News

Middle East companies expected to boost self-service options in 2003

December 25, 2002

AMMAN, Jordan -- Middle East businesses will turn to self-service options in 2003 as they look to streamline internal processes and build their e-commerce, according to the Al-Bawaba news network.

"Initially, business automation was seen as the preserve of large organizations in the Middle East," said Venkat Raman, channel director of Microsoft Business Solutions. "However, we're starting to see more small and family-owned businesses begin to adopt business automation solutions."

Analysts in the business automation sector have noted a rise in the number of small-to-medium enterprises looking to reduce paperwork and staff time in areas such as finance, accounting and human resources. Many are starting to provide such information through self-service kiosks and other intranet technology, according to the report.