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Help AG Launches Managed Advanced Web Application Firewall Service
Intel Launches the NUC 11 Extreme Kit Mini Gaming PC
Intel has announced the Intel NUC 11 Extreme Kit (code-named “Beast Canyon”), a highly modular desktop PC engineered to provide a phenomenal experience for gaming, streaming, and recording. With the latest 11th Gen Intel Core processors, support for full-size discrete graphics cards, and a full range of I/O ports, the Intel NUC 11 Extreme Kit delivers high-performance gameplay and smooth, immersive visuals.
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Compact Intel NUC 11 Extreme Kits are designed to provide powerful, immersive gaming experiences. For performance, connectivity, and modularity, the Intel NUC 11 Extreme kit delivers massive performance with a small footprint. The highest-performing Intel NUC yet delivers a premium and size-optimized PC package for creating innovative desktops suited to gamers’ unique performance needs. Packing the latest hardware components into a tiny 8-liter case, the Intel NUC 11 Extreme Kit is loaded with features typically found in much larger gaming rigs and offers customizable design options.
The sky’s the limit with up to an 11th Gen Intel Core i9 processor featuring eight cores, 16 threads, and up to 5.0 GHz frequency. Kits are also available with an unlocked Intel 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor. Additional features include two Thunderbolt 4 ports, Intel Wi-Fi 6E, a 2.5-gigabit Intel Ethernet port, and a 650watt internal power supply.
Users can also customise with a full-size discrete graphics card, up to 64 gigabytes of dual-channel memory, and massive storage options thanks to four M.2 slots. It also comes with a hinged chassis lid for easier upgrading. Three large 92mm fans keep things cool and quiet during hours of heated gameplay. RGB under-chassis lighting and replaceable RGB front logo mean each kit can have its own signature design inside and out.
The new Intel NUC 11 Extreme Kits are expected to be available starting in 2021’s third quarter, with more rolling out through the end of this year. Pricing starts at $1,150 to $1,350 for Intel Core i7 and Intel Core i9 kits, respectively.
Help AG, the cybersecurity arm of Etisalat Digital and the region’s trusted security advisor, has launched a fully cloud-delivered Managed Advanced Web Application Firewall (AWAF) service that proactively improves the security posture for organisations relying on web-based applications. The service is in line with Help AG’s service-centric evolution that offers customers uninterrupted access to leading cybersecurity technologies powered from in-country platforms with round-the-clock access to cybersecurity talent on a pay-as-yougo model. Using cutting-edge Web Application Firewall technology, it protects customers’ web-hosted applications from attacks, which target known and unknown exploits, without interrupting legitimate traffic.
Commenting on the launch, Stephan Berner, Chief Executive Officer at Help AG, said: “In today’s digital age, enterprises rely heavily on web applications to perform their day-to-day business functions. With more and more applications moving to the cloud, customers are increasingly exposed to sophisticated attacks wherein hackers take advantage of attack vectors that bypass traditional network and host-based security technologies. Help AG’s Managed Advanced Web Application Firewall service enhances customers’ cybersecurity posture and offers them industry-leading protection and an assurance of uninterrupted web-hosted business applications.”
Berner added: “In-house security teams often struggle to keep pace with the organisation’s digital transformation mandates. They require the help of industry-leading cybersecurity expertise to build application-layer security measures to protect web applications as well as the underlying servers and databases that support them. The service provides them with round-the-clock proactive defense, support, and management, no matter where the end-user is located.”
By the virtue of being purely cloud-operated, customers benefit from a deployment agnostic service, which can seamlessly integrate with any application or web server hosted anywhere in the UAE, regardless of whether the end customer’s web server is deployed in their own premises, at a private data center or hosted in the public cloud. Based on the simple design architecture of point and redirect, the customer’s web application traffic is forwarded through route injection on the DNS towards Help AG’s Managed Advanced WAF service module, to examine and filter the inbound traffic and enforce the rule sets based on the customized policies.
ThreatQuotient Named 2021 TAG Cyber Distinguished Vendor
ThreatQuotient has announced that the company has been recognized as a Distinguished Vendor by TAG Cyber in their Security Quarterly report for Q3 2021. TAG Cyber selected ThreatQuotient as one of only a handful of industry-leading cybersecurity solution providers to be featured in the report, which offers expert guidance, research and analysis, and education across the entire cybersecurity ecosystem.
