques, to provide farmers with high resolution crop maps.

Based in London, ZigZag Global is a software solution to help ecommerce retailers manage returns domestically and globally.

Grid Edge is an artificial intelligence startup company that provides AI software services to commercial building operators to empower them to intelligently optimise their building’s energy profile, and become active and empowered participants in the energy system.

Manchester-based Optalysys is developing optical AI systems designed to accelerate the most demanding deep learning and pattern recognition tasks at groundbreaking speeds, but at a fraction of the energy consumption of traditional computing hardware.

Oxford Space Systems (OSS) is an award-winning space technology business that’s pioneering the development of a new generation of deployable antennas and structures for the global satellite industry.

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“At the beginning startups didn’t really feature on our radar,” he continues. “More recently we have seen the very topical, timely things that these companies are doing – the Ubers and Facebooks of the world have shown us how fast startup technologies and ideas can spread.”

For an idea to become a worldwide reality, it takes a great deal of entrepreneurial spirit, dedication, sometimes luck and access to an audience of industry peers and potential investors.

Part of KPMG Tech Growth’s remit is to provide a platform for such innovation.

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“Our role is to identify interesting concepts and ideas and make sure others get to know about them,” says Imbach, trying to cut through the intermittent feedback of an erratic nearby speaker.

“On the more boring side of things, there are technical ways we can assist, such as in the UK with various tax credits which can help put cash back into entrepreneurs’ pockets.

“We can also help with raising venture capital. Startups often need quick entry to market and KPMG has a strong network of investors that can be tapped into to help these businesses finance the first steps before they generate their own revenue.”

EME Imbach’s main responsibility at 4YFN is KPMG’s Best British Tech Startup 2019 award.

Now in its fifth year, the competition saw KPMG whittle down more than 180 applications to find five innovative businesses from regions across the UK to pitch their business to a panel of industry experts.

“This competition is a great chance for startups to showcase themselves to the massive audience here at MWC and 4YFN,” explains Imbach, the background noise returning to normal.

“The diversity of the five finalists in this competition speaks to the UK’s vibrant tech startup ecosystem and the disruption that they are bringing to a host of traditional sectors.

“Sometimes it is difficult to differentiate from the crowd, and because smaller, younger companies cannot always draw on a long track record like many established companies, awards like this really help add to credibility and entice investors.”

Eventual investors may well take the form of multinational giants, who themselves are paying increasing attention to events unfolding at 4YFN. And it is on this note that our quickfire conversation wraps up, Imbach concluding: “This is my fifth MWC and in the past there used to be a clear divide between corporates and startups, but over time we are seeing more corporates paying greater attention to this event.

“Big companies like Google, Daimler and British Airways have stages here.

They are realising that startups are increasingly relevant to them, that they are a source of innovation and agility and can do things that their own structures may not enable.”

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S H O W C A S E

The weird and wonderful of MWC BMW Natural Interaction Available in the BMW iNEXT from 2021, the German automaker used MWC as a chance to present its Natural Interaction technology, combining advanced voice command capabilities with expanded gesture control and gaze recognition.

As part of the demo, we started off in an elevator before being picked up by an autonomous iNEXT on the streets of Singapore, using voice and pointing gestures to control the vehicle, ending with a screening of Mission Impossible Fallout’s trailer en route to the cinema.

Connected honeybees Leveraging LTE-M technologies, NimbeLink’s asset tracking solution was put on display within GSMA’s Innovation City, monitoring the location, motion, temperature and humidity of a live beehive. Not something you’d necessarily expect to see amongst robotics and connected devices, this solution is transforming the bee farming industry by bolstering yields and reducing the threat of hive theft.

“Agricultural applications are one of the leading and most impactful examples of how these technologies are not just positively affecting the business climate, but life itself,” said NimbleLink CEO, Scott Schwalbe.

Ericsson’s 5G-controlled truck Partnering with Telia and Einride, Ericsson displayed the power of 5G at its MWC booth as users got the chance to remotely drive a truck stationed 2,000 kilometres away in Gothenburg, Sweden. The partnership, which also incudes DB Schenker, aims to safely introduce driverless vehicles as part of a new autonomous transport system that could cut carbon emissions by 90 percent.

5G, with its high-data speeds and ultra-low latency, is thought to be the perfect connectivity lever to power this transformation.

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Robot coffee machine Again situated in the heart of the Innovation City, Dal.Komm Coffee and Korean Telecom showcased the latest version of their AI robot café. The world’s first 5G-connected robot café, named the b;eat2E, could be found using its robotic arm to autonomously provide a selection of 47 different drinks.

Able to communicate directly with customers, taking voice orders, recommending drinks, answering questions and even waving at onlookers, the robot barista is yet another example of how 5G is being used to challenge and change our daily lives.

EME Ooredoo’s flying taxi 5G is typically associated with unrivalled mobile connectivity and enabling enterprise transformation. However, Qatar-based Ooredoo further highlighted the technology’s true potential with its 5G-enabled aerial taxi taking centre stage at MWC, complete with a virtual reality simulated experience that flew over Doha.

One of the world’s leading ICT providers, the presence of the world’s first 5G-enabled self-driving connected aerial taxi was a symbol of this, leveraging the incredible speed and low latency of 5G.

Sophia Sophia, a creation of Hong Kong’s Hanson Robotics and official citizen of Saudi Arabia, starred at MWC. The humanoid robot answered questions from punters on complex issues such as artificial intelligence and the internet of things, constantly enhancing her knowledge base and teaching herself new subjects.

Our tour guide, GSMA’s Andrew Parker, explained how Hanson created Sophia as a humanoid interface of AI, able to demonstrate in simple terms the machine learning power of AI. She also commands a lively social media presence, her twitter account having almost 100,000 followers.

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N O K I A

Administering the

INTELLIGENT

I guess I’m addicted to the next thing, the seemingly impossible.”

Not only working as the Director of Enterprise Marketing at global telecommunications company Nokia but also residing in Silicon Valley, Houman Modarres’s passion for technology was as prevalent as expected when we met at MWC. “Myself?” he said, taking a seat in a backroom at the company’s 1,500

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From healthcare to mining to manufacturing, Nokia is going above and beyond to facilitate the ongoing shift in applied enterprise automation, expanding enterprise efficiency Writer: Jonathan Dyble

square metre booth. “I’m involved in helping enterprises, allowing them to become better connected across different industry segments.

“Industry is going through a big change. Sensors, machines, devices – these things are all providing substantiated capabilities, providing greater insight that can then be turned into actions for the benefit of businesses, more quickly and efficiently than ever before.

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EME ABOUT MODARRES Currently the Director of Enterprise Marketing at Nokia, on the leading edge of shifts in networking technology, Modarres previously oversaw the Carrier VoIP/Softswitch business line at 3Com Corporation, served in product management roles at Newbridge Networks, and held broadband and wireless systems engineering and network planning positions at Nortel.

Modarres holds an MBA from the University of California Berkeley and a Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University.

“We’ve successfully connected people; now how do we connect machines? Nokia’s making a concerted effort to answer this.”

Having cemented the role of integrator and enabler when it comes to enterprise transformation, Nokia has continued to expand its remit, now covering a wide, diverse array of different categories.

Leveraging the effective dynamic between its own expertise and those

of its clients, the telecommunications company readily calls upon interindustry commonalities, striking an effective balance that complements its ever-growing service portfolio, geared towards serving public and private sector clients as well as consumers.

“It’s like people, right? Once you get to know someone you often realise that you have a lot more in common than you first thought,” Modarres explains.

“There are constituent technologies, and at the end of the day we’re merely advisors to our customers. They know more about their business than we possibly could, and we know more about the technologies than they could care to.

“However, what works for us is that technologies remain consistent – it’s the applications that vary, and while contexts may differ, there’s often more similarities than differences.”

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Progress in practice

A natural progression of topics, the conversation quickly begs the question – what are these applications?

“I could ramble on about this forever, but I’ll try not to,” Modarres muses, leaning forwards in his chair.

“We’ve been doing a whole host of things with dedicated wireless networking and 5G and by doing so we’ve been involved in a lot of exciting developments.

“In the context of healthcare, for example, we’re facilitating the emergence of teleradiology devices that practitioners can carry anywhere, providing them with complete and confidential patient information.

This has huge implications for global medicine whereby doctors are provided with access to services in even the most remote corners of the world.”

NOKIA’S ENTERPRISE SERVICES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: • 5G Acceleration Services • Cloud Transformation Consulting • Multivendor Maintenance • Managed Operations Analytics • Worldwide IoT Network Grid (WING) • IoT Readiness Services • Predictive Optimisation • Energy Solutions • Device Software Customisation These solutions are housed under the firm’s four core competencies of 5G, Cloud, IoT and Software.

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Opening the January issue of EME Outlook magazine and turning to our Guinness Six Nations 2019 preview, he continues: “This reminds me of our work with SciSports.”

A company working with football clubs across Europe, the firm has fitted approximately a dozen stadiums with 4K cameras that are able to consistently monitor and stream the motions of every player, the referee and the ball during every match.

Connected to a rural cloud network provided by Nokia, this is then run on an analytics platform, transforming the use of data for clubs across the continent.

“I have to admit as a fan of the sport I’m torn,” Modarres adds. “There are questions about whether this dampens the theatre and drama of soccer, but equally the technology is revolutionary for the game.

“Taking this, managers can vastly improve their methods, tailoring training sessions and more, while owners can equally call upon this to rate their players when new contract negotiations come up.”

The glitz and glamour of technology in sport aside, the enterprise marketing expert moves on to talk about its uses in mining, another industry that is currently the subject of a digitised overhaul.

“In the context of countries that are rich in natural resources, autonomous vehicles and robotics are a really interesting development,” he continues. “If something goes wrong for a robot, someone’s parent still gets to go home. No longer is there a reason to risk people’s lives.”

A cultural shift

It’s been estimated that the global industrial automation market will reach

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EME AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES – CONCEPT OR REALITY? “Most believe that autonomous vehicles are a reality if not a necessity.

We’ve seen early indicators of technology that helps in areas of transportation in the logistics industries, for example, where autonomous vehicles will have massive application,” says Modarres.

“Driver-assisted and eventually driverless technologies are definitely something that’s around the corner. For now, we have to make sure the supporting networks are incredibly robust, and the technologies are tried and tested extensively before they come to market.

“They need to be faster and more responsive than the driver to be effective.”

a total value of $321.9 billion by 2024, growing at roughly 6.6 percent each year for the next half decade.

A high-potential space that’s clearly on the rise, autonomous technologies offer a wide range of applications to prospective industries.

Modarres reveals: “At Nokia we’re going one step deeper, looking at how we might work with automotive manufacturers to build factories of the future by leveraging 5G. “Not only are manufacturers implementing wireless connectivity to the benefit of end-users, but also in changing the way they construct their vehicles. Looking at complex processes, it can take weeks, sometimes months to alter line configurations.

“But what if this could be done to order at scale? It’s becoming quite possible, and many have the vision of making factories without wires, using new low-latency edge cloud and 5G technologies.”

Undoubtedly, however, despite the extensive benefits that autonomous technologies will increasingly provide throughout 2019 and beyond, accelerating industrial efficiencies, there are numerous challenges to overcome.

“For a long time, my dad would never take money from an ATM machine, and for even longer he would not put a cheque into a machine.

He wanted to hand it to a person,” Modarres continues.

“That wasn’t a problem with technology. It was a problem with my dad.”

Calling on his own experience from this example, Modarres concludes: “It’s the classic kid on a tricycle complex – until you can experience something and react to it, people won’t trust it. It will be adopted in segments and monitored very closely, most likely in major industrial complexes such as mines or manufacturing plants.

“I don’t think it’s the technology as much as our comfort with certain technologies that needs to change.”

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A T & T

Inspiring Innovation From startups to its own employees, AT&T is effectively channelling an abundance of new ideas from multiple avenues.

Here’s how

Vishy Gopalakrishnan

Writer: Jonathan Dyble

$

170.8 billion in annual revenue, 273,000 employees, 150,000 network subscribers.

The world’s largest telecommunications company, it’s hard to comprehend the stature of AT&T – a headache that even its own staff have to deal with.

“It’s such an overwhelmingly large corporation, it’s easy to see how it can be intimidating,” Vishy Gopalakrishnan states.

First becoming acquainted with AT&T in 2008, a brief hiatus at SAP separating two stints at the business, Gopalakrishnan has worked across multiple segments, from product marketing to corporate strategy and now as the Vice President of

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Ecosystem and Innovation.

“What does this role actually entail? It sounds about as corporate as you can imagine,” he continues.

“Effectively, the question myself and my team are looking at is how a company like AT&T subjectively evaluates both internal and external innovation to incorporate new principles, products and services.

“That’s ultimately our genesis, it’s what we’re here to do.”

More specifically, the company has broken this down into three innovation highways, with the Ecosystem and Innovation team acting as the eyes and ears of the business on this front, implementing fresh, unorthodox, unconventional ideas.

“We meet with a roughly 500 startups every year, spanning all segments from networking to security to advertising technologies and everything in between,” Gopalakrishnan reveals. “Alongside this we have the Foundry, a series of innovation centres, four in the US, one in Tel Aviv, Israel and another in Mexico City.

“Often, we’ll be presented with a concept that shows a lot of promise but might just be words on a slide.

The Foundry then comes in with its team of engineers, running prototypes to essentially de-risk and prove or disprove these ideas, putting the technologies through their paces.”

Not only does the Foundry aid

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startups, but equally it is one of the company’s most esteemed tools when working with businesses to overcome problems. To this end, AT&T ensures that it remains on top of cutting-edge academic research, consuming this and transferring the knowledge into algorithms that can be used to the benefit of enterprises.

“The third element of Ecosystem and Innovation,” Gopalakrishnan continues, “is an internal initiative named TIP, or the innovation platform, that’s effectively a kick-starter for employee innovation.

“Any employee can submit his or her idea to a completely democratic, grassroots portal that is then transparently ranked by rating, much like TripAdvisor.”

At the end of each quarter, the top four highest rated ideas are then presented to the company’s internal angel investor team that is made up of senior executives, providing the best ideas with funding, while the Foundry helps to prototype these ideas and eventually even bring them to market.

“We’re agnostic about where innovation comes from,” adds Gopalakrishnan. “It’s an art and a science, and I like to say that the book is not written but we’re always adding new chapters.”

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very high-value medication,” Gopalakrishnan explains. “Maybe it’s part of a clinical trial, so they want to make sure that I’m taking it regimentally, that it’s kept at the right temperatures, etc.

“Softbox were already making packaging that has been able to keep medication at a particular temperature, but they wanted to expand the capabilities of their product. This in mind, we helped them build in sensors that would monitor when its packaging was opened, when medication was removed, whether it was kept at the right temperature, and even provide Identification and application an idea of the location.”

Leveraging this broad, three-pronged Integrating connectivity scope, AT&T is able to call upon a technologies, the pair then went diverse range of innovative successes across all sectors, one specific example further, exploring a proof of concept study to use drones to transport these being the firm’s recent work with medicinal parcels, enabling scarce, temperature control packaging lifechanging health resources to travel systems specialist Softbox. to remote locations, including areas hit An award winning, transformative business in the cold chain sphere, AT&T by natural disasters.

Active in the smart healthcare worked closely with the UK-based sphere in other ways, AT&T further organisation in the latter stages of 2019, helping implement its expertise collaborated with US orthotics and prosthetics manufacturing firm Hanger more extensively in the healthcare late last year. market.

Implementing a gyroscope, “Let’s say a pharmaceutical magnetometer and accelerometer company is sending me some

EME

AT&T is collaborating with orthotics and prosthetics manufacturing firm Hanger

into Hanger’s modules, the Houstonbased Foundry was effectively able to help reduce the severe discomfort suffered by patients during the first few weeks when using below the knee prosthetics.

“What these do is measure how much you walk, the type of walking such as going up and down stairs, and your direction and tilt,” reveals Gopalakrishnan.

“With this we went from zero visibility into what’s going on with the prosthetic, to real-time visibility with what’s happening with the patient, allowing adjustments to be made and advice to be offered, tremendously improving the quality of care.”

Realising the time and wrapping up the conversation, we shook hands and headed back out to the main floor of AT&T’s booth, as Gopalakrishnan left us with some final thoughts.

He concludes: “To succeed in this business you have to remain unconstrained. Every company is a technology company… every industry has the potential to be disrupted… and a critical part of this is engaging with startups.

“Our focus is not on the paperwork but on the collaboration.”

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E X P E R T

O P I N I O N

Talking 5G From the internet of things and mobile connectivity to cybersecurity and enterprise application, 5G is transforming industry fundamentals across a multitude of channels

Gee Rittenhouse Senior Vice President, Security Business Group, Cisco “It actually allows us to do quite a bit from a security perspective.

“5G enables the service providers to serve customers in a way they haven’t done so before.

Now we can do network slicing and segmentation and add security services, so 5G allows these providers to treat the enterprise in a very different way. That means all of the security we had in play in the enterprise sphere gets repeated, which is a good thing and our customers really like this, whether they get it through us directly or our service partners.

“That trust layer I was talking about can now also go all the way down to the device – we can have trusted infrastructure as well as trusted users.”

Håkan Andersson Head of Technology Strategy, Ericsson “When we talk about 5G, we’re talking about the virtualisation of core networks.

“Slicing has allowed workloads to be distributed in different places, while software definition has allowed us to repurpose the same infrastructure for different things.

“Whether this is a public safety network, a network for industry use cases or one for mobile broadband, we are now able to run these on a common infrastructure.”

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Matt Bereda Vice President of Global Marketing, Lenovo “5G is definitely a technology that has the potential to be a game-changer, but the industry will need time to get this right.

