One-Stop Service for O-RAN Solutions

Open RAN is built to fulfill the requirements for performance, capacity and latency with less cost and more flexibility. D-Link offers one-stop service for the comprehensive enterprise private 5G solutions based on tailored O-RAN infrastructure and 5G core network alongside the DU (distribution unit), CU (centralized unit) and RU (radio unit).

Integrating the new O-RAN lineup with the existing industrial products, such as M2M gateway, switch, wireless access point, IP camera and the cloud-based management solution (D-ECS), D-Link helps service providers build connectivity effortlessly and enables success cases in manufacturing, transportation, school campus, energy and a wide range of applications for smart cities.

4G/5G M2M AIoT Solutions
To tackle the industrial network challenges of cost, internet instability and no access to fixed-line broadband, D-Link provides a vast array of 4G/5G gateways, routers and easy-to-use management tool (D-ECS) for remote machine-to-machine and secure VPN deployments, with the adoption of both Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), businesses are able to make good decisions with vast amount of data collected from a network of industrial sensors.

D-Link’s reliable and high-performance M2M solutions are broadly used in various industrial IoT scenarios, including EV charging station, high-speed rail, bank ATM and vending machine, to boost the connectivity for building an intelligent and connected city. (See more about the new 5G NR M2M Gateway: DWM-3010)

Enhanced Network Solutions for SMB and K12 Education
D-Link introduced a wide variety of switches, Wi-Fi 6 access points along with the flexible monitoring and management solutions Nuclias Connect and D-View 8 for SMBs (small and medium size businesses), K12 education, retail chains and hospitality. The upgraded D-View 8 is a comprehensive wired and wireless network management tool based on the server and probe architecture, it provides extended support for managing up to 5,000 devices and now is free to download with 90 days of trial version.

The launch of Smart Home AQUILA PRO AI: Designed for supporting Matter
D-Link announced its new AQUILA PRO AI Series- Wi-Fi 6/6E mesh routers and extenders, designed to optimize connectivity and reliability of smart home networks. This cutting-edge mesh Wi-Fi system will be compliant with the new industry-unifying Matter standard and features a built-in AI algorithm to ensure a superior Wi-Fi coverage and enhanced smart-home experience.

“D-Link takes advantage of MWC to showcase the next evolution of Wi-Fi, 5G mobility, broadband solutions, customizable management and AI optimized networks for the aim of benefiting telecom operators, service providers and all consumers in a cost-effective way,” said CJ Chang, CEO and President of D-Link Corporation.

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“While connecting Meta Quest 2 through a PC/laptop will significantly boost performance and graphic quality, most gamers are connected via the home Wi-Fi router or a dedicated gaming router. Many home Wi-Fi router connections can be unstable and are likely affected by other connected home Wi-Fi devices. Gaming routers can be significantly higher in cost, more time consuming to set up, and not tuned for optimized Meta Quest 2 connectivity,” explained CJ Chang, CEO of D-Link corporation.

The DWA-F18 VR Air Bridge is embedded with D-Link’s advanced Wi-Fi 6 firmware and meta’s proprietary VR algorithms to bring low-latency wireless connectivity and improved Wi-Fi efficiency. Furthermore, the DWA-F18 features a compact design with simple installation and WPA3 Wi-Fi protection to let gamers experience safer, unrestricted, and fully immersive VR adventures in the metaverse.

“After joining the metaverse standards forum in July, we aim to be a pioneer in metaverse development. This exclusive partnership with meta not only validates our innovation, but also affirms that D-Link is the ideal partner to combine technology, security, and quality. In anticipation of growing metaverse trends, D-Link will continue to develop user-friendly and cost-effective metaverse products and services to optimize consumer VR experiences,” said CJ Chang.

