TechWadi

Thank you to the “capacity crowd” of Silicon Valley professionals who  attended the “Lebanese Startups in Silicon Valley” event last night at Cisco. We had a chance to learn more about the products and services offered by these pioneering companies and about the challenges and opportunities of doing R&D in Lebanon.

We were encouraged by two key take-aways from the event discussion:

• First - It’s clear the Arab world has the “brain matter” to not only compete in the outsourced IT services space against India, Eastern Europe etc. as was demonstrated by the Lebanese companies winning bids against such competition. But more importantly, many of these companies have started to develop their own IP and own products, which is the root of “value creation” and true R&D.
• The “Arab World is Flat !” … finally, it seems that Arab countries (in particular GCC countries) are becoming important markets for Arab technology products and services. This is a welcome development on two fronts: it helps Arab technology companies establish themselves in their backyard before they take on the world and it also helps create an Inter-Arab supply & demand loop in the IT space, that didn’t exist before.

Still plenty of work remains ahead - in particular, strenghtening the link between Silicon Valley and the Arab world remains critical. On that note, we also would like to thank the individuals who took/are taking time to meet with these startups to share their expertise with them:

• George Kadida - Senior Advisor @ SilverLake
• Didier Moretti - VP, Emerging Technology Incubation @ Cisco
• George Surroah - Sr. Technical Account Mgr @ Cadence Design Systems
• Dr. Osama Hassanein - Sr. Managing Director @ Newbury Ventures
• Charles Holloway - Professor Emeritus of Business @ Stanford University
• Elie Antoun - President / CEO @ Genesis Microchip
• Fadi Zuhayri - Sr. Strategic Initiatives Mgr @ Intel
• Kamal Kharrat - S. Operations Engineer @ Proofpoint
• Nassif Malouf - Vice President @ Harbinger Systems

 And last but not least, we encourage you check out the startups themselves. Here are descriptions of each company:

DynaMesh

DynaMesh is a provider of information technology solutions for the construction, banking, energy, healthcare, fuel distribution and wholesale industries. We provide business software solutions for the public and private sectors. Our products cover project & engineering management, hospital management to human resources and enterprise resources planning. DynaMesh products and services are cost effective and use state-of-the-art development tools, making them easy to use, reliable and scalable across multiple platforms.

• Our software development methodology focuses on integrating workflow and data in an Object Oriented environment. We offer highly integrated applications with industry standard interfaces allowing the seamless communication with the outside world.
• Our team designs and develops software systems on a turnkey basis, using our own object-oriented development tools.  The Systems’ n-tier and web services architectures allow integration and rapid deployment.
• Our staff (35) is made up of dedicated and talented people who are young (average age of 26), highly educated and led by experienced project managers and system analysts. We have also been joined by French engineers, who have added extensive experience in the Information Technology and Quality Control fields.
 

TagLogic

Launched as an IT solutions firm in 2002, Taglogic’s team incorporates skilled specialists to offer clients custom software development, RFID expert services, and IT outsourcing and management, as well as web application development. 
 
Taglogic’s proprietary tools and technology enable it to deliver to clients exactly what they need, precisely when they need it.  Taglogic is first-rate at managing and delivering solutions for global accounts, assisting clients to enhance dataflow, information centers and resource management through optimized utilization of technology.  Taglogic is the partner of choice for companies transitioning their business processes to automated digital platforms, investing in RFID technology, developing complex corporate portals and/or outsourcing any of their software needs.
 
Taglogic is particularly characterized by its:
•    Highly responsive, skilled and organized personnel
•    Solid experience in projects of different complexity and scope
•    Mature software development process
•    On-time and within budget delivery
•    Cost-competitive custom software services
•    Cutting-edge RFID know-how and hands on expertise
•    Well-established outsourcing services
•    Proven track record and in-depth expertise
 

eSharing

eSharing Corporation SAL is a leading information technology company providing customers with technical and business consulting services, software development services, qualified resources, project-based staffing, as well as turnkey project execution.

eSharing serves global markets (including France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, the United States, and China) and a wide range of industries (including computer software, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, financial and legal, distribution and retail, oil and gas, healthcare, consumer products, and telecommunications).
Products and services:
• Software Localization & Translation Services
• Software Quality Assurance Services
• Software Documentation Authoring
• Training Material Development
• Web Development
• Software Engineering

eSharing has US style management, a proven track record, operates according to CMM guidelines high quality to cost ratio, very low turn-over, a multilingual staff speaking 10 languages and expertise in FDA requirements.
 

