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Ducont Wins International Microsoft Retail Application Developer Award

Microsoft partner Ducont wins the prestigious 'Most Innovative' award for its mobile computing solution, built on Microsoft technology

Posted Apr 29, 2003

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Apr 29, 2003: Microsoft South Gulf announced today that Dubai-based partner Ducont has won the prestigious "Most Innovative" award at the European Retail Application Developer (RAD) Awards 2003, which took place earlier this month in Paris, France. Prizes were awarded in a number of categories to developers that made the best use of Microsoft technology to extend business benefits to retailers and other customers. Ducont's mobile computing solution, which was designed for Dubai Police, was awarded first prize in their category by RAD's international panel of independent judges.

"We are very proud of Ducont's achievement. This is a perfect example of how commercial software offers developers the ideal platform on which to deliver inventive and creative solutions to real business challenges," said Dr Omar bin Suleiman, CEO of Dubai Internet City.

"Providing an innovative, Microsoft-based solution that answered the needs of Dubai Police has given Ducont the opportunity to be internationally recognised and compete successfully against multinational systems and software developers. We congratulate Ducont and wish them all the best," added Abdullatif al Mulla, General Manager, Microsoft South Gulf.

Ducont, a leading Dubai-based applications developer and systems integrator specialising in internet and wireless internet applications, was originally nominated for the "Best Mobile Solution" award category for its wireless technology project with Dubai Police last year. The company also finished runner-up at the GSM Association Awards through winning the "Best Wireless Service or Application" at Cannes in February this year. Ducont was also named as "Best Collaborative Solution" for its e-Police solution at the Microsoft Fusion Awards ceremony held in Los Angeles in 2002.

Chosen from the retail community, industry press and industry analysts, RAD's independent panels of judges decided to upgrade Ducont's solution to the exclusive and prestigious "Most Innovative Award" category.

"We are very honored to receive this award. What makes me most proud is that we are nominated for a project designed and deployed exclusively in the Middle East," said Ivan Fernandes, Managing Director of Ducont. "This victory represents the result of our dedication, which was inspired by Dubai Police's vision and powered by Microsoft's innovative technology."

The RAD awards are open to all retailers, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs), Solution Providers (SPs) and Systems Integrators (SIs) in the retail industry in Europe, the Middle East or Africa (EMEA) that have built innovative and successful solutions using Microsoft technology.