Technology Integrator by INTEGRATOR MEDIA

EDITORIAL

INSIGHTFUL TECH TRENDS AND BUSINESS TRANSFORMATIONS

hen equipped with the knowledge and tools to understand impending changes, one makes bolder and informed decisions, surpassing expectations and signaling a promising future for the entire ecosystem of technology and business. This marks the first issue of 2024, containing articles offering insights into anticipated trends and predictions for the technology landscape. The theme sets a roadmap for the coming months, focusing on understanding the evolving hybrid work landscape, generative AI, regulations, data centers, and energy costs. To comprehend this theme, understanding how we will soon work is crucial. Predictions about the evolving hybrid work landscape help set the tone, followed by strategic tech trends providing a comprehensive understanding of generative AI, regulations, data centers, and energy costs impacting businesses. AI takes the forefront, with deeper integration standing as a priority for the regional tech landscape. Companies leverage AI at unprecedented speeds, solving problems across sectors, notably in education. Security, a major business expense, is discussed extensively, emphasizing cyber resilience and trends, including insights into cyber regulation, insurance standardization etc. The cover issue features Seagate, and conversations with Hedges IT and Ingram Micro offer a comprehensive understanding of the ever-evolving tech landscape. These insights showcase companies' approaches to projects and strategic partnerships. On the hospitality tech front, we explore travel trends, reminding you of the importance of sufficient rest to recharge energy levels. Saxo Bank contributes fascinating information about their journey, and the last pages delve into the crypto landscape, exploring acceptance and regulation across different countries. Looking ahead, we march with the industry's vital goal of continuous progress and positive social contributions toward the empowerment of the region and humanity at large. The convergence of humans and machines is seen as a symbiotic union, where productivity and enhancement benefit us all.

Vivek Sharma Founder

www.integratormedia.com

Vivek Sharma Founder Adil Siddiqui Head of Media Srijith K N Assistant Editor Sidra Kamal Content Contributor Roshni Menon Content Writer Faiz Ahmed Graphic Designer Priyanshu Ranjan Sales Head Sidharth Bhardwaj Media Sales Manager Gladwyn Pereira Sr. Media Sales Executive Zain Fazal Sankay Media Sales Executive Trishla Bhattacharya Media Sales Executive

Published by: Integrator Media (OMA Group Company) OMA House, P.O. Box: 3314, Sharjah, UAE. Tel: +971 6 573 0000 | www.Integratormedia.com

For All Inquiries: integratormedia@omaemirates.com Mobile: +971 56 404 0503 Disclaimer: While the publishers have made every attempt possible to get accurate information on published content in this magazine. They cannot be held liable for any errors herein.

JANUARY 2024

The Quest For A Decentralized Tech Future Continues…

SPOTLIGHT

IN CONVERSATION

FEATURE

CONTENT

Exploring Seagate’s Innovative Drive and Market Strategies

46 Zepth Transforms

Construction with AI-Driven Project Management

Meet Fortinet Advisor, a Generative AI Assistant that Accelerates Threat Investigation and Remediation

JANUARY 2024

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18 Bridging Trust, Security,

and Innovation in 2024: Unveiling Tech's Next Chapter

31 Glimpsing the Future of Gaming Industry

35 A Global Outlook on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence

Navigating the Hybrid Frontier: Work Environment Predictions for 2024

38 Hedges IT:

Empowering Businesses with Comprehensive IT Solutions And Strategic Partnerships

Hospitality 2024:

Navigating Dynamic Shifts and Transformative Trends for a Bright Future

FINANCIAL

HOSPITALITY

Ingram Micro on Sustainable Growth, Global Impact, and Cutting-Edge Solutions

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Saxo Bank on Navigating Global Financial Markets: Key Trends and Future Visions in the 2024 Outlook JANUARY 2024