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Tell us about D-Link’s newer/upgraded products presented to the SMBs and large enterprises

We have recently announced EAGLE PRO AI AX3200 Mesh Systems, which is designed for today’s device-dense smart homes. These systems are equipped with dual-band wireless speeds of up to 3.2 Gbps with the latest Wi-Fi 6 technology, including 1024 QAM, MU – MIMO, and OFDMA technologies. They are available in both 2-pack (M32-2) and 3-pack (M32-3) formats. The built-in AI Wi-Fi Optimizer continuously connects to the best Wi-Fi channel and AI Traffic Optimizer prioritizes the most critical internet usage. EAGLE PRO AI AX3200 Mesh Systems can be easily managed through the EAGLE PRO AI app.

Some of our recent launches include Covr Series Wi-Fi 6 solution and EAGLE PRO AI Series.

Covr Series Wi-Fi 6 solution:

This also includes multi-pack options that are all equipped with Wi-Fi 6 and mesh technology to provide faster speeds, greater capacity, and less network congestion for the modern device-dense smart home. With the next-generation speed of up to 1.8 Gbps total, Covr AX Wi-Fi 6 solutions are perfect for simultaneous 4K streaming, VR gaming, video calling, and keeping the smart home connected. They also feature 4 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports and 1 Gigabit Ethernet WAN port for optional wired connectivity.

EAGLE PRO AI Series

It features a comprehensive range of routers to fulfill everyone’s needs for home Wi-Fi and 4G Wi-Fi. Equipped with Wi-Fi 6 Technology, the R15 AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 Smart Router, M15 AX1500 Mesh Router, and E15 AX1500 Mesh Range Extender deliver up to four times more capacity and a 40 percent throughput increase than Wi-Fi 5. The R03, R04, and R12 Wi-Fi AI Routers are entry-level devices for emerging markets that provide the latest WPA3 security encryption for more secure connectivity. The EAGLE PRO AI series also includes 4G AI Routers G415 and G416, as well as entry-level models G403 and G412, all with two built-in external LTE antennas.

Additionally, the G416 utilizes Carrier Aggregation technology to boost data speeds up to 300 Mbps. Carrier Aggregation provides the foundation for deploying 4G and 5G networks, with the capability to combine several frequency bands for higher peak rates and increased cell coverage.

Other new launches include DCS-8300LHV2 Full HD Wi-Fi Camera with AI-based person detection, Outdoor Industrial AC1200 Access Point DIS-3650AP and Indoor Industrial Access Point DIS-2650AP, and so on.

How prepared are you with the latest devices/solutions for the emerging 5G communication technologies, IoT, and AI?

D-Link is always a step or two ahead of the market curve. All our new products are integrated with AI and internet of things (IoT) and equipped to cater to the 5G demand. We are also seeing an increased appetite for these technologies from the customers’ end as they see and understand the benefits clearly.

Sakkeer Hussain, Director – Sales & Marketing, D-Link MEA

What sorts of network security competencies are currently presented to your enterprise customers?

D-Link’s VPN Routers and UTM Firewalls offer secure, high-performance networking solutions to address the growing security needs of any business network. With advanced VPN features like Dynamic Content Filtering, to Enterprise-Class Firewall Security, there is a D-Link Network Security device for every business need.

D-Link UTM Firewalls combine the best of both worlds by integrating a mature and proven firewall with next-generation technologies. They offer advanced Deep Application Content Control that allows customers to control how applications are being used in a proactive and “zero-day” approach. Customers now have intelligent, robust security within reach with D-Link UTM Firewalls.

Elaborate on the strengths and channel strategies that keep D-Link ahead of its competitors

At D-Link, our channel partners are our family, they are our representatives in the market. We work very closely with our partner ecosystem to deliver pioneering products and solutions to help customers grow in the digital era. As a partner-led company, building partners’ businesses continue to be our top priority. We provide them with all the relevant resources they need to grow their operations. The distributed environment and hybrid work models have led us to create stronger digital initiatives to help partners reach their customers at any time and from any place.

Besides having a robust partner ecosystem as our strength, D-Link also ensures to have innovation and creativity as part of our DNA. We understand customers’ immediate needs while also assessing their long-term requirements and offer comprehensive solutions.

Explain the sustainable and green technology initiatives of D-Link

Climate change is having an adverse impact on the planet, which is why D-Link remains firmly committed to protecting the environment along every step of its product supply chain.

