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FABRIC-BASED NETWORKS THE FUTURE, BROCADE SURVEY SAYS

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Updated : December 11, 2013 01:00  am,Dubai
By Editor

img17Fabrics gain recognition as the foundation for data centre evolution, but reactive approach to network investment risks business growth and stability

A recent survey conducted by Brocade of 350 global resellers and systems integrators, identified that their customer’s primary network-specific concern is ‘data centre availability’ (40 percent of respondents), driven by virtualization and mobility, as opposed to ‘network-complexity’ that was their biggest concern last year.  Despite the fact that legacy enterprise networks are not “fit for purpose,” and a significant number experience multiple outages every week, there still seems to be an ‘unwillingness’ to invest in upgrades. 62 percent of the channel believes that budget constraints are having a “significant impact” on customers’ ability to invest in technology, with 63 percent seeing vendor financing as “vital” or “more important” over the next few years.
Almost a third of the channel stated that their customers only invested in networks when they want to adopt a new technology and their network cannot support the deployment of the specific new application or service. More than one in 10 admitted that investment was made only when the network was already failing. However that trend is slowly changing. The survey identified that the five top drivers of network investment are the desire to adopt virtualization (41 percent); demand for faster access to data and applications (41 percent); demand for greater bandwidth (32 percent); the need to support increasing data volumes (25 percent); and the need to support mobility (24 percent).
Khaled Kamel, territory channel manager, MENA at Brocade comments, “Customers have now realized that they need to be more proactive when it comes to modernizing their network infrastructure rather than their current reactive mode. As they look to adopt virtualization, software-defined networking, BYOD culture and meet the needs of more demanding users, it is imperative for them to deploy an on-demand, highly flexible and robust network infrastructure. They will be looking to the channel as strategic advisors. It is clear from the survey that Ethernet fabric based data centre architectures will be the de-facto standard in the future and those partners who can assist customers in their journey to fabrics will undoubtedly have a huge competitive advantage.”
Channel businesses expect wide scale adoption of fabric networks by 2020, with over a fifth claiming it will be the “standard/norm” for data centres to be built on fabric networks, and almost half saying it will be “very common” to have fabric networks deployed in the data centre by this time. One significant challenge, however, is confusion among customers as to what a “fabric” network is with a third of the respondents admitting that customers “have little to no real understanding of fabrics”. This is where consultancy and services will play a major role and these are expected to be major revenue earners for the channel in the years to come.
Consultancy and/or services account for less than 20 percent of revenues for 40 percent of respondents. Less than one fifth reported revenues of more than 50 percent from these sources. This remains virtually unchanged from last years’ research findings, but with over a third expecting consultancy and services to deliver more than 75 of their revenue by 2020 (in the 2012 findings), the question remains how they will make this transition. This year 74 percent confirmed that consultancy/ services revenue growth is “critical” or “important” to the future of their organization. The three biggest challenges to evolving their business strategies cited are low awareness of consultancy value among customers, competition from vendors, and a lack of people experienced in consultancy/services sales. Marketing services and client education are where distribution and vendors can both deliver additional value and support, while addressing a lack of experienced sales personnel is also an area where they can perform a critical role, redefining and refocusing training and education programs to help fill the ‘skills gap’.
Other interesting survey findings on current market trends include:
·         A quarter of the channel believes SDN will be a significant trend by 2020, but currently a third admit to knowing little about SDN.
Flexibility, not cost savings, is the main reason customers adopt the cloud (cited by almost a third of respondents), followed by fast adoption of applications according to 18 percent.
“The survey demonstrates our commitment to enabling our partners to gather strategic insights into the enterprise market that will help them win in the networking arena. We give them the required tools in the form of our world-class Alliance Partner Network (APN) programme that is focused on accelerating partner revenue growth though effortless sales, technical and marketing enablement, streamlined sales processes, and targeted incentives and rebates. Brocade is global leader in data centre fabric innovation and deployment with its VCS fabric technology which provides a key strategic advantage for its channels. Complementing our world-class solutions portfolio, our Capital Solutions offerings featuring network subscriptions and lease programmes help our partners differentiate themselves from competition,” says Mr Kamel.
“In partnership with Brocade, Tech Data was honoured to participate in the development of the report”, said Ken Griffin, VP of Product Marketing, Tech Data.  “Tech Data and Brocade share a focus on adding value through customized education, training and marketing to meet the needs of solution providers in the channel. With the changing landscape in technology, channel partners are tasked with providing complete solutions around cloud, mobility, the Internet of Things and more – from the data centre to the living room. Through our partnership with Brocade, Tech Data is committed to delivering value through the channel enablement of our Brocade partners.”
The Brocade survey was conducted with the support of partners Avnet, TD Azlan, TechData, Arrow ES, edsLAN, immix group, Mindware and Westcon.
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GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC and Palmon Group unveil new temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in JAFZA