In 2021, the frequency and scale of cyberattacks have increased and affected businesses and critical infrastructure ranging from hospitals to power plants. Amid the growing intensity and risks associated with these threats, enterprises, governments, and individuals are in need of more The inaccuracy of data breach detection and the complexity of traditional tools significantly impact operations in today’s data-saturated business environment. To address customer challenges related to corporate information protection, compliance, and data visibility, CyberKnight has signed a distribution agreement with GTB Technologies, a leading cybersecurity company that focuses on providing enterprise data protection and data loss prevention solutions.
GTB Technologies is a data protection solution that can prevent the loss of data from malware and trusted insiders by blocking sensitive data in real-time with impeccable accuracy whether it is on-premise, off-premise, in the cloud, or as a managed service. The company created AccuMatch technology with a unique patented fingerprinting feature to ensure the most precise detection, monitoring, and control of sensitive data along with its movements. The platform is capable of real-time inspection of all protocols while stopping data loss immediately.
research and resources to protect against the damage cyber-attacks can inflict on vital systems. To address security personnel shortages and an industry need for more curated and data-driven threat intelligence, ThreatQuotient recently announced two new capabilities built into the ThreatQ platform, ThreatQ TDR Orchestrator and ThreatQ Data Exchange.
“Existing approaches to security automation work for repetitive tasks, but to actually support detection and response needs, the focus of automation should be on the data and not the processes. ThreatQuotient is helping organizations focus on what is learned from their data, resulting in stronger detection and response,” said Leon Ward, VP Product Management, ThreatQuotient. “ThreatQuotient is building on this approach to improve overall security operations, as well as strengthen industry threat intelligence sharing. We are pleased to be included in TAG Cyber’s report as a distinguished vendor, and we appreciate their work to further educate the market on timely threats and leading solutions.”
Katie Teitler, VP of Research and Advisory at TAG Cyber, added, “We are thrilled to feature ThreatQuotient in this publication. Given the rise of ransomware, phishing, and other attacks this year, their insights on achieving efficiency in security operations and curating data for effective automation to defend against attackers are of great interest and importance to IT and security professionals right now.”
CyberKnight and GTB Technologies to Offer DLP Solutions in the Middle East
“Due to its complexity, nowadays more and more organizations are viewing DLP as a program that impedes the productivity and effectiveness of their employees. With GTB, CyberKnight is now able to offer regional organizations the platform with a modularized and efficient approach to data loss protection. Companies are able to integrate the system into their current toolset seamlessly and without disrupting the operational flow, all within 30 minutes,” commented Wael Jaber, VP of Technology and Services, CyberKnight.
“GTB’s Data Protection Solutions are unique from leading competitors as it addresses threats from both trusted and untrusted users, accurately discovering data and stopping breaches. GTB Technologies’ mission is to lead in both innovation and customer trust," said Andrei Rogovets, Manager of Business Development, GTB Technologies, Inc.
AlJammaz Technologies has announced that it has signed a distribution agreement with Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) for distribution coverage across Saudi Arabia. With this partnership, AlJammaz Technologies is authorized to distribute Innovative edge-to-cloud solutions from across the HPE portfolio, including Compute, Storage, Software, and Intelligent Edge.
AlJammaz will also offer solutions as-aservice via the HPE GreenLake edge-tocloud platform, as well as a wide range of networking solutions from Aruba. Through this agreement, both organizations plan to jointly develop and enable their partner ecosystem to deliver next-generation edge-to-cloud empowered solutions from HPE to support the digitization of the economy in Saudi Arabia in line with Saudi Vision 2030. By working with HPE, AlJammaz is looking to help accelerate its partners’ digital transformation journeys and help them stay ahead of what is next.
“We’re excited about our partnership with HPE and look forward to empowering our channel partner ecosystem of System Integrators, MSPs, CSPs, VARs, and local ISVs to deliver next-generation edge to cloud solutions for digital transformation with market-leading offerings from HPE and Aruba. With our vast experience and resources, at AlJammaz Technologies our team will assist HPE to recruit the right mix of new partners, empower and enable existing channel partners across Saudi Arabia,” said Eng. Asim AlJammaz, the CEO of AlJammaz Technologies.