Back in 2009, we initiated the D-Link “Green Project,” which consists of three key solutions: green technologies to reduce energy consumption, compliance with green regulations by using non-toxic raw materials, and green packaging initiative to reduce the volume of packaging materials. We continue to follow these principles and do our part in contributing to the environment.

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According to a recent study by Gartner, 25% of people will spend at least one hour per day in the Metaverse for work, shopping, education, social and/or entertainment reasons, and 30% of organizations in the world will have products and services ready for the Metaverse by 2026. Interoperability is one of the key issues in the early stages of the Metaverse industry and tech giants hope the Metaverse Standards Forum will push the growth and evolution of the Metaverse.

“The Metaverse is where humans from diverse cultures interact through immersive experiences in a virtual world. To realize its full potential, the Metaverse must be built on open standards with interoperability and consistency to bring various domains together,” said CJ Chang, CEO of D-Link Corporation. “As a global leader in networking and connectivity solutions, D-Link is proud to join the Metaverse Standards Forum at the early stages of its establishment. We intend to collaborate with partners from many industries to make the Metaverse a better experience for all through standardization.”

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Tell us about the reaction D-Link receives for Nuclias, the networking solution, from its enterprise customers

We have seen a rapid adoption rate for Nuclias Cloud since its unveiling. It was a relevant product considering the immediate market requirements back then and continues to add value to enterprises as they embrace hybrid working models today. We plan to enhance the portfolio with new features and better market segmentation to provide genuine value-add for our customers over the coming months.

Nuclias Connect and Nuclias Cloud Remote Network Management Solutions are part of our revolutionary remote work solutions portfolio and are true market differentiators.

Sakkeer Hussain, Director – Sales & Marketing, D-Link Middle East & Africa

Nuclias Connect helps customers to make their network easier to manage, configure, and expand. It empowers network administrators through its centralized control, configuration, and customization capabilities while minimizing their onsite workload.

Nuclias Cloud portfolio allows enterprises across retail, education, and hospitality, as well as MSPs, to deploy professional-grade networks from anywhere and anytime, eliminating physical space constraints. The solutions offer centralized remote network management via an intuitive interface and multi-tenant architecture that makes outsourcing simple for end-users.

What are the newer products that D-Link presents to SMBs and large enterprises?

We have launched a host of new and innovative solutions since Nuclias and they are following:

Covr Series Wi-Fi 6 Solution

Covr Series Wi-Fi 6 Solution: It features multi-pack options that are all fortified with Wi-Fi 6 and mesh technology to provide faster speeds, greater capacity, and less network congestion for the modern device-dense smart home. Covr AX Wi-Fi 6 solutions are perfect for simultaneous 4K streaming, VR gaming, video calling, and keeping the smart home connected.

EAGLE PRO AI Series – R15

EAGLE PRO AI Series: It boasts a comprehensive range of routers to meet everyone’s needs for home Wi-Fi and 4G Wi-Fi. Equipped with Wi-Fi 6 Technology, the R15 AX1500 Wi-Fi 6 Smart Router, M15 AX1500 Mesh Router, and E15 AX1500 Mesh Range Extender deliver up to four times more capacity and 40% throughput increase than Wi-Fi 5.

Other new launches include DCS-8300LHV2 Full HD Wi-Fi Camera with AI-based person detection, outdoor industrial AC1200 access point DIS-3650AP, indoor industrial access point DIS-2650AP, and so on.

All our offerings enable organizations to achieve business outcomes and help in their digital transformation strategy

Speak about D-Link’s AI-powered Wi-Fi routers and their potentials

D-Link’s Eagle Pro AI series routers feature built-in AI capabilities. Blending AI technology into the products helps monitor traffic, improve efficiency, and greatly enhance the home network. The AI Wi-Fi Optimizer scans and monitors the network in real-time to ensure that users are connected to the most ideal Wi-Fi channel.

The devices feature the AI Traffic Optimizer feature, which automatically allocates bandwidth to different applications for the best connectivity. This feature also informs users which activities are causing congestion and allows them to de-prioritize.