“It’s not going to be in every country right away – it will be a continual expansion – but we’ll definitely see a massive explosion in this space over the next 12-24 months.

The potential is definitely there.”

Houman Modarres Director of Enterprise Marketing, Nokia “Not only are manufacturers implementing wireless connectivity to the benefit of end-users, but also in changing the way they construct their vehicles. Looking at complex processes, it can take weeks, sometimes months to alter line configurations.

“But what if this could be done to order at scale? It’s becoming quite possible, and many have the vision of making factories without wires, using new low-latency edge cloud and 5G technologies.”

Vishy Gopalakrishnan Vice President of Ecosystem and Innovation, AT&T “For us, 5G has the potential to change both industry and consumer fundamentals. Being extremely low latency and high bandwidth, coupled with the power of edge computing that allows you to divide and distribute workloads, 5G provides end users with substantially greater performance.

“This combination has a variety of applications across industry, such as completely automated factories of the future. These become possible, owed to these technologies.”

Phil Skipper Head of Business Development (IoT), Vodafone Business “For me, IoT is about connecting remote devices to drive two outcomes. One is to drive efficiency in the business process and the second is to generate new revenue streams, what we call the business case of cost avoidance and the business case of revenue generation.

“The interesting thing is what 5G then does. It takes this from a data centric service to a control centric service, which potentially presents a third business case, meaning the definition may evolve from two business cases to three as we move towards more 5G.”

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V O D A F O N E

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EME

IoT: The World’s Great Enabler We met with Phil Skipper, Head of Business Development (IoT) at Vodafone Business, to discuss the seemingly limitless bounds of connectivity Writer: Tom Wadlow

W

hat is IoT? A simple question at first glance, but one which carries an everchanging answer depending on who you speak to and when.

For us it was Phil Skipper, Head of Business Development (IoT) at Vodafone Business, who answered this in our final meeting before we hotfooted on a metro to Barcelona Airport.

“For me, IoT is about connecting remote devices to drive two outcomes,” he says, sat across from us in a Vodafone-clad meeting room at the back of another enormous booth.

“One is to drive efficiency in the business process and the second is to generate new revenue streams, what we call the business case of cost avoidance and the business case of revenue generation.”

Skipper quickly refers to smart meters and internet in cars as examples of these two outcomes before the common denominator of MWC, 5G, enters the conversation.

“The interesting thing is what 5G then does,” he continues. “It takes this from a data centric service to a control centric service, which potentially presents a third business case, meaning the definition may evolve from two business cases to three in time.”

Vodafone, and Skipper, have witnessed first-hand the fluidity and

evolution of IoT’s meaning over many years.

The latter’s personal experience outside of the telco industry has served him in good stead, a manufacturing background with the likes of Siemens helping appreciate customer needs from an outcome-based perspective.

“IoT very much started off as a technology sale, typically to a multinational with equal capabilities to companies like Vodafone,” Skipper recalls. “It was a peer-to-peer conversation.

“As the market has matured, we are seeing other companies come in who are more outcome based than technical, meaning they increasingly buy more of the value chain. This goes all the way down to, say, a small solar company that wants an IoT-connected security system that is housed in a box on a wall and connects to a mobile phone.”

There has also been a massive expansion in the breadth of IoT’s reach, with virtually all industries from agriculture to education impacted in some way by this heightened level of connectivity.

“The third element of evolution is what I touched on regarding peer-topeer conversations,” Skipper adds.

“Rather than Vodafone connecting BMW to every single BMW car, we are connecting to much more of an ecosystem model where the end-toend process is split into a number of subprocesses. These subprocesses have several different specialists within them that make up the ecosystem, which you then have to trust. IoT is essentially becoming democratised.”

ABOUT SKIPPER Phil Skipper has decades of technology experience, his career spanning numerous organisations from Mars through to Siemens before joining Vodafone in 2013.

Siemens is where he spent much of his career, working in many business development roles from 1998 until he moved to his current employer.

Skipper is a graduate from the University of Sussex in electronic engineering.

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Skipper joined Vodafone in 2013 with the goal of helping create an IoT leader, something that has undeniably been achieved.

The company covers around 400 networks across approximately 180 countries, a combination of its own networks, those of partners and roaming agreements with other parties. This scope has allowed Vodafone Business to see many of the aforementioned trends before other enterprises, meaning it can lead the market rather than follow it.

Rallying call

MWC is the perfect forum for the firm to demonstrate this position.

Skipper describes the show as a “great way of getting a good, concise, concentrated look at the market in one go”, and Vodafone’s energetic, dynamic booth illustrates the best of

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what IoT has to offer.

“I have to mention the rally car,” he says. “Isidre Esteve is a disabled racing driver who has just participated in the Dakar Rally, a phenomenally tough race, and we’ve put a lot of tech inside the car and on him so he can be monitored while driving.”

Esteve, now 46, has no muscular control below his chest after sustaining a serious back injury while racing in 2007. A smart cushion beneath his seat and smart features on his race suit analyse his performance on the road, making it safer (and possible) for him to compete against the world’s best drivers.

The cushion is particularly clever, consisting of round supportive air cells with constantly changing pressure, controlled via an app. This creates a massage effect to prevent ulcers.

The helmet and suit also gather

GAME-CHANGING PARTNERSHIPS MWC saw Vodafone Business announce two significant IoT partnerships with US firm AT&T and British company Arm. AT&T and automotive IoT: This collaboration aims to bring consistent connected car solutions and experiences for customers across the companies’ combined footprints in North America, Europe and Africa. Areas of safety, security and entertainment will be concentrated on, while the partnership will also explore the future of autonomous driving.

Simplifying IoT with Arm: “Our partnership with Arm is looking at and understanding what is holding back IoT,” explains Skipper. “A lot of it is to do with the cost of the module so what we’re doing with Arm is taking the traditional SIM away, turning it into what we call a soft SIM that exists in the silicone design of a microprocessor.

“The SIM will already be in the device, and we will provide something called bootstraps which are connected to our network and allow you to switch to other providers. By taking the physical SIM out we are making a significant reduction in the cost of making a connected device. We have essentially made Narrow Band-IoT (NB-IoT) and Long Term Evolution for Machines (LTE-M) networks more accessible, and we expect this to scale as a result and become a go-to partner with Arm.”

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real-time data and connect to analytics hosted in the cloud, allowing Vodafone and Esteve’s team to monitor the driver’s heart rate, body temperature and hydration levels. This is particularly important in a race like Dakar where conditions are especially difficult and require maximum alertness.

“This project demonstrates what we can do in the healthcare space, which is one of the big IoT markets,” Skipper adds. “With chronic diseases escalating in countries around the world, IoT offers the opportunity to bridge the gap between clinical and domicile care, and that is a really interesting area too.

“For example, you can provide video services for customers that start to provide a patient with the same level of care in their home as you might expect in a hospital, which has huge societal as well as budgetary benefits.”

Another area of IoT showcased at

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For Skipper, it is almost inevitable that IoT will immerse itself into everyday life and become the new normal, and in many ways this is already occurring.

“It will go as far as when you stop realising it is happening,” he tells us.

“It is sort of intrusive at the moment in that there’s got to be a device for this and for that, but over time it will just be the way things are done. By definition, the default position will be connected, and we will treat these services the same way we do with Esteve, now 46, has no muscular control below his chest after sustaining a serious back injury while racing in 2007 smartphones, almost for granted.

“While lots of people get “IoT will stop being seen as a set Vodafone’s booth includes consumer excited about the glossy things like of applications but rather simply part applications covering automation and autonomous driving, if you look of the infrastructure we are all used security, while products on display in to. It will become the normal way of the agriculture sphere include vineyard below the surface there’s a range of applications that affect us all as we delivery.” monitoring solutions.

In becoming normalised, Skipper “What we’ve tried to do is handpick move into smart cities and a connected world.” refers to a balance that will need to some interesting examples and be struck between enablement and contrast this with some of the more Boundless? ethics, citing studies conducted in the technical services in terms of analytics, But how far will this connected world UK on the very subject. so you’ll find a real mix of outcome Albeit a consideration companies and technology to cover all customers and IoT expand? And how far should it expand? like Vodafone Business will have to coming into the stand,” continues monitor closely, the Head of Business Skipper.

Development is confident that such a balance can and will be struck over time, and that IoT will continue to be a strong performer for the company.

Concluding just in time for our airport departure, he says: “I am optimistic about the way the world will turn out – it is already a massively overdamped system, so it goes at its own speed. I believe these applications will create tremendous value for everyone in the ecosystem. Yes, some governance is needed, but IoT will continue to expand.

“In terms of Vodafone, IoT has had a big impact on us as an organisation.

It is a strong-performing business and will continue to be so. What you can achieve with IoT is almost beyond limit.”

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COUNTING ON

CLOUD Two SAP marketing directors tell us about the expanding breadth of the cloud and how this is being driven by the need to deliver on customer experience

Emily Mui, Senior Director, Cloud Platform Product Marketing

Ashruti Singh, Director, Marketing, SAP Cloud Platform

Writer: Tom Wadlow

B

y 2022, some 28 percent of spend in key IT segments will shift to the cloud.

In monetary terms, IDC calculates that public cloud services spend in 2018 hit $180 billion, a massive year on year increase of 23.7 percent.

A demonstrably skyrocketing market, cloud was high on the agenda of many MWC conversations, and who better than SAP to probe on the latest trends and behaviours. Once more having weaved our way through a

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packed booth, we sat down to speak with two of the company’s marketing directors.

“We have definitely seen an uptick in the need for and understanding of how our Cloud Platform can complement individual SaaS solutions,” states Emily Mui, Senior Director, Cloud Platform Product Marketing.

“When you talk about customer experience, it’s no longer about just having individual SaaS solutions, individual cloud solutions or even

individual on-premise solutions. It is about having the power of a platform underlying this. This is one of the major ways we pitch our cloud services.”

Mui also explains how SAP’s Cloud Platform enables IT and business users to work closely and therefore extend functionality.

“If you’re invested in a new ERP system, ecommerce solution and other applications, how can you make it all work together and build new functionality like integration and

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analytics at scale and speed?” she asks.

“It is difficult to do so with just the component parts.”

Integration of applications, Mui recalls, was the major use of cloud when she started working in this realm of technology around three to four years ago, but for her this is just the beginning, a means to an end.

The next step is what you do with the data and information that is made more accessible by this integration.

“We’re seeing more customers being innovative with the cloud platform across many different industries, from non-profits and pharmaceuticals to universities like MIT, who have used SAP to extend their HR functionalities,” says Mui. “Some customers are using it for predictive analysis, some for machine learning, for example.”

“Another important thing to add is that we have customers who use our cloud for agile development,” adds Mui’s colleague Ashruti Singh, Director, Marketing, SAP Cloud Platform. “What they want to do is change things in flight and develop quickly.”

Singh goes on to cite numerous examples of this in action, including a case study with US firm Murphy Oil which SAP showcased at MWC. In a bid to digitise the oil & gas workforce, Murphy Oil implemented Upstream Production Operations by Accenture and SAP in just five months.

This involved various integrations of machine learning and AI and also the development of a backend user interface combining up to 15 different applications.

Citing another example, Singh continues: “In the UK, one of our customers is Northern Gas Networks, whose main reason for using SAP’s Cloud Platform is to help respond quickly to customers and improve customer experience.”

Another product used by Northern Gas Networks, Singh tells us, is SAP’s Digital Boardroom, offering a realtime, digital-enterprise insight into

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integrated line-of-business data from SAP and third-party applications.

“I come from an analytics background and over the years I have definitely noticed a growing interest in reporting, consolidating data into dashboards,” says Mui. “Now we have all the technology to make this happen and to handle and analyse all of this data.

“The objective has been the same all along – it is about getting the most insight from the various transactions and how you understand your customers. What do they want to buy?

How do they want to buy it? We can now do all this a lot more effectively.”

And it is this customer-centric focus that is dictating the strategies of SAP more and more, Mui ending our conversation on this note, saying that the company’s major priority when it comes to cloud is to offer an unrivalled experience.

She concludes: “As a company SAP is placing a big focus on this. There are a lot of technologies available to enterprises so experience is going to be huge – we have high expectations in the way we use our smartphones and computers, and these expectations are now being applied to business applications. The user experience will be more important than ever.”

EME

SAP CLOUD PLATFORM SAP describes its cloud platform as an ‘open business platform designed to help you innovate, integrate and extend applications with agility flexibility and choice’.

The platform enables companies to build new applications, extend applications by adding functionality, integrate applications, adopt multichannel collaboration and leverage predictive analytics.

Blockchain, machine learning, collaboration, data management, mobile services, IoT and document management are among the other stated capabilities.

SuccessFactors, Concur, and SAP S/4HANA are all API packages offered by SAP.

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L A L I G A

Football Transfigured Treated to the hospitality of LaLiga at the RCD Espanyol de Barcelona stadium, we discover how the likes of AI and VR are expanding experiences

involved during this transformative period in the sport’s illustrious history.

EME Outlook (EMEO): What attracted you to joining LaLiga?

Joris Evers (JE): First and foremost, irtual reality, artificial the opportunity to help make Spanish intelligence, machine learning, football become even more popular big data, cloud. Novel around the globe was too good to turn subject areas that resonated down. throughout Barcelona in the week LaLiga is very ambitious and is Joris Evers beginning February 25th, but not investing significantly in growing its technologies that many would generally brand and attracting more fans to the associate with sport. league in addition to helping grow the LaLiga, however, the men’s top showcasing some of the organisation’s popularity of football generally. The professional division of the Spanish flagship developments. organisation has scaled from about 50 football league system is changing Seeing first-hand how the use of AI people based only in Spain five years this view, pioneering the use of is both making the game fairer and ago to more than 600 people around transformative tech in order to more exciting, how machine learning is the world today. improve the beautiful game for all. revolutionising the experience of match It is exciting to contribute to this Inviting us to the RCD Espanyol scheduling and how big data analytics kind of growth. Outside of that, de Barcelona stadium, a short taxi and cloud computing are collectively my career prior to LaLiga had been ride west from MWC’s home in Fira, being used to bolster coaching, referring focused on technology, specifically in Joris Evers, the organisation’s Chief and fan experiences, there was a lot on Silicon Valley-based companies. Joining Communications Officer, greeted show to be excited about.

LaLiga offered me the opportunity to us with refreshments, a warm smile Speaking with Evers himself, it was immerse myself in a combination of and a firm handshake, his colleagues easy to see why he was keen to be the world of football and technology.

Writer: Jonathan Dyble

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TECHNOLOGY IN LALIGA

MEDIACOACH

Developed in partnership with Mediapro, LaLiga is using cuttingedge innovation to provide Spanish clubs with valuable insightdriven tools, aimed at improving the performance of players.

Offering overriding performance to coaching staff, teams are able to analyse in-depth the characteristics of any game.

VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE

Again working with the Mediapro’s R&D teams, the organisation is using a 360-degree VR experience, allowing fans to get up close and personal to the action, witnessing player arrivals, changing room interactions and the matches themselves.

REPLAY360

This technology allows the recreation of 3D replays of any given move, providing viewers around the world with unique, tailored perspectives of major in-game events from any angle. Using 38 cameras installed throughout six stadiums, LaLiga plans to roll this out to more clubs next season in the aim of improving fan experience.

VIDEO ASSISTANT REFEREE (VAR)

Leveraging audio-visual technologies, LaLiga equally demonstrated how it is using VAR to help referees avoid clear and obvious errors regarding goals, penalties, direct red cards and identity confusion. During the first 190 matches of the 2018/19 LaLiga season, VAR systems were used to review 2,280 incidents, modifying referring decisions on 59 different occasions.

AUDIENCE ATTENDANCE AND BROADCAST SUNLIGHT PLANNING

Using artificial intelligence, LaLiga has developed a new tool in the aim of optimising both TV viewership and stadium attendances, building algorithms to calculate match schedules.

This application also analyses the expected natural light conditions during each match, revealing how the sun will affect television images and the experiences of fans and players using 3D reconstructions of stadiums.

EME EMEO: What’s your favourite thing about the digital transformation of football?

JE: LaLiga this year celebrates its 90th anniversary. Many years ago, football was purely analogue. Today technology plays a key part in many aspects of the sport, including the development of players, stadiums, the fan experience and broadcasting.

There are incredible advances everywhere, but perhaps most visible is the ability to create an audio-visual spectacle that gets transmitted around the world from various locations in Spain every weekend, technologies applied to 380 matches each year in LaLiga.

EMEO: Can you make any key predictions about the progression of tech in football throughout 2019?

JE: With time, I expect technology will make sporting experiences much more personal. This wouldn’t just be for viewers, but also for players, evident in both our VR experience efforts and the growing use of data analytics that we’re providing to clubs across the country.

EMEO: In your opinion, how far should technology in sport go?

Could it potentially dampen any excitement and/or drama?

JE: What I like about LaLiga is the organisation’s willingness to experiment and try new things.

It’s often said that if you don’t try, you will never know. Coming back to the imminent growth in personalisation, it may well be that some viewers and fans opt to receive a more classic experience, while others go all in, allowing them to experience football in new ways.

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C I S C O

Countering COMPLEXITY Gee Rittenhouse talks security trends and Cisco’s response to an ever-changing, ever-challenging landscape Writer: Tom Wadlow

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rom folding phones and flying taxis to VR driving experiences and 5G beehives, you could be forgiven for thinking that cybersecurity is the ugly duckling amongst MWC’s technological glitz and glamour.

Walking through Cisco’s enormous, smart double decker booth on our way to see Gee Rittenhouse, it is easy to see the buzz generated by its huge IoT and connected car displays and many other demos.

