Connect with us

Tech News

WATCHFUL SKIES, SAFER NIGHTS: AI-DRIVEN VMS TRANSFORMING GULF MEGA-EVENTS

Published

on

Close-up view of a person wearing a black outfit with a gold necklace, standing in front of a blurred background showing multiple video surveillance screens in a control room environment

As the Gulf’s summer calendar fills with concerts, sporting events, and festivals, the region faces new and more complex security challenges. Managing crowd safety at large-scale public gatherings no longer depends on passive surveillance or security teams monitoring screens reactively. Instead, event organizers, law enforcement agencies, and technology providers are embracing AI-powered, integrated video management software (VMS) that helps security teams spot and address potential risks early, instead of only reacting after something goes wrong.

This evolution in surveillance comes at an important time for the region. From Dubai’s Disney on Ice, Lil Baby’s Wham World Tour, and the UNTOLD Dubai Festival at Coca-Cola Arena to Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season concerts, international sporting tournaments, and mega entertainment festivals, large-scale spectacles have emerged as cornerstones of the Gulf’s rapidly expanding tourism and leisure economy. In 2024 alone, Dubai welcomed 18.72 million overnight visitors, up 9% from the previous year, while Riyadh and Jeddah continue to post record event attendance.

But as visitor numbers climb, so too does the complexity of keeping these spaces secure.

For years, video surveillance largely served as a passive, forensic tool by capturing footage for later review. Today, advanced VMS platforms are changing that model. AI-powered analytics embedded directly into VMS systems can automatically monitor crowd density, spot unusual movement or congestion, and raise alerts when early signs of trouble appear. This proactive approach transforms how security teams operate, allowing real-time interventions that help reduce risks while improving crowd flow and overall visitor experience.

Multiple Technologies brought together

At major venues across the Gulf, this shift is well underway.

Consider a sold-out concert at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena. Thousands of attendees filter through multiple entrances, while drone surveillance monitors crowd flow around parking areas and public transport hubs. Inside, thermal cameras quietly scan for signs of overheating electrical equipment or early-stage fires. All these data streams feed into a mobile command center, often set up in temporary trailers near the venue, where security teams and public safety agencies collaborate in real-time.

The advantage is not just faster incident response, but smarter prevention. AI-powered analytics embedded in Milestone’s platform can automatically count attendees in critical areas, flag unusual movement patterns, or detect crowd density risks long before they escalate into safety issues.

This type of command structure has become increasingly important as summer temperatures and high humidity, and seasonal surges, add an additional layer of risk for both attendees and emergency response teams.

A Region That Moves Fast and Safely

The wider regional momentum behind these events is just as significant.

The Gulf’s appetite for mega-events shows no sign of slowing. Dubai International Airport processed 92.3 million passengers in 2024, its highest annual traffic ever recorded, while major Saudi airports continue to scale operations under Vision 2030. These same smart infrastructure principles are now being extended to public events.

Open-platform VMS technology fits naturally into these ambitions, offering a flexible backbone that can scale from one event to another, integrate with emerging analytics tools, and support the kind of cross-agency cooperation that large public gatherings increasingly require.

The New Normal for Event Safety

Event organizers, venue operators, and government agencies across the Gulf are now approaching security not as a series of separate systems, but as a fully connected environment. At the heart of this lies open VMS platforms. These provide stakeholders with the ability to overlay venue maps, integrate drone surveillance, plug in temporary thermal sensors, and coordinate multiple responders, all through a shared video management interface, which reflects how the region is redefining public safety as part of its global event leadership.

Ultimately, securing the Gulf’s signature events that boost its tourism will increasingly rely on proactive, AI-enhanced surveillance models. Today, video management is about using real-time intelligence to help protect visitors, keep events running smoothly, and give the Gulf’s major showcases the safe, seamless experiences global audiences expect.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Tech News

TALLY SOLUTIONS OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR THE 6TH EDITION OF TALLY MSME HONOURS, CELEBRATING INSPIRING ENTREPRENEURS

Published

on

Tally Solutions, a leading international technology provider of business management software, has announced the launch of the sixth edition of its flagship annual initiative, Tally MSME Honours. With an aim to recognize and celebrate emerging entrepreneurs, the initiative builds on the momentum of five successful years and continues to champion the future of the UAE’s MSME ecosystem by spotlighting innovation, resilience, and meaningful impact.

