Workz is a technology company specialized in eSIM and cloud-based services. The company is headquartered in Dubai, UAE and is a regional supplier in the Middle East and Africa.

Workz
Company typeMultinational company
Founded1997
FounderBrad Taylor and Tor Malmros
HeadquartersDubai, UAE
WebsiteOfficial site

History edit

Workz was founded in 1997, initially focused on SIM card production, personalization, and fulfilment. In July 2014, Workz opened a Dubai scratch card printing facility.[1][2]

In June 2015, Workz joined the GSM Association (GSMA), becoming a member of the global mobile communications industry body.[3]

In April 2016, Vodafone Qatar awarded Workz as the ‘Best Experience Support Partner’ during their 2016 CXO Awards ceremony.[4]

In January 2017, the company released its Over-The-Air (OTA) platform called Z-OTA.[5] In June, Workz was ranked as the number one scratch card manufacturer in the world by the Nilson Report, shipping one billion prepaid phone cards.[6]

In 2018, Workz opened its regional sales office in Johannesburg, South Africa.[7] In August 2018, the company became the largest manufacturer of SIM with eUICC software production in the Middle East and Africa to be certified by the GSMA.[8][9] In October 2018, Workz collaborated with Truphone to launch a remote SIM.[10][11] In November, Workz together with Arm offered full eUICC manufacturing and remote SIM based on the Arm technology.[12] In December, the company signed a partnership with MTX Connect, the Luxembourg-based mobile virtual network operator to launch virtual SIMs.[13][14]

In 2019, Workz launched its first 5G SIM card.[15] By September, it became the first in the Middle East and Africa to be certified by the GSMA for embedded SIM technology.[16][17] In November, in collaboration with Econet Global, the companies provided network connectivity via embedded SIM devices.[18][19][20]

In February 2020, Workz introduced its own IoT platform for SIM-based devices.[21][22][23] In May 2020, Workz joined the Trusted Connectivity Alliance (TCA) formerly known as SIMalliance.[24][25]

In August 2021, Workz received the certification under the GSMA's Security Accreditation Scheme (SAS) and integrated with Microsoft Azure’s Paris site.[26][27][28] In September 2021, Workz launched Multi-eSIM Hub (MeSH), a multi-tenant eSIM management platform.[29][30] In November 2021, Workz introduced a new biodegradable SIM card[31] which product was adopted by Virgin Mobile MEA in 2022 across all its operated regions.[32][33]

In 2022, Workz partnered with Monogoto, a global connectivity provider, to establish a cloud platform.[34][35]

In April 2023, Workz partnered with 1oT, an IoT connectivity provider.[36]

The company is accredited by the GSMA to manage the complete eSIM lifecycle across both the consumer and M2M markets.[37][38]

References edit

  1. ^ "Workz has launched scratch card printing facility in Dubai". printweekmea.com. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  2. ^ "Workz hits 5bn data records in 12 months". www.tradearabia.com. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  3. ^ "Workz joins GSMA to support initiatives on the future of telecoms". 2015-06-11. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  4. ^ "Vodafone Qatar heralds Workz partnership with award". qatarisbooming.com. 2016-05-04. Archived from the original on 2021-05-18.
  5. ^ Newspaper, The Peninsula (2017-01-31). "Workz Group launches Z-OTA". thepeninsulaqatar.com. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  6. ^ "Workz ranked world's largest scratch card producer". www.tradearabia.com. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  7. ^ "Workz Group opens office in Johannesburg". www.tradearabia.com. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  8. ^ "UAE Business: Workz Group wins key certification for eSIM". www.gdnonline.com. 2017-12-05. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  9. ^ Africa, IT News (2018-08-07). "Workz becomes region's first GSMA-certified eSIM factory". IT News Africa | Business Technology, Telecoms and Startup News. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  10. ^ "Telecompaper". www.telecompaper.com. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  11. ^ "Truphone and Workz strike deal to bring latest eSIM technology to new markets". truphone.com. 2018-09-14.
  12. ^ "Workz Group to Deliver New M2M eSIM Services through Arm Kigen Technology". www.iotevolutionworld.com. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  13. ^ "Dubai's Workz to provide eSIMs for Europe's MTX Connect". commsmea.com. 2018-12-20. Archived from the original on 2020-09-22.
  14. ^ "DetailsTA". gulfprojects.me. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  15. ^ "Dubai's Workz set to conduct trials of first 5G SIM card". arabianbusiness.com. 2019-04-03. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  16. ^ Alertify (2019-10-01). "Workz becomes GSMA-certified full eSIM provider". Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  17. ^ "Workz becomes first certified full eSIM provider in MEA". Membership. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  18. ^ Barton, James (2019-11-08). "Workz & Econet bringing eSIM to Zimbabwe". Developing Telecoms. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  19. ^ "Workz & Econet ready to bring eSIM to Zimbabwe". commsmea.com. 2019-11-06. Archived from the original on 2019-11-06.
  20. ^ "Workz, Econet partner to bring eSIM to Zimbabwe". zimtechreview.co.zw. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  21. ^ Alertify (2020-02-19). "Workz launches IoT platform to enable businesses to streamline operations". Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  22. ^ "NEWS". africabusinesscommunities.com.
  23. ^ "Workz launches IoT platform to enable businesses to streamline operations". Membership. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  24. ^ "Telecompaper". www.telecompaper.com. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  25. ^ "Trusted Connectivity Alliance Membership Expands, Strengthening Representation Across SIM Ecosystem". Trusted Connectivity Alliance. 2020-06-04. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  26. ^ Team, Editorial (2021-08-18). "Workz Group on Path to Revolutionize eSIM Management Platforms". TechAfrica News. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  27. ^ "Workz claims its consumer eSIM platform is the first certified in the cloud". iot-now.com. 2021-08-18.
  28. ^ "UAE Business: Workz launches certified consumer eSIM on cloud". www.gdnonline.com. 2017-12-05. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  29. ^ Editorial, TechTrends Media (2021-09-16). "Workz releases the world's first open eSIM platform". TechTrendsKE. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  30. ^ "Workz releases the world's first open eSIM platform | News Ghana". newsghana.com.gh. 2021-09-14. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  31. ^ Sharma, Ray. "Workz Launches New Biodegradable SIM Card 'EcoSIM'". www.thefastmode.com. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  32. ^ Joseph, Rishi (2022-03-10). "Virgin Mobile adopts EcoSIM to propel its sustainability". Workz. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  33. ^ Reporter, A. Staff. "UAE telecom firm announces new biodegradable SIM cards". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  34. ^ "Monogoto partners with Workz for eSIM services". ITEuropa. 2022-09-26. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  35. ^ "Monogoto partners with Workz for eSIM cloud as it gears up for IoT growth". Membership. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  36. ^ "1oT and Workz team up to target US IoT growth". IoT Business News. 2023-04-04. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  37. ^ Sesinye, Neo (2019-03-19). "Mobile and IoT solutions provider secures certification for eSIM data security". IT News Africa | Business Technology, Telecoms and Startup News. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  38. ^ "UAE Business: Workz launches certified consumer eSIM on cloud". www.gdnonline.com. 2017-12-05. Retrieved 2023-10-12.