CONTENTS

Western Digital extends enterprise HDD capacity

Western Digital is extending its HDD technology and capacity leadership into its broader portfolio of data center solutions. Leveraging innovations from the Ultrastar 18TB and 20TB HDD technology platform, the WD Gold family now features new 16TB and 18TB CMR HDD capacities. Also available are an upgraded line of Ultrastar JBOD platforms and an Ultrastar hybrid storage server featuring Ultrastar 16TB and 18TB CMR HDDs. Through Western Digital’s vertical integration capabilities and broad portfolio, the company continues to be uniquely positioned to help customers meet data demands as they design their storage infrastructures for better efficiency and productivity.

CANON EOS R5 AND R6

Canon has launched EOS R5 and EOS R6, two advanced full frame mirrorless camera additions to the EOS R System built on the future-proof RF Mount. The pro-level EOS R5 delivers 45 megapixel stills at up to 20fps and is

Zebra Computers introduces rugged mobile computers

Zebra Technologies has launched enterprise-class mobile computers running on the Android 10 operating system (OS) the TC21/TC26, TC52x/TC57x and MC3300x. With integrated scanning and unique software capabilities enabled by Mobility DNA, the five new devices are designed for retail, transportation and logistics (T&L), field mobility and warehouse environments to improve front-line worker productivity and effectiveness.

Zebra’s TC21/TC26 mobile computers provide the right durability, business features and enterprise-class accessories to boost productivity at an attractive price point. With the industry’s most comprehensive, powerful set of software tools, these devices are designed for small- and mid-sized businesses (SMB), retailers the first full frame mirrorless ever to record 8K RAW up to 29.97fps internally and 4K to 120p. EOS R6 is perfect for enthusiasts and professionals moving to mirrorless and looking for greater capabilities, capturing 20.1 megapixel stills at 20fps, stunning 4K video up to 60p and Full HD at up to 120p. Nothing comes close to the speed and resolution of EOS R5 and EOS R6. EOS R5 and EOS R6 can shoot up to 20fps with the electronic shutter in complete silence with full auto exposure (AE) and auto focus (AF) tracking. Users can be confident capturing action, both stills and video, in exceptional quality in any location without disturbing subjects. The mechanical and electronic first curtain shutter also delivers high-speed continuous shooting

up to 12fps. and field service providers. Companies can also easily reuse their existing Android applications on these devices along with Zebra tablets and vehicle-mounted solutions thanks to a common architecture platform.

Nexans debuts iGigaSwitch 10xx family

Nexans Data Network Solutions EMEA has announced the availability of Nexans iGigaSwitch 10xx family that can power end devices with the latest PoE++ standard. The switch has up to 10 x 1 Gigabit Ethernet copper and fibre-optic ports in different combinations. With Power over Ethernet, it is possible to transmit data as well as power via an eightwire network cable. There are plenty of environments where PoE, PoE+ or PoE++ technologies are used to power connected devices: public facilities and cities, highways and tunnels, airports and railways, campuses and many others. Typical applications are wireless LAN access points, IP cameras and Voice over IP phones.

Aruba delivers Wi-Fi for small businesses

Aruba has introduced a new Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 ax) Access Point (AP) designed specifically with the needs of smaller organisations in mind.

The new Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 Aruba Instant On AP22 access point delivers the blazing fast Wi-Fi speeds, reduced latency and advanced security capabilities characteristic of Wi-Fi 6, all with the reliability and ease of deployment and management that organisations have come to expect from Aruba. With the new Instant On AP22 access points, smaller businesses and organisations now have access to simple, secure and smart connectivity solutions that enable SMBs to support enhanced user experiences, without the cost or complexity.

Delivering four times the capacity of 802.11ac access points, the AP22 provides an exceptional user experience no matter the environment, whether it be remote offices, hybrid classrooms, or reimagined retail and hospitality. For those organisations that have had to realign or shift their modes of working in response to the current business climate – from mostly in-person customer interactions to online- only or having all staff on-site to many working from home, for example – this additional capacity provides an added safety net to ensure that operations continue to run smoothly.

Belkin Hi-Fi Smart Speaker

Belkin has announced the availability of its audio product, the first-of-its-kind SOUNDFORM ELITE Hi-Fi Smart Speaker + Wireless Charger in the Middle East.

The SOUNDFORM ELITE speaker, developed in a partnership between Belkin and high-end audio brand Devialet, is sure to excite the technophile, and is just the beginning of a larger audio portfolio for Belkin, while still maintaining the brand’s global leadership in fast wireless charging. Devialet brings best-in-class technologies and industry-leading expertise across acoustic architecture, loudspeakers and signal processing, over 160 patents, and a premium consumer brand.