Over the last five editions, Tally MSME Honours has received more than 70,000 nominations globally, with over 20% of entries from women-led ventures, making it one of the biggest global platforms to celebrate MSMEs. This year, Tally expects 20,000 nominations across categories. The honours will also bring forth MSME success stories from across India, Africa, Bangladesh, and Nepal, in addition to the Middle East. The entries can be submitted by interested businesses or people who know such businesses via this link.

As part of this year’s edition, participants can submit video entries, ensuring representation from different emirates across the UAE. To further strengthen the evaluation process, Tally is also deploying an AI-led shortlisting framework that will help validate and assess entries more comprehensively by analyzing publicly available business information, ensuring deserving businesses receive due recognition for their impact and growth.

Speaking about the initiative, Vikas Panchal, General Manager – MENA, Tally Solutions, said, “MSME Honours is not just an award platform; it is a celebration of the resilience, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit that drives small businesses forward every day. Across the UAE and the wider MENA region, we continue to witness inspiring MSMEs building innovative businesses, creating employment, and contributing meaningfully to economic growth. This becomes even more relevant as the UAE continues to place strong focus on strengthening its SME ecosystem as a key pillar of the country’s long-term economic vision. Through MSME Honours, we aim to spotlight these stories of determination and impact, while encouraging more entrepreneurs to share and celebrate their journeys.”

With a strong focus on enabling long-term growth and visibility, Tally MSME Honours extends beyond recognition to create a platform that continuously supports entrepreneurial journeys. Over the years, past winners have become part of a growing network of business leaders and changemakers, gaining opportunities to participate in industry discussions, ecosystem forums, and business-led conversations. These engagements help entrepreneurs showcase their journeys, build meaningful collaborations, exchange insights, and further strengthen their impact within the broader MSME ecosystem.

Tally MSME Honours 2026 will feature the following award categories:

  • Business Maestro: Established businesses that have mastered the art of thriving and sustaining success.
  • Wonder Woman: Outstanding women-led businesses making a remarkable impact.
  • NewGen Icon: A new generation of business owners innovating and paving the way for exponential growth.
  • Tech Transformer: Businesses leveraging new technology to drive efficiency and scale.
  • E-preneur Icon: Purpose-driven businesses contributing meaningfully to society and the environment

The entries will be judged by an esteemed panel comprising experts from the field of technology, the MSME domain, and the media.

Continue Reading

Tech News

BELKIN’S LILYPAD IPAD CASE TURNS THE FAMILY IPAD INTO A FUN, FRIENDLY SIDEKICK INSPIRED BY DISNEY AND PIXAR’S “TOY STORY 5”

Published

on

Belkin, a global leader in consumer electronics for over 40 years, today announced a real-world special edition iPad case inspired by Lilypad, the high-tech frog-shaped smart tablet character from Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” in theaters June 18.

Designed to transform an iPad into a fun character companion, the Lilypad iPad Case blends protection with subtle character-inspired features, turning tablet use into an imaginative, playful experience connected to the world of “Toy Story 5.”

“Lilypad represents a modern take on how kids interact with technology,” said Steve Malony, CEO of Belkin. “With this collaboration, we wanted to create an accessory that captures the character’s personality while still delivering the quality, durability, protection, and thoughtful design families expect from Belkin.”

Turning an iPad into Lilypad

Designed, for families and Disney collectors, the Lilypad iPad Case combines durable EVA foam construction with character-inspired details like a built-in carry handle and foldable kickstand, allowing users to comfortably hold, carry, and use their device for watching, drawing, or learning on the go.

