Uncategorized
DIRECT APPROACH
By Editor

Senior Regional Manager at networking vendor DrayTek Joseph Tsai discusses the firm’s MEA vision
Please discuss your participation in the In Search of a Champion (ISoaC) training event in particular and your regular training programmes in general
Our participation in the ISoaC event was to update the market on the latest DrayTek technologies and products. We also wanted to see how sales staff could learn about our products. Our previous focus was on the SI segment and we are realizing that the resale market would be an important market for us. With this event we have found the staff, although in sales, possess the basic technology background and understand what we are talking about.
We carry out regular training events all over the world with our partners in their locales to introduce and provide market training for partners and customers. DrayTek also holds an annual distributor re-union event in Taiwan where we invite all the distributors to our headquarters to experience our products first hand while also getting product updates through training and meetings. In return, we get to receive feedback directly from the market so we can improve our new product plans.
Discuss your partnership with DVCOM
We have been working with DVCOM for the last six years. We began with basic partnership development-finding the right resale partners, the right target and the right channels. At that time, the market was very challenging for us due to price wars and having partners who were basically box movers without broadcasting the benefits of our products to users. But our recent experience with DVCOM has changed all that. We saw a change in our experience because the people at DVCOM want to learn about the benefits and the value and the services they can deliver to partners. We have thus seen things turn around for us. We believe in the partnership we have with DVCOM.
We undertake a lot of initiatives with them such as technical support and training, allowing our SI partners stay connected with the latest technology from DrayTek; after sales service, technical support product offering, as well as attend trade shows either by DVCOM or co-sponsored events. With business growing, we expect to see different channels coming up. This will lead to more focus on the product, strategy and product portfolio and especially in channel management.
How important is the Middle East market to DrayTek?
The Middle East market is contributing more and more to our bottom line. Our focus has been with the SI segment that in turn provides our solutions to SMBs. In the last two years especially, our business development in the Middle East has only gotten better. We expect to double what we had last year and rise even higher in coming years.
What are some of the key DrayTek products and features attracting the regional consumer?
Our most popular product in the Middle East market is the 2830 router model mainly focused on system integrators who have come to realize the value that comes with our products and technology. Before, many of them were only concerned with just getting the lowest-priced product out there. But they are now aware of the value and DrayTek’s reputation and that is why more and more customers are choosing the brand. In comparison with our competitors, we are adding premium features to our networking products without complicated license fees. An example is the free traffic analyser utility that comes with our routers. This is for customers who want to monitor their internet traffic without any extra charges or license fees. We also offer VPN, load balancing, content filtering, all for free. All this can be accessed and managed through an easy-to-use interface. We are an engineering-oriented company. We own the fundamental capabilities for engaging in product development with up to 40% of our staff members being engineers
Discuss how you are able to stay competitive in a fast-evolving Middle East market
For one, we try to localize our products and solutions because market conditions are different. For instance, provision of internet infrastructure varies widely across various countries in the region so we have to adopt different product strategy for different areas. With a more developed internet infrastructure in the UAE for example, there’s more demand for broadband routers. We also keep pace with all the technology advancements in the networking industry including the latest AC protocols. We then add more features to our devices such as management features for wireless and access points. Word of mouth has been also very crucial in the growth of our business in the region. People who have used DrayTek have found features that they find very useful and passed the information around.
The Taiwan Excellence label is very prominent in your marketing campaigns. Discuss the certification and what it entails for DrayTek
The Taiwan Excellence programme is run by the Government of Taiwan to encourage innovation among Taiwanese based firms. As part of the submission to get the award, we have had to prove our quality and the reliability of our products. 2013 is the 4th year we submitted for the Taiwan Excellence accreditation and most of our products have been awarded with the honour. During GITEX, Taiwan Excellence will have its own pavilion where they will showcase more brands that carry the tag, among them DrayTek products.
Uncategorized
THE BIG CHILL CAFÉ INTRODUCES A COMFORT-DRIVEN IFTAR MENU THIS RAMADAN

This Ramadan, The Big Chill Café at Dubai Hills Mall invites guests to slow down, gather, and break their fast with a specially curated Iftar menu that blends comforting classics with generous portions and familiar flavours.
Designed for families, friends, and casual Ramadan catch-ups, the Iftar offering reflects The Big Chill Café’s signature style – wholesome, indulgent, and feel good – served in a relaxed café setting.
Guests can begin their meal with a selection of starters such as Minestrone Soup, Mediterranean Mezze with Hummus and Muhammara, Crispy Calamari, Chicken Tenders, or Panko-crumbed Prawns. The menu then moves into hearty mains, featuring crowd favourites including Penne Primavera, Creamy Mushroom Chicken Pasta, Saffron Risotto with Prawns, Hand-tossed Pizzas, and flavourful grill options.
For those looking to elevate their Iftar, the grill selection includes Grilled Chicken Breast, Slow-cooked Lamb Shank, Flame-grilled Steak with Cowboy Butter, and Tuscan-style Salmon, available with a small supplement.
To finish, The Big Chill Café turns up the indulgence with a dessert selection made for lingering over conversations. Guests can dive into the signature Molten Dubai Lava Cake with its rich and flowing centre, enjoy the comforting sweetness of Banoffee Pie, or opt for the fragrant Saffron Tres Leches Cake. Lighter yet nostalgic options like Date Ice Cream and crowd-favourite Biscoff Ice Cream round off the experience, offering something for every kind of sweet craving after Iftar.