Having navigated the crowds and

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located our meeting room (these booths are equally as vast in private, off limits space), we sat down to talk about a less visible but indispensable element of the innovation on show.

“We scan roughly 400 billion emails and process 185 billion DNS queries a day, which is about five percent of the whole internet,” Rittenhouse tells us, a statistic met by a split-second pause while we try to compute the sheer scale of this operation.

Rittenhouse is Senior Vice President for Cisco’s Security Business Group.

A tech enthusiast his whole life, the conversation quickly turns to how he successfully merged academic disciplines and navigated his way down the security path.

“I was one of those kids who almost blew themselves up by experimenting,” he recalls. “Early in my life I always wondered how things worked, so I went down the physics avenue to start with.

“The subject forces you to simplify whereas engineering is all about managing complexity, so if you have both and are able to take the complexity and simplify, I think you should have a good idea of what’s going on.”

Hence Rittenhouse took a formal

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ABOUT RITTENHOUSE technical path too – a PhD in electrical engineering and computer science from MIT before going to Bell Labs where he spent 20 years and ended up as President.

“A little over five years ago I moved to Cisco to help with their cloud efforts, and of course security is a big issue when dealing with the cloud, so this is what led me into this space,” he adds.

Cyberattacks frequently make headlines. Last year’s hack on the UK’s National Health Service and accusations of Russian attacks contributing to President Trump’s election as US President are two highprofile examples, while the overall number of attacks are rising.

“There are two dimensions to this problem,” says Rittenhouse.

“Enterprise itself is becoming more complex. It used to be a case where I would sit there with my data centre with the enterprise behind it – most of my applications were from my laptop to my data centre and I would only go out to the internet to surf the web. The perimeters were clearly defined.

“Now we have the cloud and all the applications we need. There are branches and mobile users as well, creating a dynamic system with data and applications on one side and users on the other. This adds a lot of complexity and complexity equals vulnerability from a security perspective.”

Gee Rittenhouse is Senior Vice President for Cisco’s Security Business Group, responsible for next-gen firewall, cloud, advanced threat, network and end point security products.

A graduate from the University of California in Physics and holder of a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he spent much of his career at Bell Labs, during which time he chaired global non-profit research group Green Touch, a body dedicated to increasing energy efficiency of communications networks.

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C I S C O

To put Rittenhouse’s observations into context, Gartner predicts the 2019 public cloud services market to reach $206 billion, a massive 17.3 percent increase on last year. By 2022, more than $1.3 trillion of IT spend will be directly or indirectly affected by the shift to cloud.

In short, this is opening up a huge space for hackers to target.

“In the same sense, the sophistication of attacks has increased remarkably in the same timescale,” continues Rittenhouse. “Now we see nation state, weapons grade software in the system whereas before this

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was done by more improvised hacked pieces of code.

“This combines to make a twodimensional effect that is pulling in different directions – the quality of the attack and the attack surface are both increasing and this has, frankly, caused Cisco to reconsider its approach to security and the products we offer.”

From emails and cloud to firewalls and proxies, Cisco covers every dimension of a network enterprise and offers the broadest portfolio of products in the industry.

Add to this deep level of threat detection a set of sophisticated

machine learning tools and algorithms, and the company is able to identify and stamp out many potential hacks before they spread.

“If I see something strange on your endpoint, within minutes I can see if it’s a new file we’ve not seen before, detonate it if malicious and make sure all equivalent files are detonated when picked up,” Rittenhouse adds. “That is the loop.”

However, the added complexity of cloud is where Cisco has had to adapt, and it has done so by approaching the issue from a trust perspective and establishing new boundaries.

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Rittenhouse points to identity as an example. “You are known, you are in the system and have the rights to these applications,” he says, “and I can prove it is you and your device, so the boundary of trust is there with your network and what you are doing.

“As soon as you break one of these trust barriers, we can put you in a different category and downgrade accessibility until that trust is reestablished. It is a continuous cycle and has helped simplify things for customers.”

But what about autonomous devices that communicate with networks through the internet of things?

The GSMA, chief organiser of MWC, released research last year predicting that the global IoT market will generate $1.1 trillion in revenue by 2025. This equates to more than 25 billion cellular and non-cellular IoT connections, a monumental rise considering there were 6.3 billion connections just two years previously.

Rittenhouse quickly acknowledges the impact this is having on Cisco, again prompting the company to adapt and evolve its security solutions.

“This not only expands the attack surface, but also the scope as you can also be on the end of physical damage,” he says. “We have spent a lot of time on this covering the full spectrum, for instance with very small appliances that can connect via IoT, like a lightbulb, to elevators in shopping malls.

“We look at the posture of these devices and segment them automatically – this is because we have the visibility to detect irregular activity so can see if a printer is talking to networks it shouldn’t be talking to.

Likewise, in a manufacturing plant, we can see what bigger machines are doing.”

While on the topic of IoT, it was inevitable that 5G would enter the conversation (we had done well to avoid it for 15 minutes).

C O N G R E S S

The undoubted headline act of Mobile World Congress, 5G took centre stage with trials and demos of all manner of use cases, including live broadcasting and even remote control of industrial trucks stationed 2,000 kilometres away in Gothenburg.

With undoubted potential to support advanced IoT deployments, Rittenhouse also explains how 5G can assist Cisco in the security realm.

“It actually allows us to do quite a bit from a security perspective,” he enthuses.

“5G enables the service providers to serve customers in a way they haven’t done so before. Now we can do network slicing and segmentation and add security services, so 5G allows these providers to treat the enterprise in a very different way.

Security is available and accessible to smaller customers, it is simply a case of how you wish to consume it. Do you do it yourself or outsource it, that is the biggest question at the moment” “That means all of the security we had in play in the enterprise sphere gets repeated, which is a good thing and our customers really like this, whether they get it through us directly or our service partners.

“That trust layer I was talking about can now also go all the way down to the device – we can have trusted infrastructure as well as trusted users.”

EME Cisco’s customers range from SMBs all the way up to multinational, billion-dollar organisations, an extremely diverse client base covering a tremendous array of security challenges.

For smaller companies, the impact of an attack can be permanently damaging.

Cisco’s own research (2018 Security Capabilities Benchmark Study) finds that 54 percent of all cyberattacks result in financial damages of more than $500,000 through the likes of lost revenue, customers, opportunities, and out-of-pocket costs.

Take into account that 53 percent of midmarket companies have experienced a breach, and the threat is both real and vast.

But, does this mean smaller enterprises should approach the issue differently? Our conversation with Rittenhouse concludes with an important consideration.

“I wouldn’t segment it out as small against large, as uniformly across all of them you can ask what your threat risk is versus your ability to respond.

“Smaller companies don’t have a large IT setup, large companies do, but large companies are a bigger target.

What we’ve done is use automation and simplification as a huge focus.

For smaller companies, we’ve added security layers to our SMB platforms so you can get it automated in with no fuss. Our partners can also come in and offer services.

“Security is available and accessible to smaller customers, it is simply a case of how you wish to consume it. Do you do it yourself or outsource it, that is the biggest question at the moment.”

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Transforming Perspectives For Lenovo, innovation is not inventing for invention’s sake.

It’s about intelligent transformation in new, fresh, practical directions Writer: Jonathan Dyble I love technology, and there’s a lot of elements to that statement.

“It’s constantly changing our world, right? The experiences you had maybe 10 or even five years ago are totally different from what they are today.”

The most recent quarterly results saw Lenovo claim the number one spot in the International Data Corporation’s PC Rankings, named the top manufacturer with sales accounting for 24 percent of the global market.

Walking into Lenovo’s MWC booth, a visual representation of this status immediately became apparent.

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Surrounded by curious crowds and the company’s extensive portfolio of branded devices front, back and centre, we navigated our way to a table where self-confessed technophile Matt Bereda, Vice President of Global Consumer Marketing, was poised to tell us about the breadth of exciting new products on display.

“I love being part of what’s new and what’s going to be the latest and greatest in the industry, and Lenovo is definitely one of the best out there from an innovation perspective,” he states.

The new normal

Showcasing its new Yoga PC line, the AI-powered Lenovo Smart Assist and more, Lenovo’s tagline ‘Different is Better’ rang true at the conference.

“Our vision is very much dictated by intelligent transformation,” explains Bereda. “Right now, we’re seeing individual devices

becoming completely transformed through the rising incorporation of smart technologies.

“How can I use machine learning to optimise battery storage? How do we integrate voice control in new, effective and efficient ways? Is it possible to block out background noise during videocalls? These are the sorts of questions that we’re looking to answer in order to create a much more fluid, natural, dynamic environment for the consumer.”

A company clearly pioneering IoT development, Bereda highlights that the business’s current position is largely owed to Lenovo’s flexibility, readily working with major industry influencers in order to give itself the widest possible scope and remit.

“Lenovo is a very collaborative organisation,” he affirms. “We look at what works best for us, and rarely is it productive to say we’re a walled garden that’s Matt Bereda going to be locked down.

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booth floor the applications of VR in the classroom that are unlocking new experiences in education.

“Let’s take ancient Egypt, for example. Instead of students seeing the information in a book or on slides, can immerse the learner, allowing them to walk up instead of just seeing a flat image.”

Moreover, the company has similarly been focusing on developing enterprise applications using augmented reality, helping to benefit a range of professions such as engineers during training exercises.

“In my opinion, it’s really already an engagement gamechanger,” Bereda adds.

EME the firm’s major emphases, developing transportable infrastructure that are capable of supporting classrooms of around 30 students, allowing entire schools to gain access with reduced investment.

“We’re seeing the emergence of government grants really starting to support classrooms in this way, but equally we see it as our role to provide a VR solution that all students can easily and efficiently benefit from,” Bereda adds.

Nominated for Best Mobile Innovation for Education by event organisers GSMA off the back of its Virtual Reality Classroom efforts, Bereda is optimistic that the coming

“We’re partnering with more traditional companies like Microsoft and Intel, and some emerging players like Amazon, Disney and Google, for example, all while engaging with the consumers themselves earlier and earlier to pinpoint what works and what doesn’t.”

Empowering engagement

This approach is no more evident than in the company’s growing presence in the mixed reality sphere.

Its flagship Mirage Solo standalone virtual reality headset incorporates Google’s Daydream VR platform, the pair having created a device that has completely transformed the functionality of these technologies for end users.

Further, Lenovo’s work with The Wild Immersion is a key showcase to this end, helping transport students into the Amazon Jungle.

“MR is a category that we feel has a lot of future potential,” Bereda states.

“We’re actually demonstrating on our

Broadening horizons

As part of this, enabling greater accessibility to these technologies is a growing focus of Lenovo, aiming to not only bring new capabilities to market but equally ensure that they’re made available to children of all ages and backgrounds.

“It’s an unfortunate reality that many youngsters may not get much of a chance to travel in their lifetimes,” Bereda reveals. “That’s why we see this technology as being truly influential. It can help to broaden horizons and provide a greater global outlook to many children.”

Hence, portable solutions are one of

year will continue to show similar promise within this sphere.

“How my kids engage with technology is totally different from how I interacted with it as a youngster,” he muses, reminiscing about overhead projects and smart whiteboards. “Their perspective on technology is completely different from mine, they’ve grown up with it and it’s something they can relate to much more, and this makes it perfect for education.”

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F A V O U R I T E S

What’s your favourite thing about MWC? We asked our experts what were their favourite experiences were from this year’s Mobile World Congress 2019

Senior Director, SAP Cloud Platform Product Marketing

Houman Modarres Director of Enterprise Marketing, Nokia “Unexpectedly running into old colleagues, catching up with friends and experiencing new introductions make MWC what it is. It’s such a wonderful place to be exposed to amazing people and ideas, and I always find myself leaving with a whole handful of things that I never even knew existed.”

Vishy Gopalakrishnan Vice President of Ecosystem and Innovation, AT&T “It’s the sheer immersion factor. You can read, you can consume content, but there’s nothing quite like walking though the main floors and seeing the sheer breadth of innovation that goes on globally.

“The scope of this event has widened as mobile technologies are now touching everything.”

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Emily Mui

“I love being in Barcelona, and I think it is great city to host this event. There are other MWC events in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Shanghai, but this is where it’s at, in my opinion.”

Matt Bereda Vice President of Global Marketing, Lenovo “A part of me would say the tapas in Barcelona, it’s really outstanding. But in all seriousness, Mobile World Congress is a great mix between the commercial, front-end space and the back-end, networking side of things.

“You get a very large spectrum, and it’s great being able to see all the pieces of the product puzzle fit together.”

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Gee Rittenhouse Senior Vice President, Security Business Group, Cisco “Seeing customers and seeing partners. This community is small, although you wouldn’t believe it with 100,000-plus people here under one roof. But it’s true, so reengaging with old friends makes for a great time.

“I went to MWC in Cannes, France, where they used to just have boats. The event’s profile is rising rapidly.”

Patrick Imbach Head of KPMG Tech Growth “This year I want to see the foldable phones. The concept is good and I’ve heard good things about their functionality, but I need some convincing on whether the weight and size are right. This is the biggest and most striking mobile innovation we have seen over the past two or three years. It is also exciting to see this next level of innovation driven by a company other than Apple.

EME

Phil Skipper Head of Business Development (IoT), Vodafone Business “For me it is an opportunity to get a bit of a sense check.

I can come to one place, speak to loads of people I know and test the water for many concepts that we are developing, not only with customers but also in contrast to what our competitors are doing. It is a great way of getting a good, concise, concentrated look at the market in one go.”

“On the startup side, I am excited to see what more corporates are doing to work with smaller companies. I want to see how they can learn from these agile enterprises, and how in turn the bigger businesses can support them.”

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A T H E N S

A

hub of European historical marvel, Athens features some of the world’s most amazing antiquity.

Dating to between 7,000 and 5,000 BCE, it is a place that is often considered to be the birth of not only classical Greece but equally modern civilisation, home of the great philosophers Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.

Distinct markings from the Ottoman,

Byzantine and Roman civilisations can be found in all corners of the region, bounded by the mountains of Ymettos, Parnitha and Pendeli – landmasses that provide serene views of southeast Greece.

Such influences have paid dividends from a cultural perspective, the city showcasing captivating ruins, valuable artefacts, marvellous mythology and renowned monuments.

Fast forward to the present day,

Athens is a modern city, featuring luxurious hotels, restaurants and other tourist attractions that rival the world’s very best. Moreover, the city is the epicentre of the Greek economy, home to approximately half of the country’s entire population.

Having merged these two worlds, the Greek capital provides something for everyone, from the ancient and the new to the conservative and the creative.

ATHENS Intertwining celestial culture with modernised hospitality, it’s easy to see why the Greek capital attracted five million visitors during the course of 2018 Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Ryan Gray

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The Business End TRADITIONALLY THE ATHENIAN economy was based on trade, leveraging its access to the sea with the development of one of the world’s most active ports.

The country exchanged honey, olive oil, silver and often art such as pottery for wood, grain and other fundamental resources.

Today, however, Athens has established itself as the financial capital of Greece, accounting for nearly half of the country’s entire GDP. Further, the city is considered a major economic power of Europe more generally, emphasised by the proximity of the Port of Piraeus – an area that captures substantial attention and investment.

Alongside the financial sector having somewhat recovered from the national debt-crises, tourism is another substantial contributor to supporting Athens’ livelihood, considered to be

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a top destination for city-breaks and excursions to either the surrounding islands or mainland.

“The city is expanding its meeting and accommodation facilities, investing in enriching what visitors can experience in terms of its culture, culinary and nightlife scenes,” explains Alexis Galinos, Managing Director of the Athens Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“With 300 days of sunshine per year, having an outlet like the Athenian Riviera close by makes all the difference, while new hotel developments and modern landmarks are changing the face of the city.”

Attracting well over 30 million visitors last year alone, Greece has remained one of the world’s most visited countries, with Athens having welcomed approximately five million of these travellers.

FACTS & FIGURES

Language: Area: Population (2016): Currency: Time zone: Dialling code: Internet TLD: Climate: Highest recorded temperature:

Greek 2,929 km² 665,000 Euro GMT+2 +30 21 .gr Mediterranean 42.2°C

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Out & About

The turquoise waters of Kavouri Beach in Vouliagmeni, Athens

FROM FAMOUS CULTURAL attractions and natural beauty to modern amenities and a diverse entertainment portfolio, Athens really is a destination like no other.

The city is the only capital to have 14 Blue Flag Beaches, an international award that recognises cleanliness, safety and environmental standards, spanning 50 kilometres of coastline that becomes truly idyllic in the Greek sun.

Further, favourable weather conditions often allow tourists to explore in comfort, with average temperatures not exceeding 27 degrees Celsius even in the hottest month of July and rarely dropping below 15 degrees Celsius outside of the winter months.

From cobbled streets to modern,

sleek, award-winning hotels, it’s a destination that suits a diverse range of travelling demands with ease, providing offerings across the entire tourism spectrum.

“Athens is unique in so many ways,” Galinos reveals. “It’s a city where the ancient and modern coexist, where you can walk into a contemporary art gallery and as you’re walking in, catch a glimpse of the Acropolis.

“The food and drink scenes are taking off, concerts and festivals keep multiplying as each summer comes around, and the Athens Riviera with its beaches, marinas, and world-class hotels is just a short drive from the centre.

“There’s so much to see and do in this city, for every type of traveller.”

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MEGARON

Outlook Recommends “With equal measures of grunge and grace, Athens is a heady mix of history and edginess” – Lonely Planet

TRAVEL

EXHIBITION VENUES

Aegean Air The largest Greek airline by passengers carried, destinations served and fleet size, Aegean Air has established an esteemed reputation through the provision of premium services in both the short- and medium-haul air travel markets. Serving 151 markets across 43 countries, the airliner is a proven player on the international scene.

