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16 Years of Excellence and Notable Milestones

Content COVER FEATURE

hilst JNS Media International carves 16 years of excellence in its history, we recollect the stunning sunshine of September 18, 2005 that flashed on the firstever edition of VAR, print magazine focused on the ICT channel. Since then, we have seamlessly walked towards success and established numerous milestones including two meritorious publications (VARonline.com, The Integrator), events (ICT Champion Awards), and the B2B Lead Generation program. Today, we attribute our strength to the success of 230+ editions of VAR, which continues to be the favorite publication of the ICT channel, 95 editions of The Integrator, 150+ events in 14 countries, and B2B lead generation program in 24 countries. The glorious journey thrives and we are all set to announce an exceptional product, Digital B2B Lead Generation platform, at GITEX Technology Week – 2021. Simultaneously, VAR expands its functional ground to the electronics, IT, and telecom sectors. Notably, we are up again to honor leading ICT solutions providers in the 14th edition of the ICT Champion Awards that happens on the sidelines of GITEX. The September edition of The Integrator covers the broad spectrum of the display market. We left no stones unturned in our exploration of the sector. The growth prospects of OLED, the splurge out on consumer electronics, and the ongoing shortage of ICs, have been explained in the edition and carries major interviews with industry leaders. The Integrator has a progressive approach towards the developing trends in the market and we decide to dedicate a part of the September edition and the entire October edition to pour light on the UAE’s fastestgrowing SME sector. We thank each one of you for the guidance and support and without that, we couldn’t have achieved any of these.

SME FOCUS

Startups, SMEs Account for 40 percent of Dubai Science Park’s Business Partners

Visa-Mashreq Partnership Presents a Digital Payment Solution for SMBs

ODATiO: Savoye’s Eco-Friendly Contribution to Supply Chain

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

Commercial Display Market Is Evidently Dynamic and Competitive Adarsh Nair, GM, Sharp NEC

Dahua Aims to Accelerate Display Business in Security and Transport Sectors - Justin, Display Products and Solution Director, Dahua

Turnkey Solutions Should Combine With Prominent Technology in Distribution - Kamran Khayal, GM, Trigon

NEWS IN DETAIL

Assistant Editor

Fortinet and Linksys Joint Venture Delivers First-Of-Its-Kind Secure Enterprise Solution

STATS AND TRENDS

Happy reading!

Murali Margassery

Radiance of Success Burgeons in Commercial Display Segment The display market, spread across more than a dozen industry verticals, values over $166 billion and still growing.

Digital Out-Of-Home Advertising Spend to See a Dramatic Increase

Published by: JNS Media International (OMA Group Company) OMA House, P.O. Box: 3314, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. Tel: +971 6 573 0000 | website: www.VARonline.com | Sales Inquiries: sales@var-mea.com All other Inquiries: info@var-mea.com | Editorial: editor@var-mea.com Disclaimer: While the publishers have made every attempt possible to get accurate information on published content in this Magazine they cannot be held liable for any errors herein.

www.VARonline.com

SEPTEMBER 2021 3

TECHNOLOGY

SME Focus

STARTUPs, SMEs ACCOUNT FOR 40 PERCENT OF DUBAI SCIENCE PARK’S BUSINESS PARTNERS From plastic waste to automation, Dubai Science Park attracts promising entrepreneurs pushing the envelope for local innovation

Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi Managing Director, Dubai Science Park

ubai Science Park aims to strengthen the UAE’s position as an innovation hub accommodating 40 percent of its business partners from the SME sector. More than four in 10 companies in the region’s biotech capital, which is home to global pharmaceutical and medical giants such as GE Healthcare, Pfizer, and Bayer, are small or medium enterprises working on everything from telemedicine to circular economy initiatives. According to official notes, these enterprises are offered ample office and laboratory space, world-class infrastructure, and the integrated ecosystem is conducive to creativity and innovation at the Science Park. It also provides an attractive environment for scientificallyminded entrepreneurs to scale up promising ventures close to some of the world’s biggest biotech and medical companies. Marwan Abdulaziz Janahi, Managing Director of Dubai Science Park, said, “When startups innovate, they accelerate economic growth and create new jobs. At Dubai Science Park, we help shape a more sustainable and self-sufficient future that maximizes the use of homegrown resources and

4 SEPTEMBER 2021

talent in line with the UAE’s vision.” He added, “Digital transformation has opened new opportunities for them to enter the health sector, and we are here to assist them every step of the way – from an easy and convenient setup process to establishing a base in one of our wide selection of spaces designed with the needs of the scientific community in mind, all the way to growing and expanding their businesses.” DGrade, a supporter of the UAE’s transition to the circular economy specializes in recycling plastic bottles and converting them into yarn to manufacture over 200 types of fabrics. Using its trademarked Greenspun technology, the company washes, shreds, and melts down plastic bottles into a fiber that is spun into apparel, diverting plastic away from landfills. DGrade works with businesses such as Unilever and Coca-Cola as well as events like the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to collect plastic waste, which then gets converted into material for uniforms and sold back to the companies. Among the start-ups that have found their feet in the business district is Ehfaaz, a hi-tech company that aspires to revolutionize the www.VARonline.com

recycling landscape by using food and FMCG waste to produce organic fertilizer and cleaning products. Owing to its mix of highly skilled labor and state-of-the-art automation, it has the annual capacity to convert more than 1,000 tonnes of waste into high-value compost that is sold to farms, landscaping companies, and sports centers, providing an environment-friendly as well as a profitable alternative to burying or burning waste. Startups are the growth engine of any economy. According to the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, the SME sector contributed 53 percent to the UAE’s GDP, represented more than 94 percent of the total number of companies operating in the country, and provided jobs for more than 86 percent of the private sector’s workforce in 2019. Established in 2005 to diversify the UAE’s economy and accelerate the development of the biotechnology industry, Dubai Science Park is a holistic business district focused on healthcare, energy, and the environment. It is home to more than 400 companies with over 4,000 employees.

VISA-MASHREQ PARTNERSHIP PRESENTS A DIGITAL PAYMENT SOLUTION FOR SMBs

KHALIFA FUND STARTS A PROJECT TO SUPPORT STARTUPs AND SMEs

Shahebaz Khan Visa's General Manager, UAE

isa, a leader in digital payments, and Mashreq, one of the largest card acceptance service providers in the UAE, have partnered to debut the new “Rapid Seller Onboarding” program in the UAE. This solution enables digital acquisition and onboarding of SMBs by allowing them to sign up directly with the payment acquirer (Mashreq) to accept digital payments from their customers in-store/at point-of-sale or online within just seven working days. Visa is initially rolling out this solution in the UAE before expanding it to other markets in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (CEMEA) region. Visa's Rapid Seller Onboarding program is designed to eliminate the pain points that both merchants and acquirers face during the traditional onboarding process. This includes a lack of digital touchpoints, lengthy onboarding timelines, and limited feedback mechanisms that result in high costs for both merchants and acquirers. UAE-based SMBs can join the automated onboarding process by submitting the new merchant application form online through Visa’s Small Business Hub. If the application is approved,

Kartik Taneja Mashreq’s EVP - Head of Payments

the merchant is notified, and the preferred acceptance channel is activated. Shahebaz Khan, Visa's General Manager for the UAE, said, "SMBs in the UAE have been hit hard by the pandemic and although they are on the road to recovery, we recognize the pressures they face to meet the changing payment habits of their customers. With this in mind, we are pleased to partner with Mashreq to launch ‘Rapid Seller Onboarding’, a program specifically designed to support both small businesses and acquirers with a faster, seamless, and cost-effective onboarding solution. " “Mashreq is glad to be the first in the region to partner with Visa for this innovative process of enabling merchant onboarding using digital acquisition. We are increasingly experiencing a shift from cash to digital payment methods in the SMB merchants’ segment. The Rapid Seller Onboarding initiative will help to expedite the onboarding of these merchants with maximum convenience,“ says, Kartik Taneja, Mashreq’s EVP- Head of Payments. www.VARonline.com

halifa Fund for Enterprise Development in Abu Dhabi launches a new project, “Level Up” to help up to 10 startups and small and medium enterprises (SME). The project focuses on strengthening home-grown ventures, creating jobs, and driving the transition of the UAE to a knowledge-based economy. The program gives attention to selected sectors in Abu Dhabi. The Level Up program includes custom learning, events for networking, and training and mentor sessions. The participants of the program get an opportunity to connect with industry specialists, prospective investors, buyers, and partners. One of the major aims of the program is that the participants would be enabled to reimagine their existing business models while attending these sessions. “Entrepreneurs, SMEs, and start-ups play a vital role in contributing to our economy. That is why we are positioning them at the heart of this program designed to provide seamless access to new markets, technologies, and expertise,” says Mouza Al Nasri, Acting CEO of Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development. Level Up operates in consecutive stages of two to four months, each. It covers finance, health services, biopharma, ICT, tourism, real estate, and agriculture technology (AgTech). The program format includes learning and mentorship, a forum and demo play, and two meetup events. SEPTEMBER 2021 5

