Since its official release less than two months ago, the Al Ballam Group platform has already surpassed 35,000 active subscriptions, signaling rapid adoption and growing demand for locally produced, high-quality video content in the GCC region.

A Feature-Rich Experience for Modern Viewers

Built with user-centric design and cutting-edge technology, the platform offers a wide range of features to keep users engaged, including:

• Login and Sign-Up with a seamless user experience

• Movies and Shows Details with metadata, synopsis, and artwork

• Download for Offline Viewing

• Favorites List to personalize viewing preferences

• Live Streaming of exclusive content and events

• Smart Search functionality

• Continue Watching across devices

• Coming Soon Section for upcoming releases

• Cast and Crew Profiles for deeper engagement

• Genre-Based Categorization

• Flexible Subscription Options

• Chromecast and AirPlay support

• Picture-in-Picture Mode for multitasking

• Trailers and Promos

• Customizable Homepage based on user behavior

Elevating Arabic Content through Technology

SoftGrad’s collaboration with Hasan Al Ballam aims to redefine Arabic digital entertainment, providing fans across the globe with on-demand access to iconic Kuwaiti shows, movies, and exclusive new productions. The custom-built OTT platform ensures scalability, performance, and immersive UX/UI, making it one of the most advanced Arabic content streaming services on the market today.

A New Era for Local Talent

“Al Ballam Group OTT platform reflects our commitment to empowering regional content creators,” said Edgard Tawk, CEO of SoftGrad. “By bringing Hasan Al Ballam’s vision to life, we are not just launching a streaming app—we’re enabling a cultural movement through technology.”

About SoftGrad

SoftGrad is a premier digital solutions provider specialized in custom mobile apps, OTT platforms, AI integrations, and enterprise transformation projects. With a proven track record across government, fintech, entertainment, and telecom sectors, SoftGrad helps brands unlock their digital potential through innovation and execution excellence.

For media inquiries, partnership opportunities, or demos, please contact:

Contact:
info@SoftGrad.net

The post SoftGrad Launches Al Ballam Group OTT Platform for Kuwaiti Star Hasan Al Ballam, Now Streaming on iOS, Android, Web, and Smart TVs appeared first on SoftGrad.

SoftGrad is proud to announce the launch of its highly anticipated AI and Data Analytics Academy, an initiative aimed at empowering the next generation of AI and Data Analytics professionals in Lebanon and the MENA region. The academy welcomed 35 exceptional candidates from 15 prestigious universities across the region, marking the beginning of an intensive six-week program designed to equip participants with cutting-edge skills, knowledge and experience in AI and Data Analytics.

 A New Era of Learning and Innovation

The AI and Data Analytics Academy represents SoftGrad’s commitment to fostering innovation and building a strong talent pipeline in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics. Over the next six weeks, selected candidates will immerse themselves in a comprehensive curriculum that covers everything from foundational AI concepts to advanced Data Analytics techniques. The program includes hands-on projects, interactive workshops, and guest lectures from industry experts, ensuring that participants gain practical experience and insights into real-world applications.

Diverse and Talented Cohort

The 35 candidates selected for this program come from a diverse range of academic backgrounds and institutions, reflecting the rich talent pool within Lebanon and the MENA region. The participating universities include some of the most reputable educational institutions known for their academic excellence and commitment to research and innovation. This diverse cohort brings together a wealth of perspectives and ideas, encouraging a collaborative learning environment that will undoubtedly lead to innovative solutions and breakthroughs.

Objectives of the Academy

The primary goal of the AI and Data Analytics Academy is to empower participants with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the rapidly evolving fields of AI and Data Analytics. By the end of the program, participants will have:

• Practical Skills: Mastery of various AI and Data Analytics tools and techniques, enabling them to tackle complex problems and drive data-driven decision-making within their organizations.
• Innovative Thinking: The ability to think creatively and develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges, leveraging the power of AI and Data Analytics.
• Collaborative Mindset: Enhanced teamwork and collaboration skills, as participants work together on projects and share insights and experiences.
• Industry Insights: Exposure to industry best practices and trends through guest lectures and mentorship from experienced professionals.

A Commitment to Excellence

SoftGrad is dedicated to ensuring the success of this program and providing participants with an unparalleled learning experience. The academy’s curriculum is meticulously designed to be both rigorous and engaging, offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application.