Acropolis Rent a Car Beat MUSEUMS

Megaron Athens International Conference Centre Defined by its modern and technologically advanced facilities, Megaron Athens International Conference Centre is one of the finest such venues not only in Greece but the whole of Europe. Spanning 143,000 square metres, with 18 different meeting spaces to select from, the building is built on exceptional aesthetics, unrivalled client service and a stunning environment.

Athens Metropolitan Expo Zappeion Hall Acropolis Museum

HOSPITALITY

National Archaeological Radisson Blu Park Hotel Museum Museum of the Ancient Herodion Hotel Agora Plaka Hotel 48

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egaron is acknowledged as one of the finest conference venues in Europe.

Unusually for a conference venue, located right in the city centre, it offers a striking environment, is flooded with light (in all the right places) and has many open, expansive spaces for networking, exhibition and catering.

Exceptional aesthetics, cutting-edge technology and unrivalled client service, top that off. Megaron was conceived and built with great respect for the environment, incorporating green urban planning and it is surrounded by six acres of fragrant gardens.

The technology and stage systems built into Megaron’s five auditoria, which range in size from 340 to 2,000 pax, are at the forefront of technology and allows a world-class cultural programme to be woven into the year.

In all, Megaron’s offering of 18 rooms, including the auditoria, means that 6,000 delegates are able to be at one conference at the same time. Megaron is particularly popular for world and global association meetings for that reason. Medical, life science, healthcare, financial and IT sectors are frequent users of the centre.

Close-by are hotels of all categories, many of which are within walking distance or minutes by metro, as well as top museums and restaurants with excellent choices, using the many local fresh ingredients.

A direct metro line connects the venue to the award winning Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport, making Xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx it particularly accessible for international delegates travelling from and to global destinations.

The Megaron is a member of major global associations for the conference industry including ICCA – the International Congress and Convention Association and AIPC – the International Association of Convention Centres.

Megaron’s Executive Consultant for Conferences, Clare Amsel, was recently elected to the Board of Directors of ICCA as co-chair of the venues sector and previously served for four years as a member of the Board of Directors of AIPC.

Megaron an exceptional venue with stunning aesthetics in the centre of a unique city, offering 18 meeting spaces, expansive foyers and exhibition space, able to host 6000 delegates.

Megaron Athens International Conference Centre (MAICC) | Vass. Sofias & Kokkali, Athens 11521, Greece T: +30 210 72 82 000 — F: + 30 210 72 90 174 |e-mail: maiccinfo@megaron.gr — www.maicc.gr

A T H E N S

This is Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau LAUNCHED IN 2007, This is Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau has been key to bolstering these growth statistics, committed to accelerating the city’s standing as a leading international meetings destination.

A division of the Athens Development and Destination Management Agency that is renowned as the Greek capital’s official tourism board, the organisation’s overriding is mission is to make Athens the destination of choice for conventions, conferences, meetings and other industry events.

This in mind, Galinos provides insight on what to expect from the city in the coming months.

EME Outlook (EMEO): Can you firstly talk me through the origins of the ACVB, how it came about, and its initial vision?

Alexis Galinos (AG): When we launched over a decade ago with limited capacity, it soon became apparent we could and should do much more. In 2009, we introduced our membership programme and started adding activities to serve the travel trade and MICE areas, servicing conference bidding, site inspections, institutional support, conferences and exhibitions, and of course organising the annual signature travel trade Athens event, amongst other things.

We now actively participate in bidding processes; having joined international networks and through the pursuit of international awards and promotion opportunities. The selection of Athens to host large-scale and prestigious conferences has been showcasing the great potential of the Greek capital as a MICE destination, consolidating the local industry’s longterm experience and expertise in such events.

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EMEO: Since inception, how has the organisation developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across?

AG: Our vision remains to highlight Athens as a top MICE, city-break and leisure destination, by investing in actions and forging alliances that support business tourism professionals, both in the local and international market. We want to become a top European capital when it comes to hosting highly professional international conferences and corporate meetings.

We are now going about it in a much more efficient way, showcasing our strengths in specific key and emerging industry sectors by growing a network

of local partners that will receive support according to their business needs, reacting accordingly.

EMEO: How would you say Athens has developed in recent years as a business travel hub and what are the key reasons behind its growing appeal?

AG: Athens is indeed rising as a top MICE destination, now ranked 26th in the world according to the International Congress and Convention Association’s 2017 report. There many reasons for this. Connectivity is key, and the award-winning Athens International Airport will be home to 134 different international connections this coming summer.

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EMEO: Are there any specific attractions, landmarks or places to eat and drink that you would recommend?

AG: First-time visitors should of course see the hotspots; the Parthenon, the Acropolis Museum, walk the streets of Plaka, and check out the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre. When it’s time to eat and drink, I suggest choosing a neighbourhood outside the typical tourist guide and finding a local eatery for an authentic Athenian experience.

At night, head to one of the city’s award-winning cocktail bars or find a rooftop where you can enjoy a drink with a view of the Acropolis.

EMEO: What trends are transforming the tourism industry in Athens at present? How are you responding to these trends?

AG: Athens is enjoying a surge of creativity, in the culture and culinary scenes. New boutique hotels are opening across the centre and lesser known neighbourhoods like Pangrati and Kypseli are emerging as new hubs. This is Athens, the official City of Athens Guide, offers a free walk around the city hosted by a local volunteer. You can book this online and truly get to experience what the real Athens is all about.

We are also launching a new portal with rich and up to date content that will capture new vibes and will continue to invest in campaigns to draw attention to the authentic Athenian experience.

EMEO: How do you see Athens developing as a business travel hub over the next year to two years?

AG: Athens has made an impressive comeback and is establishing itself as one of the new European destinations for business travel. The city is heavily investing to be able to better service certain sectors such as the culture, sports, IT, medical and pharmaceutical and maritime and yachting industries.

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“Athens has made an impressive comeback and is establishing itself as one of the new European destinations for business travel”

Travel Trade Athens dinner

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre

EME we offer. Athens’ success is owed to its rich offerings, a unique combination of knowhow, state-of-the-art infrastructure, world class heritage and authentic contemporary experiences.

We will continue to host Athens Roadshows and familiarisation trips to support networking opportunities, and we will be back again after the summer, with our seventh consecutive Travel Trade Athens event that welcomes leisure and MICE buyers from all over the world.

EMEO: Are there any plans or projects in the pipeline that you wish to highlight?

AG: The City of Athens has a number of exciting projects underway.

Through the newly founded This is Athens & Partners public-private partnership, it has reached out to key stakeholders and corporations alike to develop and implement projects that will boost economic growth and job creation. These include initiatives such as reopening closed shops and urban regeneration projects, enriching the city’s event agenda.

EMEO: Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in Athens?

AG: Athens has great potential for growth, and we are all working towards supporting the visitor economy in a way that will lead to meaningful development for visitors and residents alike. There is a great deal of interest in the city, with important stakeholders investing both in the hospitality and capacity aspects, so, overall, we have every reason to look forward to the future.

Culture exhibition

Developing these areas means we will be able to host a wider range of relevant association events.

Regarding corporate events and incentives, we are always looking to ameliorate the quality of the services

Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau Tel: +302 103 312002 info@athenscvb.gr www.athenscvb.gr

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Transport Links

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Getting around the city itself, Athens’ metro network is in fact an accurate extension of the city.

Constituting 61 stops, providing easy navigation for all tourists, many of the stations exhibit either artwork or archaeological treasures, something unique of the capital.

“The metro is definitely the quickest and most reliable way to get around Athens,” Galinos adds. “Taxis are also very affordable by international standards and it’s very easy to hail one on the street, or you could use one of PHOTO: PASCAL KOBEH

HAVING BEEN OPERATIONAL for almost exactly 18 years after opening in March 2001, Athens International Airport has remained one of the world’s leading airports in the way of overall passenger satisfaction for the last 14 years.

A crossroads between Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the airport itself also holds the title of Europe’s fastest growing airport.

Situated 33 kilometres east of the city, it is easily accessible via the Attiki Odos highway.

the taxi apps like BEAT. “You can also hop on the tram if you are heading towards the beach, or for something completely different head to Plateia Theatrou where you can hire a Cocomat bike and explore downtown Athens.”

A multitude of different travel options on offer, it’s easy to bypass the city’s somewhat hilly terrain when needed. Central Athens, however, remains ideal for strolling with its narrow, quaint streets and charming pedestrian promenade.

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Landmark Attractions Acropolis

“The Acropolis of Athens and its monuments are universal symbols of the classical spirit and civilization and form the greatest architectural and artistic complex bequeathed by Greek Antiquity to the world” – UNESCO

Mount Lycabettus

“Looming 886 feet (270 metres) over the city, Mount Lycabettus is Athens’ highest peak and with the crowds flocking to the nearby Acropolis, it’s the best bet for those seeking out a viewpoint away from the crowds” – Viator

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Panathenaic stadium

“Fire has been a symbol of the Olympic Games since ancient times. Every four years, before the athletes gather for the Games, the emblematic torch makes a long journey to the new host city from the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens – the site of the first modern Olympic Games where the tradition began more than a hundred years ago” – National Geographic

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RADISSON BLU Radisson Blu Park Athens offers a unique solution for accommodation and meeting needs for the city of Athens as it consists of 160 rooms (Standard, Superior, Business, Suites) 1,000 sqm of meeting spaces available to host more than 400 people.

The hotel has a fantastic rooftop restaurant with 360° panoramic view to the city and the Acropolis. Radisson Blu Park is close to the city center accessible by public transportation (both Metro and bus). Close to the hotel and within 3 minutes’ walk is the National Archeological Museum as well as other city attractions and shopping areas.

• 160 rooms

• 12 meeting Rooms, capacity up to 900 persons • Lounge bar • Pool garden • Business room • Fitness room • Parking facilities Unique Selling Points: • 360 panoramic view to Acropolis and Athens from St Astra rooftop restaurant • Excellent meeting facilities • Fantastic food and variable menu options.

• MICE business expertise

ATHENS

Radisson Blu Park Hotel, 10 Alexandras Avenue, Athens, Greece | E info.athens@radissonblu.com | T +30 210 8894 500

Your pathway to communication melı̣ GROUP your Trusted Partner for Greece melı̣ GROUP is one of the leading Travel & Tourism Enterprises in Greece since 1985. It offers a full spectrum of Destination Management and Handling services, through our local branches which are strategically based in the top Greek destinations.

melı̣ GROUP is separated into 4 major business units: Tour Operating, Destination Management, Wholesale Operations Mice Organisation, Special Interest Tours, Corporate Travel

Personalised Luxury, SPA packages, VIP services

Real-Estate Consulting, Brokerage & Investments

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• Conference Interpreting • Translation • Conference Organization • Audiovisual Equipment

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S

traddling the giant River Danube, Budapest has long served as Hungary’s cultural and administrative epicentre.

Situated at the confluence of the country’s western hills and eastern and southern plains, the city is named after and split into two parts on either side of the river – Buda to the west and Pest to the east.

While Budapest’s roots date back to Roman times, what visitors will see today is largely influenced by the 19th-century Austro-Hungarian empire, a period when Hungary was around three times the size it is today, the geopolitical aftermath of the First World War drastically reducing its landmass.

It is home to one in five Hungarians and the centre of transport and industry, with more than half the country’s university students attending institutions here.

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Budapest is an architectural marvel with many fascinating buildings offering immense views. The city, including the banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter, and Andrássy Avenue, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987.

A vast array of museums, monuments and public baths add into the cultural mix along with an unrivalled nightlife, no better experienced than by a visit to one of the famous ruin bars.

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BUDAPEST From rejuvenated ruin bars to relaxing bathing spas, Budapest is a caldron of culture, history and architectural beauty either side of the Danube Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Joe Palliser

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The Business End AS WELL AS being the cultural and administrative centre of Hungary, Budapest is also the country’s economic capital given all its major corporations, banks and transport hubs are here.

Major income earners for the city are retail, food processing, building materials and education sectors, with tourism an increasingly important contributor to the local economy.

Predictions made by the World Travel & Tourism Council in mid-2018 estimated 17.5 million tourist arrivals for the whole of last year, a figure it expects to rise well above 20 million by 2028. The proportion of national GDP deriving from tourism is also increasing, with Hungary rising up the global ranks to 60th thanks to the industry’s seven percent contribution in 2017.

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FACTS & FIGURES

The country’s MICE industry is also on the rise. In 2017, the number of conferences organised in Hungary rose by 21.6 percent, Budapest alone accounting for 80 percent of all conference activity.

In terms of international conferences, nearly 20 percent of these are organised by British clients, with Americans (18 percent), Germans (17.7 percent), French (7.2 percent), Dutch (5.8 percent) and Austrian (4.6 percent) organisers all paying frequent visits to the Hungarian capital.

Country: Area: Population (2018): Currency: Time zone: Dialling code (Hungary): Internet TLD: Climate:

Hungary 525 km2 Approx. 1.74 million Hungarian Forints CET +36 .hu European continental

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Out & About BUDAPEST HAS SOMETHING for everyone, with the major mustdo sights and experiences all within walking distance or a very short tram ride away.

A river cruise at night is the best way to take in the stunning surrounds on the banks of Danube, with Castle Hill and the spectacular parliament building wonderfully lit up. These two sites are also well worth a visit in daylight hours, the former offering breath-taking views and home to a world-renowned annual wine festival in September.

A trip to Budapest is also incomplete without experiencing once of the numerous public bathing houses, Szchenyi being the most popular and accessible with around 40

indoor and outdoor pools of varying temperatures.

The city is also renowned as a historic food capital of Europe, a reputation that is once more being enhanced and visitors discover there is much more to Hungarian food than goulash. The country’s wine is excellent, as showcased at the aforementioned festival, with sweet Tokaj making its mark and recognised for its quality around the world.

Tourists may find themselves spending an evening in one of Budapest’s ruin bars, buildings consigned to dereliction that have been revitalised since the turn of the millennium. These of factories and houses now form a lively social hub of the city.

A series of bridges connect the two sides of the city

Pleasure boat on the River Danube, Budapest

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Budapest Festival and Tourism Center BUDAPEST FESTIVAL AND Tourism Center (BFTK) is the organisation which provides the official and strategic management of Budapest as a destination.

BFTK came about as Budapest’s official organisation for tourism, culture and the marketing of both sectors.

“Our company’s aim from the beginning was to create a positive image on Budapest by positioning the capital of Hungary as a prominent cultural and tourist destination and by developing valuable cultural content,” explains its General Manager Teodóra Bán.

“We have moved from an official role approach to a more modern role perception as a service provider, and now consider it important to provide experience-based services for visitors arriving to Budapest.”

Bán went on to answer our questions about all things Budapest tourism.

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EME Outlook (EMEO): Since inception, how has the Budapest Festival and Tourism Center developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across?

Teodóra Bán (TB): Since 2015 we have been working with the Budapest Tourism Round Table, reconciling the interests of various decision makers like the government, the city and the districts, as well as the managers of major projects and professional

“The most pressing task is to find answers to the problems caused by overtourism and handle the huge number of visitors in certain parts of the city...”

representatives of the tourist trade.

The most pressing task is to find answers to the problems caused by overtourism and handle the huge number of visitors in certain parts of the city, promoting a more favourable spatial structure of tourism.

BFTK also develops a coordinated tourist information system made up of the Budapestinfo Point network year after year. The office network business is constantly expanding as well, while online channels are also evolving. For example, last year we launched our B2B website along with our B2B Newsletter.

A further aim is to provide highquality information to the foreign network of Hungary (including embassies, consulates and foreign trade services) and to supply them with professional support materials.

To this end, we took serious steps in 2018. Meanwhile, the popularity of our Budapest Card is also getting stronger.

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EMEO: How would you say Budapest has developed in recent years as a business travel hub and what are the key reasons behind its growing appeal?

TB: The most important keys to its success in being a great city for meetings and events include…

Easy access: Short flights from all European capitals: flight times less than two hours, multiple connections.

Direct flights from Chicago, New York and Philadelphia to Budapest.

Well-developed infrastructure for conferences and incentives: Deluxe and five-star hotels, well skilled and knowledgeable guides, legendary art of cuisine, widely varied, extraordinary venues. Most of the famous sites and major hotels are in walking distance to each other. The public transportation is also very well developed, offering fast and nature friendly ways to get around the city.

Outstanding scenery: The River Danube flows through the heart of the city, lined with gorgeous buildings and other attractions on both banks.

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Budapest’s Danube bank scenery has been listed to UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Good value for money: Studies regularly show Budapest as an affordable destination for business travellers. Last June, Budapest was ranked among world’s cheapest cities to relocate according to a study released by Nestpick.

Advanced shopping sites: You can find all major fashion brands right in the heart of the city centre. Andrássy Avenue is known as Budapest’s Cultural Avenue but also a hub of Budapest’s biggest fashion shops at the same time and Fashion Street is just a couple of minutes’ walk.

a diverse cityscape and even the majestic Danube in the middle. Buda, with its romantic atmosphere and the stunning Royal Palace on one side, and Pest, a dynamic cultural hub on the other. You can go for a relaxing walk in the zigzagging streets of the Buda side anytime. Meanwhile, the Pest side offers a bustling, vibrant scene with an extraordinary Art Nouveau architecture and an inspiring atmosphere of the ‘Jewish Quarter.

Budapest is a foodies’ hub. The capital of Hungary features a cuisine consisting of a blend of traditional Hungarian flavours and the latest dining trends – from street-food to haute cuisine creations featured in the Michelin Guide.