TECHNOLOGY

SME Focus

TECHNOLOGY

NEWS BYTES

ARAMEX REDESIGNS OPERATING MODEL TO CAPTURE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

he leading global provider of comprehensive logistics and transportation solutions, Aramex, announces adopting a new operating model with the strategic objective of enhancing customer service levels and operating efficiencies. Mohammad Alkhas, a senior logistics executive with over 24 years of experience, has been appointed COO for Aramex Logistics. Similarly, Alaa Saoudi has been appointed COO for Aramex Express. Saoudi has held several senior geographic and operations positions at Aramex. The organization has also created a new regional structure composed of the Americas; Europe; Sub-Saharan Africa; Middle East, North Africa and Turkey (MENAT); GCC; South Asia and North Asia; and Oceana. Each region will be led by a Regional Vice

President and will have dedicated commercial and operations teams focused on growing Aramex’s local footprint and driving commercial opportunities and customer-centric innovations. All support functions, including finance, human resources, procurement, digital, and customer contact centers will be provided centrally by Aramex’s Corporate Centre, which will also manage M&A and strategy, legal, risk, and compliance to ensure global control and alignment across the newly formed clusters. Aramex Express includes international and domestic delivery solutions, serves the B2C customer base including Shop and Ship, e-commerce, FMCG, SMEs, and other customers needing innovative lastmile solutions. Meanwhile, Aramex

Mohammad Alkhas COO, Aramex Logistics

Logistics will serve a B2B customer base across multiple industries including oil and gas, healthcare and pharmaceutical, aerospace, retail, and fashion, amongst others.

SME Focus

ODATiO: SAVOYE’S ECO-FRIENDLY PUSH TO SUPPLY CHAIN

avoye, a global provider of supply chain solutions, recently announced that a growing number of sustainability-conscious clients are contributing to the increase in the demand for its eco-friendly technology products and software in the first half of 2021. ODATiO, a supply chain execution software, is top among Savoye’s suite of solutions. It combines warehouse management system (WMS) and transport management system (TMS) to provide seamless and efficient supply chain management as well as its JIVARO packing machine that adjusts the carton to the contents leading to a reduction in shipments. “Sustainability is now taking the center stage in the global supply chain industry, and Savoye’s custom-built offerings are enabling our clients to enhance their operations while minimizing their carbon footprint. Further enhancements of existing

6 SEPTEMBER 2021

installations will greatly improve our sustainability efforts by 20 to 30 percent since customers will not be systematically required to purchase new systems anymore.” Numerous companies and organizations are shifting to more sustainable supply chain technologies. According to studies, 65 to 95 percent of a company's total CO2 emissions come from suppliers, while reports from last year confirm that 33 percent of consumers are looking for sustainable products and practices among supply chain groups and companies. For instance, there has been a rise in the deployment of GPS devices to minimize the use of fuels. Sustainable software, including ODATiO and automated packing machines, promises to provide options for supply chain participants to integrate innovative alternatives such as clean energy and reusable waste materials from warehouses to enhance overall production and distribution.

www.VARonline.com

TECHNOLOGY

NEWS BYTES

CHECK POINT ACQUIRES AVANAN TO REDEFINE SECURITY FOR CLOUD EMAIL

heck Point Software Technologies Ltd., a cyber security solutions provider to corporate enterprises and governments, announces the acquisition of Avanan, a cloud email security company. Avanan technology provides the highest level of security for emails and SaaS collaboration suites. Avanan will integrate into the Check Point Infinity consolidated architecture to deliver a secure email security offering. Utilizing patented technology designed and built for cloud email environments, this will a unified solution in the market to protect the remote workforce from malicious files, URLs, and Phishing across email, collaboration suites, web, network, and endpoint. Avanan, founded in 2015, is a growing cloud-email security vendor.

The company developed a patented application-programming interface (API) solution to stop email threats before arriving in the inbox (inline), for both internal and external emails using AI-based engines. “More and more businesses are moving to cloud-email platforms and with email becoming a major channel to launch devastating cyberattacks, this acquisition represents a huge potential as organizations are looking for a new approach to email and collaboration suite security,” says Dr. Dorit Dor, Check Point’s Chief Product Officer. Check Point Infinity is a consolidated security architecture, providing the highest level of threat prevention against both known and unknown cyber threats. The integration of Avanan technology into the Check Point

Dr. Dorit Dor Check Point’s Chief Product Officer

Infinity architecture is expected to deliver high-level security to remote workforces worldwide protect them from malicious files, URLs, and phishing across email, collaborations apps, web, network, and endpoint.

AVEVA LAUNCHES COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS CONTROL SOFTWARE

Rashesh Mody SVP Monitoring and Control, AVEVA

VEVA, a known industrial software company, announces that its operations control solutions will be available as a single

8 SEPTEMBER 2021

subscription. This redefines the industrial software experience, going beyond HMI and SCADA, enabling industrial organizations of all sizes to develop collaborative workforces, scale effectively, and optimize operations for agility and efficiency. From IIoT architectures and cloud-driven remote edge management to multi-site supervisory control, AVEVA operations Control software will be available via a flexible user-centric model, through the AVEVA Flex Subscription program in three core packages: Edge, Supervisory, and Enterprise. AVEVA operations control offers a range of possibilities for companies to connect operations and workers via the cloud, web, and mobile to drive efficiency through www.VARonline.com

collaboration and standardization. It delivers supervisory, visualization, collaboration, and analytics software in a single combined subscription providing unlimited access to actionable information. Every team, whether on the plant floor, in the control room, or operating across the enterprise, is empowered to do more, in collaborative alignment. Rashesh Mody, SVP Monitoring and Control, AVEVA said, “our solution is enabling teams in different physical locations to organize their operations, collaborate, and leverage vast internal knowledge. Most importantly, customers can now accelerate their digital transformation journey through one simple, agnostic subscription package.”

WITH ODYSSEY NEO G9, SAMSUNG UNVEILS THE FUTURE OF GAMING

amsung Electronics, one of the top-tier gaming monitor companies launches its next-generation curved gaming monitor, the Odyssey Neo G9. The monitor is enhanced with Quantum Mini LED technology. The Odyssey Neo G9 joins the Odyssey lineup, taking gaming to the next level with Quantum Matrix technology, supported by Quantum Mini LED display and Quantum HDR 2000 for an immersive gaming experience. “Samsung addressed the demands and expectations of even the most demanding gamers with the launch of the groundbreaking Odyssey gaming monitor portfolio last year,” said Hyesung Ha, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Withthe introduction of the Odyssey Neo G9, equipped with Quantum Mini LED displays, we are excited to offer a state-of-the-art gaming experience to our customers and demonstrate our continued leadership in the market.” The Odyssey Neo G9 utilizes the same Mini LED technology built into Samsung’s latest Neo QLED lineup. This next-generation display technology is enabled by a new light source, Quantum Mini LED. At 1/40 the height of a conventional LED,1 the Quantum Mini LED has incredibly thin microlayers filled with many more LEDs. Additionally, Quantum Matrix Technology, which harnesses enhanced 12-bit gradation for greater control of the light source – the Quantum Mini LEDs makes dark areas darker and bright areas brighter with 2,048 dimming zones, ensuring viewers enjoy the content as it is meant to be seen. Quantum HDR

2000 offers a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, with certification received from VDE (Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker), alongside a static contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1. The Odyssey Neo G9 provides Adaptive Sync on DP1.4 and HDMI2.1 VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) through HDMI 2.1 with NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatibility and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, delivering dynamic and seamless action scene-by-scene for a ground-breaking gameplay experience. The display seamlessly fits into any gaming setup or environment, with a glossy white exterior and futuristic rear infinity core lighting system, which includes 52 colors and five lighting effect options. The monitor also comes with the CoreSync feature, allowing users to personalize their setup with the multiple color mode, for world-blending immersion.

