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Riverbed Primes Networks for the AI Era with Acceleration Solutions and New Flex Subscription Offering

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 Riverbed

 Riverbed recently introduced new and enhanced acceleration solutions, vastly improving enterprise network performance, security and IT agility, advancing customers’ ability to thrive in the era of AI and massive data growth. This ground-breaking launch, Riverbed’s most comprehensive acceleration announcement in seven years, includes ten new Riverbed SteelHead solutions powered by RiOS 10, the company’s next-generation acceleration software. Riverbed’s industry-leading solutions enable customers to speed the movement of enterprise data across connected clouds, data centers, and the edge with enhanced security and operational agility. Additionally, customers now have the option to consume these new solutions via the new Riverbed Flex subscription offering, delivering greater architectural freedom, license portability, value-retention, and improved total-cost-of-ownership.

Networks are now constrained, with data volumes surging 35% annually, outpacing network capacity. According to recent ESG analyst research, 91% of IT leaders agree that AI is making networking, and thus network acceleration, critical again, with 85% seeing AI influencing network planning, engineering, and operations. With a large portion of enterprise data being both created and used by AI applications, the performance of everything running over the network is impacted, including critical on-prem and cloud applications and computing at the edge.

“Riverbed was founded 23 years ago this month with a focus on accelerating applications and the movement of data over networks. AI and data-hungry applications have introduced new and more demanding network requirements,” said Dave Donatelli, CEO of Riverbed. “I’m proud that Riverbed continues to solve our customers’ most critical challenges, as demonstrated today by our largest Acceleration launch in seven years. In the first quarter of this year, we saw strong demand in our Acceleration business, achieving 59% year-over-year bookings growth. These new solutions build on our momentum and deliver a proven return on investment by helping customers move data faster, optimize application performance, and strengthen business resilience.”

Next-Generation SteelHead Acceleration Appliances Powered by RiOS 10

RiOS 10, a significant update to Riverbed’s acceleration software that has powered more than 100,000 operating locations globally, will deliver new levels of performance for cloud, data centers and the edge, helping customers secure data delivery through advances such as post-quantum cryptography, platform security, and confidential computing. For customers demanding the utmost performance, the new Riverbed SteelHead 90 series will offer new levels of resilient networking performance and value. The four appliances  range from the Data Center-ready CXA-8090 to the CXA-2090 optimized for Edge deployments.

  • SteelHead 8090, delivers up to 60 Gbps of data movement over optimized WAN. It supports multiple 100 Gigabyte network interfaces to pull massive amounts of data from the LAN.
  • SteelHead 6090, delivers up to 20 Gbps of data movement over optimized WAN, targeted for mid-scale data centers.
  • SteelHead 4090 and 2090, support mid-sized data center and edge use cases, with 500 Mbps and 200 Mbps of accelerated traffic, as well as up to 10 Gbps of total traffic processing for QoS and application classification use cases.

“Network congestion is no longer just a nuisance—it’s a choke point that can cripple a business. Without fast and efficient data movement over networks, enterprises will quickly find themselves falling behind, missing out on the promise of AI,” said Chalan Aras, SVP and GM of Acceleration at Riverbed. “Riverbed’s new resilient networking solutions help organizations stay ahead of the curve by securely managing growing data volumes and application performance demands, while also improving IT agility to support the dynamic demands of cloud, data center and edge computing.”

For virtualized environments, Riverbed SteelHead Virtual, powered by RiOS 10, is a software only version designed for private cloud deployments delivering similar appliance performance levels and is compatible with VMWare ESXI, KVM and Microsoft Hyper-V.

To further help customers overcome the unique challenges of edge computing, Riverbed is also introducing SteelHead RS, a new software solution that projects business-critical data to the edge while providing near real-time data synchronization between the edge and the data center, enabling fast local application and AI processing at the edge, while maintaining data consistency across the edge and core.

Riverbed SteelHead Cloud, powered by RiOS 10, will deliver breakthrough acceleration benefits across the broadest range of cloud providers – including Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and new today – Oracle Cloud Infrastructure and Google Cloud Platform2. The new SteelHead Cloud offering, available in each cloud providers’ marketplace, enables enterprises to move data and applications at speeds up to 20 Gbps, ensuring optimal application performance, faster delivery, and significant cost savings compared to traditional methods.