Key features include:

  • Official Lilypad Character Design – Inspired by Lilypad from Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” the case gives iPad (10th and 11th generation) expressive eye details and a character-inspired design.
  • Kid-Proof Protection – Durable EVA foam construction helps absorb bumps and drops during everyday play.
  • Soft, Grippy Edges – Easy for small hands to hold securely, helping reduce slips and accidental drops.
  • Built-In Carry Handle – Integrated handle provides easy portability, designed to keep up with everyday use.
  • Built-In Kickstand – Foldable kickstand supports hands-free viewing for drawing, watching, or playing.
  • Exclusive Digital Wallpapers – Each case includes a QR code to download complimentary Lilypad-themed wallpapers for home and lock screens, making the iPad feel even more like the character.
  • Safe & Parent-Approved Materials – Made with non-toxic materials and wipe-clean surfaces for easy maintenance.
Continue Reading

Tech News

VERTIV EXPANDS LIQUID COOLING PORTFOLIO IN EMEA TO ACCELERATE AI‑READY DATA CENTER DEPLOYMENTS

Published

on

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, today announced the expansion of its end-to-end thermal chain with the availability of the Vertiv™ CoolChip CDU 2300 and Vertiv™ CoolChip Fluid Network Row Manifolds in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). These liquid cooling technologies support the growing demands of AI and high-density, next-generation compute to help customers deploy high-density infrastructure faster and operate more efficiently.

The Vertiv CoolChip family is a core building block of the Vertiv thermal chain, an end-to-end portfolio including direct-to-chip cooling, immersion cooling, rear-door heat exchangers, coolant distribution, heat rejection, intelligent controls, and lifecycle services into a single, cohesive thermal management system.

The newly announced solutions will be on display at Datacloud Global Congress in Cannes (June 1–4), where Vertiv will participate as a Patron Sponsor and showcase its latest technologies at booth n. 123.

“The rapid growth of AI workloads is driving a fundamental shift in how data centers are designed, cooled, powered and operated,” said Paul Ryan, president for EMEA at Vertiv. “At Datacloud Global Congress, we’re showing how Vertiv is expanding its end‑to‑end portfolio, combining high-density power solutions, liquid cooling, heat rejection, intelligent controls, and lifecycle services, to help customers deploy AI-ready infrastructure faster and operate more efficiently over time.”

As a critical link in the Vertiv™ thermal chain, the Vertiv CoolChip CDU 2300 is a liquid-to-liquid coolant distribution unit delivering 2.3 MW of cooling capacity in a compact footprint, offering one of the highest capacity-to-footprint ratios available in the market. Its smaller cabinet supports flexible placement, including in‑row or in adjacent mechanical areas, helping operators reduce floor space requirements and the number of CDUs needed in large‑scale, high‑density deployments.

Vertiv™ CoolChip CDU systems span from 100 kW to 2.3 MW and support direct‑to‑chip liquid cooling as well as rear‑door heat exchangers. The integrated Vertiv™ CoolChip CDU controller allows temperature and flow to adapt to workload demands, while features such as redundancy, unit‑to‑unit communication, and remote monitoring help enhance system availability and simplify operations. This controller-level intelligence enables the CDU to operate in coordination with other elements of the thermal chain, enabling consistent thermal performance across the entire infrastructure.

Complementing the CDU within the thermal chain architecture, the new Vertiv™ CoolChip Fluid Network Row Manifolds provide the physical connectivity layer between coolant distribution units, server-level cooling hardware, and heat rejection systems. Each manifold assembly is flushed, passivated, pressure-tested, and sealed to deliver superior cleanliness, corrosion resistance, and leak-free performance. The configurable design provides full system compatibility across direct-to-chip cooling, immersion cooling, and rear-door heat exchangers while simplifying coolant routing. It also enables fast deployment for new builds or retrofits, helping operators scale liquid-cooling infrastructure in weeks rather than months.

Vertiv complements its portfolio with Vertiv™ Liquid Cooling Services, covering design support, installation, and ongoing maintenance. This lifecycle approach is designed to help customers maximize efficiency, maintain system availability, and support consistent performance as liquid cooling becomes an integral part of modern data center operations.

Vertiv experts will be available throughout Datacloud Global Congress at booth #123 to discuss Vertiv’s end‑to‑end portfolio of power, cooling, and converged infrastructure solutions designed to support high‑density, AI‑ready data centers. Explore insights and resources at Vertiv.com/AI.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2023 | The Integrator