BENQ-FLY ELISE-NG COLLABORATION UNBOLTS CONSULTANCY AND INTEGRATION POSSIBILITIES

enQ, the global projector manufacturer, announces their new strategic partnership with Fly Elise-ng, a professional image alignment solution provider. The consumer class lauds the collaboration and expects to be benefitted from multiple projection systems, as their shared expertise offers greater consultancy and integration

possibilities. BenQ will offer consultancy services for Fly Elise-ng customers on how to integrate projectors into their environment, while the BenQ product portfolio will be integrated with the Fly Eliseng Design Pro, Auto-alignment, and Edge-blending solutions to visualize the display environment. Parameters that will shortly be www.VARonline.com

added in Fly Elise-ng Design Pro include image size, distance, necessary projector quantity, and model recommendation. By integrating the BenQ product portfolio into Fly Eliseng’s Designer Pro and other alignment tools, the aim is to optimize the user experience and reach higher customer satisfaction. SEPTEMBER 2021 9

TECHNOLOGY

NEWS BYTES

TECHNOLOGY

NEWS IN DETAIL

FORTINET AND LINKSYS JOINT VENTURE DELIVERS FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND SECURE ENTERPRISE SOLUTION

ortinet, a leader in broad, integrated, and automated cybersecurity solutions, and Linksys, a leader in wireless networking products, announce a new joint solution to enable enterprise organizations to support and secure work-from-home networks. Linksys HomeWRK for Business | Secured by Fortinet is claimed to be the firstever enterprise solution to deliver secure network connectivity for both corporate and personal needs in one easy-to-setup unit optimized for business applications and collaboration tools, including Zoom. “Our goal was two-fold. First, make it very simple for anyone to set up a fast and reliable home Wi-Fi network. Second, provide enterprise IT with the ability to secure and manage the business aspects of that work-from-home Wi-Fi network just as they do with any other device attached to the network,” says John Maddison, EVP of products and CMO at Fortinet Harry Dewhirst, CEO at Linksys adds, "It’s clear that remote work is the future of work and we are not simply providing a solution to make it work. We are providing companies a way to enable employees to securely and safely connect to their work, thrive in remote environments, and operate with peak productivity and efficiency.” The joint venture offers the following benefits of choosing their product: Fast, Reliable, and Secure Wi-Fi Mesh Connectivity: Enterprise IT teams can easily distribute the provision-free hardware to employees to replace their existing

10 SEPTEMBER 2021

home router to establish both corporate and personal networks. With a blanket of mesh Wi-Fi coverage, employees can enjoy a consistent whole-home Wi-Fi connection, without worrying about a weak signal or dead spots.

Zero-Touch Provisioning Simplifies Installation: The zero-touch provisioning solution streamlines the employee onboarding experience with simple plug-and-connect devices that don’t require physical assistance from corporate IT teams to install.

Optimized for Zoom to Boost Team Collaboration: With a quality of service (QoS) networking technology that prioritizes and optimizes traffic for Zoom and other business collaboration applications, users can be confident that their meeting, webcast, or remote interview goes off without a hitch.

Simple Remote Management: An intuitive management console enables enterprise IT managers to monitor and diagnose the performance of all devices connected to the corporate network in real-time via a single portal.

Enterprise-grade Security from Fortinet: The solution is integrated with industry-leading Fortinet security to safeguard against cyber threats introduced by home networks and automatically blocks suspicious malware, prevents intrusions, and filters harmful content.

Employee Privacy Protection: Protect remote employees’ privacy with support for multiple networks for separate personal use. While the corporate network is managed by the IT team, employees maintain complete ownership of the personal network and security settings.

www.VARonline.com

TECHNOLOGY

NEWS BYTES

EXPERIENCE THE POWER OF LG’S ROLLABLE OLED TV

G Electronics has recently unveiled its latest OLED TV line-up at The Dubai Mall and claiming to have introduced, the world’s first rollable OLED TV and a host of new 4K models designed to create a cinematic experience from the comfort of home. LG lets visitors experience the industry-leading sound and picture quality of its OLED TVs firsthand, alongside the opportunity to connect with product specialists.

KEY PRODUCTS IN THE LINEUP: LG SIGNATURE OLED R (Rollable OLED TV): Integrated with the technology that seamlessly blend with the interior in today’s most refined homes, while also offering greater flexibility for users to curate their space. The TV’s 65-inch flexible OLED display is created from one sheet of glass, features self-lit pixels and independent dimming control to usher in a new era of picture quality with depth, accuracy, and vibrancy.

LG C1 4K OLED TV – The Ultimate Gaming Accomplice: The TV features AI Picture Pro –recognizing onscreen objects such as faces and bodies, distinguishes between foregrounds and backgrounds, processing each object independently to make images more three-dimensional and lifelike.

SHARP NEC-WINDOWS COLLABORATION FOR FLEXIBLE HYBRID WORKING

harp NEC Display Solutions Europe launches the NEC MultiSync WD551, a Microsoft Windows collaboration display that provides an integrated smart solution for modern meeting spaces. The WD551 is a room peripheral certified for Microsoft Teams designed to support maximum flexibility in hybrid working practices, enabling Bring Your Own Meeting (BYOM) scenarios - users simply connect their device via the display’s secure USB-C cable to immediately share content and start video meetings. The companies claimed, by connecting a PC using familiar Microsoft tools such as Microsoft 365 and Teams, the WD551 delivers frictionless meeting experiences, with instant access whether participants

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are in-room or remote. Two 65W USB-C inputs enable seamless switching between two users while both connected devices receive a power supply. While certified for Microsoft Teams enabling excellent video and sound quality during meetings, the WD551 also enables any application installed on the user’s notebook to be projected onto the display’s 55” screen, as users simply connect their own devices. “As businesses approach a hybrid model of remote and on-site working, it’s clear that BYOM is here to stay. We’ve listened carefully to our customers and, in the new NEC WD551 Windows collaboration display, developed a solution that grants them maximum mobility and flexibility in even the smallest meeting environments,” says Daniela Dexheimer, Senior Product Manager Collaboration Technologies at Sharp NEC Display Solutions Europe. Using the latest PCAP touch technology and optically bonded glass for reduced parallax, the WD551 provides a natural writing experience, whether customers use their finger or a pen. In addition, users can benefit from Windows Ink support with the two active pens included, and palm rejection which allows users to rest their hands on the screen without making unwanted marks. The WD551 also uses its IoT sensors to gather telemetric data from its environment, such as room occupancy, temperature, lighting, and air quality.

www.VARonline.com

COVER FEATURE

DISPLAY SIGNAGE

Radiance of Success Burg Commercial Display Segm

ountless shafts of lights jump out of hundreds of rectangle frames, their thousands of flashes and flickers, and their millions of hue blends. Rhetorically, the outdoor lives of humankind got immersed in this surreal radiance for as many years we can recall and the entire years to come. No matter how much visual chaos has been created, the evergrowing display market attached to it values over $166 billion, and that is spread across a dozen industry verticals! The display market has already redrawn our conventional angles of viewing and showing. Its current foray into newer markets

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appropriates steady expansion of LED in the commercial display sector to flexible display in consumer electronics. When it comes to studying display, there are three major market segments, which are display type, technology, and application. All of them have been occupied mostly by global corporations. Regional players also closely contest in this professional B2B market. Samsung, LG, Sharp NEC, Panasonic, Hitachi, BenQ, Epson are to name a few, who pose cross-vertical competition.

STAUNCHING PRESENCE OF COMMERCIAL DISPLAY IN THE MARKET From healthcare to aviation, from www.VARonline.com

retail to automobile, and from BFSI to defense, the commercial display has marked its solid presence. Concerning the commercial display market, it isn’t technological advancement that creates a huge impact but dependability on technology and its market acceptance. The B2B display market demands robust devices as they often get exposed to changing weather conditions or extensive use for long hours. Most hardware manufacturers and service providers concentrate on a specific area to have their dominance. Presumably, it gives them ease to handle market challenges. Let’s look at key sectors and dominant market payers.

growth rate (CAGR) during 20202027 is 4.9 percent. Samsung, Barco, AG Neovo, PLANAR, Sharp NEC are the companies that invest and bring out competent technologies into the field besides tightly chasing the competition. Healthcare Display Devices: • Hospital Administration Monitors • Self-Service Kiosk • Doctor Room Monitors • Dental Monitors • Multi-Modality Display Devices

DIGITAL DISRUPTION IN RETAIL DISPLAY SECTOR

geons in ment HEALTHCARE DEMANDS CLARITY AND PRECISION

“Although North America contributes a large to the display market, the Asia-Pacific region forecasts the highest growth with an average of 11.7 percent in the next five years to come.”