We are thrilled to launch the AI and Data Analytics Academy and welcome such a talented and diverse group of candidates,” said Dr. Elie Badine, Head of AI and Data Science at SoftGrad. We are confident that the participants will gain invaluable skills and insights that will propel them to become leaders and innovators in their respective fields.”

As the AI and Data Analytics Academy progresses, SoftGrad will share updates and highlights from the program, showcasing the achievements and milestones of the participants. The company invites stakeholders, partners, and the broader community to join in celebrating this exciting journey and supporting the development of future leaders in AI and Data Analytics.

For more information about the AI and Data Analytics Academy and SoftGrad’s initiatives, please visit SoftGrad.net or contact info@SoftGrad.net.

The post SoftGrad Launches Groundbreaking AI and Data Analytics Academy for Lebanese Talent appeared first on SoftGrad.

Representing SoftGrad are its esteemed co-founders, Mr. Edgard Tawk and Mr. Ziad Tawk, while CNAM University Nahr Ibrahim is represented by its distinguished direction board, Dr. Charbel Karam and Ms. Rita Kosseifi.

This strategic partnership heralds a new era of collaboration between Information Technology industry and academia, with the aim of nurturing and empowering the next generation of tech talent in Lebanon. Under the MoU, SoftGrad pledges to invest in education, training, and skills development for students enrolled in key programs at CNAM University, Nahr Ibrahim including Computer Engineering and Computer Science.

Key highlights of the MoU include:

1. Investment in Education, Training, and Skills Development: SoftGrad commits to investing in the education and skills development of CNAM Nahr Ibrahim’s distinguished students, enriching their capabilities and preparing them for success in the dynamic tech landscape.
2. Empowerment in IT & Programming Education: The partnership aims to empower students with cutting-edge knowledge and practical skills in IT and programming, laying a strong foundation for their future careers.
3. Knowledge Transfer Excellence: SoftGrad will provide top-notch IT-based knowledge transfer to qualified students through a range of educational initiatives, ensuring they receive the best possible learning experience.
4. Practical Application of Knowledge: Trained students will gain practical skills necessary to excel in the fields of Information Technology and Programming, bridging the gap between academia and industry.
5. Infrastructure, Logistics, and Technical Support: Both organizations are committed to providing the necessary infrastructure, logistics, and technical support to ensure the success of training programs.
6. Up-to-Date Technological Exposure: Students will stay abreast of the latest technological trends through guest lectures, seminars, workshops, and specialized training sessions conducted by SoftGrad experts.
7. Employment Opportunities: Outstanding students selected through the training programs will be considered for employment opportunities within SoftGrad, subject to the company’s needs and regulations.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Edgard Tawk, Co-founder of SoftGrad, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to embark on this journey with CNAM University Nahr Ibrahim. This collaboration represents a significant step towards nurturing talent and driving innovation in Lebanon’s tech ecosystem.”

Dr. Charbel Karam, representing CNAM University Nahr Ibrahim, echoed these sentiments, stating, “We are delighted to partner with SoftGrad in this endeavor. Together, we aim to empower our students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the digital age.”

This partnership underscores both organizations’ shared commitment to excellence, innovation, and the development of the Lebanese human capital. With their combined expertise and resources, SoftGrad and CNAM University Nahr Ibrahim are poised to make a lasting impact on Lebanon’s tech industry.

About SoftGrad: SoftGrad is a leading provider of digital solutions, specializing in Websites/Web Development, Software Development, Mobile Applications Development (iOS & Android), Game & Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality Development, AI & Data Analytics, UI/UX Design, Technical Consulting Services, and Industrial IT Training Facilities and Guidance. With a focus on innovation and excellence, SoftGrad is dedicated to driving digital transformation and empowering businesses to thrive in the digital era.

About CNAM University Nahr Ibrahim: CNAM University Nahr Ibrahim is a distinguished institution of higher learning, renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and innovation. Delivering French Engineering Diplomas and Bachelor Degrees from CNAM Paris. With a wide range of programs in engineering, computer science and business , CNAM University Nahr Ibrahim provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in today’s competitive world.

The post SoftGrad and CNAM University Nahr Ibrahim Forge Strategic Alliance to Empower Future Tech Leaders appeared first on SoftGrad.