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GFH Partners Manrre REIT (CEIC) PLC (“Manrre” or “the Fund”), managed by GFH Partners Ltd. (“GFH Partners”),  together with its development manager Palmon Group FZCO (“Palmon Group”), today announced the opening of a specialised temperature-controlled chemical warehouse in Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), further expanding the Fund’s Grade A logistics portfolio.

The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Mr Abdulla Bin Damithan, CEO and Managing Director, DP World GC, alongside senior officials and dignitaries from Jebel Ali Free Zone, GFH Partners, and Palmon Group.

Purpose-built and developed by Palmon Group to meet stringent international safety and compliance standards, the new facility reflects the rising regional demand for certified chemical storage infrastructure that supports manufacturing, energy, industrial services, and third-party logistics. The warehouse is situated on a 180,000sq ft plot with a built-up area of 112,000 sq ft, divided into three temperature-controlled chambers that reach a maximum height of 13 metres. The warehouse has been designed with advanced Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR), and in-rack sprinkler systems to ensure safety and resilience across all operations.

The facility’s layout allows storage of a diverse range of hazard-classified chemicals. One chamber is configured for UN Class 3 and 4 chemicals, a second accommodates UN Class 5 chemicals, while the third has been developed for UN Class 6, 8, 9 and non-regulated materials. The warehouse offers capacity for 17,400 pallets and includes nine loading docks and three loading bays. The office space has been intentionally limited to three percent of the total built-up area, maximising operational efficiency and warehouse utility.

Speaking on the launch, Kunal Lahori, CEO of Palmon Group and Board Member of Manrre, said: “This new facility brings together precision engineering, regulatory compliance, and long-term value creation. Specialised chemical storage requires a high degree of control and risk management, and we have developed this warehouse to meet those expectations while offering flexibility and scalability for tenants. As one of the earliest developers in Jafza, Palmon Group remains committed to supporting the UAE’s logistics and industrial growth.”

Mohamed Ali, Head of GCC at GFH Partners, said: “The opening of this warehouse marks another important milestone in the expansion of the GFH Partners Manrre REIT portfolio, particularly in mission-critical industrial and logistics assets that serve high-growth sectors. The UAE continues to see strong demand for specialised storage solutions, and this facility reinforces our strategy to develop resilient, future-ready assets that deliver long-term value for our investors.”

The logistics hub is now fully operational and is leased to Safe Logistics. The new facility is expected to play a significant role in strengthening regulated supply chains and supporting Dubai’s position as one of the region’s foremost logistics and industrial hubs.

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Big Ticket joins DP World ILT20 Season 4 as Official Partner

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A professional cricket player for the Desert Vipers in mid-swing during a match. The batsman is wearing a dark green and black patterned jersey with red accents, a red helmet, and black protective leg pads. He is holding a wooden cricket bat high in a follow-through motion after playing a shot. The background shows a crowded stadium with purple and blue seating and a "DP World" branded wicket.

Big Ticket, the largest and longest-running guaranteed raffle draw in the Middle East (known for cash prizes, dream luxury cars, gold bars and coins) has joined the DP World International League T20 Season 4 as an Official Partner.

In recent years, Big Ticket has become more than just a raffle, it has gained the reputation of being a brand built around rewarding dreams and celebrating ambition, growing into one of the region’s largest and one of the most anticipated monthly draws in the UAE.