The medical and healthcare sector is consistently in need of robust communication devices. The clarity and precision they offer directly Influence the decision of medical practitioners. When it comes to reviewing technical aspects of monitors and other display devices, their brightness, noise, viewing angle, and durability to withstand disinfectants are major considerations. Healthcare command centers and workspaces are also needed for high-end devices. The global medical display market has been valued at $2052 million in 2019 and the estimated www.VARonline.com

The retail display industry is more incandescent when it comes to evaluating the competition and technological advancements. Digital signages of advertising are flagbearers of growth in this sector. Whether it’s about interactive instore posters or eye-catching out-ofhome (OOH) advertisements, they are always within our short vicinity. With the arrival of the newest and energy-efficient technologies such as OLED and micro-LED, the investments in high resolution (4K and 8K) and large-size (52 to 75 inches and above 75 inches) displays have increased tremendously. Be it a simple restaurant menu or a gigantic shopping festival display, devices at incredible capacities are produced and supplied by leading companies as well as local players. Samsung Electronics dominates the market since 2009 with a market share of 23 percent and the following are LG (12 percent), SeeWo (6.1 percent), NEC (5.8 percent), Philips (4.2 percent). The global display market is valued at $38,444 million in 2018 and is forecasting growth by an average of 7.7 percent during 2019- 025. SEPTEMBER 2021 17

COVER FEATURE

DISPLAY SIGNAGE

COVER FEATURE

DISPLAY SIGNAGE

Retail Display Devices • Signages (Outdoor and Indoor) • Video Wall • Interactive Displays

INFOTAINMENT DRIVES AUTOMOTIVE DISPLAY MARKET "The global automotive display market is projected to reach USD 39.7 billion by 2027 from an estimated USD 18.4 billion in 2020, at a CAGR of 13% from 2021 to 2027," says, a recent research report by Market Research Future (MRFR). Increasing demand for infotainment, reliable navigation systems, and the development of connected vehicles significantly driving the automotive display market. The capability of internal screens is enhanced as they could display internal temperatures of engines, tire pressure, and safety belt indications. The use of the screens to caste OTT platforms through smartphones is another area of improvement that took place recently. One of the breakthroughs of the automotive display market is the availability of flexible display devices. Vehicle cockpit can’t approve of large or stiff installations and custom-designed screens can easily blend with a vehicle’s design. Along with energy-saving TFT-LCD technology, flexible displays capture the market and established dominance. By technology, demands are including high-resolution, large screen, and highly accurate in-touch technology, 3D technology, and IPS (In-Panel Switching) technology. Seeing the presence of major automotive manufacturers, Europe anticipates dominance in the automotive display market. France, Germany, and the U.K. are major contributors to the regional market. APAC is expected to register a remarkable growth rate over the forecast period. Delphi Technologies, Visteon Corporation, Magneti Marelli S.p.A, LG Display Co. Ltd, Nippon Seiki Co. Ltd, Qualcomm Technologies Inc, Continental AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, Panasonic Corporation, and 3M are the key players in the automotive sector.

RESURGE OF AVIATION DISPLAY MARKET Today’s airport terminals are quite more than facilities for air transportation. Apart from regular flight information display systems (FIDS), they harbor interactive wayfinding and entertainment solutions, digital posters, video walls, large-screen projections, and

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more. Some are kept by the retail outlets, restaurants, and lounges set up inside the terminal complex. Not only display systems established their prominence presence in airport terminals but also in aircraft – enhancing inflight interactivity. The FIDS market had 4 percent of CAGR until December 2019. The COVID19 pandemic has created a huge economic slowdown and the aviation industry was the first one to take the shot. However, Market Watch reports a resurge of the FIDS market and estimates a good growth rate between 2020-25. AirIT, Dameral Systems International, NEC, Simpleway, and Gentrack are some of the key players in the market. LED, OLED, LEC are the main display technologies used. Aviation-Focused Display Products: • FIDS • Airport Control Room Displays • Wayfinding Displays • Video Walls

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of commercial display, the Asia Pacific (APAC) region foresee a high rate of growth. Consumer Electronic Display Products • Smartphones • Wearables • Cameras • Monitors • Appliances

DEFENSE DISPLAY Display installations on military vehicles, control rooms, and devices used by soldiers refer to defense display devices. These devices are extensively used for training, combat management, surveillance, and logistics and administration by the navy, army, coast guard, and others. Major considerations when it comes to manufacturing display devices for military use are simplicity in operation, compact design, highresolution, vibration and heat resistance, fit for harsh environmental conditions, and unbreakable. The major vendors of military display devices are Bluestone Technologies, Getac Technology Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, General Dynamics Corporation, Assured Systems Ltd., Aydin Displays, Crystal Group, General Digital, ZMicro, etc. Defense Display Devices • Rugged Monitors • Military-Grade Work Stations • Rack-Mount Flip LCD Monitors • Waterproof Sealed LCD Monitors • Open Frame LCD Monitors

• Interactive Posters • Avionics Application Displays • In-Flight Entertainment

CONSUMER ELECTRONICS RELY ON TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENTS The display market pertaining to consumer electronics generates nearly 50 percent of the overall global display revenue. While appropriate the surge of smartphone and tablet sales to the growth rate of OLED would help us to recognize the driving force. Unlike commercial display, technology becomes the only crusader of growth and advancement. OLED technology offers high resolution and clarity on consumer electronic devices include wearables. Also, its challenges to face odd weather or temperature conditions are way too less than that of commercial display devices. OLED technology anticipates 15 percent of CAGR in the coming years and the burgeoning m-commerce practices keep the pace of growth intact. Similar lines

The growth and advancements of the display market were steady over two decades. While technological evolutions, i.e., CRT to LCD, LCD to LED, LED to OLED, helped to scale growth, the overlap and fusion of technology have also contributed to the expansion of industry verticals. The inception of digital signages not only unleashes market explosion but also created a competitive market environment. However, leading display companies decided to stick to their strongholds and increase market share. Some of them established decades-long supremacy in their territories. Most display vendors are from North America but the Asia Pacific remains the reservoir of economic growth for the upcoming years.

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SEPTEMBER 2021 19

COVER FEATURE

DISPLAY SIGNAGE

INTERVIEW

SHARP NEC DISPLAY SOLUTIONS

COMMERCIAL DISPLAY MARKET IS EVIDENTLY DYNAMIC AND COMPETITIVE

Adarsh Nair GM, Sharp NEC Display Solutions MENA

Give us an overview of Sharp NEC's signature products? Sharp NEC is probably the single manufacturer with the highest breadth of products in visual technology ranging from desktop monitors, projectors ranging from entry-level projectors used in K12 schools to 35,000 lumens projector used for auditoriums and stadiums, digital cinema projectors, large-format displays from 32 inches up to 98 inches, state of the art fine pitch LED products, and outdoor LED displays for OOH and signage applications too. Compare between MENA and other regions in terms of Sharp NEC's display solution demands We have similar market share and demands from all regions including MENA, Europe, North America, and APAC. The business prospects are higher in the US and Europe considering the broad industrial demands and the concentration of several global multinationals in the USA and Europe. Many of these multinationals prefer SHARP NEC through its “ONE-NEC program,” which allows them to have a global agreement for all its installations worldwide which means consistent pricing, efficient global outsourcing,

20 SEPTEMBER 2021

Sharp NEC is one of the key players that offers display solutions for the B2B markets. The company produces display devices for all industry verticals and they lead in the aviation, oil and gas, and energy and utility sectors. Mr. Adarsh Nair, General Manager, Sharp NEC Display Solutions, MENA speaks to The Integrator on different aspects of the display market and Sharp NEC’s business prospects.

standard commercial terms, and centralized contracts. Tell us about the industry verticals that choose products from NEC With handling installations in over 200 airports, Sharp NEC has a dominant presence in the aviation sector than any other. Retail is a big market but the increase in supply in this sector has made price dip across the years. NEC has made several key product investments like the low-cost system on chip based on Rpi4 in the retail sector keeping in mind the nature of the market. We expect NEC’s market share to grow substantially in the retail sector in the coming year. Security and surveillance application in several verticals like oil and gas, telecom, energy, utility and, others have been big business for us. We are seeing a big spike in the use of fine pitch LED in control room applications too. We recently installed the world’s largest LED-based control room in the world for STC in Riyadh. Speak about the new technology you want to concentrate on, and why? Even though technological advancements take place often in the display industry, the need of the professional B2B display market is to www.VARonline.com

have highly robust, longer-life display products. In terms of the future, you can expect to see more of the 8K panels in B2B installations. SHARP NEC already has the biggest 8K display – 120 inch in the market. We have in our portfolio flexible LEDs (our recent Adidas installation), transparent LEDs, which is something we expect more demand from the retail sector. Speak about the your digital cinema business in the region We have nearly 30 percent of the market share in Europe’s digital cinema sector and a decent market share in the MENA market. Roxy cinemas in UAE is one of our recent installations. This is one sector that has been severely affected due to the pandemic. How about software or application support for NEC’s display products? This has always been our focus. We are not just a hardware manufacturer but provide the complete software solution to control all the hardware we provide. Control rooms applications are a classic example where SHARP NEC can act as a single vendor to provide the display products and visualization and processing software products needed for a turn-key solution. Where does Sharp NEC’s hardware production take place? SHARP NEC is a Japanese company. All R&D takes place in Japan or Germany. Depending on the type of product. Assembly happens in China, Thailand, and Poland. Any challenges for display or signage business The COVID19 pandemic threatened the display industry as well. Post-covid effects such as IC shortages and the spike in logistics and transportation costs have affected all display manufacturers including SHARP NEC. This we feel is a temporary phase and our reputation has always kept the business fly high.