Throughout the 2021-2022 academic year, instructors from SoftGrad Academy taught these children necessary skills and knowledge that are highly sought after internationally and locally as digital transformation, gaming, and programming trends grow.

During this event, hosted on the 10^th of July 2022 in Hotel Chbat, Bsharri, SoftGrad Academy celebrated the achievements of 25 brilliant students out of a total of more than 400 participants from 8 different grade levels, awarding them 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place prizes. This festive event will take place on a yearly basis at the end of every school year, with the target being to being to increase the number of instructors and participating schools for the coming year.

CEO and Co-Founder of SoftGrad, Edgard Tawk, emphasized the importance of implementing such programs for Lebanese students, and shared that “one of the biggest problems our communities face today is the lack of orientation for kids towards the digital world, especially coding. These skills have become increasingly essential after the pandemic and the acceleration of the digital shift.”

Ziad Tawk, CTO and Co-Founder, also highlighted the added benefits that coding offers children regardless of whether they choose to pursue a career in it, such as heightened creativity and greater critical thinking capacity.

SoftGrad is looking forward to expanding this program across Lebanon and paving the way for a more digital savvy generation.

The post SoftGrad Academy celebrates the outstanding performance of 25 school students during its first event: the Schools Program Awards appeared first on SoftGrad.

By adopting an Agile Scrum methodology, including an aggressive sprint planning strategy, our game designers and developers were able to deliver a virtual experience of Fananees 4 in a few weeks.

With Fananees VR, players can now pick their favorite Ramadan character and completely immerse themselves in a 3D world inspired by the mobile game’s rich environment, which involves a lot of greenery, a tricky walking strip, challenging obstacles, and race-changing powerups. In this engaging game, players race against each other for first place while strategically avoiding obstacles, expertly jumping off platforms, and beating everyone to dispersed powerups.

With all of these features, SoftGrad’s enthusiastic team was faced with many technical challenges, particularly ensuring a smooth user experience for players while delivering high-quality visuals, minimizing motion sickness triggers, and dealing with a multitude of technical requirements.

Thanks to this amazing collaboration between SoftGrad and MBC GROUP, fans of the Fananees mobile app and MBC’s Ramadan characters can now elevate their gaming experience from 3D to VR and experience this racing game like never before.

Source: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fananees-4-now-in-vr-thanks-to-another-successful-collaboration-between-eurisko-mobility-and-mbc-group-301566365.html?tc=eml_cleartime

The post Fananees 4 now in VR thanks to another successful collaboration between SoftGrad and MBC Group appeared first on SoftGrad.

SoftGrad’s lightning-fast execution allowed viewers to truly experience MBC’s innovative show through a second screen app and a real-time engine that allows them to answer questions as soon as they appear on TV. While questions are asked on the show, those same questions appear simultaneously in the app, available for free on App Store and Google Play, where viewers can buy coins to submit their answers live. Viewers with correct answers enter a draw to win cash prizes every night.

With only three weeks to develop a complete real-time, second-screen app from scratch, experts from SoftGrad teamed up with MBC Group’s production team and worked tirelessly to ensure the flawless execution of every one of the app’s features.

“We compiled a squad of highly skilled back-end and front-end developers, DevOps engineers, UX/UI specialists and Quality Assurance engineers, and adopted aggressive one-week sprints in order to meet the deadline, while delivering a high-quality scalable product,” said Edgard Tawk, CEO and SoftGrad co-founder.

Aside from a time crunch, SoftGrad’s highly specialized team faced the technical challenge of serving tens of thousands of MBC viewers without compromising performance or security.

Through SoftGrad’s app, MBC fans were able to make in-app purchases of coins to answer questions as they were asked live on TV, which required seamless communication with the app’s Content Management System as questions had to be activated and deactivated in the app as programs progressed. SoftGrad’s developers also needed to ensure the highest level of security as users needed to make in-app purchases of coins to answer questions live.

“Combining top-notch real-time software development technology, industry-compliant security best practices and scalable cloud infrastructure techniques were the main building blocks for completing the success story in record time,” added Ziad Tawk, CTO and SoftGrad co-founder.

The post SoftGrad beats the clock to execute a unique and interactive app for MBC’s Ramadan show appeared first on SoftGrad.

