THE FAST AND THE

TOWARDS STRONGER CONNECTIVITY

Sakkeer Hussain-Director, Sales & Marketing, D- Link MEA discusses some of the key solutions of focus for enterprise and SME as it helps build stronger and faster networks

How do you think the SME or enterprise segment can leverage some for your technologies best for enabling remote work for their workforce?

Both SME and enterprise segments can take advantage of D-Link’s broad portfolio of networking and cloud solutions, which enable effortless remote work models.

We are a pioneer in cloud solutions and services in the region. We have an elaborate portfolio of indoor and outdoor mydlink cameras, Nuclias Managed Wireless Networking Solution portfolio, market-leading Wi-Fi 6 routers, including two of flagship products - DIR-X6060 EXO AX AX6000 and DIR-X5460 EXO AX AX5400.

Our recent launch Nuclias Managed Wireless Networking Solution portfolio has experienced a wide adoption in the regional market, especially as it was introduced during the peak of COVID-19 lockdowns. Regional businesses, across SMEs and enterprises, are able to implement solutions from Nuclias Cloud portfolio effortlessly to connect to company networks as the installation process demands a minimal need for in-house IT skills. Customers can manage their networks from the cloud with this solution, which boasts benefits around control and convenience.

Discuss how D-Link is enhancing its Nuclias ecosystem and broadening market reach?

Nuclias Connect and Nuclias Cloud Remote Network Management Solutions are part of our transformative remote work solutions portfolio and are genuine market differentiators. The complete end-to-end innovative suite of solutions is crafted to assist and empower remote learning and working. It is unique because never before have IT administrators set up, automated, monitored and scaled wireless networks remotely so easily and seamlessly.

Nuclias Cloud portfolio allows SMBs and large enterprises across retail, education and hospitality, as well as MSPs, to deploy professional-grade networks from anywhere and anytime, eliminating physical space constraints. Convenience, cost-effectiveness and ease of use make the solutions ideal for onboarding, studying, troubleshooting as well as monitoring and reporting network activity quickly and easily.

At D-Link, we are ensuring our partners are trained well in these solutions so that they are equipped to help regional customers with their remote work requirements. We are also continuously adding more partners into this ecosystem and bringing new and improved features to the portfolio.

Do you see demand growth for wireless deployments in campuses and larger institutions across the region? Is that a strong focus for D-Link with its wide portfolio of APs?

The demand for wireless deployments across all sectors has increased, especially as a result of the ongoing pandemic. This is also seen in the education sector, across campuses and larger institutions. With remote and distance learning models in place, it is key that educational institutes invest in the right technology that not only offer the advantages of fast wireless connectivity but also provides security – a crucial element now more than ever. At D-Link, the education segment is a key focus and we have several APs targeted towards this sector.

Please elaborate on how wifi-6 will benefit Business segment customers? Are your new product launches enabled to support WiFi-6?

Wi-Fi 6 will offer extensive benefits to a vast number of users and use cases. The most important advantages will be seen in areas with high densities of users or client devices connecting to and transferring data over wireless networks. According to IDC, businesses that face these challenges will be the first adopters of the technology while others will integrate it as part of regular cyclical refreshes of WLAN hardware upgrades.

In order to truly capitalize on the advantages of Wi-Fi 6, it is necessary for users to invest in new hardware as Wi-Fi standards not only rely on software upgrades. Unlike the existing 11ac wireless standard that operates only in the 5 GHz range, WiFi 6 fully utilizes both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. It also comes with 1024 QAM to boost throughput to devices by up to 25%, and 160 MHz contiguous channel width for even more bandwidth. Wi-Fi 6 routers from D-Link include two of its flagship products - DIR-X6060 EXO AX AX6000 and DIR-X5460 EXO AX AX5400. Besides these two, all our new products are enabled to support Wi-Fi 6.

What are your solutions to support wireless video surveillance, wireless video/data transmission etc? Is there a growing demand?

There is a significantly growing demand for wireless video surveillance solutions. D-Link’s extensive portfolio includes intelligent cameras, such as its flagship product – mydlink DCS-8630LH Full HD

Outdoor Wi-Fi Spotlight Camera with Built-in Smart Home Hub. These cameras are equipped with edge-based person detection with AI technology, allowing for more intelligent and personal automation and surveillance for every smart home. The cameras are interoperable with other devices in the mydlink ecosystem, and also work with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, as well as conform to the ONVIF standard.

mydlink Wire-Free Camera Kit DCS2802KT also supports wireless video surveillance. With a rechargeable battery life up to 11 months, the camera offers true wireless freedom to view, record and share anywhere, anytime. It is equipped with cloud or local video storage and has other features such as IP65 weatherproof, builtin 100 dB siren, Full HD 1080p resolution and PIR motion detection among others.

Among other products that support wireless video surveillance, D-Link also have 802.11a/n Outdoor Short-Distance Wireless Bridge DAP-F3704-I, various wireless AC outdoor bridges such as DAP-F3711-1, DAP-F3705-N, DAPF3712-N to name a few. These are powerful wireless broadband access and transmission products. They offer stable outdoor wireless signal coverage and longdistance wireless backhaul, and provide customers with stable, high quality, convenient broadband services.

How have your partners coped with the current period of pandemic led challenges? How did D-Link help to offset the impact to the greatest possible extent?

The new normal has redefined the usual way of doing business for everyone. Boasting coveted customer relationships, partners have a unique opportunity to truly understand how their offerings can innovate and simplify customers’ operations and propel them digitally.

Our partners are increasingly looking at collaborations with their peers to jointly empower the customer. Partners are learning how to adapt to the evolving customer preferences that the new normal is now defining. This means thinking out of the box to fulfil a need, being agile and always available, offering flexible options and most of all understanding the customer’s changing business models. Sakkeer Hussain Director, Sales & Marketing, D- Link MEA

Our partners are looking at reskilling and bridging the skills gap within their firms as the new normal calls for all hands-on deck and simultaneously presents new opportunities for which they should be ready for. Partners are now also thinking of having their own business continuity plans mapped out and make the move to digital for their operations internally. Cash flow becomes another critical area which partners have to manage smartly.

At D-Link, we understand that each partner has been impacted differently by the crisis and hence have personalized approaches for each company. We are doubling down on our channel investments and prioritizing our channel partners even more. We are having dedicated meetings with our partners to understand their current challenges and finding ways to solve them together. We are adapting our approaches to channel sales, channel marketing and channel enablement to reflect the current market requirements and sentiments. We are also offering extended flexibility and support to our partner network. We are working with our partners closely to help navigate the current market scenario and prep them to thrive in a digital future.

Discuss the tie-up with Ameyo?

D-Link has recently partnered with Ameyo, a leading provider of omnichannel customer engagement solutions. Ameyo helps consumer-facing brands implement results-focussed engagement with customers across mediums like voice, email, chat, social media, and video for sales, onboarding, customer service, and collections use cases. Its product suite includes Omnichannel Contact Center Solutions and Helpdesk & Ticketing Software.

As Ameyo’s only cloud partner in the UAE and Oman, D-Link will bring to its partners the hardware reliability and software services under one umbrella with Ameyo’s product suite. The partnership with D-Link brings Ameyo’s cloud-based omnichannel contact center solutions to the UAE and Oman. Enterprises can replace their existing legacy contact center infrastructure as part of digital transformation and save huge costs with combined offerings from Ameyo and D-Link.