D-Link’s AI Mesh Optimizer is a unique AI beamforming technology that enhances mesh connectivity between routers and extenders for more powerful, reliable mesh Wi-Fi throughout a home.

Cloud-based solutions appear to be obtaining high demand in the market. Give some insights into the cloud-specific solutions of D-Link?

To thrive and enjoy long-term success in today’s digital era, relying on cloud technologies is critical. D-Link is a leader and a pioneer in networking and cloud-based solutions. D-Link’s Nulcias solution is cloud-based and has seen immense success in the market. We also have mydlink cloud services, where customers can view, access, and monitor all their cloud cameras from anywhere. We also have cloud-based routers and access points.

D-Link has also partnered with Ameyo. With this partnership, we are Ameyo’s only cloud partner in the UAE and Oman. We aim to bring the hardware reliability and software services under one umbrella with Ameyo’s product suite. 

How efficiently does D-Link provide after-sale support to customers? Speak about your partner networks and collaborations in the MEA region

D-Link boasts an expansive channel ecosystem, our partners represent us in key verticals and markets. They offer true value-add to our customers in terms of services and support. D-Link grants access to partners to sell D-Link solutions that unlock additional revenue opportunities, which can enhance their company’s bottom line and efficiently serve regional customers.

Working through our existing distribution channels, D-Link provides enrolled partners with considerable support and rewards for achieving verifiable D-Link targets on a revised, quarterly basis. These targets, both qualitative and quantitative, will provide excellent benchmarks for strong, sustained growth in the region. D-Link is committed to providing partners with useful tools, resources, and the know-how of managing and growing their business to be customers’ trusted advisors in an increasingly digital era.

What are your strengths and channel strategies to stay ahead of other networking products/service providers?

D-Link is driving digital innovations through its extensive partner community. We are doubling down on our channel strategy with intensive partner training and education on how our latest offerings can play a key role in customers’ digital journey. D-Link has increased its channel investments over the past year and continues to enhance its approach towards channel sales, channel marketing, and partner enablement. This includes launching several avant-garde products, in-depth training, and support as well as resources to expand the customer base. Our channel partners play a key role in informing and enabling customers to understand the potential of technology. We are a well-established leader in the networking space and customers associate our brand name with reliability and high quality.

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He said, there appears to be a lack of quality and shortage of expertise in these areas. Hussain pointed out that as IT departments in organisations become strategic, so does the profile of team members within. “The IT transformation initiatives currently underway in the Middle East are underlining all initiatives and the concept of social, mobile, analytics and cloud (SMAC) is driving skills demand and many agendas as companies look to maximize their business offerings,” he said. “To address some of the challenges that organisations face today, channel partners will have to be highly skilled and demonstrate domain expertise in the verticals they serve.”
This is why D-Link is bolstering and expanding its training efforts to channel partners in MEA so that they can in turn start implementing the company’s networking and wireless solutions competently at end user level. “This year, we have decided to enhance the technical supports to channel partners. “Along with this, we are strengthening our training programmes for resellers so that they can be fully equipped to implement solutions and help in alleviating the IT skills crunch currently being experienced by many organisations (big or small) in the region.”

A recent survey from UAE-based recruitment specialist Robert Half shows CRM, security, mobility, analytics, data centre and project management skills to be in demand across the Middle East. Hussain said there is need for the MEA IT industry as a whole to have a concerted programme by all stakeholders (vendors, distributors, channel partners and end users) to develop a range of technology skills across the region. “I believe that the IT industry should invest more in the local market talent and should also have a larger pool of locally present talent rather than depending heavily on skills from outside the region to execute projects,” he said. He said IT skills around cloud and its offerings like (IaaS, SaaS and PaaS), on-premise to cloud migration and management of cloud infrastructure are skills that are in demand at the moment. “Because the IT spend in the cloud space is increasing vastly compared to traditional IT, this is fuelling demand of skilled resources to manage the delivery of cloud services,” he explained. Hussain said as a way of mitigating some of the challenges that channel partners face, D-Link is working with end user customers on behalf of its partners to train and certify their staff on D-Link solution offerings.