EMEO: Why, in your opinion, 21st century Budapest is also one should someone visit Budapest? of the hubs of cultural life in Europe, TB: Scenery, gastronomy and culture offering the possibility of listening to are three major reasons. contemporary and classical music, Budapest is a historical and modern opera performed by internationally city at the same time: the capital of renowned stars, fiery local gypsy Hungary is definitely the most partymusic, top class jazz, the ever popular coloured city of Central Europe – with operetta, folk music and dance in one of Budapest’s numerous concert halls, opera houses, restaurants, bars and

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music clubs. There are a variety of museums, art galleries and exhibition halls to explore.

It is not so surprising that thousands of travellers from all over the world have voted for Budapest as the Best European Destination 2019. No other previously winning European travel destination has received such convincing international support: 77 percent of the votes in favour of Budapest came from outside Hungary.

EMEO: What trends are transforming the tourism industry in Budapest at present? How are you responding to these trends?

TB: The number of tourists coming to Budapest increased by nearly 75 percent in the past decade, while bednights at the commercial accomodations increased by 70 percent in the same period. This is due to affordable accommodation possibilities (like Airbnb), low-cost flights and the many tourist attractions as well as sophisticated programme offers.

Besides traditional sights, there are more and more people who also look up special attractions, like a good restaurant, a unique building, or a peculiar programme. There is also an increase in some special branches of the tourism industry – for instance in shopping tourism and river cruising.

A relatively new phenomenon is the increase in the number of Chinese guests on an astonishing scale; in the last seven years, the number of guests from China increased by more than four times, reaching almost 200,000 by the end of 2018.

There are already severe signs of overtourism in Budapest, especially in the District VII – the so-called party district. The best antidote to overcrowding could be the temporal and spatial distribution of visitors – and the BFTK encourages the tendency by all means. To achieve this goal, the development of accommodation

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“It is not so surprising that thousands of travellers from all over the world have voted for Budapest as the Best European Destination 2019” supply and programme offers to widen the scale of attractions is essential.

EMEO: How do you see the city developing as a business travel hub over the next year to two years?

TB: Statistics show that Budapest is one of Europe’s and the world’s favourite MICE tourism destinations.

And, in domestic relations, the prime

location of internationally organised MICE events is still Budapest – more than 80 percent of conferences in Hungary are held in the capital city.

The main competitive advantages of Budapest in numbers are that we have the third fastest 4G mobile internet in the world and are the ninth safest destination to travel.

Business travellers represent a very important segment for the BFTK because their spending is three to four times higher than that of leisure visitors. Based on statistical figures, ca.

654,000 MICE guests visited Budapest in 2018 Q1-Q3, a 6.2 percent growth compared with the same period of 2017. In order to serve this large number of guests, several conference centre plans are under construction, located within the Millennium Quarter of the city and the Hungexpo Budapest Fair Center. As a result of

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the realisation of these projects, the conference capacity index of Budapest will increase by at least 5,000 people.

EMEO: Are there any plans or projects in the pipeline that you wish to highlight?

TB: Asides the exciting sports developments, the pride of Budapest, Városliget (City Park) has been a scene of a major development in the past few years, so as to transform City Park into a cutting-edge museum quarter. The City Park is famous not only because of its 200-acre green area but also because of its wide range of institutions offering endless opportunities for entertainment, leisure and cultural activities.

Its popular institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Hungarian Agriculture, the Budapest Zoo, the Kunsthalle, the Ice Rink and the Széchenyi Thermal Baths attract

Budapest Zoo and Botanical Garden is famed as not only the oldest zoo in Hungary but equally one of the oldest in the world. It is home to over 1,000 species of animals, and situated in the centre of the city it attracts well over one million visitors every year

millions of visitors per year, but most of them must be renovated. Based on this heritage, the Liget Budapest Project ensures that this complexity will be preserved and improved by a higher quality environment and worldclass services.

EME The National Museum Restoration and Storage Center (OMRRK) and the reconstruction of the Olof Palme House will be completed in 2019. The complex’s reopening will be accompanied by a monumental exhibition presenting “The First Golden Age of Budapest and the City Park”. The construction of the House of Hungarian Innovations and the building of the New National Gallery designed by the Japanese Pritzker Prizeholder SANAA will begin at the same time. As a result, by 2020 City Park will be more liveable, more modern and much greener than it has been up to now, enriched with attractive institutions, making it worthy of its old fame.

EMEO: Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in Budapest?

TB: Yes, definitely. Improving hotel revenue data resulted in a remarkable construction boom on the Budapest hotel market. In 2017, 73 percent of the launched hotel projects in Hungary were located in the capital city. The total value of the ongoing construction works exceeded the pre-crisis maximum in 2015 and 2017 alike.

In 2019, the iconic Párisi Udvar project, which is one of the largest hotel investments in recent years, can be completed – same as the four-star Emerald Residence. Besides, the construction of the Meininger Budapest Hotel, which was launched in 2015, is also going to be completed this year (room capacity: 184). And so on: the four-star Hilton Garden Inn Budapest Hotel with 214 rooms are already under construction, and the current largest project, the five-star Matild Palace – Luxury Collection are expected to be finished in 2019 Q2.

The ascending sports capital image of Budapest complemented by the ongoing cultural and infrastructural developments – with particular regard to the Liget Project – predict a future of a great promise for the tourism industry.

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European Capital of Sport BÁN OUTLINES HOW Budapest is set for a sporting 2019: “Budapest is proud to be The European Capital of Sport for the year 2019, awarded

by ACES. An important project goal is to hold sporting events in the Hungarian capital for 365 days. Taking into account the chronological order, I would point out first the ITTF World Table Tennis Individual Championships between 21 and 28 April. Budapest will be the host city of 2019 Women’s European Volleyball Championship as well as several Olympic qualifying competitions for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo: by name the World Fencing Championships in mid-July, in addition to the UIPM World Pentathlon Championships attended by the LaserRun World Championships in early September.

“Moreover, Budapest is going to provide venue to the 15th European Maccabi Games, Hungary’s biggest sporting event this year held between July 29 and August 7. FINA Women’s Water Polo World League 2019 Superfinal will take place this autumn as well as U23 Senior World Wrestling Championships. Many events will be hosted in Budapest’s brand-new sports facilities like László Papp Budapest Sports Arena or the newly-constructed Danube Arena that is the greatest aquatics centre of Hungary. And, after its reconstruction, Ferenc Puskás National Sports Center will be a proper venue for UEFA EURO 2020 matches with a maximum capacity of 67,155 people.”

Budapest was named The European Capital of Sport for 2019

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“Many events will be hosted in Budapest’s brand-new sports facilities like László Papp Budapest Sports Arena or the newly-constructed Danube Arena that is the greatest aquatics centre of Hungary”

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Outlook Recommends “Budapest has something for everyone – from dramatic history and flamboyant architecture to healing thermal waters and a nightlife that is unrivalled in Eastern and Central Europe” – Lonely Planet

HOSPITALITY

Corinthia Hotel Budapest

Kempinski Hotel Corvinus

Aria Hotel Budapest Baltazár 66

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FOOD & DRINK

Onyx

Arany Kaviár Étterem

KönyvBár & Restaurant

Szimpla Kert

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EXECUTIVE SUITE

ROYAL EXPERIENCE IN BUDAPEST

Enjoy your next city break with an elevated experience. The edgy yet refined interior of our Executive Suite is complemented with eclectic furnishing, plush draperies and beautiful wooden floors for a warm and elegant stay.

Welcome to Corinthia Hotel Budapest.

CORINTHIA HOTEL BUDAPEST | ERZSÉBET KÖRÚT 43-49, 1073 BUDAPEST, HUNGARY | CORINTHIA.COM/BUDAPEST Outlook_printad_20190211.indd 1

2019. 02. 11. 14:47:55

MUSEUMS & TOURS

Parliament

PUBLIC BATHS

House of Terror

Szchenyi Baths Hungarian National Museum

Holocaust Memorial Center

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Transport Links

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sighted using bicycles and many are available for hire, while walking is another perfectly viable option for navigating the major attractions either side of the river.

Budapest has four underground metro lines and more than 30 tram lines, which are often a pleasant way of seeing the city as several lines cross one of the major bridges or run along the riverbank.

There is also an extensive bus network and around 15 trolleybus lines, and the best way to ride on these public transport options is by PHOTO: PASCAL KOBEH

TRANSPORT HAS BEEN vital to Budapest’s rapid expansion, the city now serving as a hub for the country’s major trunk roads and rail routes and also home to the nation’s largest bus terminal.

Ferenc Liszt International Airport lies around 25 kilometres southeast of the city centre and is not the most accessible by public transport. A bus route does run, but for ease and speed it is recommended to travel to and from the terminals by car/taxi.

In terms of getting around the city itself, more and more people can be

buying a travel pass. Otherwise you will have to make sure you validate a ticket every time you board.

“There are other cool ways for exploring the hidden gems of the capital,” adds Bán. “Budapest by night bike tour is also available to experience the charming atmosphere of the wonderful illuminated city, enjoying the breath-taking panorama of the Danube bank from Pest and Buda sides. Most of these special transport options are free for Budapest Card holders or heavily discounted.”

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Landmark Attractions Castle Hill

Great Synagogue

“The synagogue on the Dohany street of Pest is not only the most impressive one in the country, but it’s the largest synagogue of Europe, the second largest one in the world” – greatsynagogue.hu

Basilica of St Stephen

“Budapest’s neoclassical cathedral is the most sacred Catholic church in all of Hungary and contains its most revered relic: the mummified right hand of the church’s patron, King St Stephen” – Lonely Planet

“Castle Hill is recognized as a World Heritage Site, and has many mustsee attractions, Gothic arches, 18th-century Baroque houses and cobblestone streets” – Visit Budapest

Liberty Monument

“The Liberty Statue (Szabadság-szobor), or Freedom Memorial, has a prominent position on Gellért Hill in central Budapest on the western side of the Danube River. View it when you visit the Citadella, the giant fortress occupied first by the Hapsburgs and later by the Soviets” – Expedia

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n less than three decades since the collapse of Soviet Union, Estonia has politically and economically transformed itself.

Embracing market capitalism and democratic governance, the country

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later joined the European Union in 2004 and is now regarded as one of the up and coming technology epicentres in the whole of Europe.

Indeed, the country is often dubbed E-estonia, and has been named the

most advanced digital society in the world by Wired. From tax and national ID to healthcare and voting, Estonia continues to make the most out of technology to simplify and streamline everyday activities to the benefit

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of its citizens, economy and society.

Add in historical sites such as the UNESCO-protected Old Town in Tallinn, and Estonia offers a fascinating mix of past, present and future that business and leisure travellers cannot ignore.

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Further, away from the captivating Tallinn, the country is home to beautiful beaches on the northern coast and many impressive national parks and nature reserves elsewhere.

Because it sits on the divide between

eastern and western Europe, Estonia has been long influenced by Russia and Scandinavia, its cultural heritage on display in many excellent exhibitions like those at the Estonian National and Maritime museums.

ESTONIA

Since gaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the Baltic state has rapidly accelerated its digital agenda, transforming into a unique business and cultural hub Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Ryan Gray

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The Business End

FACTS & FIGURES Events are big business in Estonia

Capital: Languages: Area: Population (2018): GDP (2016): Currency: Time zone:

Tallinn Estonian 45,227 km2

1,319,000 $23.369 billion Euro Eastern European Standard Time Dialling code: +372 Internet TLD: .ee Climate: temperate

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ESTONIA’S ECONOMY HAS opened up enormously since the early 1990s, so much so it is often cited as one of the most liberal in Europe.

Government-controlled enterprise has gradually been handed over to private competition, while industry and agriculture account for a declining proportion of GDP with services assuming a more important role.

The country has a balanced national budget, flat rate of income tax and very few customs tariffs.

Tourism trade in Estonia is booming.

In 2017 more foreign tourists visited the country than in any previous years. With 3.5 million domestic and international tourists staying in Estonian accommodation. This marks

an impressive increase of seven percent on 2016, and taking into account single day visitors, some six million tourists arrived in what was a record-breaking year on many levels.

In 2017, there were 1,500 accommodation establishments in Estonia, with 25,000 rooms and 62,000 beds. This is 700 more rooms and 2,000 more beds for visitors compared to 2016.

All of this equates into 2017 tourism revenue of â‚Ź1.9 billion, the vast majority coming from foreign visitors. Major tourism markets include neighbouring Baltic states and Russia.

Rapid growth in Asian visitors is another promising trend for Estonian tourism.

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Out & About TALLINN HAS BEEN raved about in recent years and for good reason.

Its Old Town is listed by UNESCO and one of Europe’s most complete walled cities, giving it the fairy-tale charm that Karu mentions.

Away from the Old Town, Telliskivi Creative City – the artistic hub of Tallinn – showcases what can be done with decaying buildings from bygone eras. Restored and transformed, they now house art galleries, shops, entertainment venues and bars.

Estonia’s food scene is also vibrant, with cuisines from all over the world amply represented in Tallinn, while

many highly-rated restaurants can be found in the likes of Pärnu, Tartu, Otepää and large manor houses in the countryside.

It is here where many nature reserves and national parks offer unrivalled opportunities to spot wildlife, especially bird migrations in the spring months. In Matsalu National Park, for example, some 280 different species can be spotted on wellorganised tours.

Perhaps surprising to some is the fact that Estonia is made up of more than 1,500 islands off of its main landmass. The biggest such island, Saaremaa, is home to the spectacular and popular Kuressaare Castle, the best-preserved of its kind in the Baltic.

Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed old town

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Estonian Convention Bureau THE ESTONIAN CONVENTION Bureau (ECB) was established in 2008 as a joint initiative of the main suppliers of the meetings industry in Estonia, together with the main conference cities Tallinn and Tartu and the Estonian Tourist Board.

“Our bureau is a great example of a PPP CVB model and a success story of private and public sector cooperation in Estonia,” says Kadri Karu, the organisation’s Managing Director.

“We have 30 partners from different areas of the meetings sector who have joined forces and budgets to market Estonia as a meeting destination and attract international conferences to our country.”

Karu went on to answer our questions about the bureau and the wider tourism scene across the country.

EME Outlook (EMEO): Since inception, how has the Estonian Convention Bureau developed and progressed in terms of its key objectives and the messages it tries to get across?

Kadri Karu (KK): Since the beginning of the bureau we have been a marketing organisation on one hand

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but also an umbrella organisation on the other. When we started back in 2008 our main goal was to put Estonia on the international map as meetings destination and gauge an understanding of what kind of conferences take place here.

“We were completely unknown and any specialised marketing tools or statistics did not exist. We have come a long way since, hosting more than 500 international conferences annually and holding 45th position in ICCA rankings for association meetings. Knowledge about Estonia has grown enormously!

Nowadays our messages are not about where we are and who we are, but more on actual products, experiences and reasons to choose Estonia for one’s next meeting.

EMEO: How would you say Estonia has developed in recent years as a business travel/MICE hub and what are the key reasons behind its growing appeal?

KK: Over the last few years there has been a significant increase in new infrastructure – both hotels and unique venues that can host

bigger international conferences and corporate events. They offer extremely great value for money – facilities that are brand new and modern come at prices that do not break your budget.

Also, the accessibility by air is constantly improving with more and more direct routes to Tallinn and better frequencies. Our specialists and scientists have become increasingly active in taking the initiative of bidding and hosting scientific and industry events in Estonia. We see that both international associations and corporate incentive events are constantly looking for new, fresh destinations that are at the same time affordable, close and safe.

EMEO: Why, in your opinion, should someone visit Estonia?

KK: Estonia combines a uniquely medieval history and closeness to nature with modern tech. Estonia is often referred to as E-estonia because of all the digital solutions we have, especially in the public sector. That background brings a lot of IT related events to Estonia, from software development to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

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In February 2019 a new E-estonia showroom opens where it is possible to learn about the Estonian digital success story. In addition to that Estonia has a rich cultural and historical heritage to explore. For events and business travellers there are also interesting incentive and teambuilding activities available. Estonia is a “less travelled route” where one can experience something new in a unique setting.

Therefore, we have also chosen “Go Wild – Choose Estonia!” as the title of our 2019 marketing activities.

EMEO: Are there any specific attractions, landmarks or places to eat and drink that you would recommend?

KK: UNESCO-listed, fairy tale-like Tallinn Old is definitely one of the main attractions. This medieval heart of the town is surrounded by the former factory districts of Telliskivi and Rotermanni that have become the design and culinary hubs of the city, one in a bohemian and the other in a more business-like way.

Estonian Maritime Museum Seaplane Harbour is a must-go place in Tallinn that is truly unique in the world.

It is also worth going outside of the capital to University Town Tartu and the Estonian National Museum, spa resort town Pärnu that offers a great range of outdoor activities, and the wetland areas and manor houses on

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the northern coast. What is special in Estonia is that you can easily privatise a unique location – having a meeting on board of an old ice breaker boat or in a boiler room of a former electricity factory or medieval Town Hall are just few options to mention.

EMEO: What trends are transforming the tourism industry in Estonia at present? How are you responding to these trends?

KK: Estonia is still very lucky to be untouched by the worldwide overtourism trend and we are aiming to keep it that way. To offer more and better solutions for business visitors and international events we work closely together within the meetings industry sector and have created the Team Estonia concept to demonstrate our cooperation. That helps us to exchange information within the sector, do marketing activities with a unified voice and also work closely together when delivering the events in Estonia.

EMEO: How do you see Estonia developing as a business travel hub over the next year to two years?

KK: ECB lobbying has guaranteed that since 2018 the growth of the meetings industry and conference tourism is one of the main priorities for the Estonian Tourist Board and the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs.