“We are very excited about our partnership with AlJammaz Technologies in Saudi Arabia. There is a great opportunity for both organizations to work together and unlock the full potential of our HPE GreenLake edge to cloud platform. This is because HPE GreenLake cloud services make it easier for channel partners to drive growth and expand their expertise to deliver as-a-service solutions to their customers. Recent enhancements to the HPE GreenLake service offering will assist HPE partners in selling, billing, and capacity planning,” said Issa Al-Khamees, Saudi Arabia & Gulf Managing Director at Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
Sennheiser has appointed Thomsun Trading Est, as an exclusive distributor of their NEUMANN Studio Monitor Solution line in the UAE. NEUMANN is a leading manufacturer of studio monitors, and has always been recognized for technological innovation. The 90-year-old brand expanded into monitors over the past decade to top the wish list of broadcast media.
To further market penetration in UAE, NEUMANN has partnered with THOMSUN TRADING – one of the leading names in the Musical and Audio products Industry in UAE. On this occasion, Mig Cardamone, Sales and Marketing Director, Sennheiser Middle East said, “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Thomsun Trading Est. as the exclusive distributor for the Neumann Studio Monitor line in the UAE. We are impressed with the strength of their team and knowledge of the studio monitor business. Thomsun has a long-lived reputation in the UAE as a distributor and MI retailer, with penetration into broadcast, music recording, and end-user (project studios), as well as system integrators that need high-quality reproduction in corporate or commercial facilities. This appointment fits well with our plans for growing our Neumann monitor business globally as well as in the UAE and the region.”
Thomsun Trading Establishment, General Manager, Davis Varkey, is equally excited about the new appointment. “Neumann is a well-established brand who know their market inside-out. They understand the importance of not just selling a product, but the added value of excellent service and technical assistance at every stage of the project. And that is exactly what Thomsun Trading stands for.” There has been a growing demand for Neumann monitors in the market. This collaboration will provide a plethora of solutions for customers and businesses.
Varkey also added, ‘It is an honour to partner with NEUMANN with its decades of success based on an uncompromising, quality-oriented approach, in both the development and manufacture of all its products. NEUMANN guarantees the highest sound quality along with precision and credibility, a reputation earned over the decades. Our experience in the region, a wide array of showrooms, and offices strategically located across the geography and the range of products we represent gives us the confidence to take on NEUMANN. We hope our expertise and experience together with theirs will help us attain huge success.”
Xerox Emirates Signs Exclusive GCC Distribution Rights With V-Health Passport
Xerox Emirates has entered into an exclusive strategic partnership holding all distribution rights with V-Health Passport Ltd. to launch V-Health Passport, a Secure ID contact tracing platform. The ambitious collaboration will see Xerox Emirates bolster its already impressive portfolio of intelligent and innovative services by offering the V-Health Passport in addition to its advanced VCode and VPassport products to clients around the UAE and the wider GCC.
The V-Health Passport is a secure global mobile solution built on the VPassport platform that uses VST Enterprises’ revolutionary patented VCode technology. This multi-functional platform has a one-step registration process via the V-Health Passport portal or app (available on both Android and iOS) and uses an ID system to provide a chain of evidence displaying various health information about the user such as vaccination status, recent tests as well as other items such as boarding pass, travel, and event tickets. This advanced technology is accessible via mobile or printed lanyards/tickets and allows the user’s status to be shared from a safe distance using a scannable VCode or mobile phone.
Being a test and vaccination agnostic platform, this solution empowers the healthcare sector with details related to all testing regimes including PCR, LAMP, rapid antigen, and antibody tests for COVID-19. Healthcare professionals can register, create and add an item to a passport in five easy steps starting with locating a public user via their V-Health ID, email, or scanning their passport. Another exclusive feature of V-Health Passport is the built-in and fully automated contact tracing system True Contact, which alerts users when they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive either by V-Health Passport or venue VCodes without the need to track their location.
Venue Codes by V-Health Passport are gaining popularity with music, sports, restaurants, or hotel venues. A ‘trackandtrace’ venue code is set up with a digital geo-fence assisting the system with live contact tracing. This means if a passport user who has visited the venue tests positive for coronavirus, other users who visited the venue on that same day will automatically receive an email, text, and app alert prompting them to be re-tested.
Provided as a fully centralised distributed framework, this revolutionary solution and its accompanying apps are free to use and meet the highest security standards. The VCode and V-Health platforms are GDPR compliant providing user information including geolocation, time, date, and device type. The V-Health Passport is an exclusive addition to Xerox Emirates’ suite of digital services and solutions. Xerox Emirates and VHP possess a market-leading range of products and services with capabilities that complement each other’s status. The newly agreed partnership is aimed at helping organisations and events stay safe and become more efficient.