DAHUA AIMS TO ACCELERATE DISPLAY BUSINESS IN SECURITY AND TRANSPORT SECTORS Dahua is a Chinese manufacturer of display devices. Fostering development on LCD and LED technology, the company holds higher ranks among the choice of consumers and trades its products across the world. Justin, Display Products and Solution Director, Dahua interacts with The Integrator on technology, product categories, and market focus of Dahua.

Speak a little about Dahua's main products and their business prospects. The signature products are LCD video walls. Dahua’s LCD video wall has been divided into ultra series, essential series, and basic series. According to OMDIA, Dahua ranks the Top3 in the global LCDsplicing display market. Which are the industry verticals that Dahua strongly operates and the market share in these verticals? Dahua has been paying attention to the development of various industries, and the industry verticals that Dahua strongly operates are security and protection, and transportation. According to OMDIA, Dahua ranks second in global security and protection. According to Sai Wen Traffic Network data, Dahua ranks sixth in the performance ranking of end-user orders in China's urban intelligent transportation market from 2016 to 2020. How about Dahua’s business and market share in the MENA region in

comparison with others? Dahua has been working hard to expand business in the MENA region. Our current performance growth is higher than other areas. We have professional pre-sales, sales, and delivery teams in Dubai, UAE, and provide full service to our customers. Speak about the new technology that Dahua wants to concentrate on (i.e., LCD, LED, etc.), and why? Dahua focuses on new technologies such as LCD video walls and LED displays. LCD technology takes a transformation from professional fields to commercial fields. Thus, it will have more advantages and competitiveness in price, in the future. In addition, Dahua has always adhered to technological innovation and improve R&D capabilities, and our products have the advantage of low power consumption. How is the software and application support provided for Dahua's display products? The software worth mentioning www.VARonline.com

Justin Display Products and Solution Director, Dahua

is Media Publishing System. This system can support a variety of display devices such as monitors, LCD video walls, and LED displays for advertising content publishing, editing, and replacement. In addition, this system has many advantages and highlights. E.g., Tt enriches the elements of program production, which is easy to use and can improve the program quality. It can also customize the program template, support U disk import and export, and reduce the investment of customized development. At the same time, you can also match the mobile phone APP to audit and release the advertising content. Any business challenges for display or signage business? As we all know, the cost of raw materials has risen sharply due to a shortage of ICs and chips in the past few months and we are facing big pressure on the supply side. But as a professional and known manufacturer, we dealt with these issues very well in advance and got positive feedback from the market. SEPTEMBER 2021 21

INTERVIEW

DAHUA

INTERVIEW

TRIGON

TURNKEY SOLUTIONS SHOULD COMBINE WITH PROMINENT TECHNOLOGY IN DISTRIBUTION and acquired the most significant market share in the global display market. However, during the last few years, OLED technology has become quite popular and is expected to prevail in the display market as the demand for various sizes, technology, and forms of display for vivid applications keeps on evolving. Also, LED is a highly used product these days. It is one of the most economic and effective entertainment media for different types of verticals including retail, out-of-home (OOH) advertising, education as well as finance, and banking. Owing to this, the demand for LEDs has increased exponentially during the last few years. Kamran Khayal General Manager, Trigon

Trigon LLC, an Al Ghurair Group Company, is a front runner in the distribution of professional displays and AV integration in the UAE. Trigon is associated with leading brands and serves commercial customers across the middle east. Mr. Kamran Khayal, General Manager, Trigon speaks to The Integrator on various dimensions of distribution, technology, and display market. Speak a little about the major brands and products you handle in the professional B2B display sector Since 1997, Trigon is associated with distribution and solutions revolving around professional displays, largeformat displays, hospitality TVs, LED displays, outdoor LED signage solutions, etc. By Strategic distribution partnerships with display leadership brands, such as Samsung, LG, Barco, BenQ, etc., we have successfully pioneered signage solutions for both outdoor and indoor locations. Currently, we have installations at top locations across the region to our credit. Among the available display technologies (i.e., LCD, TFT, LED), which of them have higher market demand and why? Our technology solves everyday challenges that businesses and organizations face, offering flexibility, scalability, ease-of-use, and a clean, streamlined installation. Our display solutions offer a variety of features and benefits including: • Interactive displays • Outdoor and Indoor LED digital signage • Professional displays for retail solutions. • Hospitality, TV solutions, and more The TFT technology has expanded alongside the growth in the television and smartphones segment

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Which are the industry verticals that choose commercial display products and solutions from Trigon? For years, Trigon has helped in creating a great display showcase environment at retail venues, outdoor displays, restaurants, corporate boardrooms and lobbies, educational facilities, and more. We offer cutting-edge, turnkey solutions combined with the best technology. Trigon has a high level of penetration in verticals such as hospitality, healthcare, finance and banking, education, and Govt and Ministries. Tell us about the unique factors that attract customers to Trigon? Trigon firmly believes that a strong workforce with clear direction. We will thrive in the competition and will always surge ahead, be it the workforce of Trigon or its partners. Trigon has always emphasized to its partners to do things differently and has always specialized in providing timely product training to its resellers in partnership with Trigon’s vendors. The product portfolio of Trigon is the best example of our well-planned business approach since we do carry a well-balanced mix of volume and value brands. We make a strong assessment of the partner’s business capability. How strong are they, financially? What kind of business suits them? What are the markets they are addressing? etc. Based on these facts we work out various business models for different resellers. For resellers, whose business is more oriented towards value add or system integration, we offer product or solution training. Some resellers are more active in the showroom/retail business. We provide them with the POP material, do instore promotions, and also provide them with promoters if business demands. Also, we work out, quarterly or annually, rebate-based programs that help our resellers to generate better profit.

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FEATURE

A10 NETWORK

DRIVING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WITH EFFECTIVE APPLICATION DELIVERY AND SECURITY

he COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of digital resiliency in the modern era. With employees working from home, and a shift online for consumer activities from banking and retail and media to entertainment and healthcare, ensuring application performance and application availability became a matter of survival for most companies. Whether people are working or going about their personal lives, they expect a highquality user experience for the applications they use, every time, with no excuses, with cybersecurity they can count on to protect customer data and privacy. These demands have made the application delivery controller (ADC) one of the most important components of modern digital infrastructure. At the same time, maintaining application performance and availability for existing resources aren’t enough to guarantee survival. In today’s digital business environment, you have to stay agile and innovative to compete, grow, and thrive. In fact, even facing an

24 SEPTEMBER 2021

uncertain economic outlook over the past year, businesses plan to invest in digital transformation spending during the pandemic. That puts DevOps front-and-centre in digital business strategy as companies seek simple, streamlined ways to develop, deploy, change, and manage applications. The results speak for themselves: companies that use DevOps achieve 46x more software deployments and 440x faster lead time for changes. Here again, the ADC has a critical role to play in enabling the full speed and agility DevOps makes possible. Of course, simply deploying ADCs isn’t a solution in and of itself; meeting these requirements depends on having the right application delivery controller capabilities and deploying them in the right way. Here are a few things to consider, to ensure that your application delivery infrastructure is meeting the digital transformation needs of your business and customers.