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The Dubai-based networking vendor said, D-Link and MOXA are well-known, reliable brands striving towards providing the highest-quality networking solutions, and this strategic collaboration will allow the two vendors to deepen their product portfolio and enhance the reach in specialised niche markets for factory automation, smart rail, smart grid, intelligent transportation, oil and gas, marine and mining.

Sakkeer Hussain, Director – Sales and Marketing, D-Link Middle East and Africa (MEA), said the collaboration with MOXA is yet another demonstration of the company’s commitment to the MEA market.
Hussain said as a vendor that has been operating in this market for over 20 years, the company remains committed to reinforcing its products with that of alliance partners that share the same ethos. “We are delighted about this partnership because it will benefit both our channel partners and their end user customers”, he said. “With several decades of high-level expertise in the networking domain, both D-Link and MOXA are known for bringing to market quality and reliable products.”

He added that this collaboration will allow the two companies to deepen the product portfolio and enhance the reach in specialised niche markets. “With smart city and Internet of Things initiatives being rolled out in the region, there are a lot of opportunities that will open up in the industrial segment,” he said. “With a successful track record of catering to nearly every networking need, we now feel is the right time to take MOXA on board for a more extended product offering in the industrial segment.”

MOXA’s industrial Ethernet solutions are tailor-made to unlock automation network convergence for demanding industrial applications. With help from MOXA solutions, multiple industrial networks can be unified into a single integrated Ethernet-centric solution that includes wired, wireless, and security connectivity.
The outstanding performance and stability of MOXA’s solutions form a trusted backbone for any business. With worldwide experience in product integration, MOXA also specialises in providing solutions for a variety of vertical markets, especially rail, ITS, smart grid, marine, oil and gas, and process automation.

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D-link is focusing on strengthening its channel and enabling them
Sakkeer Hussain, Sales & Marketing Director at D-Link MEA discusses the company’s focus across consumer and Business segments and the strong partner proposition

further with new solutions, across soho and SMBsegments. The vendor’s channel program is designed to help channel partners capitalize in the fast-growing networking market.

Sakkeer Hussain, Sales & Marketing Director at D-Link MEA says, “As a channel-oriented company, we view our partners as an extension of our team, playing a key-role in the go-to-market strategy and the overall success of our company. Lead-sharing, early product information and technical/sales training are among the many benefits of this program, designed to give D-Link´s channel partners a distinct sales advantage.”

Right through the year, the vendor conducts several promotion campaigns and incentive programs to help channel partners and merchandisers reach their sales targets. Education on the latest networking-related key trends, technologies and products is a strong focus at D-Link and following, quarterly trainings are hosted at D-Link’s premises during the year.

The networking vendor has in recent months enhanced its focus in the SMB segment and sees that as a great opportunity for its partners. According to the company, despite the tough prevailing market conditions in the Middle East IT industry, the SMB networking segment remains one of the fast growing sectors, offering more opportunities for solution providers to provide products and services to their clients.

Sakkeer says, “We have been rolling out training initiatives and certification programs for resellers to help them develop domain expertise that aid them to implement our solutions at the end user competently and with confidence. It is critical that partners get individual and company certifications and this demonstrates the competence a partner has. D-Link remains committed to offering its channel partners products, solutions and services that differentiate them from the competition and competitor brands. The schemes are offered through the umbrella D-Link Partner Program, which is augmented with regular product, pre- and post-sales, and technical training conducted by certified D-Link training instructors at our facility in Jebel Ali in Dubai. In addition, we have a robust incentive program that runs quarterly with different offers and promotions.”

Sakkeer elaborates that the SMB market is receiving a lot of focus not just from a D-Link standpoint, but also from a majority of its competitors, especially in the Middle East, who are also eyeing to have an increased share of business in this segment.

He adds, “The SMB market is one of the strongest segments in this region and there are a lot small and medium sized companies spread throughout the region. The SMB is by far the strongest performing sector for D-Link and for this reason, we have got a partner program dedicated to the SMB segment. Along with that, we have a lot of incentive programs and training schemes for partners that play in the SMB space.”

