Sun Microsystems names NavLink as 'EMEA Software Integration Partner of the Year.
Joint Middle East Implementations Place NavLink at the Top of Partner List for 2003
Dubai - UAE - November 27th 2003

Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Sun Microsystems Middle East and North Africa (MENA) today announced that its partner NavLink, a leading system integrator and managed services provider, has secured the Sun Software Integration Partner Award for 2003 throughout the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.   Competing with NavLink for this recognition were Sun partners across EMEA that have remained committed to Sun's software vision, implementing large-scale solutions based on the Sun Java Enterprise System platform. NavLink secured the Sun EMEA-wide award based on its software implementations in the Middle East region during 2003, demonstrating the continued regional demand for Sun software solutions.

"With Sun's regional software business growing at an exponential rate, it's vital that we have regional partners with the skills and experience to integrate our solutions with customer's existing technologies in a way that meets their most critical business demands," noted Mehmet Iyimen, regional director for Sun Microsystems MENA.

"This honor highlights the capabilities of NavLink and the recognition that the company has gained from our joint customers as well as Sun's entire EMEA operations. To be singled out among so many integration specialists from the European and African markets, as well as here in the competitive regional market, demonstrates NavLink's commitment to its growing Sun software practice group," added Iyimen.

NavLink has implemented several Sun software initiatives for customers in the Middle East's telecommunications, financial services, and government sectors. NavLink and Sun MENA count Emirates Internet & Multimedia and UAE University among their joint end-users.

"We have partnered with NavLink to build a significant part of our IP infrastructure and for network and systems integration. The NavLink solutions have proven to deliver a low cost of ownership while providing some of the most advanced business benefits to EIM. This has enabled us to better serve our customers without significantly increasing the cost of managing our platform. We look forward to continuing this partnership in the years to come and are sure that together we will play a vital role in enhancing the UAE's reputation as the regional e-commerce hub,' said Ms. Maroua Naim, General Manager, Emirates Internet & Multimedia.

Mr. Javeed Mohammed, UAE University Director of IT, stated: "NavLink helped UAE University to define and integrate a complete software suite which enhanced staff and student communication in the University." He added, "NavLink continues to work closely with our team in order to foresee and accommodate arising needs and plan the growth of our very well supported platform"

A key objective for NavLink's Middle East operations in the next six months is to raise awareness about Sun's new Java Enterprise System software solution, and the reductions in both cost and complexity that it delivers to regional businesses. As part of its corporate mandate, NavLink works closely with the Middle East's largest telecom operators and Internet service providers (ISPs), banks, major enterprises, and governments to assist these organizations in defining the roadmap of services that they need to offer to their communities. The company then integrates and supports the platform to power these services.

"Increasingly, organizations in the Middle East are relying on Sun's software solutions to both enhance the range of services they offer customers, and provide an affordable and reliable platform for internal operations. NavLink continues to invest in its partnership with Sun in the region because we're seeing significant demand, and the EMEA partner award NavLink received is a testament to our ongoing commitment to Sun's software roadmap," stated Laurent Delifer, Co-President and COO of NavLink.

About Sun in the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region Sun Microsystems has been operating in the MENA region for more than 15 years, with Saudi Aramco and Kuwait University as its first customers in the late 1980s. Sun established its Middle East & North Africa regional headquarters in 1991, and now manages the entire Southern and Eastern EMEA (Europe, Middle East & Africa) region of more than 20 countries from its base in Dubai. The company also maintains offices in Riyadh, Al Khobar, and Jeddah within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; in Cairo, Egypt; and Casablanca, Morocco.
In the Middle East and North Africa, Sun is committed to employee diversity, with 27 different nationalities represented throughout it regional offices. The company is also focused on developing the business skills of Arab nationals through training and internship opportunities. For further information, please visit www.sun.com/middleeast