USING ADCS TO ENSURE APPLICATION PERFORMANCE, www.VARonline.com

APPLICATION AVAILABILITY, AND CYBERSECURITY Whether it’s customers or employees who are using your applications, the experience you provide has a direct effect on digital business performance. If customers become frustrated or are unable to use your applications or services effectively, they can take their cash, and loyalty, to a competitor. Without reliable application performance and application availability, your workforce can grind to a halt, sending waves of disruption throughout your business. Gartner estimates the average cost of downtime is $5,600 per minute which equates to more than $300,000 an hour. Your application delivery controller solution can help you maintain a high-quality user experience by enabling a unified approach to managing performance, troubleshooting problems, and optimising traffic across complex environments with holistic visibility into devices, applications, policies, users, and more across data centres and clouds. By gathering and

Adrian Taylor Vice President, A10 Networks

analysing data from across your hybrid infrastructure, you can work proactively to detect anomalies sooner, diagnose problems more accurately, and resolve issues more quickly. Global server load balancing functionality can intelligently guide application traffic to the best available site for each user to ensure the best possible service. Ensuring high availability, disaster recovery, and rapid failover across cloud providers is essential to keeping employees productive and customers satisfied. As part of its global web traffic management capability, your ADCs can assess the health and response time of each site in your environment, then make intelligent adjustments to application traffic to prevent a failed server from affecting users. Similarly, an ADC solution can help you use a public cloud as a backup for your on-premises data centre using global server load balancing to determine when and how to tap into that capacity, then reroute traffic accordingly. While application performance and application availability are the

foundation of user satisfaction and loyalty, a cybersecurity breach can destroy that trust in a flash. As ransomware attacks, DDoS, and other threats grow in sophistication, and enterprise environments become more distributed and dynamic, cybersecurity and compliance become critical challenges. Your ADC solution can provide a unified policy infrastructure across every platform you use, making it easier to provide the same, consistent protection for applications and services wherever they are deployed. By managing authentication consistently across cloud and on-premises platforms, you can support a Zero Trust security model while providing employees with the right level of access for their needs. Protective measures such as security analytics, DDoS protection, web application firewalls (WAF), authentication, modern SSL/TLS encryption standards, and threat intelligence enable a multi-layered approach to cybersecurity for defence in-depth.

SUPPORTING DEVOPS—WHILE www.VARonline.com

SIMPLIFYING MANAGEMENT AT DIGITAL SPEED DevOps isn’t just a core methodology for digital transformation—it’s also a set of technical requirements. To enable development and operations teams to collaborate effectively across the software development lifecycle, you need to provide simple, streamlined ways to develop, deploy, change, and manage applications. A standard set of automation tools across platforms can help teams work efficiently, bring new staff up to speed more quickly, and ensure consistent best practices. Real-time continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) visualisation can help teams catch costly errors before applications enter production. The rapid pace of digital transformation can increase both cost and management complexity. By providing a single point of management across your hybrid cloud and multi-cloud environment, with comprehensive visibility and analytics for actionable intelligence, your ADC solution can help your staff use resources more efficiently, make better decisions, avoid errors, and simplify operations. SEPTEMBER 2021 25

FEATURE

A10 NETWORK

FEATURE

INFOBLOX

THE WORST YEAR OF RANSOMWARE ATTACKS; RECOGNIZE RANSOMWARE TRENDS By: Mohammed Al-Moneer, Regional Director, Middle East, Turkey & Africa at Infoblox

TREND 1 - RANSOMWARE ATTACKS CONTINUE TO GROW Ransomware attacks once again reaching the center of discourses and this year has turned out to be one of the worst years for ransomware. Why? Because that’s where the big money is. The large potential return on investment makes ransomware extortion activities highly compelling for threat actors. Verizon’s 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report notes, “The novel fact is that 10 percent of all breaches now involve ransomware.” Cybereason’s recent ransomware study of nearly 1,300 security professionals reveals that more than half of organizations have fallen victim to ransomware attacks. In addition, 80 percent of businesses that have paid ransoms have suffered second ransomware attacks, often from the same threat actors. 66 percent of organizations surveyed reported a significant loss of revenue after a ransomware attack, 53 percent of organizations indicated

26 SEPTEMBER 2021

that their brand and reputation were damaged as a result of a successful attack, and 32 percent reported losing C-level talent as a direct result of ransomware attacks. As many as 26 percent of organizations reported that ransomware attacks forced their businesses to close temporarily.

TREND 2 - RANSOMWARE AS A SERVICE EXPANDS The ransomware attacks on JBS and Colonial Pipeline are examples of criminal organizations using RaaS platforms. Many potential threat actors lacking the skills to build and launch their own ransomware attacks can buy what they need through the dark web. Nearly two-thirds of ransomware attacks during 2020 came from RaaS-based platforms. RaaS platforms include support, community forums, documentation, updates, and more. They are closely modeled after the type of support offered with legitimate SaaS products. Some RaaS websites offer supporting marketing literature and user testimonials. The cost www.VARonline.com

is relatively low. In some cases, affiliates can sign up for a one-time fee or a monthly subscription. Some RaaS platforms are set up without any initial fees and share the fees associated with a successful attack. Other platforms might have charges for special features, such as the view of a status update of active ransom infections, the number of files encrypted, and payment information. The use of highly targeted RaaS attacks has been lucrative for threat actors. RaaS attacks that target large organizations can, in turn, ask for large ransoms. In these highly targeted cases, threat actors sometimes use carefully researched social-engineering tactics, such as well-crafted emails to entice targets to click dangerous URLs or open malicious attachments. In other cases, threat actors may target a vulnerability that is particular to or commonly used by their target victim group.

TREND 3 - RANSOMWARE LEAK SITES ARE A NEW

THREAT ACTOR TACTIC OF CHOICE Threatening to post a victim’s data on a data-leak site increases the leverage of a ransomware threat actor and is another part of their strategy, in addition to encrypting a victim’s files. The damage of this exposure might be greater than the financial damage of agreeing to pay the ransom the actor has demanded.

TREND 4 - RANSOMWARE DISTRIBUTION METHODS REMAIN TRIED AND TRUE Attackers continue to use tried and true ransomware distribution methods - their tactics, techniques, and procedures work well for them and these attack vectors continue to bring them success. The four distribution methods are malicious websites, spam email, remote desktop protocol, and USB memory sticks. Depending on the report cited, time, and companies surveyed, the percentages of ransomware attacks that use these distribution methods have varied significantly. • A malicious website distributes harmful downloads to users socially engineered to click links to that site. In addition to setting up their spoofed site, threat actors can find and exploit vulnerabilities in a legitimate website and implant malicious code on it. Alternatively, they may use it to redirect the target to another website under their control. Some of the most wellknown media and sports websites in the world have at some point been compromised or hijacked. • Threat actors consistently use email campaigns employing social engineering tactics as distribution methods for their malware, downloaders, or malicious links. Some attacks are highly targeted against one individual or organization, a technique is known

Mohammed Al-Moneer Regional Director, META, Infoblox

"Cybereason’s recent ransomware study of nearly 1,300 security professionals reveals that more than half of organizations have fallen victim to ransomware attacks. In addition, 80 percent of businesses that have paid ransoms have suffered second ransomware attacks, often from the same threat actors."

www.VARonline.com

as spear-phishing, but others are larger or broader campaigns. • RDP has become a highly effective and dangerous attack vector. Several years ago, one study noted that over 10 million online machines were configured with an open port, 3389. It has become a simple matter for threat actors to use search engines, such as Shodan, to locate these devices. Threat actors can gain access to RDP servers by using default passwords on servers that have not been updated. Alternatively, the actors can use brute-force techniques to a breakin, or they can use open-source password crackers. • USB memory sticks have been used to distribute many types of malware, including ransomware and that has not changed over many years. Threat actors leave USB drives in coffee shops, airports, mailboxes, and corporate lounges, for unsuspecting targets to pick up and use. Once a weaponized USB drive is inserted into a computer, the ransomware encrypts files on the device and propagates within the network. SEPTEMBER 2021 27

FEATURE

INFOBLOX

FEATURE

VEEAM

THE DEMOCRATIZATION OF THE WORKPLACE THROUGH EDGE COMPUTING By: Rick Vanover, Senior Director of Product Strategy at Veeam

t’s been a year and a half since we first learned about Covid-19, but the pressure on businesses to accelerate their digital transformation (DX) efforts has not abated. Of particular note is the rise of the hybrid work model. There are two things the pandemic has proven about the ‘new’ workplace: 1) DX in businesses is essential, and 2) Technology was intrinsic to a transformational overhaul of this scale. That technology is edge computing: The ability to optimize and extend the capability of cloud computing by bringing computation and data storage closer to the devices where it’s being gathered. It’s a fairly amorphous concept that has been around since the 1990s, but thanks to the pandemic, it has given rise to edge computing’s dark horse: the remote worker. The pandemic has hit each market across the Middle East differently but a common theme regarding the workplace is that data is increasingly born, created, and modified in different places. While the future of work is well and truly here, businesses are still navigating uncharted waters in this space. This begs many questions of decision makers: What’s the best way to capture and protect data? Does my edge approach meet privacy and security needs? There has been a significant shift in the approach to remote work and there’s a way that businesses can best set their employees up to ensure business continuity. It lies with edge computing – a key technology to futureproofing the new workplace environment.