“AI initiatives are increasing the criticality of network performance, requiring reduced latency, increased bandwidth, and richer network observability. While performance can be improved by upgrading network gear and external services, organizations should also prioritize continuous optimization of network connections. These are all requirements that Riverbed’s resilient networking solutions address for successfully supporting growing AI workloads,” said Jim Frey, Principal Analyst, Networks, Enterprise Strategy Group.

New Flex Subscription Offering for Acceleration Solutions

Riverbed’s new Flex subscription offering gives customers architectural freedom and strong investment protection. Licenses can be easily transferred from hardware to virtual to cloud devices at no cost. Customers can dynamically reassign license capacity across devices, scale capacity up or down based on business needs, and upgrade hardware more cost-effectively as Riverbed introduces new technologies.

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AN EXCLUSIVE UNOPIÙ COLLECTION AT WESTERN FURNITURE: ITALIAN ELEGANCE WITH AN ORIENTAL SPIRIT FOR OUTDOOR SPACES

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Outdoor poolside lounge area featuring modern red cushioned armchairs and a matching sofa set with white metal frames, arranged around a small white coffee table holding a glass pitcher and two glasses. The setting overlooks a clear blue swimming pool, surrounded by additional seating and greenery in the background.

Western Furniture, the UAE’s leading destination for luxury interiors, proudly presents Unopiù, a renowned Italian outdoor furniture brand redefining outdoor living—where design meets nature through timeless materials, sculptural forms, and sustainable innovation.

 Unopiù’s renowned collections embody the philosophy of “Where Luxury Meets Nature”, blending artisanal expertise with contemporary aesthetics to create settings that exude balance, beauty, and tranquility.

Among the most admired creations in the Unopiù world is The Chelsea Collection introduces an oriental-inspired aesthetic through sculptural teak frames, low Japanese-style seating, and soft white cushions that embody serenity and warmth. Its extendable dining table and two-seater sofas are distinguished by compact volumes and clean lines, while the Chelsea Sunlounger showcases refined craftsmanship with adjustable back and leg rests, discreet wheels for easy movement, and the option of a plush cushion for elevated comfort. Completing this panorama of outdoor artistry, the Pevero Island stands as a masterpiece of circular design in smooth teak (Ø160 cm), paired with soft Nuvola-hued cushions to create an inviting centerpiece for terraces, gardens, and poolside retreats. Together, these pieces reflect Unopiù’s vision of outdoor living: spaces that balance modern design with the warmth of natural materials, where every detail evokes Italian refinement and timeless luxury.

A timeless icon of Unopiù style, the Ginger Director’s Chair, features a frame made of premium-quality teak with seat and backrest in Cotone cotton fabric, complemented by either a seat cushion or beige Canatex covers (a sustainable hemp-blend fabric composed of 70% PVC and 30% polyester). Exclusive, versatile, and designed for daily use, this chair is a true protagonist of any environment, capturing a personal interpretation of relaxation and refined simplicity.

Another highlight is the Salò Sofa, part of the prestigious Salò 2025 Collection. This piece symbolizes timeless elegance and advanced functionality in outdoor furniture. Inspired by the enchanting landscapes of northern Italy, particularly the captivating charm of Lake Garda, the collection combines modernist design with premium materials to create outdoor sofas and armchairs that stand out for their sophisticated style and extraordinary comfort.

With over four decades of design excellence, Unopiù continues to champion sustainable living through the use of ethically sourced teak, durable weather-resistant materials, and an eco-conscious production ethos. Its collections embody the meeting of tradition and innovation, an approach that resonates with Dubai’s commitment to design-led sustainability and creative excellence.

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MODERN DESIGN WITHOUT THE LUXURY PRICE TAG

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A person wearing a dark blazer over a white dress shirt and jeans, seated on a light-colored sofa with hands clasped together, showcasing a large wristwatch.