GENERATIVE AI

INSIDER'S ANGLE

2024: THE YEAR GENERATIVE AI TAKES CENTER STAGE IN THE TECH REVOLUTION

he surge of Generative AI (GenAI) appears more than just a fleeting trend—it is a seismic shift sweeping through the business world. Poised to redefine tech’s ecosystem, Generative AI catapults from mere hype to confidently claiming its rightful place at the center stage of innovation. For large enterprises it’s a paradigm shift in how they approach problem-solving and innovation, as they move from experimenting to adopting with generative AI. This technological course correction is akin to the transformative wave brought about by the early adoption of cloud technologies, suggesting a similar, if not greater, impact on the tech ecosystem. As we begin 2024, the landscape of generative AI is expected to rapidly evolve, introducing a slew of trends that promise to transform technology and its applications.

natural language model crafting coherent texts on diverse topics, have been making headlines in recent years. As the experimental phase winds down, companies are planning to deploy Generative AI on a larger scale. That could mean using it to summarize recordings of meetings or supercharging research and development.

WHAT IS GENERATIVE AI?

2) ADOPTION OF OPEN-SOURCE MODELS

Generative AI, a facet of artificial intelligence capable of creating diverse content, such as images, text, music, code, and molecules, relies on deep learning models trained on extensive datasets. Noteworthy applications like GPT-4, a

As enterprises delve deeper into genAI integration, they are turning to open-source models such as GPT-J, BERT, and FLAN-T5. This shift follows the 2023 surge in genAI experimentation, with the introduction of portable model

JANUARY 2024

ANTICIPATED TRENDS IN 2024 1) PROLIFERATION OF SHADOW AI An estimated 60% of workers are projected to utilize their own AI tools to enhance job performance, bypassing organizational security policies for greater efficiency. The rise of bring-your-own-AI (BYOAI) will be fueled by the widespread deployment of genAI tools and personally owned AI-infused software, posing challenges in managing regulatory, privacy, and security concerns.

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GENERATIVE AI

INSIDER'S ANGLE

By: Roshni Menon, Content Writer

families like Llama 2, the establishment of marketplaces like Hugging Face, and increased corporate investments in these initiatives. While not signaling the end of proprietary models, this trend will expand options for developing genAI strategies.

3) INCREASED MULTIMEDIA GENERATION The production of multimedia formats is expected to surge due to their ease, speed, and cost-effectiveness. Tools like OpenAI's DALL-E, Stability AI's Stable Diffusion, and Adobe's Firefly are anticipated to contribute to the widespread creation of visually striking content. Simultaneously, advancements in AI audio generation will enhance the replication of human speech nuances.

4) AUTONOMOUS AGENTS The year 2024 will witness notable advancements in generative AI applications, particularly in the realm of autonomous agents like AutoGPT. These agents continuously generate and respond to prompts, showcasing their ability to perform sophisticated operations beyond the capabilities of traditional chatbots.

5) ENHANCED HUMAN-COMPUTER INTERACTION Generative AI is poised to improve human-computer interactions, making them more natural and conversational. Users will be able to communicate with systems using voice or text, as demonstrated by examples like Google's Duplex and Microsoft's Cortana, which can make phone calls, book appointments, and perform tasks on behalf of users.

BUT IT ALSO RAISES QUESTIONS LIKE…. Can we ensure the quality and reliability of GenAI-generated content? How can we prevent the misuse or abuse of GenAI for malicious purposes, such as spreading misinformation or creating deepfakes? How can we protect the privacy and security of GenAI users and their data? Generative AI is one of the most exciting and promising fields of technology today. It has the potential to unlock new levels of innovation and value creation across various domains and industries. However, it also requires careful consideration and regulation to ensure its responsible and beneficial use.

