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Partner enablement for digital transformation

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David Hazard, Vice President – Head of EMEIA channel & sales Operations, Fujitsu Technology Products, Fujitsu discusses the company’s focus on enabling partners take solutions to market

Discuss how Fujitsu is looking at the impact of the shifts in IT in terms of solutions made available for the channel?
The shift from old fashioned robust old fashioned IT methodologies and systems towards the new deployed fast IT, digital applications is happening very quickly. The consulting and deploying services required to manage the infrastructure is changing as well.
Fujitsu has all of those solutions and services in our end to end portfolio. We have been more recognized in the Technology client computing part of our ICT portfolio. For instance, many people know we make good notebooks, tablets, workstations etc. Some know we make good servers, storage and compute technology. But not many are aware we also have the solutions that answers needs ranging from enabling migration to a hybrid cloud environment to data security solutions for IoT deployments etc. The message we want to send to the market is that we provide those end to end solutions for mid-market and enterprise customers and are enabling our partners in taking such solutions to their customers.

Discuss the Enterprise focus and success in the segment so far? What is the partner focus in this business?

We want to consolidate and build on our enterprise success across EMEA. We want to bridge the perception gap and be seen as not only a client computing devices vendor and but also an enterprise solutions vendor. We have some very good client references across the datacenter integration space, managed infrastructure services, security etc. We do a lot of these business through our channel.
One of the big tasks ahead of us is how we enable and train our channel partners to take these digital solutions and services to customers. As I mentioned, while we have probably been well known as a Technology vendor, there is room for increasing the awareness in the value add channel about the end to end solutions we offer in the enterprise segment. We want to get closer to the VADs, the value add resellers and to the customers.

Elaborate on specific opportunities that as a company you are focused on?
SAP integration is an area where we have been quite successful and we continue to see growth in that segment. We see growth for the Fujitsu PRIMEFLEX for Hadoop integrated systems. There is growth potential for PRIMEFLEX Cluster-in-a-box solutions, which is a hyper-converged solution including Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 pre-installed and pre-configured as virtualized high availability cluster.
We see traction for such solutions especially in the mid-market segment, where customer maybe looking for their first deployments of virtual machines and also need to ensure it doesn’t cost a fortune. They would be looking for something that gets deployed relatively quickly and tested out. We are investing a lot in open stack, Microsoft cluster in a box, SAP and Hadoop, HPC as growth areas of focus.

How do you see SME customers taking advantage of the new age solutions?

There are thousands of corporate customers who want to do what large enterprises do but they don’t have the millions to invest in technologies that will get them to do all of what they wanted to. Five years ago, setting up a technology company would need 5 million USD but today you could set up a company with probably five thousand USD and some computers with access to the cloud. You don’t need the high cost infrastructure anymore. The way they want to do enable their infrastructure is without the complexities of deployments and integration.
The SMB is a strong focus for us and our partners as they need ready to deploy integrated solutions with which they don’t need to contend with complexities around deployment.

How are you managing the partners on this transformational journey?
For partners we offer the Fujitsu SELECT program under which once they come on board as Fujitsu registered partners, that allows us to send them information and provide them access to our partner portal. At the next level of this program, we have Experts who would need to have a couple of people certified and accredited on the Primergy server for instance.
What we are changing is that rather than ask them to retrain on the server technologies each year, we are asking them to look at what the integrated systems that include servers and storage are being used for and then train around those solution requirements. So we train them to take these solutions to market and focus on strategic areas of digitalisation and digital transformation. We are encouraging our partners to look at specializations in Hadoop, SAP integration, Microsoft cluster in a box, cloud, security etc. it is important they have a good understanding of the technology but it is more important to know the contexts and environments the solutions built around these technologies go into.

How do you see the role for distributors changing and what is the extent of your engagement with them?
Across the region including Europe, we work with about 90 to 100 distributors. Several of these are large distributors. Over the recent times, there has been consolidation in the distribution segment with some large ones acquiring the smaller. Earlier, either you were a volume or you were a value distributor but that is changing. In a few years from now, you will just have distributors who will focus across volume and value opportunities. We are making sure that our distributors are in sync with our end to end diverse portfolio and that this doesn’t stop with products but could extend into services such as opportunities around K5 cloud integration (a key part of the Fujitsu Digital Business Platform MetaArc) and potentially into IoT, AI integration etc in future.
The distribution and the reseller channel go hand in hand. A reseller cannot afford direct relationship management with 200-250 vendors and which is why it is easier for them to work with distributors. Resellers are starting to figure out areas they want to specialize and some are big enough to do all of them. The role of the vendor is to educate, enable provide rebate schemes and make it easy for them to buy from us always via a distributor. There will be a certain number of tier-one partners who buy directly from us and there will a small number of corporate and government customers who we sell to directly.

Discuss success with your cloud and the role for the distributor and the channel in taking it to market?
We have had a phased launch of K5, our next-generation IaaS and PaaS cloud service. This cloud computing platform enables digital transformation through integrating traditional IT environments into new cloud-based technologies. We have launched in UK, Germany, the Nordic countries and a couple of other Western Europe countries. We already some customer references but we are not competing with AWS or Azure and are rather enabling integration of applications into those environments.
We need to develop the value propositions around the cloud for this market and this is on our agenda with our distributors because they are best placed to enable the partners. For instance, some of the larger distributors are developing large cloud aggregation platforms and such platform enable resellers that are looking to put together some cloud solutions from different vendors and need help with the consolidation of billing, reporting and administration from a central portal.

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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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