The SOUNDFORM ELITE speaker combines premium, highfidelity sound (up to 90dB SPL of max volume), fast wireless charging and integration with a voice assistant. Users can charge their phone, play music, get answers and connect multiple voice assistant-enabled speakers for an immersive multiroom experience. They can also control their smart home with exceptionally powerful and clear sound quality.

Lenovo launches ThinkStation P620

The ThinkStation P620, offers power and performance, as well as the configurability to meet each customer’s unique needs in a way that wasn’t possible until now. By leveraging AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper PRO Processor, Lenovo is delivering the only 64 core workstation platform – a new industry standard. Threadripper PRO processors also offer clock speeds up to 4.0GHz, 128 lanes of PCIe 4.0 bandwidth and 8-channel memory support. In addition to speed and flexibility, Lenovo customers now have unmatched core counts for multi-threaded workloads in a single socket platform – rivaling competing dual socket solutions.

Prior to today, traditionally the max core count that a singleCPU system could handle was 18 cores, while the highest a dualprocessor system could support was 56. The ThinkStation P620 unlocks a new era of what can be accomplished with a single CPU workstation. Now users can achieve seamless 8K streaming in real-time, reduced render times, ultra-fast simulation solving, quick assembly rebuilds and smooth interactivity with 3D assets all without having to scale to a dual socket system.

HOW IT MANAGED SERVICES EMPOWER BUSINESSES DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES SUNIL PAUL, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF FINESSE, ON WHY MORE AND MORE CUSTOMERS ARE COUNTING ON MANAGED SERVICES PROVIDERS TO ENABLE THEM TO TRANSITION THEIR WORKLOADS TO DIGITAL ENVIRONMENTS SECURELY DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES.

The on-going pandemic has compelled organisations across the globe to implement remote work models and redefine the business landscape as we know it. At the same time, it has also highlighted that IT managed services have become an essential component more than ever during these uncertain times.

Customers are looking to their managed services providers (MSPs) to be their trusted advisors to help them navigate and address IT complexities during the COVID-19 crisis. It is difficult to imagine how companies would have moved their entire workforce to complete digital environments without the support of MSPs, and IT managed services.

Organisations were forced to accelerate their digital strategies overnight and figure out how to action work-from-home policies. Transitioning to remote work models meant that it was essential to have cloud-based apps and platforms for all departments. A secure VPN Internet access to connect personal devices to corporate networks safely became an immediate need. Employees, too, had to get accustomed to the new normal and ensure they were equipped with video communication tools and other hardware for hassle-free remote working. To achieve this at the scale and speed required, and overcome obstacles, companies had to rely on MSPs for customised turnkey solutions.

MSPs help innovate, customise solutions, and effortlessly solve the challenges presented by the rapid transition to new working models. By trusting their IT services to experts like Finesse, customers could use their time to focus on business profitability. Whether it is to handle a specific project such as cloud migration and automation, or even complete IT requirements, by outsourcing IT support and maintenance to third-party firms, organisations can enhance operational efficiencies and focus on their core business objectives. It allows for cost savings and improved financial planning through a predictable and outcomebased pricing model and reduced susceptibility to financial risks, for both small businesses and large companies.

Besides technical challenges, customers also had to wrestle with the alarming increase in cybercrime over the past few months. Amid COVID-19, global organisations have seen a 148% spike in ransomware attacks, according to a report by VMware Carbon Black. Cybercriminals capitalise on the situation and exploit the security gaps that emerge as businesses iron out their remote work technologies. A recent IDC survey reported that 27% of organisations in the Middle East have poor breach detection capabilities, while 34% lack the security expertise needed to deal with advanced threats. MSPs help customers secure their endto-end IT infrastructures, digital solutions and data across networks, communication and collaboration software against advanced threats. Now more than ever, cybersecurity solutions are the need of the hour, and MSPs play a critical role in selecting the right security solutions that fit an organisation’s requirements and business environment.

While the crisis will not last forever, experts believe the radical changes it has brought about will remain for a long time. Businesses will continue to depend on IT managed services as they realise its enduring benefits. The 2020 Global Managed Services Report by NTT, based on a survey of 1,250 executives across 29 countries, revealed that 45% of firms would outsource more than insourcing in the next 18 months, with 57% citing security risks as a key challenge of managing IT in-house.

As organisations recover and resume operations, customers will increasingly consult with their MSPs to chart out business continuity plans and implement technologies that will help them to be more efficient and secure. With managed IT services at their disposal, they can solely focus on achieving their business goals without disruptions even during a crisis.