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JANUARY 2024

FUTURE OF TECH

INSIDER'S ANGLE

THE QUEST FOR A DECENTRALIZED TECH FUTURE CONTINUES… By: Srijith K N, Assistant Editor

redictions and trends take center stage in the January issue of the Technology Integrator. Our editorial calendar, finely tuned to the tech landscape of the region, provides a roadmap for the future, urging companies and individuals to anticipate shifts over the coming years and decades. Diving into disruptive technologies opens doors to exciting opportunities beyond conventional topics, yet the challenge remains in discerning between hype and reality. The astounding potential of AI leads us to believe that generative AI will soon enhance accessibility and drive the adoption of new products. This issue's predictions cover a broad spectrum in the tech space, addressing the future of AI, regulatory challenges, data protection, and cybersecurity. The focus on increased datafication signals a trajectory towards deeper

JANUARY 2024

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discussions on cyber resilience in 2024. The gamification of businesses emerges as a transformative trend, pushing companies to engage clients through innovative methods. For example, BMW encourages gamers to play in stationary vehicles, fostering active participation and deeper engagement. The work landscape is evolving rapidly, with the rise of hybrid work culture and the disappearance of the traditional era of massive computers and time-bound work. 2024 holds the promise of a new storyline in the world of work. Cryptocurrency gains global acceptance, with the UAE's crypto sector positioned for success. Major banks worldwide, including JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and Goldman Sachs, are establishing dedicated teams for cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. Quantum computing emerges as a game-changer,

promising to revolutionize data processing and AI capabilities. Generative AI, like ChatGPT’s IQ level, is projected to undergo a tenfold increase in the coming decade. Much of the infrastructure for these advancements, such as the cloud, software-as-a-service, and application programming interface, is already in place, facilitating companies' deployment of new technology. The semiconductor industry, led by Intel, Samsung, and TSMC, plays a pivotal role in the AI journey. So we would dwell into understanding the semiconductor industry which is the heart of generative AI in the upcoming issues of the magazine. The Middle East is buzzing with action. Here nations are engaged in fierce competition, vying to leverage technological development and provide necessary infrastructure for companies and denizens from all over the world. Projects like Saudi Arabia's NEOM, Lusail City in Qatar, and Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, UAE, are focal points for decoding the smartness of the region. We plan to take a look into the topic of smart cities much deeper in the current year. While AI remains the buzzword, other technologies like Quantum Computing, Web 3.0, AR & VR are on the horizon and will soon come into play. According to leading blockchain platform, Ethereum, “Web3 has become a catchall term for the vision of a new and better internet. At its core, Web3 uses blockchains, cryptocurrencies, and NFTs to give power back to the users in the form of ownership.” In the book "Virtual Economy" by Jeremy Density and Dado Van Peteghem, leaders are being asked to reimagine business models, reinvent customer experiences, and redefine value creation for this reason. Understanding the uncertain path of technological revolutions provides a competitive edge for business leaders, a narrative the Technology Integrator aims to explore in detail in future issues. Recognizing that jobs will transform, not vanish, is very crucial. The static nature of most jobs have already evolved into dynamic, multi-talented roles. Businesses must carefully analyze factors to stay relevant, learning from resilient and flexible companies worldwide. It is important to delve into what is happening and press for a decentralized form of technological concentration and nations do play a vital role in making this happen. This is to ensure that there are multiple players within each of these advancing technological spaces, preventing any single entity from gaining the upper hand in the race towards a high-tech future. Let's take note from our history that, at times in our past, technology has played the role of the father of dictators and inquisitors of freedom and expression. Allowing digital entities to shape the future can result in excessive power for business leaders and rulers, ultimately leading to the control and monitoring of people.

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JANUARY 2024

FUTURE OF TECH

INSIDER'S ANGLE

GOV. OF UAE

INSIDER'S ANGLE

UAE'S GOVERNMENT

VISIONARY APPROACH

he UAE Government, once reliant on oil revenue, is now steering towards creating a knowledge-based economy. In today's era, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) stands out as a key industry, and the government has been actively fostering its growth. This shift began in the late 90s with the establishment of free trade zone that is Dubai Internet City in 1999 and later Dubai Silicon Oasis in 2005, both serving as technology and innovation hubs. The government has devised various strategies to promote economic growth through technology and science. Let's take a look at some key sub-sectors and the plans in place:

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE The National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031 by the UAE Government aims towards positioning the country as a global leader in AI by the end of the year 2031. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum said that “We want the UAE to become the World’s most prepared country for Artificial Intelligence.” Supporting this, the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence was established in 2019 in Abu Dhabi. In 2023, GITEX, the largest tech event in Dubai, showcased how organizations in the UAE are incorporating AI in their operations.