Acronis has appointed cloud software and hosting industry veteran Patrick Pulvermueller as Chief Executive Officer, effective July 1, 2021. Pulvermueller succeeds Serguei Beloussov, who founded the company in 2003 and has served as CEO since 2013. Pulvermueller joins Acronis from GoDaddy, where he most recently served as President of the Partner Business.
In that role, he led the company’s strategic expansion of its Hosting, Productivity, and Security services through resellers and agency partners. Combining that experience with his product development expertise, Pulvermueller is an expert in developing successful, cloud-based go-tomarket strategies, particularly through service providers, resale channels, and strategic alliances. He previously held executive leadership roles as CEO of Host Europe GmbH and Group CEO of Host Europe Group (HEG), where he previously served as Group COO.
“I am excited to join the Acronis team, engage with our tremendous partner network, and continue Serguei’s vision of providing industry-changing cyber protection services,” said Pulvermueller. “Acronis is poised to disrupt the data protection and cybersecurity markets while redefining how service providers leverage remote monitoring and management (RMM) and professional services automation (PSA) services. I look forward to contributing my knowledge and experience in the service provider business to ensure we take full advantage of that opportunity.”
Pulvermueller takes over at a pivotal time. Acronis just received over $250 million in an investment round including CVC Capital Partners VII and others, which values the company at more than $2.5 billion. In addition to accelerating its technology and product development, the company plans to leverage that investment to further enhance its go-to-market initiatives – an area in which Pulvermueller has deep expertise – by expanding its broad partner network, which includes managed service providers (MSPs), managed security service providers (MSSPs), hosting partners, cloud distributors, cloud aggregators, network service providers, and others. Acronis Chairman of the Board of Directors, René Bonvanie, noted, “Having added more than $1.5 billion in valuation during the past 18 months, Acronis is on a tremendous growth trajectory thanks to the cyber protection strategy put in motion by Serguei. Given Patrick’s demonstrated expertise in helping rapid growth companies scale and proven success in a channel-centric environment, we are confident he will accelerate Acronis’ success and prepare the company for the next stage.” Canon Middle East (CME), a provider of imaging technologies and services has announced the appointment of Venkatasubramanian (Subbu) Hariharan as Managing Director, Canon Middle East and Turkey (CMET) effective from 1st July 2021. Hariharan has twenty-seven years of industry experience, with fifteen years of experience at Canon Middle East.
He was previously the B2C Business Unit Director, where he was instrumental in securing a leadership position for CME across the GCC market through the successful channel and country expansions, streamlining operations to improve organizational effectiveness and implementing new business-focused approaches, to build up the company from a shipping company to the strong B2C organization of today. In his new role as Managing Director, Hariharan will oversee the immediate post-pandemic transition, business recovery plans, and Canon Turkey integration, as well as focus on long-term goals of geographical expansion into key markets, driving the customer and people-focused agenda, product diversification, and strengthened digital transformation, with a commitment to Canon’s philosophy of Kyosei: a dedication to working and living together for the common good.
“As we work to rebuild ties and reinvigorate the economy in a post-pandemic era, I am cognizant of the tremendous responsibility we have to our employees, partners, and customers and the importance now, more than ever, of following the true spirit of the Kyosei philosophy. It’s a great privilege to have the opportunity to lead the CME team and I come into this role with a commitment and promise that we will continue to reimagine our business in ways that will always, best serve our customers,” said Venkatasubramanian (Subbu) Hariharan, Managing Director of Canon Middle East and Turkey.
Canon Middle East Gets new MD for Middle East & Turkey
The pandemic continues to evolve and influence how we do business. Although, with the vaccine rollout looking optimistic, there is hope that life will soon start returning to normal – with offices opening their doors and employees back at their desks.
When the mass return to the workplace commences, and a newly flexible workforce emerges, addressing the new business mobility puzzle will become ever more important. However, said puzzle is increasingly complex. In the wake of the pandemic, organisations will need to navigate changing employee expectations when it comes to ways of working, new technology requirements and the challenges that come with adopting these.
Managing new employee expectations
‘Business as usual’ has certainly been turned on its head over the last year and this has bought about a re-adjustment of what it means to keep employees happy and retained. Time away from the office and in their own homes has given workforces a chance to rethink their workplace priorities and expectations.
