Write to the editor

With reference to last week’s Techtronic Specials page in GulfWeekly, the iPhone 5 has really put businesses on the defensive. It’s a case where consumer IT is driving business and businesses are trying to figure out what to do. Leading companies are utilising iPads and iPhones to be more mobile, more flexible, but the majority of businesses are in reaction mode.

Some estimates predict Apple will sell 10 million iPhone 5s in the weeks following the announcement. Our conservative estimate is that each device has the potential to contribute 15GB of traffic to the corporate network. That hits the bottom line for businesses and, in some cases, can mean a doubling of telecom service budgets and disruption to business processes.

Businesses need to balance the demand for access to the corporate network against the impact those devices have on it. By being able to differentiate business applications and prioritise them, businesses have the breathing room to embrace personal devices without breaking the bank.

Mark Urban, senior director of product marketing, Blue Coat Systems.

The Breast Cancer Support Group will be meeting at 10am, on October 3 at World Beat Fitness Centre Café in Janabiya. 

As always, we warmly welcome any ladies who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, at whatever stage of healing they are at, to attend these meetings and to have the opportunity to meet other ladies who have been down a similar road, share experiences and develop friendships in a supportive environment.

Refreshments will be served and if anyone would like to try their hand at making an origami bird, then we can also make these, which will then be sold to raise money for Think Pink. Please ring me for more details on 39567322.

Joanne, Bahrain.

I was shocked to read the Editor’s comments at the conclusion of Abu George’s well-constructed analysis of the English Championship in GulfWeekly (Issue 37). Your columnist added that the Editor reckons Bristol City will be relegated ‘simply because they are Bristol City’.

How outrageous. City, as it happens, are flying high in the league after a storming start to the season and look more like champions than relegation fodder. Methinks the Editor is full of gas.

Tony, proud Bristolian living in Bahrain.

It was fascinating to read Stan Szecowka’s report in last week’s GulfWeekly about the amount of effort and expense being put into ensuring the artificial turf at Bahrain Rugby Club is ‘officially playable’ by the concerned sporting authorities.

It made me laugh at the procedures covering a man-made substance; I can only assume it is because we live in such a litigious age that the makers and club need proof that little Charlie didn’t graze himself because of the turf and that it is ‘officially sanctioned’ to play on.

What about God’s own soil, grass or stone littered patches of desert that adults and children kick a ball around with great gusto in the many villages of Bahrain.

I do urge readers to stop off and watch some of these games, the action is terrific and the welcome to expats always warm.

Whilst the kids are playing soccer they are not out throwing petrol bombs or melting the tarmac with burning tyres.

Now there’s a thought. How about the government investing in all-weather shaded sports facilities in the villages and passing them over to the village elders, or the kids themselves, to look after and maintain.

They love footy in Bahrain and sport is known as a great uniting force, even when Al Malkiya are playing Riffa!

Football observer, Saar.