Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/655581
48 Events maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 MARCH 2016 Maltese eBusiness solutions recognised at MCA eBusiness Awards THE fifth edition of the MCA's eBusiness Awards were held at the InterContinenal Hotel in St. Julian's last week. The MCA eBusiness Awards have become an important annual appoint- ment in the calendar of ICT activities in Malta. They are an opportunity to showcase and en- courage new ideas and best prac- tices in the field of eBusiness. This year, 23 solutions, from eight different categories, made it to the final. Two new catego- ries were added to this year's edi- tion – the best Tech Start-up and the best ERP system. In his opening address, Edward Woods, Chairman at the MCA emphasized the importance of eBusiness in today's digitized global economic environment. Woods further stated that whilst ensuring to remain within the limits of its remit the Authority is committed to continue roll- ing out initiatives that promote greater take-up of eBusiness as well as promoting higher levels of standards and professional- ism across this sector. On his part, the economy min- ister Chris Cardona highlighted the significance of these awards and how they serve to contrib- ute to encouraging the growth of eBusiness in Malta as one of the key drivers of the Maltese economy. "In order to continue growing, this industry right- fully deserves the full support of government because it does not only represent a source of high quality employment opportu- nities, but it is also becoming a major contributor to the nation- al income." The Best App category was won by Mapfre Middlesea with their Motormax App. Developed by Handson Systems, this app is an innovative usage-based car insurance product that moni- tors driving performance and rewards diligent drivers with attractive discounts on their in- surance premiums. Bit8 won the award for the best B2B application with their HBit 8 platform, which is designed for the eGaming global industry. This solution has already been adopted by a number of top in- ternational casinos across 50 countries. Elmo Insurance Ltd snapped up the award for Best eCom- merce site (B2C) with its insur- ance platform developed by Sea- sus Ltd. The Best eGovernment ini- tiative went to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure for a platform developed by ICON. This solution caters for the man- agement of the national network of the charging stations for elec- tric vehicles. Foster Clark Products Ltd clinched the award in one of the new categories for this edition – the Best ERP solution, with their Microsoft Dynamax AX devel- oped by KMPG Crimsonwing. The Best ICT Academic Pro- ject with an eBusiness Theme was won by Kelly Steer, a young student from the faculty of ICT who wrote her dissertation on the use of social media as a basis for marketing initiatives. Hotjar walked away with the award for yet another new cat- egory - that for Best Tech Start- up. This solution provides detailed web analytics to an im- pressive 100,000 users, and this only in its first eight months of operation. The eighth and final award was won by eCabs for their highly successful and engaging social media campaign aimed at creat- ing better visibility of the com - pany. As from this edition, the Mal- ta Communications Authority will be holding the event in the first quarter of the year for the participants to have until nearly the end of the previous year to submit their nominations. The MCA congratulates all winners, finalists and participants and looks forward to more innova- tive eBusiness solutions being rolled out in the coming year. Celebration of French cuisine at Waterbiscuit WATERBISCUIT is delighted to announce that it has been specifically selected as one of four restaurants on the islands to host the Goût de France event for 2016. Goût de France celebrates French gastronomy in world- wide this coming Monday, 21 March 2016. Over 1,000 chefs on five continents are joining the event on the first day of spring. Malta's four specially selected restaurants will be celebrating the glory of French cuisine, its values and magnificent f lair for innova- tion. Waterbiscuit at InterConti- nental Malta will be serving its exclusively created five course menu of which the highlights are certainly the 'Slow roasted Scottona Beef Sirloin with Escargot Bonbon, Pomme Anna, Garlic Purée' and the 'Almond and Apple Pithivier with a Cinnamon and Apple Sauce and a Brown Butter Financier' all prepared to perfection under the expert eye of Chef de Cuisine James Oakley, with the restaurants sommeliers hard to work to arrange the perfect pairing for each dish. The menu will be served for dinner at €65.00 per person. Martin van Kan, Area Gener- al Manager Malta mentioned "This is a fine celebration for a country that has brought so much to world cuisine. I know our chefs are excited to have an opportunity to contribute to this global event and for the fantastic inspiration it has of- fered them all." db San Antonio awarded Expedia award EXPEDIA.COM, the renowned travel website, rated the db San Antonio Hotel + Spa as the "Top Producer Package Room Nights for 2015". The hotel outstripped all the others in the 4-star cate- gory in Malta. This award is given according on the amount of room nights generated on Expedia.com for 2015. John Messina, Sales & Market- ing Manager, said, "Since the refurbishment of our hotel and the introduction of the new all- inclusive concept, the db San An- tonio Hotel + Spa has f lourished and become a more interesting proposition. Our guests are see- ing more added value in our ser- vice and as a result this increases their loyalty. We will continue working hard to deliver the high- est standards that our db Hotels + Resorts chain is now known for." The award was presented dur- ing the Expedia.com annual event. John Messina, Sales & Marketing Manager of db San Antonio Hotel + Spa together with Gordon Borg, Marketing Manager for db Hotels + Resorts received the certificate and me- mento marking this achievement. From left: Rosa Lopez, Christophe Bazille, John Messina, Gordon Borg, Sarah Fenech accepting the award Winners of the MCA e Business Awards