In recent months, we’ve seen discussions over whether employees want to return to the office or remain working from home – or a combination of both. In fact, over half (59%) of people say that they would like to keep working remotely as much as possible even after COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted. Flexible working options have been high up on the list of most employees for some time now.
What’s more, it’s not just home-based working that is high on the agenda. The pandemic has also accelerated a change to workplace design and location that was already underway. You only need to look at the popularity of co-working spaces worldwide before COVID-19. New working patterns mean that business will need to reduce desks to make room for flexible collaborative and social areas.
Employee desires to be in centralised, city-based offices have also shifted. With
ADDRESSING BUSINESS MOBILITY IN A POST-PANDEMIC WORLD
By Alexander Malienko, Business Unit Director Middle East & Africa, Dynabook Europe GmbH
companies taking a fresh look at how much and where space is required, many employees are pushing employers to set up regional offices closer to where they live. An impact of the pandemic could be that companies split operations between several locations, potentially benefiting from smaller offices.
Recent events have also naturally changed the way that employees will use workplace benefits. Office-based perks will be less relevant in our new world of business. As a result, businesses will need to work harder on the value proposition they bring to employees.
The role of technology
At the heart of enabling these new ways of working and meeting employee expectations is technology. For millennial employees, in particular, technology is already a defining factor of a good work experience. However, for all employees, the pandemic has highlighted the importance of reliable workplace technology – especially end-user devices which have been so heavily relied on by employees working remotely.
Laptops and PCs have been the unsung heroes of this pandemic, and will continue to be so in this new world of working. As such, businesses need to ensure they are investing in lightweight and portable, yet powerful devices designed to accommodate both home working and time in the office. These devices need to be durable enough to withstand being on the move, whilst also having the same next-level connectivity as a smartphone to enable effortless collaboration and avoid costly downtime.
That said, it’s not just end-user devices that will play a key role in facilitating a work-fromanywhere model for businesses. We’ve well and truly entered a new reality where teamwork no longer means having to be in the same physical location. Other digital technologies such as wearables will also play a key role in workplace collaboration.
Smart glasses, for example, will enable interactive remote communication – bringing people face-to-face with functions like document retrieval, workflow instructions and real-time data capture. The global wearables market has proven resilient during the pandemic, with CCS Insight predicting that sales of wearables are now expected to reach 300 million units in 2024.
Solving technology challenges with more technology
A potential obstacle for any business adding connected devices and solutions to their network is the amount of data these devices will create and how they manage and process this data effectively and securely. The answer? Investing in more next-generation technology. Completely overhauling networks can be time and resource-intensive, especially for businesses navigating a recession. Edge computing offers a viable solution to resolve this, processing data at the edge reduces strain on the cloud so users can be more selective of the data they send to the network core.
Another consideration is security. With devices accessing and entering the corporate network in and away from the office, this opens up the threat landscape for businesses. According to recent research, the number of ransomware attacks reported by web users grew by 485 per cent in 2020 compared to the previous year. End-user devices with in-build security features such as facial or fingerprint recognition and hardware-based credential storage capabilities provide a secure first defence against cybercriminals, while solutions like zero client solutions ensure devices themselves do not retain sensitive information.
Even as we continue to face the ongoing impact of the pandemic, conversations around what business mobility will look like postCOVID-19 have already started. The world of work has changed forever and with it comes new ways of working and fresh employee expectations for businesses to adapt to. Getting mobility right in the ‘next normal’ will require time and investment, and will ultimately need to include next-generation technology.
Jason McMillan, the Sales Director at Epson Middle East, speaks about the products and solutions his company offers for today’s workplace
Which products and solutions do you offer for today’s workplace?
Epson provides products that address and help support the business needs of today’s workplace environments. Whether hybrid or remote working, businesses are opting for technology solutions that can help with the need for physical distancing and lower user intervention while sill prioritising products that are cost-effective and eco-friendly.
Epson’s versatile solutions for the workplace help support organisations in the Middle East in optimising costs, efficiency, and sustainability.
Printing services such as: Epson Print Admin, can reduce touchpoints as employees swipe their cards to release print jobs without touching the device. These solutions also reduce paper and ink waste, as well as improving data security as prints are only released once the users are in front of the machine and have authorised its release using their swipe cards.
Cloud-based solutions, such as Epson Connect, can allow employees to remotely print documents from their mobile devices.
Remote servicing software such as Epson Remote Service allows print fleets to be monitored and maintained remotely, reducing the need for onsite engineer visits, and increasing first-fix success. Additionally, the cost of maintenance and printer downtime are also reduced.