28 SEPTEMBER 2021

Rick Vanover Senior Director, Product Strategy, Veeam

DON'T LET IMPLEMENTATION DICTATE THE OUTCOME According to Juniper Research, edge computing is on a growth path to U$8.3 billion spend globally, in less than five years. This has no doubt been exacerbated with the proliferation of the Internet of Things (IoT) devices. According to a report by AT Kearney Research, the IoT solutions market in the GCC will be worth $11 billion by the year 2025, generating potential value for the economy of nearly $160 billion. As our new workplaces constitute more and more remote points of presence – mobile, tablet, smart speakers – which sees a vast amount of data being generated on the outer edge of computing networks, the task of implementing an edge strategy may fall into the too-hard basket for many, and simply out of reach for some. However, the key to edge computing success lies in focusing on the outcome, before looking at implementation. Every business wants to analyze and activate their data, at speed, but www.VARonline.com

the power of edge computing does not mean all data has to be analyzed and activated. Rather, it helps businesses ascertain at which aggregation points is best to consume data, preserve it, make inferences from, where analytics is applied, and knowledge is gleaned from. For one business, the impact could simply be installing on-site servers capable of real-time analysis. For another, it could be installing IoT sensors to help transmit data from security cameras. Like any technology solution, implementation for the sake of doing so is not going to benefit any business. However, the edge is relevant for any business that has digitally transformed its processes, especially in the last 12 months. Edge computing allows businesses to focus on how to get the most out of their most important data, and in turn, keep up with the pace at which the workplace is transforming.

SECURING THE EDGE An edge strategy doesn’t mean data protection, security, and compliance efforts have to be more complicated. Traditionally, endpoint backup has been the most underrated rack of technologies but as the benefits of edge computing gain traction, its use case takes on a whole new level. And the good news is that there isn’t much ‘reinventing the wheel’ involved. Why? The edge isn’t entirely new – it’s an extension of what we’ve known. As an accelerant of digital transformation, it’s breaking down the data center walls and pushing cloud capabilities outwards. Businesses need to remember that the edge must be treated as part of hybrid cloud architecture, of which technologies are already being used by employees to provide a seamless and secure IT experience.

FEATURE

ARUBA

SIMPLIFYING MULTI-CLOUD CONNECTIVITY THROUGH SD-WAN

By: Jacob Chacko, Regional Director - Middle East, Saudi & South Africa at Aruba, an HP Enterprise company

he pandemic’s acceleration of cloud migration within enterprises has, at this point, been well documented. Last year’s Flexera 2020 State of the Cloud Report suggested that more than 90 percent of enterprises now have a multicloud strategy. Even in times of great urgency as we have experienced over the last 18 months, enterprise-wide cloud transformations don’t simply happen overnight. In the rush to get their multi-cloud environments off the ground and enable remote connectivity for their workforces, many enterprises will not have suitably adapted their IT and network infrastructure to support applications in a multi-cloud connected environment. Because of this, they will likely now be facing numerous challenges around the performance of mission-critical SaaS applications, automation of cloud security services, and integration of WAN applications in the public cloud, to name just a few. When it comes to meeting and addressing these challenges, enterprises could consider the benefits of an SD-WAN platform which, through a mixture of optimization, orchestration

30 SEPTEMBER 2021

centralization, and automation can provide a firm foundation for enabling a successful, performant, and secure multi-cloud environment.

ENSURING USER EXPERIENCE THROUGH SAAS OPTIMIZATION In a time when applications were hosted in corporate data centers, routing all application traffic from the branch to the data center made total sense. Today, however, with most applications in modern enterprises delivered through SaaS, backhauling cloud-destined traffic to the data center only serves to increase latency and impact application performance. Recognizing this, enterprises could reduce said latency by looking towards a modern, best-of-breed Edge-based SD-WAN platform, which should offer SaaS optimization features to seamlessly and securely connect users from branch sites to SaaS applications, while simultaneously monitoring the SaaS Quality of Experience (QoE). Key functionalities that any SDWAN purchaser should look out for include first-packet identification, wherein applications are identified and classified on the first packet, www.VARonline.com

which enables traffic to be routed dynamically to its intended destination (be that the data center, cloud provider, or cloud security). This, in turn, reduces latency and ensures security policies are adhered to. Similarly, Microsoft Office 365 API integration enables secure internet breakout to the closest Office 365 entry point, thus ensuring the best Office 365 performance available.

INTELLIGENT LOCAL INTERNET BREAKOUT Different classes of application require different kinds of treatment to adhere to security policies and controls. As mentioned above, firstpacket identification has a part to play here, but other functionalities within leading SD-WAN platforms can bolster security without impacting application performance. Different applications can be mapped to virtual WAN overlays, each supporting various QoS, transport, and failover characteristics. For instance, trusted business SaaS such as Office 365 can be mapped to an overlay that traffics straight to the closest SaaS instance over the internet, whilst untrusted or unknown traffic is sent to the

headquarters-based firewall for closer inspection. Speaking of firewalls, having a unified zone-based stateful firewall at the WAN Edge is essential to ensure complete, secure local internet breakout. A WAN Edge firewall can connect directly to trusted SaaS applications and IaaS from branch offices, whilst also blocking any unauthorized traffic attempting to enter the branch network from the enterprise LAN.

NETWORK SIMPLIFICATION THROUGH SDWAN INTEGRATION Complexity is the enemy when it comes to network management, and this is most true for particularly large, global networks with many AWS Virtual Private Clouds or Microsoft Virtual Networks (VNets). However, an Edge-based SD-WAN platform can greatly simplify the management of such large networks. By connecting directly to public cloud providers’ global backbone networks, reducing the number of point-to-point connections, and connecting branch locations directly to regional points of presence (POPs) the complexity of the SD-WAN overlay is reduced. An SD-WAN overlay should also support branch-to-branch communication without virtual gateways at each Virtual Private Cloud.

Jacob Chacko Saudi & South Africa at Aruba, an HP Enterprise Company

THE EMERGENCE OF SASE The emergence of SASE has had a profound impact on SD-WAN. Just as SD-WAN is transforming the network infrastructure with uninterrupted connectivity and simplified workflows, SASE takes the logical next step by placing cloud-native security controls closer to the endusers where the data is being generated (at the network Edge) and is, therefore, most at risk. Although SASE is not a technology on its own, as an architectural framework it offers organizations the capability to bring together security and networking functions into a single, cloud-based service model. In 2021, SD-WAN should form the foundation of a SASE solution: a cloud-programmable networking platform for orchestrating and centrally managing the network, security, and SASE components. As part of this, any quality Edge-based SD-WAN must integrate with third-party cloud security services from best-of-breed cloud security firms. Advanced API integration within the SD-WAN platform can enable network managers to fully realize enterprise-wide automation of consistent, network-wide security policies. In this way, they can combine the advantages of an advanced Zero Trust WAN Edge on-premises, whilst also enjoying the flexibility and freedom of choice to enjoy the benefits of cloud-delivered security services from their preferred security vendor.

