Governments in the Middle East need to ‘smartify’ data to enhance their Smart City value, said an industry expert.

“The Middle East’s Smart Cities need to ‘smartify’ data generated by the growing number of connected devices in the ‘Internet of Things’ era,” added Sam Alkharrat of SAP Mena, a market leader in enterprise application software.

He was speaking at the two-day Arab Future Cities Summit Dubai 2014, which opened yesterday (November 10) at Sofitel Dubai The Palm Resort & Spa.

“By analysing data, governments can gain new insights, provide unique experiences, and create novel sources of value to make citizens and tourists happier, and the businesses more successful,” he added.

Throughout the Middle East, sensors embedded in everyday objects and mobile devices are generating unprecedented amounts of data, he noted.

By using innovative Big Data mobile and business applications, public and private sector organisations are driving the region’s hyper-connected economy, providing new processes and insights, and delivering new kinds of value to stakeholders, Alkharrat noted.

Michael Pittelkow, vice president, SAP, presented on the topic of “Capitalizing on the ‘Internet of Things’ Data-Explosion to Grow the Happiness of Citizens and the Success of Business”.

SAP is a Platinum Sponsor of the Arab Future Cities Summit Dubai. – TradeArabia News Service