- Award-winning Emirates Skywards to become the loyalty programme for both airlines from 01 August 2018
Emirates adds flights to France
National Oilwell Varco selects Microsoft Dynamics 365 to enhance sales and service operations
On Wednesday, National Oilwell Varco, a leading provider of technology, equipment and services to the global oil and gas industry, and Microsoft Corp. announced an agreement to collaborate on digitally enhancing NOV’s sales platform and field service operations to deliver premier experiences, including project management and drilling operations, to the oil and gas industry.
As oil and gas producers continue to push to optimize productivity and minimize downtime, NOV is leveraging Microsoft Dynamics 365 to streamline business processes, access real-time data and insights, and revolutionize field service operations with a digital, mobile-first approach. With Microsoft cloud-powered solutions, NOV is enriching legacy systems and processes to drive consistency and visibility across platforms. The goal is to increase revenue generation while reducing revenue leakage and improve service margins through greater efficiencies, higher levels of customer satisfaction, and better retention rates. Using Microsoft Dynamics 365 is enabling employees across NOV’s departments to be more adaptable, reliable and efficient. “At NOV, we’re passionate about delivering the highest level of customer service,” said Clay Williams, chairman, president, and CEO. “Field service is the link between our customers and manufacturing, and with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Power BI, we’re able to better understand our customers’ needs, identify the appropriate resources for each task, and effectively address the issue, creating a seamless experience.” Microsoft Dynamics 365 unifies customer relationship management and enterprise resource planning solutions, allowing NOV’s sales and commercial teams to effectively identify and capture field service opportunities and service managers to better allocate jobs and resources. Field technicians can also access detailed job descriptions complete with customer information, service needs, and the equipment necessary to accurately and efficiently complete the task. “NOV continues to invest in state-of-the-art technology and innovations to support the goal of delivering premier customer service,” said Judson Althoff, executive vice president, Worldwide Commercial Business, Microsoft. “Today, NOV is doubling down on its commitment to customers with Microsoft’s intelligent cloud and business applications by enabling customer- and data-driven insights and actions.” About NOV National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NYSE: NOV) is a leading provider of technology, equipment, and services to the global oil and gas industry. NOV has been pioneering innovations that improve the cost-effectiveness, efficiency, safety, and environmental impact of oil and gas operations since 1862. The depth and breadth of NOV’s offerings support customers’ full-field, drilling, completion, and production needs. NOV powers the industry that powers the world. Visit www.nov.com for more information. About Microsoft Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.Billionaire Mansion is Back with a Bang!
Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai and Its Three Restaurants Awarded TripAdvisor 2018 Certificate of Excellence
Apple celebrates World Emoji Day
Emirates receives IATA 753 compliance certification for baggage operations in its Dubai hub
Emirates has been awarded IATA 753 compliance certification for its baggage operation in its home base of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The certification underlines the carrier’s capabilities to diligently track bags that flow through its Dubai hub for departing, arriving and connecting customers.