I believe having that clear goal will

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be the main driver for the constant development of business travel. We want to be visible in the world and attract interest thanks to us being a knowledge hub for many industries as well as a unique destination.

EMEO: Are there any plans or projects in the pipeline that you wish to highlight?

KK: A congress centre development project has been agreed between the national government and municipality of Tallinn. It will be a centrally located venue in Tallinn with a main plenary hall for up to 2,500 delegates and a number of smaller halls and a concert hall for up to 3,500 delegates. The project has started and we hope that this new location will be open by 2024/2025. Also, there are some new hotels and venues/attractions opening over the next year or two both in Tallinn and elsewhere in the country.

EMEO: Are you optimistic about the future of the tourism industry in Estonia?

KK: Absloutely! These are interesting times for developing a more targeted, clever and sustainable tourism industry and growing the business segment in Estonia. We have very good potential and thanks to great partnerships and cooperation within the destination I am very optimistic that we will put Estonia onto every business traveller’s bucket list.

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Outlook Recommends “Estonia doesn’t have to struggle to find a point of difference: it’s completely unique” – Lonely Planet

TALLINN HOTELS

NATURE

SHOPPING CENTRES

Hotel Telegraaf

Lahemaa National Park

Vaala

Matsalu National Park

Astri Centre

Põhja-Kõrvemaa Nature Reserve

Solaris

The Three Sisters Hilton Tallinn Park Schlössle Hotel MUSEUMS

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Transport Links

NEARLY 20 EUROPEAN airlines provide services to Tallinn all year round, with extra routes added in the busier summer months. Another easy way into the country from other Baltic states is by boat, with services running from Tallinn to Helsinki, St Petersburg, Mariehamn and Stockholm.

Karu adds: “In Estonia it is possible to experience the different sides of the destination in a short period of time

as the country and cities are small. We are truly a boutique destination where everything is close.

“Tallinn Airport is located only four kilometres from the city centre and there is a convenient tram and taxi connection to town. In the city centre the hotels, locations and attractions are within five to 15 minutes walking distance and there is a convenient public transport network.

“Secondary cities and nature areas are easily reachable by bus. It takes only 30 minutes from Tallinn city centre to a beautiful forest reserve area and bog trails in Lahemaa National Park.”

Cycling is another viable option for local travel, as Estonia is one of the flatter landmasses on the continent, while roads are generally easy to navigate as Estonians are considered to be safe drivers who respect speed limits.

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Landmark Attractions Telliskivi Creative City

“Located in a reclaimed factory area not far from Old Town, it is Estonia’s biggest creative economic enterprise centre, bringing together a diverse range of activities and businesses” – Visit Tallinn

Town Hall Square, Tallinn

“In Tallinn all roads lead to Raekoja plats, the city’s pulsing heart since markets began setting up here in the 11th century. One side is dominated by the Gothic town hall, while the rest is ringed by pretty pastel-coloured buildings dating from the 15th to 17th centuries” – Lonely Planet

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Pärnu Beach

“Pärnu’s long, wide, sandy beach – sprinkled with volleyball courts, cafes and changing cubicles – is easily the city’s main draw” – Lonely Planet

Unforgettable events at the Seaplane Harbour on the shore of the Baltic Sea

Impress your guests in an authentic environment next to a submarine Host up to 1500 people Fill the spacious room with light effects and a dazzling performance by musicians or air acrobats Offer delicious dinner or snacks

seaplaneharbour.com Triin Piip, +372 5291 392, triin.piip@meremuuseum.ee

Kuressaare Castle

“In addition to aesthetic pleasure that the elegant, decorous and magnificent architecture offers, a visit to the castle allows to explore the local history through an immediate experience and to feel the breath of the Middle Ages” – Visit Estonia

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Positive Performance J

ames Hillery is gearing up for the opening round of the UK Mini Challenge which takes place at Snetterton, Norfolk May 11-12, 2019.

His Mini Cooper R50, prepared by A.Reeve Motorsport, the testing arm of its Performance business, will join the UK’s biggest one-make saloon car championship, racing at seven of the

A.Reeve Performance is a BMW, Audi, Porsche and Mini specialist garage and service centre based in King’s Lynn, Norfolk in the United Kingdom, offering servicing and MOTs, performance services, repairs, wheel alignment and suspension set-up, ECU remapping and tuning, Dyno power runs, modifications and performance parts.

finest race circuits the country has to offer.

Aaron Reeve, Managing Director of A.Reeve Performance says, “We are really looking forward to working with James this season. His many years of racing will give A.Reeve Motorsport the best possible opportunity yet to win the Pro-class Championship title.”

James Hillery, reflecting on the prospect of working with his new sponsor said: “I’m so excited to be racing in the Mini Challenge this year.

It’s a tough ladder to climb with the next steps the Mini Cooper JCW and then British touring cars. And, to be given the opportunity to join A. Reeve Motorsport was the icing on the cake!

“The team are based very close to me in Norfolk and are as hungry as I am to push for the Mini Pro-class Championship.”

For further information regarding James Hillery sponsorship, contact Terry Hillery on 07760 205759 or email jameshillery.racing@aol.com

A.Reeve Performance is happy to work with all makes and models of car, whether it is a 4×4 such as a Land Rover, a Renault, a Jaguar or a Citroen.

For more information visit:

www.arperformance.co.uk

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Tell us your story and we’ll tell the world.

EME OUTLOOK is a digital and print product aimed at boardroom and hands-on decision-makers across a wide range of industries in Europe and the Middle East regions.

With content compiled by our experienced editorial team, complemented by an in-house design and production team ensuring delivery to the highest standards, we look to promote the latest in engaging news, industry trends and success stories from the length and breadth of Europe and the Middle East.

Reaching a combined audience of more than 395,000 people, EME Outlook covers a full range of industrial sectors: agriculture, construction, energy & utilities, finance, food & drink, healthcare, manufacturing, mining & resources, oil & gas, retail, shipping & logistics, technology and travel & tourism.

In joining the leading industry heavyweights already enjoying the exposure we can provide, you can benefit from FREE coverage across both digital and print platforms, a FREE marketing brochure, extensive social media saturation, enhanced B2B networking opportunities, and a readymade forum to attract new investment and to grow your business.

To get involved, please contact Outlook Publishing’s Managing Director, Ben Weaver, who can provide further details on how to feature your company, for FREE, in one of our upcoming editions. www. emeoutlo okmag.co

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ISSUE 29

FOR ALL

flying taxis to folding From connected cars and Mobile World Congress phones and 5G beehives, to showcase innovation provided the ultimate forum

Leveraging immense research capabilities, Ericsson is making transformative technologies available for everyone, from global manufacturing firms to refugees Writer: Jonathan Dyble

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bba’s single ‘Does Your Mother Know’ has remained timeless since its release in 1979.

Celebrating a landmark 40th anniversary next month, the song heavily featured in box office hits Johnny English in 2003 and Mamma

Mia! in 2008, even being performed

by UK rapper Dizzee Rascal during a recent tour.

However, despite having established itself as a staple of the pop genre, a booming live performance of the song was not what we were expecting to hear as we entered Ericsson’s Mobile

World Congress booth.

Paying tribute to its home nation’s favourite band, the Swedish telecommunications giant put on a collaborative spectacle with Vodafone, showcasing 5G’s ever growing capabilities by demonstrating how a live band can now play together when not together.

“The idea, from Ericsson’s side at least, came from two guys at the Ericsson Research team,” explains Håkan Andersson, Head of Technology Strategy at the company. “Exploring the seemingly endless potential of 5G and low latency technology, they put forward the idea that then worked its way through an internal incubator, and it’s now become a reality here at

Mobile World Congress.”

One of the largest booths at MWC 2019, Ericsson’s showcasing portfolio offered a true glimpse into the future.

From allowing attendees to remotely drive an all-electric autonomous truck in Gothenburg in real-time to providing attendees with access to its new Batman AR/ VR experience, a sweep of the firm’s stands reinstated that this is a company pioneering next generation technologies, shaping the future of global connectivity.

Ahead of the game

“Myself? I’ve been responsible for both the strategies and investment decisions for the development of our

LTE and 5G technologies,” explains Andersson as we sat down for a chat behind the scenes. “From very early research activities to engagement with customers and the European Union, it’s been a real journey.”

Having joined Ericsson back in 1990, Andersson has worked across various internal divisions, starting out at Ericsson Research before moving into product development, portfolio management and now technology strategy.

“With such wide flexibility in opportunity, I’ve never had the desire to move on,” he explains. “The company offers personal diversification from within, the chance to travel extensively, and it’s a business where

From connected cars and flying taxis to folding phones and 5G beehives, Mobile World Congress provided the ultimate forum to showcase innovation

ABOUT ANDERSSON Currently acting as Head of Technology Strategy for Ericsson, Håkan Andersson has been a part of the company for 29 years. With an MSc in Electric Engineering and PhD in Physics from the Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Andersson has held various management positions for the firm in Singapore, the Philippines, the US and in Sweden itself.

MOBILE WORLD

CONGRESS 2019 00 Featuring interviews with Ericsson, Nokia, Vodafone, AT&T, Cisco and more

BUSINESS TRAVEL GUIDE 00 Athens: The European capital of culture

WATER-LINK 00 Bringing progressive technologies and innovative solutions to the forefront of Flanders’ water market

SAMSKIP NORWAY 00 Exercising integrational excellence to the advantage of industry logistics

ALSO FEATURING: E S T O N I A N C O N V E N T I O N B U R E A U | W I K O V I N D U S T R Y

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MOBILE WORLD 00 CONGRESS 2019 with Ericsson,

Featuring interviews Cisco and more Nokia, Vodafone, AT&T,

GUIDE BUSINESS TRAVELcapital of culture 00

Athens: The European

WATER-LINK 00

and Bringing progressive technologies the forefront of innovative solutions to Flanders’ water market

SAMSKIP NORWAYexcellence to Exercising integrational logistics the advantage of industry

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RY KOV INDUST BUREAU | WI ONVENTION ESTONIAN C ALSO FEATURING:

+44 (0) 1603 959 650 ben.weaver@outlookpublishing.com

www.emeoutlookmag.com/get-involved

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Turning the

Tide

In the wake of a successful 2018, Flanders’ primary water provider will continue to leverage innovation, differentiation and digitalisation in order to excel throughout the coming year Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Richard Thomas

water-link is really on the move. What we promised last year is now really becoming a reality for Antwerp and the wider region.”

Almost a year to day the day since we last spoke with CEO Franky Cosaert, it’s evident that Flanders’ primary water provider has experienced a revolutionary 12 months.

Working alongside an array of clients that include regional residents, industry players and other water suppliers, water-link reached a new milestone earlier this year, now accounting for 40 percent of the Flanders region’s entire water needs.

However, in the eyes of Cosaert, there’s much more to come for 2019.

Recent months have seen one of Europe’s largest petrochemicals companies, INEOS, naming the Port of Antwerp as the home of its new €3 billion cracker plant, while fellow industry stalwart Borealis equally revealed that it would be investing approximately €1 billion in the development of a propane

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dehydrogenation plant in the region.

Two facilities that will undoubtedly bring countless benefits to Flanders, water-link is set to play a substantial role in facilitating their success through the provision of process and demineralised water.

THE WATER-LINK STORY A business founded in 1881, water-link currently stands as Flanders’ leading water provider, accounting for 40 percent of the regional market as of 2019.

An industry stalwart, the company has remained adaptable during the 138 years since its inception, now commonly associated with industry progression and innovation.

From the development of transformative solutions to the enablement of collaboration through smart partnerships, the firm has become synonymous with efficiency and technological progression, safeguarding the municipality’s water supplies.

To date, water-link has produced 140 million cubic metres of water, serving 193,000 customers through its extensive pipeline network that spans 2,500 kilometres.

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“Antwerp is really an exciting place to be at the moment,” states Cosaert.

“It’s fantastic news for the economy, and these new demands, combined with other developments, have motivated us to expand our capacity and improve our efficiencies in innovative ways.”

From concept to reality

Driven by these ambitions, waterlink remains heavily involved in an enterprising investment programme, ending 2021, that will position the

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company at the forefront of Flanders’ water market for many years to come.

“In my eyes, we stand apart from the competition by emphasising innovation in all our activities,” explains Cosaert, a differentiator that is apparent in a range of the company’s recent endeavours.

“We began full-scale deployment of smart water meters in October 2018, for example, with the expectation that each and every one of our clients will possess one of these,” the CEO

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continues. “Already 5,000 of our customers have been provided with these smart meters, and we’re hoping to be one of the first company’s in Europe to provide this full scope by the end of 2021.”

Moreover, water-link’s Intelligent Control Centre (ICC) is starting to be actualised, with the firm having commissioned an architectural business to begin building the flagship facility that is expected to be operational by 2021.

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Set to replace the firm’s existing three existing, separate centres, the ICC will provide a much more transparent, efficient and seamless way of managing its ever-growing water distribution network.

“Within this facility we’ll be implementing state-of-the-art software that has been helping to transform our operations,” Cosaert states. “We’re now able to use remote

sensoring, data analytics, the internet of things and other technologies that can be interpreted, providing network diagnosis and making us better aware of what’s happening throughout our supply chain.

“Previously such mechanisms weren’t possible, but we’re keen to take advantage now that such technologies have come to market and are available.”

TRILATIONS

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e help utility companies in the water, gas and energy and telecommunications sectors make the right DECISIONS and make sure the benefits are DELIVERED. We provide advisory services, project and process management and analysis and these are all underpinned by our deep subject matter expertise and stakeholder engagement capabilities.

Customer centricity We help utility companies to further increase their knowledge about their customers via statistical fact based (market) analysis and to implement the recommendations which deliver the benefits.

Reshaping the utilities market: The impact of new central market systems and/or data hubs Continuous and frequent changes in regulations are also increasing the pressure on the market to meet more complex requirements and tighter deadlines. In addition, market changes are resulting in greater centralisation, such as the introduction of data hubs, which are influencing the strategic choices and investments of market players.

New technologies, new services, new business models, new markets We help our utilities customers explore these opportunities, assessing how new technologies and services can be brought to market within the existing framework and/or identifying what changes are required to make this possible.

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Achieving business excellence in the digital age Leading utilities are focused on moving to more customer-centric business models and achieving operational excellence. Advancing technologies, such as smart meters and grids, cloud computing, digital, data and predictive analytics, and social media, create opportunities to launch new products and services and deliver a more retaillike customer experience.

Sharing of knowledge is crucial at water-link, as demonstrated by the images above of colleagues collaborating

Visit our success cases at: www.trilations.com/industries/utilities Xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx

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We help utility companies make the right DECISIONS and make sure the benefits are DELIVERED

NEW TECHNOLOGIES, SERVICES, BUSINESS MODELS

BEST PRACTICES

CUSTOMER CENTRICITY

ACHIEVING BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

Water Utilities face intensifying pressure to increase efficiency, improve customer service, adapt to changing regulation, deliver security of supply and offer new valuable services. At Water-Link, Trilations teams are responsible for optimizing customer2invoice, maintenance/supply chain and finance processes.

Go visit our succescases at: https://www.trilations.com/industries/utilities

SET AMBITIOUS WINNING STRATEGIES

W A T E R - L I N K

water-link and Pidpa leaders announce their strategic partnership

A renewed approach

The implementation of innovative systems, however, is just one aspect of water-link’s atypical approach to utilities.

An industry that has often been defined by division and competition, water-link has challenged this status quo as a leading advocate of cooperation and multi-utility unity.

This in mind, the company has been fundamental to the development of a collaborative platform that has become crucial to the municipal government, providing an outlook of utility demands from which overriding strategies can be calculated.

“This multi-utility software that includes not only water providers but equally gas, electricity and telecommunications players is a revolutionary tool, and one we’re particularly proud to be involved with,” Cosaert reveals. “In the current day and age, we feel cooperation is no

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We’ve also implemented rain water plants across many communities... We have to try and retain water for longer and reuse it wherever possible” longer a luxury but a necessity.

“The consequences of climate change are clear to see – 2018 was a record dry year and 2019 is already abnormal – and so it is becoming increasingly important that we collectively implement the right solutions in order to safeguard our access to clean water.”

This outlook has similarly seen water-link developing a range of smart partnerships such as its collaboration with Pidpa, a fellow Antwerp-based water supplier.

“This has become a crucial part of our strategy,” Cosaert reveals. “In

regard to the Pidpa partnership in particular, we’re expecting to have a triangular production setup in place between our northern site, southern site and Pidpa’s own sites, operational by 2022.

“We’ve also implemented rain water plans across many communities,” he adds. “We have to try and retain water for longer and reuse it wherever possible.”

A pioneer of change

A true pioneer of sustainability, waterlink has successfully established itself as a preferred employer, attracting

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U T I L I T I E S

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Verbruiksvoorwaarden en CO2-emissies (voor personenwagens) zijn gemeten volgens de nieuwe WLTP test procedure voor een voertuig in de basisuitrusting. Optionele uitrustingen (inclusief optionele velgen en/of banden) kunnen het verbruik en de CO2-emissie beïnvloeden.

De aangegeven NEDC waarde (NEDC 2.0 voor personenwagens) is afgeleid van de WLTP waarde en wordt gedurende een overgangsperiode (tot max. eind 2021) gebruikt o.a. voor belastingdoeleinden. De overheid kan echter vóór het einde van deze overgangsperiode de WLTP waarden gebruiken voor belastingdoeleinden hetgeen de fiscaliteit van het voertuig kan beïnvloeden. Raadpleeg uw dealer voor meer informatie.

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aspirational people to the company as a result of its socially responsible practices.

“There are good employment opportunities in Antwerp,” states Cosaert. “Young people have a lot of choice, yet we often see promising individuals joining us because of the innovation and sustainability aspects that our business offers in the way of opportunity.