DP World ILT20 – the 34-match cricketing extravaganza – the biggest T20 tournament in the region featuring some of the most renowned global cricket stars is currently being played at the Dubai International Stadium, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

A cricket player from the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders standing at the crease, ready to receive a ball. The player is dressed in a purple and gold uniform with matching gold-colored leg pads and a gold helmet. He holds the bat upward in a standard batting stance. The stadium background features blue seats, a "UAE Cricket" sign, and another player in an orange uniform in the distance.

DP World ILT20 Head of Partnerships Ishan Chopra: “We are delighted to welcome a UAE born raffle giant like Big Ticket as an Official Partner of the DP World ILT20. Their legacy of helping dreams come true aligns perfectly with our vision of delivering unforgettable, fan-first experiences across the league. This partnership strengthens our commitment to creating moments of excitement both on and off the field, and we look forward to elevating Season 4 together. With a household name like Big Ticket on board, we are confident of unlocking even more opportunities for fans to engage, celebrate and go All In for Cricket.”

Meanwhile, DP World ILT20 match tickets across all categories are available for the remaining tournament matches. Various spectator stand tickets start at AED 20 and hospitality packages start from AED 325. Fans can also book the new Sixes Lounge experience for AED 395, which includes unlimited food and beverages. Tickets can be purchased by visiting tickets.ilt20.ae or Virgin Megastores.

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The Maritime Standard Awards 2025 winners list showcases high levels of innovation and operational excellence across the maritime sector

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The maritime sector’s leading awards event, The Maritime Standard (TMS) Awards 2025, has announced this year’s winners, honoring outstanding companies and industry leaders from across the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent. The Awards showcased achievement and innovation in 25 categories covering shipping, logistics, ship repair, offshore services, marine technology and related sectors, as well as a series of special awards for individual achievement. The prestigious event took place at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai on October 29th, attracting over 1000 senior executives, decision-makers and industry leaders, from the region, and across the globe.

Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, the event recognised organisations and individuals for setting new standards in operational excellence and leadership in the sector amid significant shifts in the industry, including decarbonisation, digitalization, and a renewed emphasis on supply chain resilience. From clean-fuel projects and AI-powered port operations to international collaborations that boost trade efficiency, the 2025 Awards showcased the industry’s progress in turning goals into tangible outcomes.

The evening was hosted by Yalda Hakim, a renowned international correspondent and documentary filmmaker, whose engaging presence added distinction to the occasion. The keynote address was delivered by Captain Abdulkareem Al Masabi, CEO of ADNOC Logistics and Services, who shared valuable insights on the evolving maritime landscape and the UAE’s leadership in advancing sustainable and innovative practices across the sector.

Clive Woodbridge, Editor of The Maritime Standard and Chairman of the Judging Panel, stated, “This year’s competition was exceptionally tough, and we received an unprecedented number of entries across all categories. Each finalist demonstrated remarkable achievements and operational standards over the past year, which underlines the significant advances that continue to be made in the regional maritime sector.”

A rigorous assessment process was conducted as part of the award selections, and this was supervised by an independent panel of distinguished judges that included some of the most prominent names in the maritime industry.

Trevor Pereira, Managing Director of The Maritime Standard, commented, “These Awards are not just about celebrating success, but also about encouraging excellence. This year’s event recognised innovative concepts, exciting new initiatives, and outstanding performance standards. As the region continues to expand its maritime infrastructure and digital port systems, with significant developments across the Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent, events like The Maritime Standard Awards play a key role in reinforcing its position as a global leader in shipping and maritime.”

 Reaction from the individual winners on the night of October 29th was highly appreciative. Captain Mohamed Al Ali, Senior Vice President, Operations (Offshore Logistics), at ADNOC L&S, who received the Outstanding Achievement Award, added: “It was one of the greatest honours of my professional career to receive this Award. It really means a lot to me to have TMS recognise the years of dedication and hard work.”

Tony Dagher, the Founder and Managing Director of TMC Shipping Group was the recipient of the Young Person in Shipping and was similarly honoured. He said: “I have been fortunate to have had great support from many people during my journey in shipping, and to have a fantastic team around me now. This Award is as much for them as it is for me.

Over the past 12 years The Maritime Standard Awards has consolidated its standing as one of the most prominent annual gatherings within the global maritime calendar, gaining worldwide recognition for recognising excellence and promoting a more resilient and sustainable maritime future.

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