IATA Resolution 753 requires airlines to track bags at four specific points in the baggage journey to ensure that at any time the status of each bag is known, facilitating a more pro-active customer approach to managing baggage challenges. To achieve certification Emirates developed an integrated Baggage Management System (BMS) in-house called Wasla to provide full control of its worldwide baggage operations. Wasla receives baggage scanning information from across the airline’s network and provides Emirates’ airport teams with information on the status of each bag on board. In Dubai where Emirates processed 35 million bags last year, speed and efficiency is of the essence and the airline works closely with stakeholders to ensure processes and systems are integrated with the Baggage Handling System (BHS) that is provided by Dubai Airport. Resolution 753 compliance was achieved through close cooperation of all involved stakeholders, Emirates as the airline, dnata as the ground handler, and Dubai airport as the provider of the baggage handling system. Adel Al Redha, Emirates’ Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer said: “We continue to focus on consistently delivering superior services on the ground, and in the air. As part of this endeavour, I am delighted that our baggage management and tracking systems are aligned with IATA’s requirements and that we are certified for end-to-end tracking at our hub (Dubai International Airport). The ability to track our customers’ baggage at any stage, means we can proactively notify them at key touch points during their journey, and enable our frontline staff to provide even better service. We have already introduced applications and processes that provide our customers with information regarding their delivery of bags using automation, making best use of available technology.” IATA Resolution 753 was developed to reduce mishandling and baggage fraud, increase customer satisfaction, and enhance the overall baggage management landscape at airports around the world. The resolution was issued in 2014 and made mandatory for all IATA airlines to be implemented by 1 June 2018 and Emirates received the compliance certification in advance of this deadline. “Having Emirates – one of the region’s largest operators – achieve Resolution 753 certification is a significant boost not only for the airline’s customers but also the region. We congratulate them on their achievement and for taking the industry one step closer to 100% bag tracking,” said Muhammad Al Bakri, IATA Regional Vice President, Africa and The Middle East. —-ends——-About Emirates
New Etihad Airways WhatsApp service set to transform customer service communications
Central Hotels Announces Soft Opening of Royal Central Hotel The Palm
Join the Music Fest Perugia at Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai
- Get 30% discount on a’la carte menu
- Choice of pizza or pasta with a bottle of beer for AED 59 per person
- Terms and conditions apply
Baristas’ Corner Opens its First Specialty Coffee Shop in Dubai at Canal Central Hotel in Business Bay
SWISS-BELHOTEL INTERNATIONAL TO OPEN 10 NEW HOTELS IN MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA BY 2019
- Grand Swiss-Belresort Seef, Bahrain
- Swiss-Belresidences Juffair, Bahrain
- Swiss-Belhotel Al Aziziyah Makkah, KSA
- Swiss-Belboutique Tahlia, Riyadh, KSA
- Swiss-Belhotel Riyadh, KSA
- Swiss-Belinn Airport Muscat, Oman
- Swiss-Belresidences Al Sharq, Kuwait
- Swiss-Belboutique Bneid Al Gar, Kuwait
- Swiss-Belresort Battersea, North Coast, Egypt
- Swiss-Belhotel and Suites Asmarat, Cairo, Egypt
- 8thin the world in terms of travel and tourism’s direct contribution to GDP with USD85.0bn in 2017. It is expected to grow by 4.6% pa to USD133.1bn (3.3% of GDP) by 2027.
- 9thin the world in terms of travel and tourism’s total contribution to employment. Generated 2,406,000 jobs in 2017. By 2027 it will rise to 2,986,000 jobs.
- 5thin the world in terms of visitor exports. USD83.2bn in visitor exports in 2016. By 2027 it is forecast to reach USD148.3bn.
- 4thin the world in terms of travel and tourism investment with USD49.6bn in 2016. It will rise to USD98.9bn in 2027.
- The Middle East reported the strongest annual traffic growth of any region globally for the 6th year running in2017.
- Looking ahead, 7.2 billion is the number of global air passengers predicted by 2035. TheMiddle East will see an extra 245 million passengers a year on routes to, from and within the region by 2035 that will continue to support demand for hotels.