Exclusive interview Hussein Khalil El Batal the chairman and CEO of Batal Design Group

Your journey started with a single humble store that evolved into a multi-market design powerhouse. Looking back, which core values have driven BD Holding’s transformation over the past 30 years?

When I look back, what carried us from one humble store to a regional group is quite simple: family, integrity, and obsession with design. We never treated furniture as a product; we treated it as a way of living. Over seventy years, BD Holding built deep relationships with suppliers across the world, always insisting on quality, fair pricing, and long-term partnerships. This mindset created trust. Trust from our teams, our partners, and our customers, and it is that trust which allowed us to grow into a multi country design group rather than remain a single showroom.

The Group has expanded its portfolio with brands such as DAZE, B Design, Intercasa, B Interiors, B Closets, and B Office. How do these brands reflect the region’s evolving lifestyle and design expectations?

Each brand in BD Holding answers a different need in our customers’ lives. DAZE speaks to the new generation that wants modern design, comfort, and accessibility without compromising on quality. B Design and Intercasa focus on craftsmanship, customization, and full interior solutions for homes and projects. B Interiors, B Closets, and B Office answer the growing demand for tailored storage, workspaces, and smart living. Together they reflect a region where people are more design aware, more digitally connected, and more demanding. They expect international standards with a local heartbeat, and this is exactly what our portfolio delivers.

Your philanthropic work and community commitments are widely recognized. How does this personal mission shape the culture, values, and long-term vision of BD Holding?

I grew up in a country that has seen many challenges. For me, success without responsibility has no meaning. Our philanthropic initiatives, whether in education, craftsmanship training, or community support, are not separate from the business. They are part of our identity. Within BD Holding, this translates into a culture of respect, loyalty, and opportunity. A place where people grow, stay, and contribute to something larger than a business. Many of our employees have grown with us for decades. Externally, it means we design and build with the belief that better homes can contribute to stronger communities. When we talk about expansion, we are not only speaking about showrooms; we are speaking about impact and legacy.

DAZE is one of your latest brand concepts. What design gap or unmet customer behavior inspired its creation, and how does it differentiate itself from the Group’s other brands in terms of materials, colour palettes, and price positioning?

DAZE was born because we saw a clear gap. Customers wanted contemporary, trend conscious furniture with a refined look, but at a price that felt realistic for everyday life. With DAZE we combined the heritage and purchasing power of BD Holding with a fresh, youthful design language. The brand plays with bouclé, micro leather, warm woods, marble and metal details, soft neutrals, and rich accent tones that speak to today’s interiors. The collections are carefully engineered to be accessible in price, yet aspirational in mood. It sits alongside our other brands as the most approachable, fashion forward expression of our design philosophy.

DAZE has quickly emerged as a strong franchise model. In your view, what makes it a compelling investment opportunity compared to other concepts in the market?

What makes DAZE powerful as a franchise is that partners are not starting from zero. They step into a concept that is already tested in multiple countries, supported by more than seventy years of sourcing experience and thousands of supplier relationships worldwide. This gives DAZE a strong advantage in price, quality, and design. In addition, we offer a full support structure: operations, R and D, purchasing, and marketing specialists, all focused on the success of our partners. The model is designed to deliver attractive returns, with an accessible initial investment and a clear path to profitability, which is why investors see it as a serious, results driven opportunity.

Looking ahead, what is the expansion roadmap for DAZE? Where do you envision the brand in the next five years, and what strategies will drive that growth?

DAZE started in Lebanon and has grown into key cities such as Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Buraydah, Dubai, Erbil, Baghdad, and Africa with a new location underway in Baghdad and an upcoming international opening in Milano. Our current footprint spans more than twelve showrooms, and our ambition is to cross fifty by the end of 2030. The strategy is clear: work with committed partners, secure prime locations, and maintain a strong pipeline of collections that respond to local tastes while staying globally relevant. We will continue to build DAZE as a trend-setting yet accessible brand, ready for multi-continent expansion.

How do you balance trend driven collections with timeless pieces that retain value over the years?

