TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION

HPE Aruba is a leading provider of networking solutions for enterprise-level IT environments. The company is committed to promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship across its operations and supply chain.

WHAT ARE THE CORE BUSINESS AND ACTIVITIES OF YOUR ORGANIZATION?

HPE Aruba Networking focuses on providing networking and edge-to-cloud solutions for businesses to help them connect, protect, analyse their data and applications, and turn insights into outcomes at the speed required to thrive in today’s complex world. It provides the next-generation networking infrastructure to power smart digital experiences in companies of all sizes, hospitals, schools, and smart cities. Aruba’s networking products – softwaredefined, secure, cloud-based, and designed for mobile and IoT – bridge the physical and digital worlds, providing customers with the security, capacity, and confidence to innovate at the Intelligent Edge.

HOW WOULD YOU CHARACTERIZE THE KEY ENABLERS POSITIVELY INFLUENCING YOUR BUSINESS IN THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT?

There are many mega projects and initiatives in the region. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and UAE have announced large-scale projects that have created massive opportunities for companies including HPE Aruba Networking to be at the forefront, making sure that these projects are equipped with the latest technologies, have the next generation of platforms, and create experiences for the people both digitally and physically. All the growth happening in the region is fuelling new and exciting opportunities.

DO YOU BELIEVE THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE IN AWARENESS OF DIVERSITY AND ITS POSITIVE ROLE IN THE WORKPLACE?

Over the years, there has been a marked increase in awareness of inclusion and diversity in the workplace. This heightened understanding has been crucial in bringing everyone together, fostering an environment that embraces a wide range of perspectives and experiences. This inclusive atmosphere not only benefits the workplace but also enriches the experiences of customers. Embracing diversity ultimately strengthens the organisation as a whole.

WHAT IS, IN YOUR OPINION, THE STRATEGIC ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN DRIVING BUSINESS GROWTH?

Organizations have always looked to technology as the catalyst for achieving business objectives in the never-ending race for innovation and sustainable growth. Technology has accelerated value creation through business transformation, whether the goal was to obtain data to determine analytics capabilities for decision-making, cut costs through process optimization, or drive business continuity for economic survival in a competitive environment.

The evolving needs of employees working remotely, and of customers whose behaviours are changing, have significantly caused an increased reliance on technology, which has prompted a different approach to IT investment.

As organizations pursue this need for digital transformation with even greater urgency than before, data is the cornerstone. With vast volumes being generated by the growing universe of user devices and IoT sensors, organizations must improve their ability to harness, analyse, secure, and store the data at their disposal.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGIES IN STRENGTHENING URBAN RESILIENCE WHICH IS IMPACTED BY SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS? HOW CAN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY SIMPLIFY URBAN PLANNING AND PROCESSES?

Technologies enhance urban resilience to severe weather by improving forecasting, enabling data collection and analysis, monitoring infrastructure, managing energy through smart grids, optimizing flood management systems, supporting green infrastructure, facilitating emergency communication, and aiding in simulation and modeling for informed decision-making. Technology boosts productivity in urban planning by facilitating big data analysis, real-time communication, and accurate forecasting, as well as by leveraging AI for efficient processing and digital twin modeling. It improves sustainability enabling governments to achieve emission reduction goals. Moreover, technology enables smart cities by utilizing IoT to connect urban systems and optimize energy distribution, trash collection, traffic management, and air quality, ultimately enhancing the overall quality of life in urban areas.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE FOR COMPANIES TO TACKLE URBAN CARBON EMISSIONS?

Two key problems exist, direct saving through carbon-neutral investments and policies, and efficient consumption. Technology plays a vital role in personalizing environments to save energy and make them smart. Smart consumption involves adjusting resource usage to align with real-time needs, like lighting and cooling for a few people in a large office. HPE exemplifies this commitment by prioritizing environmental, health, and safety performance, minimizing its environmental impact, and actively participating in the Clean Energy Buyers Association (CEBA).

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE BUSINESS OR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION JOURNEY OF YOUR ORGANIZATION?

Being a leader in our domain comes with its challenges, especially when continuously working on innovations that change every day. While our founders believe in staying very close to our customers, we adopt the philosophy of Customers first, Customers last. This gives us insights based on how our customers see the problems of today and the future. We design our products and solutions, and our engagements around what customers need both in the short and long term, which helps us drive what their business outcomes are and what makes them successful. That is why it is essential for HPE Aruba

Networking as a company to listen to its audience and ensure that we lead the technological change.

WHAT WAS YOUR MOST SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION TO YOUR COMPANY IN 2022 AND HOW DID IT IMPACT OR INFLUENCE THE BUSINESS?

It was an exciting 2022, we launched the first Enterprise networking cloud instance in the UAE. That gave a massive boost to our customers who wanted an AI-driven platform hosted in the country.

Secondly, the HPE Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN saw exponential growth. Designed for cloud-first organizations this has helped customers deploy a state-of-the-art SDWAN paired with a next-gen firewall delivering unmatched quality of experience and advanced security.

WHAT IS YOUR ORGANIZATION’S PLAN FOR 2023? HOW DO YOU INTEND TO USE TECHNOLOGY TO ADVANCE THE BUSINESS?

HPE has expanded its SDWAN portfolio and security capabilities to better address customer requirements. This development simplifies, scales, and adds application awareness at the edge, optimizing network operations. The allin-one SD-Branch and remote worker solutions, alongside self-driving SD-WAN and WAN optimization, capitalize on market opportunities.

Furthermore, HPE Aruba Networking offers Networkas-a-Service (NaaS) capabilities on the HPE GreenLake platform via a monthly subscription. This approach assists understaffed and overburdened IT teams, who often struggle to manage multiple networking products and capabilities from various vendors. n

HPE Aruba is committed to promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship across its operations and supply chain. Through its sustainable product design program, renewable energy initiatives, sustainable supply chain practices, and employee engagement initiatives, HPE Aruba is helping to create a more sustainable future for the networking industry and the world.