Dubai Internet City (DIC) provides a strategic and cost effective platform for ICT companies targeting emerging markets in a vast region extending from the Middle East to the Indian subcontinent, and from Africa to Central Asia.

Launched in the year 2000, DIC now features a dynamic international community of ICT companies including global giants like Microsoft, Cisco Systems, IBM, HP, Dell, Siemens, Sun Microsystems, Computer Associates, PeopleSoft and Sony Ericsson. Many small and medium businesses (SMBs) and promising entrepreneurial ventures are also part of the community. The cluster comprises companies from a variety of sectors - Software Development, Business Services, Web Based and e-Commerce, Consultancy, Sales and Marketing and Back Office.

DIC provides an environment that attracts all elements of the ICT value chain, and in addition, has developed several programmes that can be leveraged by the community to explore and expand channel development opportunities. Companies are privy to an advanced Metro Ethernet broadband infrastructure and a range of business-enabling services including government transactions. DIC also has the world’s largest commercial IP Telephony network. DIC offers both 100 per cent tax exemption and 100 per cent business ownership.

Benefits

• 100 per cent exemption from personal income tax for 50 years
• 100 per cent exemption from corporate taxes for 50 years
• 100 per cent foreign ownership
• 100 per cent repatriation of profits
• Metro Ethernet environment
• Dynamic international community
• Opportunities for business interaction and networking
• Opportunities for channel and market development
• Communications infrastructure based on next-generation technologies
• Digital voice and high-speed data services offered at competitive rates
• World’s largest commercial IP telephony network

One-Stop-Shop

Dubai Internet City provides a one-stop-shop environment for a variety of services required for setting up and running a business.

There is a single point in DIC from which businesses can interact with different government entities such as the police, immigration, and postal authorities. DIC can assist in obtaining and authenticating vital documents, and in obtaining customs clearances, and a fast track immigration process is designed to ensure swift access to talent and resources.

Companies can host independent web and e-commerce sites with DIC's sister company, eHosting DataFort (EHDF), who provide hosting services from a secure data centre, with strong service level agreements and collaborative platforms. Also on offer are satellite broadcasting and Internet services, through a dedicated teleport, and in-house services such as event management and hospitality.

Incorporation

Companies can choose to incorporate their businesses as:

1. Branch of Foreign Company
2. Branch of UAE-based Company, or
3. Free Zone Limited Liability Company

Technology Hub

Dubai Internet City is the epicentre of the information technology revolution in the Middle East, and continues to reshape the future of businesses located in the free zone and in the region.

Through its converged, best of breed technical infrastructure, and a series of core networks, DIC provides competitively priced IT and telecommunications services. Qualified staff ensure that provisioning requirements to install new services are up and running within three working days, and their expertise covers everything required to operate and use a new service including telephones, network & equipment.

Telephony

DIC's voice infrastructure has been built on IP Telephony, allowing data, voice and video to be transmitted over a single, IP-based network infrastructure. By combining multiple types of traffic on a single network connection, companies can reduce the cost of running separate networks and the complexity in managing and maintaining them. The telephony solution also offers companies the option of using its Virtual PABX, eliminating the need to invest in independent PABX platforms.

DIC also caters to specific telephony needs including analog lines, ISDN PRI, ISDN BRI and Trunks

Key benefits of using DIC’s telephony solutions include:

• Latest technology
• Feature rich phones with continuous upgrades
• Flexibility in reconfigurations including adding lines and moving extensions
• Reduction of cost in investments and maintenance
• Scalable solutions

Hosting

DIC provides hosting service through its sister concern, E-Hosting Data Fort (EHDF). The hosting facility provides a secure, high performance and mission critical environment that allows companies to keep servers and applications available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Managed Technology Services

EHDF offers Managed Technology Services, which includes management of the entire hosting equation, including server lease from EHDF and continuous Monitoring and Management of your server both at Network, Hardware, Operating System and Application levels with the shared managed security and performance services.

Fully Managed Services

Shared Hosting

The Fully Managed Hosting package includes the following:

• Server Rack Space
• EHDF Leased Servers
• System Monitoring and Management
• Managed Security - Monitoring & Management
• Managed Security on both Shared and dedicated security devices
• Managed Performance and Availability Services, including Data Backup
• Logical and Physical security environment
• Redundant power within a managed environment
• Application Monitoring & Management Services
• 99.99% Infrastructure Level Service Level agreements
• Standard Service Delivery Management
• 24 x 7 On-Line Help Desk and Telephone support

Optional

• Dedicated Security Devices, Load Balancing, Web Statistics

Managed Security - Security Monitoring & Management

Managed Security from EHDF, an integral part of the Fully Managed Services allows Customers to leverage eHosting DataFort's Security Operations Center for day-to-day management of firewalls, Intrusion Detection systems and other security assets, allowing customers to focus on their mission critical priorities and projects.