For me, this balance is the art of what we do. Our R and D team spends the year studying exhibitions, global fairs, and digital inspiration to identify what is coming next. At the same time, we design with longevity in mind. The new direction in furniture is not fast fashion; it is collections that feel current today but still beautiful ten years from now. We achieve this by anchoring each season in solid proportions, comfortable silhouettes, and materials that age well, then layering in trend elements through fabrics, colours, and details that can be refreshed over time.

What operational systems make DAZE a scalable franchise model for multi market expansion?

Behind the aesthetics, DAZE is a very disciplined system. Our partners benefit from a complete toolkit: showroom design, visual merchandising, staff training, project support, and access to integrated software, systems, and e commerce. A dedicated franchise team follows up daily to ensure consistency and growth. Because sourcing, R and D, marketing, and logistics are centralized and managed by experienced teams, each new franchise can focus on execution and customer relationships rather than building an entire infrastructure from scratch. This is what allows DAZE to replicate success from one country to another while respecting the specifics of each market.

What differentiates DAZE from other contemporary furniture brands in the region?

DAZE stands at the intersection of Lebanese creativity and European refinement. It carries the heritage and credibility of BD Holding, yet speaks with a young, confident voice. The brand combines design research, material innovation, and careful pricing in a way that few regional brands can match. Most importantly, DAZE is not only a showroom concept; it is a partnership model with proven results, from Lebanon to UAE, KSA, Iraq, and soon in Milano and Africa. When you choose DAZE, whether as a customer or a franchisee, you are joining a story that is already successful and still full of possibilities.

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EXCLUSIVE SEASONAL OFFERS: NATUZZI ITALIA SHINES AT DUBAI SHOPPING FESTIVAL

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Modern white leather sectional sofa with integrated side tray, decorative cushions, and a beige rug, paired with two light wood coffee tables featuring books and dried floral accents, set in a contemporary living room with green potted plants in the background."

Step into Natuzzi Italia’s Seasonal Showcase during the Dubai Shopping Festival, where iconic craftsmanship meets contemporary style. Running until January 29, this limited-time event features exceptional offers on select pieces that blend timeless elegance with modern functionality. Don’t miss the opportunity to bring home a true Natuzzi Italia masterpiece.

Featured Highlights of the Best Buys:

The DSF collection highlights Natuzzi Italia’s mastery of comfort and contemporary elegance, led by signature modular sofas such as KULT, designed in fine Bianco Ottico leather, and the sculptural BORGHESE, offering adaptable configurations for modern living spaces. Complementing the sofa range are the refined silhouettes of MILANO, BOTANIC, and LEVANTE, each expressing the brand’s balance of ergonomics and style.

Bedroom offerings are elevated through the DOLCEVITA bed, blending warm textiles with Natuzzi’s signature refinement.

Oblo Sofa:

The Oblò sofa by Maurizio Manzoni captures the comfort of a warm embrace with its soft, organic lines and sleek metal frame. Its modular design offers flexible configurations, whether used as a complete setup or as standalone pieces, making it easy to adapt to different spaces.

Natuzzi Italia also extends its DSF showcase into dining and accessories. The architectural VOYAGE, a fixed dining table featuring an elliptic glass top and gold metal base for a refined dining statement,and AMBER dining tables combine glass, metal, and walnut in contemporary geometries. Completing the lifestyle collection are accent pieces such as the MONDRIAN bedside tables and the Y008 smoked oak mirror, designed to complement modern interiors.

Deep Sofa

Designed by Nika Zupanc, the Deep Sofa captures the flow of sea waves with its modular, customizable configurations and enveloping lines—perfect for unwinding in style.

Simple Sofa

Perfect for compact spaces, the Simple Sofa transforms into a sofa bed with a single gesture. Its sleek, essential lines make it a modern problem solver designed by the Natuzzi Design Center.

The collection also features advanced comfort innovations such as the SEAGULL powered reclining seats and the ultra-functional EASY sofa — a practical design offering a seamless “ready-to-bed” mechanism without compromising on comfort. Its rounded lines create a harmonious blend of style and function, reinforcing Natuzzi Italia’s commitment to intelligent, design-led living.

Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your home with Natuzzi Italia’s iconic designs at unmatched prices.

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