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Riverbed Primes Networks for the AI Era with Acceleration Solutions and New Flex Subscription Offering
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.
Home Integrator
Nolte Küchen to Invest AED 25 Million as Part of Middle East Growth Strategy
Nolte Küchen, Germany’s leading premium kitchen brand, is strengthening its presence in the Middle East as part of a renewed global growth strategy rooted in German design excellence and craftsmanship. Having been present in the UAE market since 2007 with Universal Trading Company (UTC), in a mutually agreed step to further ensure market development and expansion. The brand will now transition to a direct-to-consumer model under its new mainland entity, Nolte UAE.
As part of this expansion, Nolte Küchen will invest over AED 25 million in the coming years. This includes the launch of a flagship showroom on Sheikh Zayed Road by early 2026, and the establishment of a dedicated team of engineers, designers, and architects offering end-to-end kitchen solutions defined by German precision and quality standards. The move underscores Nolte Küchen’s confidence in the UAE’s role as a regional hub for design and innovation, as well as a key market in the company’s international expansion. It strengthens its direct relationships with both B2B and B2C customers through greater brand consistency, service excellence, and competitive pricing.
The UAE’s premium kitchen market has nearly doubled since 2020 and is projected to reach US$200 million by 2030, reflecting sustained demand for high-quality European design. The brand’s continued expansion aligns with this growth, positioning Nolte Küchen to meet evolving customer expectations through faster delivery timelines, improved service, and an expanded product range that includes Nolte Küchen, Nolte Neo, Express Kitchen, and Living & Spa. The brand’s mission remains to bring “Made in Germany” quality, design excellence, and innovation to every home, while catering to diverse market segments across both private and professional customers.

Selva Kumar Rajulu, Managing Director of Nolte UAE, said: “Since establishing Nolte FZE in the region in 2011, we have built a strong legacy rooted in innovation and trust. This new phase, as Nolte UAE, enables us to engage more closely with customers and partners, ensuring every project reflects German design excellence. The UAE has always been central to our journey, and this expansion reinforces our commitment to the market and its role in driving our global presence across high-growth international markets.”
In the Middle East, Nolte Küchen’s presence is anchored by its regional competence centre in Dubai, which oversees markets across 30 countries and have managed to deliver more than 80,000 project kitchens and 35,000 retail kitchens in the last years. Supported by over 75 branded showrooms across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, the Dubai hub delivers landmark developments such as Tilal Al Ghaf and Harmony Villas in Dubai, MERED’s Iconic Residences design by Pininfarina in the UAE, Rafal Residence in Riyadh, and Al Mouj in Muscat, along with large-scale residential and hospitality projects in Qatar, Jordan, and Kuwait. This regional infrastructure enables the brand to serve both developers and homeowners with scale, precision, and local expertise.
Beyond aesthetics, Nolte Küchen has earned the title of Germany’s most popular kitchen brand, recognised for its superior product quality, design innovation, and customer satisfaction by the German Institute for Service Quality over several years. The company offers one of the world’s widest range of finishes, materials, and configurations, with customisation options that set a global benchmark of personalisation in kitchen design. It also holds the distinction of being the world’s most sustainable kitchen brand, maintaining a 100% production base in Germany and the industry’s first independent sustainability report.
The UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 strategy and Estidama Pearl Building Rating System encourage developers and manufacturers to adopt more sustainable construction and design practices. Nolte Küchen is the only German kitchen brand with both FSC and PEFC certifications, reflecting its commitment to long-term environmental responsibility. The brand also releases annual sustainability reports, highlighting its continued investment in responsible production and transparency.
Home Integrator
Introducing Sobha AquaCrest, the Second Cluster in Its Landmark $20 Billion Downtown UAQ | Sobha Realty Masterplan
Sobha Realty has announced the launch of Sobha AquaCrest, the second residential cluster within its landmark Downtown UAQ | Sobha Realty masterplan; a transformative USD 20 billion coastal destination that is redefining the urban and architectural landscape of Umm Al Quwain.
Spanning 25 million square feet, Downtown UAQ | Sobha Realty stands among the most ambitious coastal masterplans in the Northern Emirates, featuring seven kilometers of uninterrupted beachfront and a total coastline of eleven kilometers. Upon completion, it will accommodate over 150,000 residents and offer a blend of luxury residences, marinas, retail boulevards, offices, hospitality, and leisure zones, all designed to elevate beachfront living through sustainable urban design and timeless craftsmanship.
Sobha AquaCrest, a five-tower cluster comprising one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments and duplexes, is set for handover by June 2029. Blending contemporary design with coastal tranquility, the cluster embodies Sobha Realty’s signature precision and attention to detail. Each residence integrates advanced sustainability features, including double-glazed façades for superior heat and sound insulation, energy-efficient HVAC systems, district cooling for reduced power consumption, EV charging stations, and the use of eco-friendly materials that contribute to a healthier living environment.
Commenting on the launch, Francis Alfred, Managing Director of Sobha Realty, said:
“Downtown UAQ | Sobha Realty is envisioned as a new urban landmark; a vibrant, self-contained city that seamlessly integrates modern design, sustainability, and coastal beauty. Sobha AquaCrest marks the next chapter in this vision, bringing together architectural excellence and beachfront serenity to create a truly distinctive community.”