“Engineers and user experience experts from SoftGrad and content specialists from Al Qabas worked with a wide variety of focus groups – including users from different age groups and demographics – to create a truly unique and hyper personalized digital platform”, said Faisal Karkoh, Digital development manager at Al-Qabas.

“And despite a global pandemic that pushed teams online while working from home, SoftGrad built this cutting-edge platform in six short months. SoftGrad’s engineers created an automated process that minimizes the risk of human error, allowing for continuous delivery and feedback”, said Edgard Tawk, CEO at SoftGrad.

Al Qabas is proud to be the first media outlet in the region to offer readers innovative features like an intelligent recommendation and search engine powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML). “Unlike other digital platforms and news apps, Al Qabas will bring readers recommended content they actually want to see instead of simply nudging them toward what’s most popular”, added Karkoh.

“The AI-powered search and recommendation engine brings together the latest in high-end technologies, intelligent algorithms, optimization techniques and industry best practices to bring startlingly accurate and personalized results in a matter of milliseconds”, added Tawk.

Combining the best of Al Qabas’ content and media from several of its systems, users will have no shortage of options when considering what to watch or read.

The new Al Qabas digital platform was painstakingly designed for a maximum user experience and its AI and ML components mean the platform will responds intelligently to each unique user. Working with regionally renowned developers from SoftGrad, whose clients include American Express, MBC Group, Saudi Aramco, Al Hilal Bank, RightBite, Azadea Group and many others, AlQabas’s new platform is the result of six months of design iteration and continuous user feedback.

Design experts also spent months iterating and gathering focus-group feedback to create a one-of-a-kind platform with a look unlike anything currently on the market.

Al Qabas’s new platform is deployed using serverless infrastructure managed by Amazon Web Services, which means the platform can auto-scale as more users join, able to accommodate millions of users without compromising speed or security.

Al Qabas has long been known for high-quality content and is beyond excited to bring its entire library of print, video and audio features to users’ fingertips instantly and intelligently.

The post Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Qabas partners with SoftGrad to release innovative, AI-powered digital platform appeared first on SoftGrad.

BEIRUT, Jan. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Despite the tremendous challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid changes it’s made to the workplace, both Warba Bank and SoftGrad have continued their uninterrupted work on transforming the Bank’s digital services.

The joint effort between Warba Bank – a leader in Islamic digital retail solutions with reach across Kuwait – and SoftGrad – a leading agile software development and digital transformation provider – aims to smoothly transition the Bank’s digital services so it can better cater to the needs of its clients.

The goal of the transformation is to maintain an agile SCRUM-based project management environment, where software products are delivered incrementally to allow client feedback and collaborative decision-making, while also keeping steady productivity, optimal developer engagement, and product owner satisfaction intact. To achieve this, both teams are using a DevOps-powered cloud-based infrastructure to sustain a remote agile environment, this includes productivity monitoring, SCRUM management, quality assurance, and development tools.

The year-long COVID-19 pandemic has not presented any obstacles to the day-to-day operations of this process. Both the Lebanese and Kuwaiti teams are seamlessly running sprint planning, sprint retrospective, and daily standup sessions remotely through teleconferencing tools. Using highly secured workstations, developers work through a cloud-based productivity monitoring and automated code analysis/quality assurance tool.

Commenting on the project, SoftGrad CEO, Edgard Tawk, emphasized the company’s commitment to “having a solid cloud-based infrastructure that allows working in a hybrid, remote and on-site model, without compromising efficiency and software quality” years before the COVID-19 lockdown. Because of this foresight, the agency was “able to quickly shift to a combination of the work-from-home model during lockdowns and limited work-from-office model…we can proudly say that the results exceeded our expectations,” Tawk added.

The unhindered continuation of this process demonstrates the efficiency of SoftGrad’s DevSecOps process, cloud infrastructure and agile software development capabilities. Moving forward, the firm will continue to focus its digital transformation projects through its lockdown-ready cloud-based computing infrastructure with all clients to ensure the safety of both parties without compromising the quality of its work.

SOURCE SoftGrad; Warba Bank

The post Warba Bank & SoftGrad Power through the COVID-19 Lockdown to Continue the Bank’s Digital Transformation appeared first on SoftGrad.