Dubai-UAE: 27 May, 2010 – Winners of the first Data Centre Strategies Middle East Awards 2010 were honoured at a gala ceremony during the two-day Data Centre Strategies Middle East forum that opened (25 May) in Abu Dhabi.

The awards aimed to recognize the companies, deployments and individuals that have demonstrated leadership and vision in the deployment of technologies, design or innovative contribution to the Middle East data centre industry - now acknowledged as the engine room of the global digital economy.

The ‘Judges Award for Outstanding Contribution’ to the data centre sector (CEO Award) was awarded to Ibrahim Mohamed Lari, CEO, Injazat Data Systems. Wassim Hanwi from Meydan, Dubai’s renowned race course, scooped the ‘Middle East Chief Technology Award for Innovation’ in data centres, while Injazat Data Systems secured the award for ‘Best Data Centre in the Middle East’ region.

eHosting DataFort won the award for ‘Best Co-location Service Provider’, etisalat for ‘Best Managed Services Provider’, while EMC2 was honoured for ‘Best Disaster Recovery Services’ in the Middle East. Jordan’s KulaCom won in the ‘Best New Entrant’ category, while the ‘Best Middle East Green Initiative’ award was given to the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi Government. MEEZA secured the distinction for ‘Best New Cloud Services’ in the Middle East and a ‘Special Award for Innovation and Education’ in the data centre sector went to the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Data Centre, Saudi Arabia.

The first Data Centre Strategies Middle East Awards 2010 received a high number of entries from companies and individuals from across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Egypt.

“The Data Centre Strategies Middle East 2010 forum attracts senior-level regional and international guests and delegates,” commented Philip Low, Managing Director of BroadGroup “Delegate feedback  revealed the focus  on user evolving outsourcing needs, emerging private cloud, and new technologies delivered the best possible content.” Uniquely, the conference is provided each year with results of new research conducted by BroadGroup Consulting.

Submission entries for the Data Centre Strategies Middle East Awards 2011 will open in October 2010.