“It’s an industry where you can make a real difference.”

Further, the firm actively encourages employee involvement in the aim of not only developing technical and soft skills, but equally in order to allow its esteemed staffing pool to be an internal source of creativity and innovation.

“We invest around €900,000 each year in education and training alone in order to provide a progressive platform to our people,” Cosaert continues. “water-link also collaborates with the University of

SMART PARTNERSHIPS water-link has signed an array of smart partnerships with both local and international industry experts including: • Pidpa • Aquafin

Antwerp, readily providing both current students and graduates with an abundance of opportunities.”

Looking ahead to 2020, water-link will remain driven by the consolidation of its position as a trendsetter, preferred partner and preferred employer, while the business will further expand into new areas, emphasising anything from substantiated CSR to profound tech developments, retaining its status as a pioneer of change.

Cosaert concludes: “Here at waterlink we are ready to play our role in changing the water landscape of Flanders.”

• Nereus • RIWA • Water Reuse Europe • Warmte@zuid

water-link Tel: +323 24 40604 info@water-link.be www.water-link.be

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ransportation. A cornerstone of European integration and economic growth, it is often considered to be the lifeblood of industry for many continental businesses.

A vital part of the supply chain, mounting transportation challenges such as congestion and adverse environmental effects are being placed under the microscope as the logistics industry continues to become increasingly difficult to navigate.

One company championing innovation in the face of these rising pressures, however, is Samskip Norway – a business that has been able to excel with a differentiated approach, and one with more than two decades of experience in the field.

“Samskip began operating in Norway in the mid-90s, starting out by operating a shipping service between Norway and Iceland,” explains Are Grathen, the company’s Managing Director. “Since then, we’ve become a core part of the Samskip Group’s pan-European multimodal logistics network, committed to delivering operational excellence.”

Combining rail, road and waterway transportation services into one overriding network, these multimodal operations stand the business apart from the competition, allowing it to proficiently provide sustainable and cost-effective supply chain solutions while cutting out unnecessary road mileage.

“The fact that we are involved in all of these segments bar air freight, blending and fusing a multitude of different networks and logistics hubs under the same roof is our core competency,” explains Grathen. “It’s undoubtedly a competitive advantage, with attractive pricing, optimal transit times and environmentally friendly operations being staples of Samskip in Norway and across Europe as such.

“It’s the backbone of the multimodal concept.” A business bolstered

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Multimo

Sea, road and rail transportation combined, Samskip’s integrational excellence is serving to revamp and revitalise logistics across industries Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Richard Thomas

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Joining the company back in March of 2015, Grathen has witnessed a crucial period of expansion for Samskip in Norway over the course of the past four years.

In 2016 Samskip purchased Euro Line Container, a shipping company based out of Bergen on the west coast, a year later also acquiring Nor Lines, a fellow industry stalwart situated in Stavanger to the south of Bergen with presence across the entire country.

SAMSKIP’S COLD CHAIN CAPABILITIES Being a major player in the transport of pelagic fish, Samskip exports approximately 40,000 tonnes of mackerel from Norway each year, accounting for roughly 16 percent of the country’s yearly quota.

The firm then leverages the Group’s pan-European multimodal network and global logistics presence, transporting this produce all over the world in a costeffective and environmentally friendly manner.

“These acquisitions complemented our pan-European network effectively, providing us with full coverage of the Norwegian coastline,” Grathen explains. “We’ve begun to experience the merits of these synergies more and more as we’ve continued to integrate these expanded capabilities with our already substantial cargo capacity on the coastal routes.

“The Hurtigruten Coastal Express, for example, is one of Norway’s famous scenic coastal routes that’s utilised by cruise ships. However, equally the Hurtigruten ships house additional cargo capacity and call at 34 ports along the Norwegian coast on a daily basis, something that’s quite unique in seaborne transportation.”

However, already in a short space of time this bolstered waterborne presence, coupled with Samskip Norway’s extensive on-land capabilities, the business’s offering is now somewhat unrivalled within the national market.

Samskip’s specialised cold chain services include but are not limited to: • Cold storage (transported at sub-zero temperatures) • 40 and 45-foot reefer containers • Deep-sea feedering • Short-sea door-to-door transportation • Reefer bulk and sideport solutions

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Samskip utilises the sea to develop optimal routes for cargo

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oss Transportforum AS offers solutions that meet its customers’ needs and attach great importance to personal service, making the company an efficient, nationwide player in the logistics sector.

Every year, the company spends considerable resources on environmental improvement measures, and has routines for developing an active and conscious attitude to environmental protection.

The company has also developed a web solution for ordering services and tracking shipments. With Track & Trace you can get in-depth information about individual broadcasts, and via EDI you can follow the shipment all the way, from when the order is registered until the goods are signed out at the customer.

T +47 69 24 11 30 E post@mtf.no

www.mtf.no

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Everything in transport, forwarding and warehousing services.

EME

Moss Transportforum is a modern and solution-oriented company with customized offers in transport, storage, freight forwarding and logistics. High quality has been the guiding principle for the business ever since the beginning of the early 1930s - the time we called the Transport Center A / L. 00 47 69 24 11 30 | post@mtf.no | www.mtf.no

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“Our multimodal approach can be quite complex, for sure, but we have 200 employees all operating on the same platform and some longestablished partnerships that enable this extensive coastal coverage,” adds Grathen.

Aspirational ambition

Natural yet substantial expansions to the company’s existing regional presence, Samskip and the Norway MD remain concentrated on maximising integrational synergies.

Asked about the firm’s current investment plans, the MD replied: “Currently we’re digesting our recent acquisitions, it’s been a hectic but truly transformational couple of years.

“Nor Lines was an active player in the seafood logistics market, for example. It’s presence in this market in the north fitted well with our own strategic goals of bolstering our cold chain outlook and we’ve still got more to offer in this space.”

LEADERSHIP FOCUS ARE GRATHEN Are Grathen has accumulated 25 years’ experience in global logistics, having held a variety of management positions at major shipping & logistics industry players throughout his career.

A veteran of not only Norwegian but equally Asian and Australian industry, he now currently stands as Managing Director of Samskip in Norway – a position he has held for 18 months, having remained with the firm for over four years in total.

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A core focus of the company, Samskip in Norway is a key proponent of the Group’s ambitions in this cold chain niche, keeping ahead of market trends and in touch with legislative requirements in order to maintain reliable yet flexible transportation options for its clientele.

Moreover, looking ahead, another of the company’s outspoken ambitions is to simultaneously grow further into the container transport segment in Norway within the next two to three years, incorporating all regions.

“The ambition is to take the multimodal container traffic that is currently somewhat limited to the southern part of Norway to the upper

reaches of the country, allowing the entirety of northern Norway to become part of our pan-European logistics ecosystem,” explains Grathen.

“We make an effort to offer services to scarcely populated places.

The whole idea of the network is that we can reach deep into every market, irrespective of its size.

“When you’re dealing in the UK you’re dealing with cities with millions of people, but when you’re in northern Norway you’re often dealing with remote villages of maybe a few hundred people, however still rich in industries like seafood or manufacturing.”

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EME Facilitating the future

Beyond this, Grathen also reveals that the company is readily preparing itself for the incorporation of next generation technologies in order to ensure that Samskip remains an innovative logistics player.

“For 2019, our key priorities are to complete the integration of our recent acquisitions and continue to containerise our transports, moving more cargo from transport by truck to more environmentally responsible rail and sea freight solutions,” he reiterates.

“However, we’re also looking beyond the short term.”

To this end, the company is currently working on a conceptual study for the planned use of emission-free, autonomous ships, analysing the possibilities of hydrogen fuels, remotedriving technologies and autonomous cargo handling capabilities.

“This project, named SeaShuttle, has been granted substantial financial support by the Norwegian government with the end goal of providing emissionfree maritime transport,” Grathen adds.

Currently developing two hybrid hydrogen propelled ships that will be used to connect the Baltic states and Sweden, with the Norwegian coast.

Seashuttle is just one of six similar initiatives that are included in PILOT-E – a €100 million-plus scheme involving the Research Council, Innovation Norway and Enova that are targeting emission sea freight in specific areas along the Norwegian coast by 2030.

Excited about these game-changing prospects, Grathen concludes: “Sustainable, autonomous and emission-free operations will undoubtedly become a major trend of our industry for decades to come. It’s definitely on its way.”

Samskip operates a multimodal transport network

Samskip oslo@samskip.com www.samskip.com

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CATALYSING

Industrial Innovation A company established in the Czech Republic over 100 years ago, Wikov Industry today remains a drivetrain of change for Europe’s productive ambitions Writer: Jonathan Dyble | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold

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anufacturing. A staple global industry and one that has become increasingly fundamental to the success of the European economy.

Take statistics from the International Monetary Fund, for example.

According to these, continental manufacturing has enjoyed a prolonged period of expansion over the last two decades, now playing a crucial role in bolstering regional trade and supporting millions of jobs.

Meanwhile, PwC has predicted that the industrial manufacturing and automotive sector will remain one of

Antonín Růžička, CEO

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the highest contributors to European GDP between now and 2022, second only to the consumer goods sector.

However, in an increasingly hesitant and tense economic and political climate, many major industry players are calling for governments to not only better-recognise this vast contribution, but also consider the merits of a manufacturer-first approach.

“In my opinion, more attention needs to be paid to our industry,” states Antonín Růžička, Managing Director of mechanical engineering specialist Wikov Industry. “Europe needs to ease the tax load, more readily implement manufacturing into educational systems, and negotiate fair conditions for international trade with North America, China and India in particular.

“By doing so, local businesses such as ourselves can then accelerate research and the development of hi-tech products and services, something that will ensure Europe becomes a long-term spearhead of global market competitiveness.”

A company that has been ever-present on the industrial manufacturing scene since the First World War, passed down from generation to generation, Wikov Industry to this day remains a leading innovator and key advocate of this outlook.

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Starting out as a producer of nowvintage passenger cars, lightweight trucks, buses and agricultural machinery, the company has adapted, currently focussed on the development of gearboxes and precise mechanical components for industry use and for railway vehicles.

“Wikov was a famous company back then,” Růžička explains, “and it remains so today, with diversity typifying our strategy.

“Our portfolio offers a huge range of gearboxes to a wide variety of clients, spanning the automotive, turbo machinery, energy, cement, mineral processing, mining, offshore, chemical, construction and agricultural industries, to name a few.”

Powered by passion

This product flexibility and diversity stands Wikov Industry apart from many of its competitors, adapting its development strategy and innovations in line with the individual needs of its customers.

“Wikov always strives to offer more value to its clients,” affirms Růžička. “To this end, we currently offer planetary gearboxes with comparatively higher torque density, resulting in very compact and lightweight products.

“Moreover, we try to cover a large portfolio of customer needs where possible. For example, we work with railway car builders to provide them with specialised gearboxes for trams, subway and commuting trains, and shunting and mainline locomotives.”

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Inside a Wikov testing facility

This ethos is reflected in the company’s extensive investments, retaining that high-value, state-of-theart machinery is crucial to the provision of high-accuracy, high-efficiency products.

“We’ve invested in load testing facilities which we considered to be extremely important,” Růžička adds. “Currently we have dedicated test rigs for high torque wind and industrial gearboxes, high-speed turbo machinery gearboxes and also for gearboxes applied in railway vehicles.

Ultimately, testing shortens the time for product development and delivery, while decreasing any risks of expansive and exposed capital equipment.”

Capable of prototyping very specific products in a short space of time, Wikov Industry prides itself on being able to design, manufacture and test each of these within a competitive timeframe and price frame, services that are emphasised through the company’s flexibility in engineering.

“In essence, we are a straightforward managed medium-

sized company with a passion for flexible, high-value products,” summarises Růžička.

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Remaining responsible

Wikov’s investment strategy extends beyond just a product emphasis, however, equally recognising its role in helping to bolster national industry.

“There has always been a shortage of skilled staff in our industry,” the CEO reveals, “but we value our people.

“We consider engineering to be the backbone of the Czech economy and recognise the importance of investing in the next generation of industry professionals, not only by providing an attractive workplace environment, but equally through ensuring we work directly with young people.”

To this end, the firm has introduced an education programme for new employees, is investing directly in elementary schools, and has launched a new scholarships project, named

Wikov products being assembled

Wikov New Generation, that supports students financially.

“Hands on training is an important aspect for students, so it’s something we look to provide directly in our manufacturing plants,” Růžička adds.

“We ensure that young people are able to gain realistic experiences at the

same time as completing their studies and gaining scholarships.

“For strategic reasons we invest in local communities in these ways, helping to bring us closer to our customers and strengthen our market position.”

This outlook further extends into the company’s wider CSR activities, ensuring it presents itself in a professional, respectable and accessible manner.

Růžička continues: “We do not limit ourselves to commercial sponsorship but also commit to a wider range of activities, supporting a variety of social and professional initiatives.

We focus on culture because now, more than ever, it is necessary to engage in recreational activities and entertainment to achieve a better work-life balance.

“In addition, we engage in a variety of charitable activities.”

THE WIKOV FOOTPRINT Having been a business for over 100 years, Wikov has become broadly established in the Czech Republic, operating five fullyfunctional factories across the country.

Two of these are dedicated to the production of industrial wind and railway gearboxes, one to making precise components for industrial use, and the remaining pair focussed on producing highvolume components for cars, trucks and construction machinery.

Further, the company has recently expanded into Russia, initiating manufacturing activities in a plant that concentrates on producing gearboxes for railway vehicles, and equally is finalising the acquisition of a traditional German gearbox firm.

“These expansions combined will serve to make Wikov a truly international company, allowing us to be closer to our clients,” states Růžička. “To date, we have supplied our customers around the world with goods almost entirely made in Czechia, but this will soon be changed.

“Regarding our supply chain, we buy most of our materials from European sources in the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, France, Italy, Spain, Hungary and Slovakia. Even our Chinese customers are supplied with gearboxes made from European materials by European manufacturers.”

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A vigilant approach

All things combined, Wikov is actively bolstering its position on all fronts, remaining proactive in the face of global pressures by emphasising improvements in efficiency and productivity.

To this end, innovations and investments will be defining for the business during 2019, as Růžička explains.

“I expect the company to begin developing a very complex modular system which will enable us to offer a large portfolio of customised industrial

gearboxes in a very short time and for a very reasonable price,” he says. “We also aim to design a new super highdensity planetary gearbox for ultra large size wind turbines.”

Driven by industry trends that are largely centred around the rise of new technologies and the growing market entry of new competitors, this strategy stands to keep Wikov at the forefront of the manufacturing industry, despite the uncertain climate.

Providing forecasts for the coming year, Růžička concludes: “Looking ahead, I expect railway vehicles shall

have a good future, especially in city transportation and commuting trains, while I expect there will be growing standardisation, improved manufacturing efficiency and integrated electronic intelligent systems.

“Equally, I hope there will soon be greater opportunities in regard to both renewables and in heavy duty applications that have been neglected for a few years.

“However, these things aside, the overall situation may well be dictated by increasing protectionism and potential trade and business wars.”

Wikov Industry Tel: +420 244 016 862 industry@wikov.com www.wikov.com

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Feeding a Growing Market Al Rawabi Dairy Company is supplying the GCC’s heightening demand for dairy products and fruit juices, this having introduced a series of firsts to the region in its early years Writer: Tom Wadlow | Project Manager: Thomas Arnold

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he GCC is developing a taste for dairy.

Take the fresh milk category, for example.

While the region may not be blessed with the natural elements one might associate with cattle raising, its climate being extremely dry and terrain arid, consumers are drinking more and more freshly produced milk.

In 2017 the GCC consumed some 757.2 million litres of it, and by 2023 the market is expected to hit 1.18 billion litres, growing at a rate of 7.6 percent a year.

The rising affluence of the region’s consumers has encouraged the demand for premium and innovative products, including vitamin fortified, lactose-free, low-fat and sugar-free variants, in turn, providing an impetus to the fresh milk market growth.

Likewise, GCC citizens are becoming aware of milk’s nutritional benefits. It is a rich source of essential nutrients, such as calcium, protein, vitamin A,

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vitamin D and phosphorus, helping to keep the body hydrated and supplied with both micro and macronutrients to support optimal health.

Moreover, fresh milk helps to strengthen bones, maintain muscle mass, improve the circulatory and skeletal systems, boost metabolism, lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, increase immunity and support favourable body composition.

Governments in the GCC are responding to this trend in kind, with many making investments into new and efficient technologies for the handling of fresh milk, from production and cooling to storage.

Enter Al Rawabi

This rise in demand (for milk and juices) is also being served by organisations like Al Rawabi Dairy Company, owner of a purpose-built, enormous cattle farm based in Al Khawaneej, Dubai, with further operations in Oman and Qatar.

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Starting out in 1989 with 500 imported cows and 10 distribution trucks, the company’s stock has risen markedly in the years since, the farm now home to 13,500 cattle.

It is also credited with a number of regional firsts which have helped to build up its reputation over the past three decades. For instance, in 1991 it was the first to introduce plastic bottles to the GCC, while in 1995 it became the first dairy company to supply pasteurised juices.

More recent years have seen rapid and advanced expansion, resulting in the 13,500 stock Al Rawabi has today.

In 2013, the business embarked on an extension of the farm’s facilities with an investment of AED 125 million, with 3,000 new cows added to its herd. A year later, AED 22 million was invested in a third-generation automated filling line and pasteurisation line.

By 2015, the firm was utilising 250 trucks and delivering fresh dairy and

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juice products to more than 10,000 outlets daily, while just last year a number of other breakthroughs were made. Not only did it commission a new and fully automated dairy plant facility, Al Rawabi also inaugurated a new warehouse facility in Abu Dhabi, increasing storage capacity by a factor of six and allowing it to better serve customers in and around the emirate.