Epson display solutions can help safely bring people back together and maintain social distancing in the classroom or office while ensuring materials being presented are visible to all due to large display screen sizes that can scale up to 155 inches. Those working or studying remotely can also connect, collaborate, annotate, share ideas and add to group work. Unlike flat panels, there are no visible finger marks left on screen when touched and when using them with anti-bacterial whiteboard surfaces, it eradicates any breeding ground for bacteria and viruses.
Epson’s visualisers such as the education document camera can project live views
of 3D objects without people crowding or passing objects, reducing touchpoints and allowing engagement with remote students. It also provides flexibility to show the classroom from any angle simply by rotating and repositioning the camera head.
How do you think technology today helps businesses grow?
Technology is driving change in almost every major industry; finding smart ways to use technology is an integral part of success in business today. Companies across the Middle East are relying on technology more than ever to drive innovation, strategy, growth, and increase competitive advantage. Companies of all sizes use technology systems to improve the way they design and manage their workflow, operations, processes, production, business communications, financial record keeping.
The retail industry is a great example of this. Businesses evolved as a result of the pandemic and needed to shift to alternative ways to cater to their customers, such as e-commerce, online deliveries or in-home dining options for restaurants. Digital label printing has been an essential technology tool in the Middle East since the pandemic, helping with remote or online order placements for products and custom-made labels for specific customers or brands. Epson’s label printers and portable POS receipt printers have helped businesses responding to this demand.
In addition, as we witnessed a rise of home offices, technologies such as Epson’s EcoTank printer range, have been a tremendous support – where cartridges are no longer needed, significantly reducing the need for users to shop for and replace ink.
Within manufacturing and heavy industry, our Moverio smart glasses have helped with remote diagnostics and servicing, enabling specialist support in field without the need for engineers to physically attend. In retail, our Moverio glasses have also been used for virtual shopping to help retailers remain open by reviewing products live in store for potential customers viewing at home.
How is technology driving our economic recovery?
Technology has played an essential role in keeping our economy and society functioning during the pandemic and it can play an even bigger role in driving a sustainable economic recovery.
Digital technologies can make manufacturing more productive and less resource-intensive, and supply chains more resilient. Reshoring and the further development of local manufacturing is aligned with Middle East transformation agendas, as it would see manufacturing driving diversified economic growth and enabling job creation.
Automated robotics are set to play a major role in supporting reshoring and local manufacturing. As automated robotics have become more accessible and affordable, they are now ideal for small companies, manufacturers, and the agricultural industry. For example, robotics allows for the creation of new domestic jobs through reshoring, as businesses bring their production and distribution home. A new channel of jobs and opportunities in programming, engineering, AI and technology-based careers could also be created as robot fleets need to be programmed and managed.
How is tech shaping the infrastructure of tomorrow?
The office of the future is expected to look very different to the office of today. Not only because of social distancing requirements, but also because organisations have reimagined workflows and processes around digital opportunities to enhance agility, collaboration, performance, and customer-centricity. However, more information shared digitally often means more materials need to be printed – with printers playing a central role in the increasingly information-centric workplace, especially in legal, medical, and financial services.
Organizations are shifting from a culture of ’print everything‘ to ’print what matters most‘ – with a workload that is centred on the document. Epson’s business inkjet printers can use less energy, reduce waste, and are more sustainable for the environment and the bottom line. Print is most powerful when combined with digital media.
Epson looks forward to launching PaperLab within the region. Globally, it is the first in-office, paper secure recycler, that turns wastepaper into new paper using a virtually dry process powered by Epson’s unique Dry Fiber technology. This revolutionary, on-demand solution will help businesses in the Middle East to securely destroy sensitive information, recycle, reduce its societal and environmental impact and take control of paper supplies.
How is your company investing in the workforce of tomorrow?
We are investing in the Middle East as a growth market, aligned with national transformation agendas, increasing our local head count, and supporting the workforce. We have partnered with Middlesex University Dubai with its Robotics Laboratory, supporting the MSc Robotics programme. Epson also engaged with over 11,000 students of all ages as part of its ‘New Horizons’ programme, introducing young people to sustainable technology and inspiring them to achieve their career goals.
How is your company working towards a sustainable future? Epson has announced Epson 25 Renewed, a new corporate vision to drive the company towards its goals of achieving sustainability and enriching communities. Epson’s strong sustainability commitments and achievements already see it ranking in the top ten of all companies measured by industry intelligence provider IDC’s sustainability framework, rating higher than average across all indexes measured.