FINAL WORD Multi-cloud environments can be incredibly complex, and managing their connectivity across an enterprise’s WAN

can quickly become an unruly, laborious affair. Not only are IT teams tasked with deployment and management of these environments, but simultaneously they must ensure the highest performance levels and security are achieved for their businesses’ end users, alongside delivering the full transformational promise of the cloud through lifecycle management and orchestration. IT teams rely on automation and orchestration to manage the complexity of multi-cloud, and businesses must look to further simplify these processes for their teams, particularly as network complexity grows. An important first step is selecting the right SD-WAN platform to simplify the integration of private cloud, SaaS, and IaaS hosted applications. The pandemic has shifted how, when, and where employees work, and it is still unclear as to whether these changes will become permanent fixtures after the pandemic has ended. Even if they do not, much of the investment and groundwork has already been laid. The impetus is now on businesses to follow through on their cloud transformation journeys and create a network infrastructure that is resilient and manageable to deliver consistent and secure application performance over any WAN infrastructure to all users, anywhere, and from any device.

www.VARonline.com

SEPTEMBER 2021 31

FEATURE

ARUBA

TECHNOLOGY

EYE TECH

BELKIN EXPANDS ITS AUDIO PORTFOLIO WITH SOUNDFORM and compact charging case for ultimate convenience. Advanced touch controls give a device-free experience while they are IPX5-rated for splash and sweat resistance,” cites an Official Belkin press release. Key Features: 1. The SOUNDFORM Freedom True Wireless Earbuds: Offers quality sound and all-day battery life. They come with dual microphones and advanced environmental noise cancellation (ENC). You can keep track of your charging case privately and securely using the Apple Find My app.

ith its history in the audio space, Belkin is expanding its SOUNDFORM audio portfolio in the Middle East to include unique products with different purposes. The expanded lineup caters to customers' different needs and lifestyles, from video conferencing to health and fitness requirements. The SOUNDFORM True Wireless Earbuds mark Belkin's first iteration of true wireless earbuds. “These earphones deliver immersive sound with deep bass

The SOUNDFORM Rise True Wireless Earbuds: Offers all-day battery life and high-quality sound in a compact and stylish form factor. They also come with dual microphones and advanced environmental noise cancellation (ENC) and are available in black, white, and blue.

The SOUNDFORM Move (and Move Plus) True Wireless Earbuds: Offers seamless Bluetooth pairing and controls, all-day comfort with a sealed in-ear fit, and up to five hours of playtime per charge, plus another 19 hours of charge in the case. Targeted at fitness enthusiasts, they come with an IPX5 rating, meaning they're workout and weather-resistant, and one microphone in each bud allows for flexible single-ear use.

TEAM GROUP EXTERNAL SSDS WITH MULTIINTERFACE SUPPORT AND THIN HEAT SINKS

EAM GROUP’s sub-brands T-CREATE and T-FORCE launch two new SSDs for creators and gamers. T-CREATE CLASSIC Thunderbolt3 external SSD supports Thunderbolt and USB interfaces, and the T-FORCE CARDEA Z44L PCIe4.0 SSD, which features a TEAM GROUP-patented and designed ultra-thin graphene heat sink. With multi-interface support and advanced cooling technology, these new products hoping to transform the storage experience for creators and gamers alike. For creators seeking an SSD that is compatible with a variety of interfaces and platforms and can transfer large files at high speeds, the T-CREATE CLASSIC Thunderbolt3 External SSD with its multi-interface support meets all the criteria. The SSD features a single Type C connector that supports Thunderbolt3

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and 4, as well as USB3.2 Gen2 interfaces. The SSD devices are also fully compatible with Mac OS and Windows systems. The CLASSIC Thunderbolt3 External SSD can reach speeds of up to 900 MB/s when using the USB interface. The manufacturer claims, “In just 15 seconds, it can transfer up to 25GB of multimedia files. The SSD’s glacier silver aluminum heatsink has a classic and elegant design, providing high durability and excellent cooling purposes during high-speed data transfers. Also, the largest capacity version (4TB) meets the needs of a wide variety of creators. Team Group also revealed a new product under the series equipped with patented ultrathin graphene heat sinks, the T-FORCE CARDEA Z44L PCIe4.0 SSD, bringing a new force of PCIe 4.0

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KINGSTON DIGITAL ANNOUNCES POCKET-SIZED XS2000 PORTABLE SSD

ingston Digital introduces XS2000, a pocket-sized portable SSD utilizing USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 speeds to deliver next-gen performance in a compact, external onthe-go drive. XS2000 claims to deliver lightning-fast transfer speeds up to 2,000MB/s giving users enhanced productivity with little interruption. XS2000 also offers remarkable performance and capacities up to 2TB to offload and edit high-res images, 8K videos, and large documents in a flash. The drive connects with USB Type-C allowing content creators to easily store and access their files anywhere on a PC or mobile device. At nearly half the size of a typical portable SSD, XS2000 includes a removable ruggedized sleeve and IP55-rating to withstand water and dust, making it the perfect companion for onlocation adventures whether you go from work to play to passion projects. “XS2000 is purpose-built with the ultimate combination of high performance and high capacity to keep up with the content demands of consumers around the world,” says Tony Hollingsbee, SSD Business Manager, Kingston EMEA. “Plus the compact size, similar to a key fob, and added durability make this the ideal drive to keep productivity flowing for the everyday content creator to prosumer and corporate professional.” XS2000 is available in capacities 500GB to 2TB and is backed by a limited five-year warranty with free technical support.

Key Features: • USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 Performance – Read or write speeds up to 2,000MB/s • High-speed Capacities: Up to 2TB to support highresolution images, 8K videos, and large documents • Built for Durability: Tested to be water-resistant, dust- resistant, and shockproof with an included rubber sleeve. • Pocket-sized Portability: Small, lightweight form factor for easy, on-the-go storage. • Interface: USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 • Operating temperature: 0°C~40°C • Storage temperature: -20°C~85°C • Compatible with: Windows 10, 8.1, Mac OS (v.10.14.x +), Linux (v. 2.6.x +), Chrome OS

to the gaming storage market. The CARDEA Z44L comes with a super-thin graphene heat sink containing multiple patented technologies that improve heat dissipation by up to 9%. Built with materials for thermal conductivity, it gives gamers excellent flexibility for their builds and is fully compatible with all motherboard heat sinks. Both products hit the market by the end of Sept. 2021. Key features: • High-speed data transfer • Multi-interface support • Advanced cooling technology • Supports Thunderbolt3 and 4 and USB3.2 Gen2 interfaces

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SEPTEMBER 2021 33

TECHNOLOGY

EYE TECH

TECHNOLOGY

STATS AND TRENDS

DIGITAL OUT OF HOME (DOOH) ADVERTISING SPEND TO SEE A DRAMATIC INCREASE

n 2019, Digital Out of Home Advertising (DOOH) accounted for approximately 28.3% of OOH ad spend, however 48% of advertising executives believe it will account for over 33% by 2025, according to new research from Alfi, an AI enterprise SaaS advertising platform. Furthermore, one in twenty ad executives think OOH advertising spend will account for over 40%. “DOOH advertising is one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic trends in the advertising sector and it will only intensify in the coming months and years,” says Paul Pereira, CEO of Alfi. He adds, “its ability to deliver high impact and tailored campaigns, with comprehensive and detailed reporting means more advertising executives are looking to use it in their strategies and programs.” As more advertisers seek ways to find the right person at the right time with the right message, OOH technologies and solutions for enhanced tracking, retargeting, personalization, and greater campaign attribution and measurement are being signaled as priority solutions. The global DOOH advertising market was worth approximately $41.06 billion

Added variety

56%

32%

Increased opportunities for campaign relevancy

53%

34%

blockers, which personal devices can have, to increase dramatically. “Digital technology is becoming more and more integrated with the changes in consumers' interaction with advertisers, and there is more to come,” continued Pereira. “Now it is a matter of finding the right partner that can not only provide these benefits but also house them under one pane of glass, saving time and money.” Alfi provides data-rich reporting functionality that informs the advertisers that someone viewed their ad, the number of views, and each viewer’s reaction to the ad. Advertisers are increasingly demanding improved performance and capabilities from the ad technology they utilize. Alfi delivers for advertisers with analytics, accountability, transparency, proof of engagement, and actual impressions.

Fewer restrictions

51%

30%

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Detailed reporting

47%

37%

Lower management costs

40%

46%

Benefits of digital out of home advertising

in 2020, and, by 2026, 81% of surveyed advertising executives predict it will rise to between $50 billion and $60 billion. Another key reason for growth in the DOOH market is the many benefits it offers and how those are likely to increase in importance. Fifty-six percent of surveyed ad executives expect the importance of the added variety DOOH advertising offers to increase dramatically between now and 2024, and 53% said the same about the campaign relevancy it delivers. Half (51%) said they expect the benefit of DOOH having fewer restrictions such as no ad-

Percentage of advertising executives who think the importance of this benefit will increase dramatically over the next three years

Percentage of advertising executives who think the importance of this benefit will increase slightly over the next three years

Alfi, Inc. is a US-based company and it provides software solutions. The company claims to bring transparency and accountability to the digital out-of-home advertising marketplace.

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Commissioned by Alfi, PureProfile, a global research company, conducted 100 interviews amongst senior advertising professionals from across the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and Asia.

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