Pioneering products

Such customers are able to choose from a massive portfolio of dairy and juice products.

The company’s staple is fresh milk, offered in low to full fat and in numerous bottle sizes, from 200 millilitres all the way up to a gallon.

This is supplemented by a range of flavoured milks, including strawberry, chocolate and mango lychee varieties.

The fresh dairy segment further includes low and full fat yogurts, both plain and flavoured (cherry, blackberry

and raspberry, strawberry and pineapple).

Completing the fresh produce range are Al Rawabi’s juices, the company owning a separate juice production plant that makes 15 different flavours, from orange through to red grape, sourcing the best ingredients from around the world.

It is not just fresh products that make up the firm’s portfolio, however.

Long life forms another key part of Al Rawabi’s offering, both in dairy and juice categories.

UHT milk (including the flavoured Meet Kavi range aimed at children), iced coffee, butter, halloumi, various other cheese and whipping cream all fall under the long life dairy catalogue, while UHT juices include apple, mango, orange, pineapple, guava and fruit cocktail.

Such a vast array of products are made according to strict standards, the company awarded with ISO

MILKING GENTLY QUICKLY AND COMPLETELY

MILKING SYSTEMS I CONTROL & MONITOR SYSTEMS I AUTOMATION & MANAGEMENT HYGIENE & SANITATION I HOOF CARE SYSTEMS I COOLING SYSTEMS I DAIRY SUPPLIES & SERVICES Farm Service Voltastraat 4, Postbus 960 Leeuwarden 8901 BT Netherlands T.: +31 582134300 E-mail: info@farmservice.nl www.farmservice.nl

Farmtec International LLC Hili Industrial, Building No. 8 Street 20 P.O. Box 202208, Al Ain United Arab Emirates Tel. +971 50 850 2632

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9001:2015 for Quality Management, ISO 14001:2015 for Environmental Management, ISO 22000:2005 for Food Safety Management, and OHSAS 18001:2007 for Occupational Health and Safety and HACCP. In 2011 it was recognised with the Best Environmental Practice Award by the UAE government and also named Brand of the Year by Superbrands UAE, a feat it repeated in 2016, 2017 and 2018. Another recent award came in the form of a SIAL Innovation award for the Nutreee Boost flavoured milk range.

Meeting challenges with innovation

This comprehensive portfolio and equally vast series of awards and recognitions has not emerged without Al Rawabi facing challenges.

In his CEO’s message, company boss Dr Ahmed El Tigani says: “Throughout our journey, we faced many challenges which we never gave up to, instead we

stood up and innovated solutions, we moved stronger on in our journey to success, and we stood proud on our achievements.

“The challenges pushed us to innovate so we introduced the plastic bottles as the first UAE company to do this, which in turn gained us seven percent of the dairy market share, and after that the introduction of the juices section helped score profits that balanced the losses made in the dairy…

“Innovation and finding new ways to answer consumer needs are the biggest success factor in the industry, as you have to keep track with the ever rapid changes. The tempo of life is changing, people have less time, but want to look younger, live longer, be more productive. We are investing a lot of money in the research, and we call in the best experts to support us developing the best products and answer the needs of the market.”

ADDITIONAL TECH AT AL RAWABI As well as the aforementioned cooling and feeding systems, Al Rawabi boasts several other smart uses of technology, including: 1. A diagnostic unit with a farm laboratory.

2. Advanced biosecurity system that includes:

JRD INTERNATIONAL

J

RD International is a leading, progressive and innovative industrial group with a Dare-ToDream philosophy from Dubai, UAE. The company is aspiring to become a global player with an expansive footprint around the world and has launched RMD Board to help it realise that ambition.

Based from its site at Jebel Ali Free Zone, the new division specialises in next generation building materials for construction, interior design, automobile, marine, advertising and many other purposes.

At the centre of the brand is a gamechanging plastics composite, a “material of the future” specifically engineered to deliver high quality alongside sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

The single most versatile material in its class, these modular, multilayer boards based on polypropylene boast unparalleled mechanical, chemical, thermal, acoustic and fire-retardant properties delivered in a dazzling array of design options for a range of industrial applications.

And the greatest triumph of this technology – it’s long-lasting life-cycle, resilience and re-usability.

Addressing the global concern for sustainable development by becoming an ideal alternative to wood and other over-exploited forest wealth resources.

• Automatic hygienic gate, VIROCID chemical spray system, automatic vehicle sensing system, and a restricted farm entrance with pre-programmed guest authentication system.

Through strategic tie-ups and European technologies, quality control processes Xxxxxxxxminimum xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx ensure wastage and optimum energy efficiency during manufacturing – thereby helping to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint

• New gates for feed storage to prevent contamination from bird faeces.

With RMD Boards, the future is shaping up to be a vibrant shade of green.

3. A post-mortem unit to hygienically perform postmortems on deceased cows.

4. A cow hospital with a treatment area, a milking parlour for the resident cows, and a milking cluster backflush system to prevent the contamination of udders.

T +971 4 815 7999 E contact@rmdboard.com

www.rmdboard.com Xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxx

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ABOUT RMD BOARD IN SYNC WITH THE FUTURE RMD Board Division is the first step towards fulfilling aspirations for global footprint for JRD International; a leading, progressive and innovative industrial group with a Dare-To-Dream philosophy from Dubai, UAE. With RMD Board, we’ve embarked upon major diversification in the field of GenNext materials for building & construction, interior decor, furniture, automobile, marine, advertising and many more sectors at our green-field, state-of-the-art plant at Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai, UAE. Even as the future beckons, we step up to the challenges of tomorrow with robust expansion plans and fresh investments of up to US $400 million to establish manufacturing complexes in North America, China, India, Russia, Brazil and Turkey.

With environment consciousness and global ambition as our driving force, we are on the fast track of embarking on a journey to build a green world for future generations.

P.O. Box No. 17627, Street No. 1240, Near R/a 12, Jebel Ali Free Zone, Dubai - U.A.E. Ph.: +971 4 815 7999, Fax: +971 4 815 7989 Email : contact@rmdboard.com Website : www.rmdboard.com

WHERE AMBITION BECOMES ACHIEVEMENT

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SPX FLOW Innovation for Nutritional High Quality Dairy The relationship between SPX FLOW and Al Rawabi Dairy goes back nearly 20 years and continues to prosper today as we work together to develop new and advanced products and processes, helping Al Rawabi realize their strategic vision for delivering high quality nutritional dairy products and juices. To ensure the right product quality from the start of production, the dairy made use of our state-of-the-art Innovation Centers to run trials with the support of world-leading food scientists and technologists. As part of the SPX FLOW commitment to achieve excellence in the dairy industry, these centers foster innovation through partnership and help bring new products and cuttingedge technology to market quickly.

T +971 (0) 4 814 3400 E ft.enquiries@spxflow.com Sheds are designed to reduce sunlight, equipped with advanced roofing, clean bedding and fresh drinking water

Indeed, it is the CEO’s ambition for the company to be present in all GCC nations by 2020.

exceed 21 degrees Celsius.

The company also has a watercooling system which sprays water at 18-20 degrees Celsius, enhancing the Contented cattle cooling effect and helping to increase This growth has and will continue to be herd happiness and thus output of achieved with the welfare of cows at milk. heart, with Al Rawabi placing a strong Further, the sheds are designed to emphasis on how it looks after its reduce direct sunlight and are further animals. equipped with advanced roofing, clean In 2016, the UAE government bedding, fresh drinking water and introduced strict animal welfare 24-seven monitoring by a health team regulations, breaches of which of 17 expert vets and nutritionists. resulting in hefty fines and even prison The cows are also fed the right sentences. Al Rawabi is a flagbearer quantity of food thanks to a smart for these standards, certified by Dubai dairy and Wi-Fi powered feeding Municipality for ‘Excellence in Animal system which monitors consumption.

Welfare’.

Much of this fulfilment of care is 2020 vision enabled by technology.

Another key element of Dr Ahmed El A unique element of this is Al Tigani’s future ambition, as stated in Rawabi’s automated cooling system his CEO’s message, is to not only enter designed to protect its cows from the every GCC market but also build into Overseas projects are particularly popular intense desert heat and sunlight. This North Africa. switches on as soon as temperatures “Today, close to 30 years of our

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www.spxflow.com

presence, we envision to go bigger and become a MENA brand by 2020, beyond just a dairy farm to a food company with multiple product portfolios in countries in the region,” his message states.

“Our tagline is Nation’s Health, and we believe by offering high quality products that help with the rising deficiencies in the region we can contribute to people having a healthy and a happy lifestyle, which in return makes them productive members of the society.”

Al Rawabi, in targeting Africa, is tapping into a potentially huge market.

The combined Middle East and Africa market bought more than seven billion kilos of dairy in 2017, and by 2023 it is forecast to be worth $21.7 billion.

If Al Rawabi succeeds in its 2020 vision, it looks very well positioned to enjoy a prosperous future and contribute to the better health of millions of consumers.

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Modern Dairy Processing

YOUR PRODUCTS, YOUR WAY SPX FLOW Innovation Centres help dairies throughout the world win in increasingly competitive market places. Offering cutting-edge technology, supported by application expertise and in partnership with you, these facilities help refine processes and create recipes that will meet your business goals and customer demands – today and into the future.

For help achieving the processes and products you want, contact SPX FLOW today.

Web: www.spxflow.com | Phone: +971 (0) 4 814 3400 | Email: ft.enquiries@spxflow.com

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IP

EXPO

MANCHESTER

E V E N T

F O C U S

Northern England’s premier IT showcase

Event Details WHEN: April 3-4 WHERE: Manchester, UK WEBSITE: www.ipexpomanchester.com

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IP EXPO MANCHESTER, co-located at Digital Transformation EXPO, is the North’s number one enterprise IT event for those looking to find out how the latest IT innovations can drive their business forward.

IP EXPO Manchester holds three IT events under one roof – IP EXPO, Cyber Security X and AI-Analytics X. Visitors will be able to cover the full range of enterprise technologies that include cloud and infrastructure, networks, storage, cyber security, artificial intelligence, data analytics, developer, IoT, DevOps and blockchain.

The event returns to Manchester for the fifth year running and promises to be the biggest and most eminent IP EXPO yet. With over 6,500 IT professionals visiting across two days,

world class content delivered in over 100 theatre sessions and more than 100 industry defining exhibitors, IP EXPO is the industry’s only all-inclusive event for anyone in IT who wants to stay up-todate with cutting edge ideas and best practice in enterprise IT. Register FREE today.

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LIVE DEMOS The North’s number ONE Enterprise IT event > Stay up to date with trends & future predictions. > Explore & experience new & emerging tech. > Expand your professional network. > Save time & meet with your existing & new suppliers all in one day.

Register FREE and find out more at ipexpomanchester.com

FOOD

TRUCK

MIDDLE

EAST

E V E N T

F O C U S

The region’s dedicated event for mobile F&B outlets

Event Details WHEN: April 27-29

WHERE: Dubai, UAE WEBSITE: www.restaurantshowmiddleeast. com/visitor-registration-foodtruck

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FOOD TRUCK MIDDLE East, the region’s dedicated event for mobile F&B outlets, will be held alongside the third edition of The Restaurant Show on 27-29 April 2019 at the Festival Arena Exhibition Center, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Food Truck Middle East is the only dedicated event in the region that caters to the growing mobile F&B outlet market. The event provides a platform for food truck manufacturers and suppliers to meet investors, operators, and industry professionals in a course of three days.

Experts in the food truck Industry will also conduct free-to-attend workshops on starting up your own mobile F&B outlet business during the event.

One of the features of the show is the Buyer’s Concierge, a featured area for buyers and distributors attending Food Truck Middle East – it serves as one of the most important elements of the show where deals are signed and businesses are made.

Apart from the visitors, we will be sourcing 75-plus pre-selected high spending buyers who are looking to purchase products and services within the next six to 12 months.

Who are the buyers?

• Food truck/mobile F&B outlet owners, investors, and franchisers • Local and International importers and distributors • All specialised retailers • Designer and builders • Professional service buyers • Related government organisations and agencies If you are interested to know more about Food Truck Middle East, please contact us at: foodtruck@atexinternational.com or +971 4 587 8627.

29 - 27 APRIL 2019 FESTIVAL ARENA EXHIBITION CENTER, DUBAI, UAE

THE REGION'S DEDICATED EVENT FOR

MOBILE F&B OUTLETS

5,000+

Trade Visitors

4,000+ m² Exhibition Space

500+

Products & Services

100+

Exhibitors & Brands

www.restaurantshowmiddleeast.com

25+

Conference Speakers

INTERNATIONAL

SPORTS

AND

E V E N T

FITNESS

MIDDLE

F O C U S

The industry’s largest regional tradeshow Event Details WHEN: April 27-29 WHERE: Dubai, UAE WEBSITE: www.isf-me.com/rsvp

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EAST

ISF MIDDLE EAST is part of ISF Portfolio – the largest international trade show dedicated to sports and fitness industries in the Middle East happening on April 27-29, 2019 at Festival Arena Exhibition Centre, Dubai, UAE. ISF Middle East on its 3rd edition, offers a more comprehensive networking platform to provide attendees the best way of winning profitable business in the region’s sports and fitness market.

The show features 5,000-plus trade visitors and professionals, 175-plus exhibitors and brands, 1,000-plus products on display, 75-plus regional VIP buyers, six new segments including outdoor, urban, combat, and fitness and health and others.

One of the many features of the event is the Buyer’s Concierge, a featured area for 75-plus pre-selected high spending buyers attending the event, who are looking to purchase products / services for their business in the next six to 12 months.

Alongside the exhibition, there will be conferences for professionals and decision makers with topics such as facilities management, sports and fitness integration, and nutrition for optimal health and sports.

Did you know?

• $15 billion – worth of Middle East’s sportswear sales in 2017 • $38 billion – the Middle East’s fitness market value in 2020 growing at the rate of 25 percent yearly • $42 billion – the Middle East’s sports market value in 2025 growing at the rate of 38 percent yearly • $60 billion – worth of construction projects in the GCC dedicated to sports venues and fitness facilities For more information about ISF Middle East, please visit www.isf-me. com or call us on +971 4 587 8627.

27 - 29 APRIL 2019 FESTIVAL ARENA EXHIBITION CENTRE, DUBAI, UAE

www.isf-me.com

Saturday-Sunday, 27-28 April 2019 : 11:00am - 6:00pm Monday , 29 April 2019 : 11:00am - 4:30pm

INTERNATIONAL

BEER

STRATEGIES

E V E N T

CONFERENCE

F O C U S

International Beer Strategies Conference Event Details WHEN: May 7-9 WHERE: Dublin, Ireland WEBSITE: www.arena-international.com/beer

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DISCOVER THE LATEST beer and cider product trends and innovations at the 21st Annual Beer Strategies Conference.

Our 21st anniversary event is fast approaching, providing unprecedented insight into the world’s most iconic beer brands.

Showcasing the latest craft beer and cider innovations, Dublin will serve as a meeting place to exchange ideas and success stories among industry senior executives and speakers from around the world. Across three days of exclusive case studies, interactive round-tables, and panel discussions, attend sessions delivered by brands like AB InBev, Heineken, Asahi, Diageo, Carlsberg, and San Miguel, advancing

your scope in this competitive market.

Much like the innovation within this industry, 2019’s event has made its own changes, introducing a BRAND-NEW cider focused stage to day three. Guiding attendees across the landscape of the cider market, you will be provided with the latest in new flavours, overcoming different countries legal stances, sugar compliances, and raising the profile of the cider market through collaboration, delivering an unrivalled experience for those involved.

Register your place today. Quote MK-HP5 and catch the early bird to save £200. Early bird rates are subject to availability and time is running out to take advantage.

EURELECTRIC

E V E N T

F O C U S

New leadership powering the energy transition Event Details WHEN: May 20-21 WHERE: Florence, Italy WEBSITE: www.powersummit2019.eurelectric. org

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2019 IS THE year of revitalisation.

With new policymakers making their debut in Brussels, we all take stock of what was achieved and establish forward looking goals. Who will have the agility and take the responsibility to pave the way to a net zero emissions society?

This year, Eurelectric – the trade association representing the European electricity industry – dedicates its annual Power Summit to multi-level aspects of new leadership.

On 20-21, May join us in magnificent Florence for two days of enriching talks, debates and roundtables.

On the first day of the summit, key policymakers, including Antonio Tajani (President of the European Parliament) and members of the Italian

government will discuss Transition Leadership. How can we develop successful sustainability policies and business strategies? Let’s identify together those key factors that will help the EU maintain its leadership on climate change while accelerating the clean energy transition.

Further on, we will deep dive into the thematic of Powering People with top-notch speakers. While passing the microphone to ‘the visionary’, we aim at understanding the future role of customers and the way retailers will turn from commodity providers to energy advisors. Challenge them to find answers on most pressing questions: How do we build future-proof projects?

What can a company to do to respond to shifting customer expectations in a world where our implementation capacities can’t parallel the speed of change?

The second day will build around the theme of Technology Leadership.

While proactive policy has played a large role, much of what has made the shift towards a greener society is technological improvement. Today, some of the world’s most interesting and exciting technologies are those designed to generate, transfer or store electricity. Join us to discuss what are the promising technologies, how can we integrate them properly and at what cost to get an “electric clean-up” of the energy sector.

Curious to learn more or convinced to register? Check our website: https:// powersummit2019.eurelectric.org/

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Phone: +44 (0) 1926 814600 | enquiries@auto-fasteners.com | www.auto-fasteners.com