Whether it’s a relaxed weekday Iftar or a long catch-up after prayers, The Big Chill Café’s Ramadan menu offers a warm and satisfying way to come together this holy month.
Uncategorized
VERTIVANNOUNCES NEW AI-POWERED PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE SERVICE FOR MODERN DATA CENTERS AND AI FACTORIES
Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, today announced the launch of Vertiv™ Next Predict, an AI-powered managed service that fundamentally transforms data center maintenance. Moving beyond traditional time-based and reactive models, the service industrializes operations by analyzing asset behavior before risks materialize. Vertiv Next Predict is the latest advancement in Vertiv’s integrated AI infrastructure portfolio, designed to deliver predictive intelligence across power, cooling, and IT systems—creating a unified, resilient foundation for AI-driven data centers.
As AI workloads reshape the data center landscape, facilities require improved visibility and control across critical infrastructure to maintain operational continuity and performance at scale. Implementing advanced analytics and predictive maintenance strategies helps organizations address these challenges and maintain consistent performance across distributed environments.
“Data center operators need innovative technologies to stay ahead of potential risks, as compute intensity rises and infrastructures evolve,” said Ryan Jarvis, vice president of the global services business unit at Vertiv. “Vertiv Next Predict helps data centers unlock uptime, shifting maintenance from traditional calendar-based routines to a proactive, data-driven strategy. We move from assumptions to informed decisions, by continuously monitoring equipment condition and enabling risk mitigation before potential impacts to operations.”
Vertiv Next Predict leverages AI-based anomaly detection to continuously analyze operating conditions and identify deviations from expected behaviors at an early stage, and a predictive algorithm that assesses potential operational impact to determine risk and prioritize response. Root cause analysis then isolates the contributing factors to support efficient and targeted resolution. Based on system data and the specific operational context, prescriptive actions are defined and carried through to execution, with corrective measures performed by qualified Vertiv™ Services personnel.
Engineered for versatility and future growth, Vertiv™ Next Predict currently supports a broad and expanding range of Vertiv™ power and cooling platforms—including battery energy storage solutions (BESS) and liquid cooling components. More importantly, the service is designed with scalability in mind, to enable seamless integration with future data center technologies as part of a unified, grid-to-chip service architecture. This forward-looking approach means customers can adopt Vertiv Next Predict today, with the knowledge that it can evolve alongside their infrastructure needs.
The Vertiv Services organization has decades of service experience in critical digital infrastructure, a global network of Vertiv-trained technicians, and AI-powered analytics.
Uncategorized
BREAK YOUR FAST WITH MEDITERRANEAN FLAVOURS AT CUISINES, HOLIDAY INN DUBAI AL MAKTOUM AIRPORT
Celebrate the Holy Month with Mediterranean-inspired Iftar and Suhoor at Cuisines, Holiday Inn Dubai Al Maktoum Airport, from 16th February to 18th March
This Ramadan, Cuisines Restaurant at Holiday Inn Dubai Al Maktoum Airport invites guests to gather, unwind, and savour the spirit of the Holy Month with thoughtfully curated Iftar and Suhoor experiences inspired by Mediterranean flavours.
Iftar Experience
As the sun sets, guests are welcomed to break their fast with a generous Mediterranean spread, featuring authentic flavours, comforting classics, and seasonal favourites. Designed for relaxed evenings and meaningful moments, the Iftar offering is set in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, ideal for family gatherings, friends, or quiet reflection.
- Dates: 16 February – 18 March
- Timings: Sunset – 8:30 PM
Layali Mediterranean Suhoor
For late-night diners, Cuisines presents Layali Mediterranean Suhoor, a light yet nourishing Suhoor experience designed to keep you fueled through the fasting hours. Expect a selection of Mediterranean bites in a calm, laid-back setting, perfect for winding down before the day begins.
- Dates: 16 February – 18 March
- Timings: 12:00 AM – 3:30 AM
Whether joining for Iftar or Suhoor, Cuisines offers a simple, flavour-forward Ramadan experience centred on good food and togetherness.
Location: Cuisines Restaurant, Holiday Inn Dubai Al Maktoum Airport
-
Tech News2 years agoDenodo Bolsters Executive Team by Hiring Christophe Culine as its Chief Revenue Officer
-
VAR10 months agoMicrosoft Launches New Surface Copilot+ PCs for Business
-
News10 years ago
SENDQUICK (TALARIAX) INTRODUCES SQOOPE – THE BREAKTHROUGH IN MOBILE MESSAGING
-
Tech Interviews2 years agoNavigating the Cybersecurity Landscape in Hybrid Work Environments
-
Tech News7 months agoNothing Launches flagship Nothing Phone (3) and Headphone (1) in theme with the Iconic Museum of the Future in Dubai
-
VAR1 year agoSamsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold: Clash Of The Folding Phenoms
-
Automotive1 year agoAGMC Launches the RIDDARA RD6 High Performance Fully Electric 4×4 Pickup
-
Tech News2 years agoBrighton College Abu Dhabi and Brighton College Al Ain Donate 954 IT Devices in Support of ‘Donate Your Own Device’ Campaign