EHDF's Managed Security Services allow you to concentrate on your core business, with the assurance that certified security experts are supporting you around-the-clock to help you meet your business objectives.

The Security Operation Center (SOC) is equipped with state-of-the-art security capabilities to provide you with the most comprehensive solutions for your IT infrastructure and networks, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Semi Managed Services

Managed Co-location

The essential difference between Managed Infrastructure services of Co-location and Managed Co-location is that Managed Co-location services provide additional shared managed infrastructure services such as server monitoring, network security and the staff to perform maintenance tasks along with a combination of optional value added services.

Managed Co-location offers the following to customers:

• All of the services offered within Co-location
• Network Security: Shared Firewalls, Network level Intrusion Detection
• System Monitoring
• Remote Access to Customer Equipment
• Unlimited Local Hands

Optional Services

• Managed Security, System Management, Load Balancing, Web Statistics, Backup
• Managed Infrastructure (Co-Location)

Co-location

EHDF offers Managed Infrastructure services of co-location, which refers to customers storing their privately-owned server(s) within our Data Center, in order to benefit from a highly secure and environmentally controlled environment.

Our co-location offerings include the following:

• Server Rack Cabinet space
• Stringent access control, with multiple levels of physical security
• 24 x 7 support of redundant power within a managed environment
• Managed connectivity options, with flexible and redundant internet bandwidth
• 1/4 Rack and Full rack cabinets, as well as dedicated modular Cages and dedicated Data Center rooms
• Remote Access to hosted servers at EHDF and also access to Staging Area
• 24 x 7, 365 days a year access to our Help Desk via Telephone

Managed Servers, Software, Security

If the reliability of your website or application is vital to your business you need to give dedicated hosting serious consideration. If you have larger than normal traffic, need more web space, or have software requirements that can't be accommodated on a shared hosting plan, this will also necessitate a dedicated solution. Additional benefits come in the form of increased speed and performance.

EHDF offers Managed dedicated service, in which we lease dedicated servers to the customer, including hardware, operating system, patches, etc. along with monitoring and management of performance and security. These servers are used by the customer to host their websites, applications, databases, etc.

Managed Servers can be offered as per customer's choice for building the following architectures and more:

• Tier 1 - Web Servers
• Tier 2 - Web and Application Servers
• Tier 3 - Web, Application and Clustered Database Servers

Optional Services

• Web Statistics, Data Backup
• Business Applications (E-mail)
• eHosting DataFort's shared hosting solutions offer a good compromise between cost, flexibility and support for popular technologies, as summarized below.

Flexible Shared Web Hosting

Website Hosting services from EHDF enable organizations to host static and dynamic websites or portals on one of the most advanced Microsoft and Unix platforms in the world, which includes user-friendly management features.

Our Web Hosting service offers the following:

• Static and dynamic websites or portals
• SQL Databases
• FTP
• ASP.Net Applications
• Java Support

Email Only Hosting

EHDF provides Hosted Email Services on powerful email messaging and collaboration platforms. Hosted Email Services are also offered on Unix and Microsoft platforms and they offer the following:

• Web or Outlook Client Email Messaging
• Personal and Shared Folders
• Shared Calendars
• Tasking
• Global Address Book
• Mobile Browse and Active Sync

This means any size organization can have all their email on the Hosted infrastructure with all collaboration and security features at a fraction of the cost of an in-house solution.

The above solutions are supported by Microsoft and Sun respectively, leveraging a centralized management infrastructure in order to offer consistency and automation for the shared infrastructure.

LAN

DIC's LAN solutions - based on VLAN technology - provide companies a high performance communication platform for data networking. Offering maximum flexibility, these solutions can be configured in almost any size to accommodate the needs of both small and large networks.

Utilising VLAN technology offers the following benefits:

• No infrastructure investment
• Reduced overall running costs
• Rapid deployment of network 'Plug and Play'
• Flexibility in physical and user reconfigurations
• Maintaining highest standards of networking
• Outsourcing IT functions and focusing on core business

Cabling

DIC deploys the industry leading Systimax structured connectivity solution for its cabling infrastructure. Designed for modern era gigabit applications, Systimax provides the world's most extensive and comprehensive portfolio of structured connectivity solutions, and serves as the ideal single cabling solution for DIC’s integrated network of video, voice, and data on a single platform. This infrastructure comfortably handles future gigabit applications such as 1000Base-T, while ensuring that users get the best from their 100BaseT applications.

Network Components

For its active network components such as routers, multiplexers, and switches; DIC has partnered with leading networking manufacturers Cisco, Lucent, and Alcatel. Highest levels of quality and availability are ensured with load balancing and failover systems.

Whatever the technology implemented for a corporate WAN, DIC has the infrastructure needed to deliver any type or size of connectivity, with a reach extending beyond the UAE to almost every major city in the world.