Epson’s revised Environmental Vision 2050 reinforces these goals, as the company seeks to become carbon negative and underground resource free by 2050 through a program of decarbonisation, closing resource loops, customer environmental impact mitigation and the development of innovative environmental technologies. We will invest 100 billion Yen (33 million AED) to help achieve these goals.
How do you think tech will shape the 2021 landscape?
Technology has enabled businesses to continue to function and improve despite challenging circumstances. It has and will continue to play an important role for organisations, in creating, innovating, and further developing their business. Middle East organisations that adopt innovative technology now can enable the socially distanced office to meet government guidelines and to maintain business continuity. Investments in innovative technologies can also lower total cost of ownership and deliver innovative new business models.
In 2021, Epson Middle East will focus on connecting businesses with the sustainable technology solutions that will not only save them money but also contribute to their sustainability goals. Our business inkjet printers for instance use less energy than laser printers, significantly reducing energy consumption. With this one simple technology switch, small and large business alike can be more sustainable while protecting their bottom line. In retail, Epson offers businesses a range of products such as mPOS devices and label printers that can transform customer experiences, improve brand communication and reduce cost and waste in the process.
Keith Li, the Country Manager for UAE at Huawei Consumer Business Group, speaks about the products and solutions offered by his company for today's workplaces
Which products and solutions do you offer for today's workplace?
At Huawei, we recently revealed our Super Device Products line-up that aims to provide consumers with the technology and services they need to fully realise a “Smart office” experience. A new “Smart Office” experience brings a productivity hub that breaks through boundaries for maximum creativity and efficiency.
Super device connectivity with and without wires, along with Huawei MateView, Huawei MatePad Pro, and Huawei MateBook exemplifies full integration suitable for our busy lifestyles. Supported by the distributed data management and task scheduling capabilities of HarmonyOS, the tablet, laptop, and smart monitor can work together seamlessly to double our productivity and creativity in different scenarios, whether you are in the office or working from home.
This is done by Huawei MatePad Pro and Huawei MateView’s wireless projection capability along with Mouse and keyboard control. The advantage of the new “Smart Office” experience is the easy swapping of wireless and wired connections sharing the screen, cross-device file dragging and dropping, delivering a more efficient and collaborative multi-device experience. This allows us easily switch between work mode and personal mode.
How do you think technology today helps businesses grow?
Modern-day consumers own more than one smart device and as such increasingly demand a more interconnected experience that unlocks easier collaboration across various types of smart products. This is also true of businesses and Huawei understands this. Therefore, as part of our 1+8+N strategy, we have created an ecosystem of linked devices and services that allow users to do more with their Huawei smartphone at its core.
Huawei Super Devices is key to this concept, which links devices together at the system level via HarmonyOS so they can pool their hardware capabilities together forming a single Super Device and providing users with seamless collaboration across various Huawei smart products.
How is your company investing in the workforce of tomorrow?
As mentioned previously, modern technology users demand devices and services that allow for seamless collaboration through an interconnected ecosystem. Huawei Consumer BG is continuing to work hard to implement its “1 + 8 + N” Seamless AI Life strategy, where: “1” represents mobile phone users; “8” represents tablets, PCs, VR devices, wearables, smart screens, smart audio, smart speakers, and head units; and “N” represents ubiquitous IoT devices.
This concept is driven by our Super Device and Huawei Mobile Services (HMS) ecosystem, this strategy enables different types of devices to seamlessly share their capabilities and information, providing consumers with an intelligent experience across five key scenarios: smart office, fitness & health, smart home, easy travel, and entertainment. Based on this strategy we will continue to introduce more products and experiences to our users in the UAE and across the region including our Super Device new range of products.
How do you think tech will shape the 2021 landscape?
At Huawei, we remain focused on the needs of our users and continue to deliver practical business value. We are committed to developing meaningful innovative products and services that truly impact people’s lives in a positive way. This is our promise to our users, and we will continue to have the same drive and energy to innovate and engineer the market with leading products and services.
We already have a wide portfolio of products including PCs, tablets, wearables, audio devices, and more. As such, we will continue to provide the UAE market and wider region with the latest products and technology during 2021. Consumers today demand a more connected life and that is exactly what our 1+8+N Seamless AI Life Strategy delivers.