DISCOVER YESTERDAY, TODAY: EXPLORE AL SEEF HOTEL BY JUMEIRAH AND TAKE A STEP BACK IN TIME INTO ENCHANTING ARABIA
- Middle Eastern woven fabrics, wooden beams, lamps, rustic ceilings with fans
- Rough plastered walls inspired by traditional building techniques
- Large windows with traditional wooden panels with views down onto the winding outdoor corridors of the ground floor souk and the waters of the creek
- Antique light switches and replica old fashioned radios and carpets
- Colour schemes inspired by the rich blue water, the soothing beige of the desert sands, and soft green tones of the country’s flora, interspersed with colourful flashes of reds, turquoises and yellows
- Characteristic Barjeel (the iconic wind towers which were once used to ventilate homes before air conditioning)
- Hand-made and organic amenities comprising fragrances and natural ingredients from the UAE such as exfoliating soap made from sand from each of the UAE’s seven emirates
- Instagram @alseefjumeirah
- Facebook /alseefjumeirah
- Twitter @alseefjumeirah
Arab League honours Mohammed bin Rashid with ‘Shield for Leadership in Arab Development’
Dip in the Dark at La Ville Hotel & Suites
“Say I Do” at Millennium Airport Hotel Dubai
- Al Garhoud Ballroom located at the ground level with a private entrance from the main road for all the invited guests
- Specially designed wedding menu package by hotel’s Executive Chef
- Welcome drinks for all the wedding guests
- Menu trial session
- Beautifully decorated multitier wedding cake
- Bride’s changing room next to the ballroom
- Well-designed cocktail tables setup with a selection of linen for hotel tables and chairs
- Stage platform and dance floor available
- Audio-visual equipment – music system & microphones
- Personalized electronic wedding signage including projectors & screens
- WIFI internet access for all the guests
- Valet parking service for all the wedding guests
- Opportunities for photography throughout the hotel prior and after the wedding
- Choice of exclusive ladies or gentlemen service staff (subject to availability)
- One night stay at the hotel suite room with lavish International buffet breakfast at Loumi and dinner in the room for the wedding couple
- Honeymoon setup in suite room for the wedding couple
- Bride can avail special Hairstyle and Bridal Makeup package offer with complimentary facial, manicure and pedicure
- Special Hair and Makeup package offer for Bridesmaid and Flower girl
- Special room rate discount up to 20% off on best available rates to all wedding invitees applicable on or before the event
- 20% discount on total bill at any of the hotel’s operated restaurants
- 35% discount from the salon services on published rates applicable to all wedding invitees
- 20% discount on laundry services
Zayed bin Mohammed Family Gathering reflects on a decade of success
Emirates pioneers web virtual reality technology on emirates.com
Emirates has introduced 3D seat models on emirates.com, becoming the first airline to introduce web virtual reality (VR) technology on its digital platform. The 3D seat model is a visualisation engine that displays an immersive 3D 360 degree view of the interior of the Emirates A380 and the Emirates Boeing 777, giving customers a chance to explore their seats, the spacious cabin and the Emirates onboard product.
This new feature available on emirates.com allows users to navigate through the Economy, Business and First Class cabins, as well as the iconic Onboard Lounge and Shower Spa on the Emirates A380 using navigational hotspots. Alex Knigge, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Brand (Digital), said: “As we continually invest to provide our customers with an unmatched travel experience onboard and on the ground, we also work very hard to give our customers a world-class digital experience. We are pleased to be the world’s first airline to introduce this cutting edge web VR technology, which offers our customers an immersive opportunity to learn more about the fantastic Emirates experience before they step on board. In our usability tests with customers, we found that they particularly appreciated the 3D seat and cabin models when selecting their seats.” The high-quality 3D generated graphics offer an outstanding render that is close to reality. The immersive experience is now available for the three class Emirates A380 but will soon include renderings of Emirates’ entire fleet including all configurations of the A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. The 3D 360 degree views of the cabins also feature a virtual reality element for a more immersive experience. Users can enjoy hands-free cabin navigation and seat selection by using any VR headset like Google Cardboard. This award-winning technology is compatible with all devices without the need for external applications or plugins. The 3D seat models were created in partnership with Renacen who were awarded the Crystal Cabin for the best visionary concept for this project at the recent Crystal Cabin Awards. Customers accessing emirates.com via their mobile devices or the Emirates app for iOS and Android will also be able to explore their seats before checking in online with the 3D seat map. The tool allows customers to navigate from one seat to another, and even allows would-be customers to book their preferred seats from within the 3D environment. In addition to the new 3D cabin models, new product videos are available on emirates.com which illustrate the end to end travel experience across all cabins. The videos serve as a guide, giving new customers a clear idea of all the unique features of the Emirates travel experience. Emirates also continues to conduct frequent usability studies with customers and frequent flyers in different geographies to identify further opportunities to enhance its digital user experience.Flydubai announces the alignment of its frequent flyer programme to Emirates Skywards
Etihad Aviation Group announces new structure
- Robust organisational structure to deliver transformation of the group
- New leadership team announced: promotion of Mohammad Al Bulooki to Chief Operating Officer, appointment of Robin Kamark as Chief Commercial Officer, and Ibrahim Nassir as Chief Human Resources & Organisational Development Officer, as part of new seven-strong C-suite
- Almost half of the leadership team are UAE nationals