More than half of the Downtown UAQ | Sobha Realty masterplan is dedicated to open and green spaces, creating a harmonious balance between nature and modernity. Landscaped parks, jogging tracks, and beach promenades will be interwoven throughout the community, encouraging active and connected lifestyles. The masterplan is also conceived as a next-generation mobility hub, with future provisions for air and water taxis, enabling seamless, sustainable connectivity across the emirate.
The wider community will feature an array of cultural, wellness, and leisure experiences, from an Art and Design District and a Museum and Marine Experience Center to a Wellness Park, multiple – marinas, public beach, retail and dining promenade, and open-air Amphitheatre. Together, these elements will bring vibrancy and life to Umm Al Quwain’s coastline while fostering a deep connection with its natural environment.
Sustainability remains the foundation of Sobha Realty’s long-term vision for the Northern Emirates. Both Downtown UAQ | Sobha Realty and Sobha Siniya Island reflect a shared commitment to eco-sensitive development, marine conservation, and responsible coastal planning. Sobha Siniya Island alone dedicates 60 percent of its total area to protected green zones, mangroves, and open natural habitats.
Together, these two master developments are projected to contribute nearly 30 percent of Sobha Realty’s total sales in 2025, with a combined sales of AED 12 billion, underscoring growing investor confidence in Umm Al Quwain’s long-term growth potential.
As Sobha Realty expands its presence beyond Dubai, the brand continues to strengthen its legacy as one of the UAE’s most trusted names in real estate; a developer whose craftsmanship, foresight, and integrity continue to set new benchmarks in the industry.
Home Integrator
Bergman Design House Unveils Interiors for Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences by ELEVATE and Ennismore – A New Era of Luxury in Ras Al Khaimah
Award-winning London-based interior designers Bergman Design House have revealed their completed design vision for Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences, developed by ELEVATE in partnership with global hospitality leader Ennismore. Announced last quarter, the project is now moving closer to launch with the much-anticipated unveiling of its interiors. Known for exclusive private villa and beach house designs, this marks Bergman’s first branded residence project in the region, setting a new benchmark for luxury residential and hospitality living.
Zeeshaan Shah, Founder of ELEVATE, said:“Our vision with ELEVATE has always been to craft developments that are more than addresses — they are destinations. Partnering with Ennismore and Bergman Design House on Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences allows us to deliver an experience that blends design excellence, curated living, and world-class hospitality in a way the region hasn’t seen before.”
Set against the backdrop of Al Marjan Island where the Arabian Gulf meets Ras Al Khaimah’s future gaming and leisure destination, Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences rises as a modern design icon. Part cultural gallery, part social hub, it is conceived as more than simply a residential address: instead unfolding as a curated lifestyle experience where every space is designed to inspire, connect, and endure.
Marie Soliman, Founder & Creative Director of Bergman Design House, added:
“With Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences, we wanted to create a place where every corner tells a story, where residents feel both the comfort of home and the thrill of discovery. It’s a living canvas, inspired by the sea and designed to evolve with its community.”
Drawing inspiration from the rhythms of the ocean and the dynamic energy of Ras Al Khaimah’s evolving luxury scene, Bergman Design House has blended sculptural forms, organic textures, and luminous palettes. Each detail reflects a dialogue between avant-garde artistry and timeless comfort, resulting in spaces that are both emotionally resonant and visually striking.
The development will feature more than 60,000 square feet of resident amenities, designed to position Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences as the pinnacle of experiential living in the Emirate. The lobby itself will go far beyond a point of arrival, serving as an immersive gallery with rotating exhibitions from visionary global and regional artists alongside digital installations.
Suspended high above the ocean, the Sky Lounge will deliver panoramic views, innovative mixology, and interiors crafted for both intimate conversation and grand celebration.
Residents will also enjoy 17,000 square feet of indoor-outdoor wellness space, including championship-level training zones, a yoga and Pilates studio, treatment rooms, a sky padel tennis court, and a recovery suite with sauna and ice bath — embedding wellness into daily life.
Mondrian’s iconic pool scene will also make its mark on Al Marjan Island. Perched over 200 feet above sea level, the adults-only Infinity Sky Pool will redefine Ras Al Khaimah’s skyline, with sleek finishes and uninterrupted Gulf views transforming each sunset into a spectacle.
The beachfront will function as a lifestyle destination of its own, featuring art-adorned pools, private cabanas, immersive installations, and an award-winning beach restaurant soon to be unveiled. Every detail is designed to turn a day by the water into a sequence of unforgettable memories.
The Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences will offer a range of residences, with penthouses as the crown jewel, complete with wraparound glass walls, bespoke marble finishes, private terraces, and spa-like bathrooms. Apartments will feature smart layouts, uninterrupted sea views, and coastal-meets-cosmopolitan palettes, enhanced by sculptural lighting that transforms each home into a personal art piece.
Conceptualised for discerning investors, collectors of experiences, and global citizens, Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences represents the convergence of hospitality, artistry, and residential intimacy. It will stand as not just a development, but a cultural landmark for Ras Al Khaimah. It belongs to the Mondrian Hotels & Residences portfolio, part of Ennismore, a creative hospitality company with a global collective of entrepreneurial and founder-built brands with culture and community at their heart. With ELEVATE’s vision, Ennismore’s hospitality expertise, and Bergman Design House’s design mastery, the Mondrian Al Marjan Island Beach Residences is set to become a cultural stage, a social hub, and a sanctuary of design excellence — framed by the infinite horizon of the Arabian Gulf.
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