The WAN services include:

• Leased Circuits: Leased circuits provide protocol-independent connectivity to companies requiring dedicated channels. With speeds ranging between 64 Kbps and 2Mbps, service coverage and cross border connectivity runs to all major cities around the globe.
• Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN): The two levels of service - the Basic Rate Interface (BRI), and the Primary Rate Interface (PRI) are intended for small enterprises and for large enterprises respectively. While the BRI consists of two 64 Kbps channels offering up to 128 Kbps service, the PRI consists of 30 channels at 64 Kbps.
• MPLS VPN: The industry leading solution covers the gamut of e-business communications including intranet, extranet, and Internet services with combined IP, data, and voice support. It is also highly scalable, extremely flexible, and adaptable with the security of a private network.
• ATM: The broad bandwidth fully managed solution enables data, voice, video, and Internet/Intranet services to ride a single powerful backbone for high-end applications.
• Frame Relay: A cost-effective alternative to private lines, the Frame Relay has a Committed Information Rate (CIR) bandwidth that is guaranteed even at peak network conditions.
• X.25: DIC also provides legacy networking protocols such as X.25 to protect exiting investments, while dial up and dedicated services can be provisioned at different speed levels based on customer demand.

With the wealth of data communication services available, Dubai Internet City is a true 'one-stop-shop' for all enterprise requirements.

DIC's Internet services have been designed to enable companies to compete in the Internet economy and gain a competitive advantage by staying abreast of advances and trends.

Key highlights include:

• Burstable 2 Mbps Internet access for every company
• Direct connectivity via a 10/100 Mbps Ethernet connection
• Virtual email addresses
• Virtual Mail Server
• Web hosting
• Domain name services
• FTP services
• Static IP addresses
• The Internet backbone of Dubai Internet City is connected to the Emirates Internet Exchange (EMIX), the first Network Access Point (NAP) established in the Middle East and Near East, and built on one of the world's longest STM-1 circuits in terrestrial and submarine communication.

NAP features include:

• Diverse and redundant routing options
• Direct connection to NAPs in USA
• Quicker response time
• High speed 155 Mbps link over terrestrial cable rout

 

The Internet bandwidth provided by DIC is available at different qualities of service with committed bandwidth rates that guarantee speed and performance based on individual needs. Optional billing solutions include volume based billing that ensures full access to capacity with payment limited to utilised capacity, and flat billing regardless of volumes used.

DIC’s Hospitality and Events departments offer professional services that enhance a company's ability to network and to work collaboratively with each other.

DIC Events can organise venues, coordinate with suppliers such as caterers and audio visual technicians and provide vital logistics support for any event, to ensure that it runs smoothly. DIC, and adjacent properties Dubai Media City and Dubai Knowledge Village offer a choice of several venues for companies wishing to host events. These include locations like landscaped gardens, lakeside amphitheatres, exhibition halls, auditoriums, and conference and meeting rooms.

DIC’s Hospitality team offers assistance with booking and organising a large portfolio of services that include hotel accommodation, travel bookings, airport transfers, and a variety of tours for corporate and social groups.

DIC’s expatriate relocation packages offer an introduction to Dubai, with multiple choices in housing, education, healthcare and home maintenance services.

Facilities Management

Consultancy Services

The consultancy division focuses on continuous service improvement to meet changing market needs with the following functions:

• Asset life cycle management
• Strategic business modelling
• Logistics and account transition management
• Technical systems and procedures
• Innovative procurement strategy
• Business improvement and re-engineering
• Total Quality Management
• Customer care and satisfaction
• Continuous product improvement

Security Services

The technical expertise and operational infrastructure to supply a range of integrated security solutions including but not limited to:

• Access control
• CCTV
• Intruder alarms
• Guard management

Maintenance Management

Complete building infrastructure maintenance and management solutions include:

• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
• Mechanical services
• Electrical and plumbing services
• Building fabric maintenance

Critical Specialist Maintenance

Key function areas and services associated with Critical Specialist Maintenance include:

• Building management system (BMS)
• Fire alarm and suppression systems
• Stand-by power generators and uninterrupted power suppliers (UPS)
• Water treatment, water hygiene and water quality testing
• Air quality monitoring

Customer Care Centre

A single point of contact is provided to handle all facilities-related queries and complaints promptly and professionally – 24 x 7, and every call is allocated an agreed response time according to the degree of urgency. A central team of trained customer service representatives and a computerised Customer Relations Management System further ensure that work is completed to set timescales, with accompanying performance measures, published reports and defined areas of business improvement.

Space Management and Fit-out Services

All space management and fit-out services comply with Dubai Municipality’s Health and Safety regulations and cover an array of services like:

• Design of office and residence spaces
• Fit-out management
• Modifications works
• Space optimisation
• Interior designing

HSE Consultancy and Training

Various Health Safety and Environment (HSE) consultancy services are provided, both directly and in alliance with industry leaders:

• Safety and risk assessment at workplace
• Development of HSE policies and procedure
• First aid training
• Emergency response training