D-Link has been working to train and develop capabilities of its existing partners in the volume segment to tap into the new opportunities in SMB segment.

“We have not approached the SMB market by going after established VARs or systems integrators, but rather going after resellers we believe we can develop and share the same desire with us to succeed in the SMB market,” says Sakkeer.

The networking brand offers a comprehensive suite of business class switches that provide the foundation for a full range of high-value network solutions. Soon, D-Link will be launching the data center 5000 series switches which support 25GbE and 100GbE including SFP+ (10GbE), SFP28 (25GbE), QSFP+ (40GbE) and QSFP28 (100GbE) featured in four switch models.

These switches offer versatility and flexibility and are compatible with Open Compute Project components like Open Network Install Environment (ONIE) & Open Network Linux (ONL). All models are equipped with fully-loaded, hot-swappable, front-to-back airflow AC PSUs and fans.

In the home segment, the vendor is looking to launch new range of products including the latest wave-2 wireless products along with multiple versions of mydlink-enabled cameras. One of these models would be the recently launched Apple Omna 180 Cam HD. D-Link will also have battery-powered, Wireless indoor/outdoor, 2 megapixel, mydlink-enabled Full HD day & night cameras with IR LED, 2-way audio and mobile app support.

“They are powerful and versatile, yet small enough to fit just about anywhere at your home where cabling or power are difficult to reach. Connected to a D-Link NVR, these cameras allow you to build your own complete security system.

While the UAE remains the key growth market this year, D-Link also sights Oman and Kuwait as territories showing good growth potential for the year. The focus on the opportunity in the telecom segment is also rising.

Sakkeer adds, “They are coming up quite strongly with opportunities opening up in the consumer, ISP and SMB sector. The ISP is a very important segment for our business. D-Link has a dedicated team and warehousing facility in Dubai that stocks products for the ISP segment. We also have technical support people and I must say that without sounding like I am bragging, I am so proud of the achievements we have accomplished in the ISP space in the Middle East.”

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According to the Networking manufacturer, the strategy to strengthen the focus with its smart home products comes after the company recently launched Covr WiFi products, which bring ultra-fast and reliable home network coverage.

Sakkeer Hussain, Director – Sales and Marketing, D-Link Middle East and Africa (MEA), said the company has taken a different direction to focus on the smart home segment to complement the networking, wireless and ISP business. “We are delighted with the direction we have taken to provide integrated holistic solutions from networking, wireless, routers and smart home solutions,” he said.

Hussain said that although the IT market in general has been impacted by the oil price drop and currency volatility, the networking market has remained stable largely due to the growing Internet broadband penetration, which has accelerated especially in Middle East and North Africa (MENA), where a lot of fixed line telecoms operators have been deregulated allowing these companies to invest in new telecoms infrastructure. “We are talking to our ISP customers in MEA with the aim of growing our smart home business,” he said.

Hussain added that the company has developed its smart home products around its Mydlink Cloud Platform, which was launched in 2010 to give end users the opportunity to stay connected from anywhere in a safe and secure environment. “To make a home really smart, we have made monitoring a truly simple experience, through the Mydlink.com portal,” he said. “By simply downloading the free mydlink app on a smart phone or tablet, users can integrate smart home products like IP cameras, smart plugs, water and motion sensors.

Hussain explained that following the launch of D-Link Covr, the company is taking a decidedly different tack from other mesh router makers. “Instead of turning to a series of identical-looking access points, D-Link’s Covr is comprised of a router and a Wi-Fi extender that connect seamlessly to create a fast and reliable network,” he added. “I think it’s important not confuse Covr with a traditional router/extender setup.
He explained that with Covr D-Link has a solutions that helps consumers in creating a seamless network so that when they move through the house, the smart home devices should easily hop from the router to the extender and back again without a blip in performance.

Hussain said apart from Covr and enhancing the smart home products, the company is also expanding its Powerline product range.

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