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Updated : February 4, 2015 0:0  ,Dubai
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img2Virtualization and Cloud adoption rates continue to soar in the Middle East, with storage giant NetApp one of the main beneficiaries. Graham Porter MENA Channel Manager and Fadi Kanafani Regional Director, MENA and Pakistan discuss the company’s strategy for the evolving data centre


Discuss the impact of Flash technology in the age of Cloud

GP: There’s a misconception that only the smaller storage companies are involved in flash. In reality, NetApp is a major Flash vendor and we offer a whole range of flash arrays, including a Hybrid array which is a mix of flash and traditional disk arrays. We are making a lot of investments in this space and we have been able to double our sales with over 1,300 pure flash arrays sold, a rate that is doubling year on year from 2013.

Flash and Cloud is what most of the customers like to hear about. Working with Cisco offers us a new opportunity to sell flash in integrated systems. In the last one year, because of our R&D capabilities, about half of our products have been refreshed. We typically invest 14% of our revenues in R&D as opposed to around 2% for our competitors. This means that partners have an up-to-date, state of the art product to sell-they’ve got Flash products and now the integrated stack that we are offering with Cisco.

Discuss NetApp’s FlexPod and how integrated systems will impact enterprise storage moving forward

GP: Integrated systems are growing extremely well-the prediction from Gartner is that by 2015, 35% of all storage sales will be integrated systems. The FlexPod, is a combination of networking servers from Cisco, NetApp storage with software from VMware for virtualization. The result is an integrated stack which solves the problems companies had in the past of buying and building their solutions and trying to make them work. The FlexPod is configured to work from the get go and is typically used by customers wishing to build a private cloud and then start to move towards a hybrid public.

FK: We have 50 validated designs between us and Cisco for this integrated stack which makes it the number one converged cloud-based solution in the market now, a market that now exceeds 3B dollars globally. We have in excess of 4000 customers on the FlexPod which is showing over 80% growth from 2013 to 2014.  The good thing about our Cloud solutions, our customers can enjoy the services if they prefer to stay private, if they want to go public or adopt hybrid cloud deployments. Our Data ONTAP allows them to manage their data no matter where the data resides-private, public or somewhere in between-which is the key differentiator for our platform.

Discuss some deployments with NetApp’s Flash solutions and the benefits therein for customers

GP: An example is SAP and their HANA solution which allows them to do business intelligence in memory. The challenge in the past was in the amount of memory you would get; but now with Flash, you are guaranteed large data transfer very quickly. This facilitates a lot of intelligence and analytics that you could not do before. So a lot of customers are looking at flash and realizing they can take a large amount of data and manipulate that very quickly, something they simply could not do before. We have the solution with SAP HANA and every kind of customer is now able to take decisions by analysing their Big Data and being able to do this with flash and software applications.

What in your opinion is NetApp’s USP?

FK: When customers are trying to balance risk & cost vs performance, benefits & features, we do not believe that one size fits all. So our systems allow customers to have flash and disk at the same time and within the same system and both analysed with the same operating system. And that is another differentiator with NetApp, depending on your workload, you can decide to use disk for certain applications and certain workloads, flash for others and then customers can segment their system so that it runs separate workloads differently.

Discuss the state of Cloud adoption in the region and what is holding back many organizations

FK: What we have found unique here in the Middle East is that data sovereignty is very important. Certain governments prefer that their data stay within their boundaries and that is why the private cloud is more feasible in the region. We see more private cloud deployments. A lot of storage vendors are thus working closely with local service providers to provide the hybrid cloud.

GP: Cloud implementations here in the region via integrated systems like the FlexPod have gone up by over 60% between 2013 and 2014. Still, this market is at least a couple years behind Europe and America. In the region now you have companies such as e-Hosting Data Fort and Equinix offering hosted services. We are also working with various Telcos in the region so that they can offer services such as hosting, co-location services and applications.

Some of the larger partners they have their own large data centres and cloud solutions with Cisco for instance building four large data centres with their partners becoming resellers of cloud services. We have local partners that have built three data centres and now some of these partners are thinking of how they can sell services instead of selling the boxes.

 

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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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Deep Dive Dubai Launches Sunken City Walk, a Cinematic Underwater Experience that Makes Adventure Just a Step Away

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Deep Dive Dubai

Deep Dive Dubai has unveiled its newest attraction for experience seekers with the launch of Sunken City Walk. The guided underwater activity invites guests to step into a cinematic cityscape filled with surreal details. From an underwater swing and motorbike to a café table that looks straight out of a movie scene, this is Dubai’s latest must-try attraction.

Deep Dive Dubai

The hour-long journey begins with a full briefing and safety overview, followed by guests changing into wetsuits and equipment provided on-site. They then join trained instructors for a 20-minute guided underwater walk through the Sunken City—an accessible, certification-free experience that requires no swimming skills, making it ideal for guests aged 10 and above. Currently offered at an introductory price of AED 600, with an optional 30-second keepsake video for AED 200, the experience is currently available in four daily slots at 11 AM, 12 PM, 2pm, and 3pm.

Jarrod Jablonski, Director, Deep Dive Dubai, said that “With Sunken City Walk, we’re continuing to shape Dubai’s reputation as a city of unforgettable experiences. It’s a unique attraction that reflects Dubai’s spirit, where visitors can discover adventure in ways they never thought possible.”

The launch reflects a global trend that travellers are choosing experiences over possessions. Supporting this, Shamal’s Experience Economy Report stated that 75% of UAE residents are more willing to spend on experiences, with 80% allocating a dedicated monthly budget. The launch also aligns with Dubai’s commitment to strengthening its global tourism appeal. According to Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the city welcomed 9.88 million international visitors in the first half of 2025, a six percent increase year-on-year, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading lifestyle and tourism hubs. Sunken City Walk at Deep Dive Dubai adds a new way for visitors to experience the city’s spirit of reinvention, where adventure is always just a step away.

While Sunken City Walk offers a first taste of underwater adventure, guests can plunge into the incredible world of diving at Deep Dive Dubai, choosing from experiences such as scuba diving, freediving, and specialised diving courses.

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