Page 14 - SAMENA Trends - December 2020

REGIONAL & MEMBERS UPDATES SAMENA TRENDS

unites and fuels us. The HR team is focused is implementing and benefiting from HR processes, enabling HR teams to
on bringing that reality within Etisalat Blockchain on top of helping government streamline processes resulting in faster and
to empower our employees, increase and private organizations on the adoption more accurate data or request verification.
engagement, organizational efficiency, and of this emerging technology, such as in Some of the RPAs verify educational
create an incredible employee experience.” the blockchain trade finance platform UAE claim, sick leave and business travel
“Implementing Blockchain technology Trade Connect or the ‘Shahada’ Blockchain as well as job postings. On the learning
in HR ensures employee data is under platform for digitizing education front, Etisalat offers iQra, a mobile first,
their control and is secure and accessible certificates. In addition to Blockchain, AI powered learning platform, available
anytime, anywhere. Deploying these Etisalat HR has also soft launched an ‘HR for all employees and offers the highest
technologies efficiently and responsibly Virtual Assistant’, a chatbot equipped with quality digital learning from any device,
across our communities and within our a complete set of FAQs and HR policies. anywhere they are based. In line with UAE’s
organization is a top priority. Etisalat has In the next phase, ‘HR Virtual Assistant’ paperless initiative and strategy, reward
some of the most talented and innovative will be enhanced with a comprehensive and recognition certificates are automated
minds in AI, Robotics, Blockchain and interface for all Etisalat employees and and digitized this year, eliminating
other technologies and as our society will serve as an omnichannel in providing unnecessary delays on arranging hard
continues to transform digitally, we will all HR services such as applying for copy certificates. The digital certificates
continue to focus our efforts on these leave and claims, requesting letters and such as Monthly Excellence, Outstanding
capabilities as part of our recruitment other employee-related requests. Etisalat Project Contribution Award and Long
and talent strategy in 2021 and beyond.” has also successfully implemented Service Award are instantly generated and
This is a classic example of how Etisalat Robotic Process Automation (RPA) into emailed to employees.

Mobily Expands Managed Services Partnership in
Saudi Arabia

Mobily Saudi Arabia has extended its
managed services partnership with
Ericsson for a further five years. The
deal covers fully managed end-to-end
operations and optimization services
with Ericsson Operations Engine in Saudi
Arabia’s Western region in addition to
Ericsson Charging System, PS Core
and Intelligent Network (IN). The new
extension includes Cloud VoLTE and
Evolved Communication, a solution
that delivers voice and communication
services across different types of devices
and accesses. Ericsson will also provide
network optimization services, combining
network expertise with its state-of-
the-art cognitive software to deliver a base. The agreement covers network and and Africa, says: “The extension of our
better customer experience and ensure IT operations and field maintenance for managed services partnership underlines
a superior return from network assets. our mobile networks, including access the strength of the business collaboration
The deal also includes the deployment of and core technologies. This will ensure that we have built together since many
Ericsson Operations Engine that supports that our subscribers can enjoy the digital years. Ericsson has proven capabilities in
Mobily to increase operational network transformation with great quality and speed managing and operating multi-technology
efficiency and further enhance customer as part of a superior customer experience.” networks and we will use our AI-based
experiences for its subscribers. Alaa Malki, Ericsson will support the service provider data-driven approach, Ericsson Operations
Chief Technology Officer at Mobily, says: to create sustainable differentiation Engine, to boost Mobily’s network
“Expanding our long-term partnership by evolving from a network-centric performance and operational efficiency.”
with Ericsson is in line with our strategy operation focus to a user-experience- This renewed agreement reinforces the
to focus on our core business of providing centric operation focus anchored by partnership between Ericsson and Mobily
world-class communications and the best Ericsson Operations Engine. Ekow Nelson, and reiterates Ericsson’s long-term
possible service to our growing customer Vice President of Ericsson Middle East commitment to working with Mobily.

14 DECEMBER 2020