DC Soft

Since 2000, DC Soft has been developing and implementing billing solutions for IP Service providers.

DC Soft is a highly innovative startup company, which focuses on component-based programming. DC Soft provides cutting-edge software modules and applications with multiple-device support that fill the current gaps found in the Internet and Telecommunications sectors. DC Soft has also developed a state-of-the art medical information system.

Medical Information Sector: DC Soft developed Medical and Hospital Information Systems that automate most of the process workflow of hospitals, practices and clinics. Our Medical Information System also tracks patients’ history and all medical procedures related to both the patient and the medical center.
 
Products and Services:
• Outsourcing
• ISP PRO VISP Billing System (For wholesale ISPs wishing to provide Virtual ISP Services)
• IPC System (For IP Telephony)
• Medical Information System
• Data Warehousing and Data Mining implementation and consulting
• ISP PRO Billing System
 

Triple C

Since 1994, Triple C has been providing turn-key information technology solutions for vertical market segments (financial services, telecommunications, education, health care and hospitality) across the Middle East and North Africa. Triple C is also an IT security value-added distributor for best-of-breed products like BlueCat Networks, Mirage Networks, etc.

Triple C adds value with its highly experienced technical team (35 full-time) to provide professional consultancy, integration services and technical support after sales.

Triple C holds certifications from Microsoft, Intel, Mirage Networks, Mitel, BlueCat Neworks, etc. The company offers: 
•    Complete IT solutions including supply and installation of OS, H/W (PCs and servers) and Networks.
•    Complete IT security solutions including Firewall, Antivirus. Antispam, Authentication, Intrusion detection and Network Access Control.
•    Wireless LAN  solutions, HotSpot solutions
•    Structured Cabling
•    Fiber Optics, single and multi mode
•    Storage, back-up and disaster recovery solutions
•    IP Telephony solutions
•    H/W, Network and Security Consultancy
•    Outsourcing
•    Professional On-Site Support Services and Hardware Maintenance Services

Triple C is interested in working with U.S. IT firms looking for System Integrators to represent them or outsource their projects in the META region and U.S. companies looking for Value Added Distributors in the region. Triple C is cost-competitive, has a very high level of expertise and is trilingual.
 

Paravision

Paravision, located in four countries, is a leader in complete marketing, production and advanced multimedia services based on creativity and high technical knowledge.

Expert in complete marketing, production and advanced multimedia services, Paravision provides engaging and high-ranged solutions and web products. We match our capacities and ideas with your business goals, using cutting-edge technology.
 
Paravision Company delivers fully-integrated communications, e-solutions and public relations services to clients worldwide through the following services:
•    Print Material
•    Advertising
•    Media expertise and media buying
•    Multimedia services (High added values e-solutions, websites, interactive CDs…)
•    Production House / 3D Studio / 2D Animation
•    3D Architectural rendering / Scale model Builders
•    Information Technologies

Products
•    Postcardigital®
•    Tourist guide (regular guide, silver guide, platinum guide)
•    Thematic DVD
•    Postcard DVD
•    Postcard 360◦ / CD Rom inside
 

DataFlow

DataFlow is a service company that delivers IT related solutions focusing on software development, system integration and solution implementation. DataFlow employs 17 highly qualified professionals in software analysis and development, plus 28 Flash specialists integrating Computer Based Training products. DataFlow is currently acquiring ISO 9001:2000 certification

Since 1993, DataFlow has delivered:
•    Mobile technologies (Postpaid & Prepaid billing systems, SMS, WAP, GPRS and mobile services),
•    Business applications (financial portfolio management, mobile banking, ERP systems, movie seat reservation systems, polyclinic management systems, Spa & Health Centers management systems), and
•    Value added components (Sales force automation, warehouse management, SMS notifications and alerts, Web enabled applications).


Dataflow has a wide spectrum of software development expertise ranging from telecommunications and mobility to distribution and finance sectors, allowing DataFlow to provide international companies with such services as:
1. Advanced Custom Design System Development
2. GSM postpaid &  prepaid systems
3. IVR & Smart Card Technology
4. UMTS/SMS based applications
5. Microsoft-Based Specific Development
 
Products & Services 
•   DataFlow Enterprise Solution – Full ERP system
•  MarketFlow – Financial Portfolio Management system
•  MobiFlow – Full GSM postpaid billing system
•  SpaFlow – SPA & Health center reservation system
• Outsourcing & Arabic/French localization