Partnership between QMIC and Vodafone Qatar

Doha, 15 January 2017: Vodafone Qatar in partnership with Qatar Mobility Innovations Center (QMIC) announced the launch of their partnership in providing Fleet Management service, a telematics service designed to track and perform logistics management for companies aiming to enhance productivity and tackle road safety issues.

The service utilises Vodafone’s Global Internet of Things (IoT) Platform that was launched in Qatar earlier this year. Main components of Vodafone Fleet Management service are a QMIC Masarak™ Telematics tracking device coupled with a Vodafone Global SIM is installed in the vehicle and Masarak™ system providing a tracking portal on a computer which is accessed by the customer through the internet or on a mobile phone. The Telematics tracking device sends event reports to the customer via SMS, e-mail and pop-up signals. Moreover, the service is supported by Vodafone’s business care team who are available 24 hours to provide the needed customer support activities ensuring the smooth operation of the service for all of its users.

The Vodafone Fleet management service is an intelligent telematics service within QMIC’s Masarak™ system, a locally-built system that utilizes latest mobility technologies to address Qatar’s needs for intelligent transportation. Fleet Management service is powered by Masarak™ with strong differentiators including real-time traffic data, most updated GIS layers, and the ability to dynamically cater to the evolving requirements of the local market.

Fleet Management solutions deliver faster response times through more efficient job allocation, reduction in fuel costs due to shorter journeys and higher revenues as drivers can complete more jobs. Driver behaviour can also be monitored to encourage safer and more efficient driving and reduce insurance premiums. For all companies in this sector, IoT technology has been proven to help companies meet regulatory and corporate sustainability targets by reducing fuel use and carbon emissions.

“We are confident that our global expertise in IoT solutions and in delivering fleet management services coupled with QMIC’s locally engineered innovations and knowledge will eliminate challenges companies in Qatar face in managing their fleet of vehicles. Ultimately this service will improve productivity, improve safety and significantly reduce costs,” said Ian Gray, Chief Executive Officer, Vodafone Qatar.

Dr. Adnan Abu-Dayya, Executive Director (CEO) of QMIC said, “We are excited about this partnership between Vodafone and QMIC to deliver one important service of our leading Masarak™ solution. This partnership falls in line with QMIC’s strategy to work with local and regional partners to promote different innovative and differentiated locally-built services securing the needs of the market”.

Vodafone was recently named by Gartner as a worldwide Leader in the Magic Quadrant for Managed Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Services, Worldwide for the third consecutive year. Businesses around the world are rapidly exploring the opportunities of IoT technology with 76% saying that IoT will be critical for future success and 48% using IoT to support large-scale business transformation according to the latest Vodafone IoT Barometer .
About Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C
Vodafone Qatar Q.S.C. (“Vodafone Qatar”), part of one of the world’s largest telecommunications group, the Vodafone Group, is the holder of the Second Public Mobile and Fixed Telecommunications Networks and Services License in the State of Qatar. Vodafone Qatar switched on its mobile network on 1 March 2009 and shortly after started delivering great value to its customers with a range of exciting products and services. Having built a world class converged IP network, Vodafone launched fibre-based consumer and enterprise fixed-line services commercially in October 2012. Vodafone’s vision is to expand successful product offerings and be the best at what we do. The Company is committed to providing world class telecommunications infrastructure to support Qatar National Vision 2030. Effective January 2015, Vodafone Qatar became fully compliant with Islamic Sharia practices throughout its business, including commercial and financial operations. Please visit www.vodafone.qa for more details.
About QMIC
The Qatar Mobility Innovations Center (QMIC) is the first independent innovations center in the region with a focus on developing and deploying smart mobility systems and services. QMIC’s main goal is to use locally engineered innovations and knowledge to create technology-based industries that address regional challenges and grow with mega projects in Qatar and the region. Since 2009, and through its focus, on distributed sensing, data collection & management, services creation and delivery, QMIC is becoming a national leader in the area of Internet of Things (IoT). In particular, QMIC has been leading in delivering IoT Solutions