By: Sidra Kamal, Content Contributor

JANUARY 2024

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SMART CITIES His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum established Digital Dubai Authority in 2021 to transform Dubai into one of the world’s smartest and happiest city. This Authority presented the Dubai Paperless Strategy in 2018. As a result of this strategy, 1800 digital services have started which brings ease to all the people of the country. This initiative further includes Dubai having public Wi-Fi, electric cars and live monitoring of the traffic by RTA.

aims towards turning Dubai into one of the world’s top 10 metaverse economies and making the city into the global hub for metaverse community. The main pillars that the strategy is focused upon include extended reality, augmented reality, virtual reality, mixed reality and digital twins. To achieve this the city is attracting 1000 companies that belong to the blockchain and metaverse industry, which will also bring in 40,000 virtual jobs till the year 2030.

METAVERSE

BLOCKCHAIN

In 2022, Dubai Metaverse Strategy was launched that

The UAE Government launched the Emirates Blockchain Strategy in 2018 where the purpose was to harness and capitalize on the advanced technologies that will result in benefiting society. To achieve this goal, the government itself worked towards transferring all the government transactions to the blockchain platforms.

GOV. OF UAE

INSIDER'S ANGLE

DUBAI FUTURE DISTRICT The inauguration of Dubai Future District aims to establish itself as the premier hub for cultivating a forward-looking economy, a nurturing ground for promising concepts, and a reservoir of financial support and regulatory innovations tailored for startups and entrepreneurs. This initiative seeks to enhance Dubai's economic preparedness in addressing future obstacles, encompassing components such as a research center, incubators, accelerators, and an avant-garde workspace for pioneers in the future economy.

UAE ENERGY STRATEGY 2050 In 2017, the UAE introduced its 'Energy Strategy 2050,' a comprehensive plan aligning energy production and consumption with global environmental commitments. This strategy is designed to create an inviting economic environment that spurs growth across all sectors while targeting a 40% increase in the efficiency of both individual and corporate energy consumption. The overarching goal is to elevate the proportion of clean energy in the total energy portfolio from 25% to 50%, resulting in savings equivalent to AED 700 billion by 2050. To meet escalating energy demands and ensure sustainable economic growth, the UAE plans to invest AED 600 billion by 2050. The envisioned energy mix, as outlined in the strategy, comprises 44% from clean energy, 38% from gas, 12% from clean coal, and 6% from nuclear energy. This forward-looking approach underscores the country's commitment to balancing economic development with environmental responsibility. The UAE Government's visionary initiatives in the Technology sector underscore a strategic shift towards a knowledge-based economy. From Artificial Intelligence to Smart Cities, Metaverse, Blockchain, and the ambitious Energy Strategy 2050, the country is actively embracing innovation to ensure sustainable economic growth.

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JANUARY 2024

PFU

FEATURE

NAVIGATING THE HYBRID FRONTIER:

WORK ENVIRONMENT PREDICTIONS FOR 2024 By: Adrian Cafferkey Regional Head – Middle East & Africa, PFU EMEA Limited - a RICOH Company

JANUARY 2024

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he hybrid work revolution is sweeping across the globe, transforming the traditional office landscape and redefining the employee experience. As organizations embrace this new era of flexibility, they face the challenge of creating a work environment that fosters productivity, collaboration, and innovation while catering to the diverse needs of a dispersed workforce. To shed light on the evolving hybrid work landscape, here are 6 key trend predictions poised to shape the work environment in 2024.

1. EMBRACING THE DIGITAL WORKPLACE Numerous companies are already embracing hybrid work models and reaping the benefits of increased flexibility, employee satisfaction, and productivity. For instance, Salesforce has adopted a hybrid work model that allows employees to choose where and when they work, resulting in improved employee retention, engagement, and innovation. The digital workplace will become the cornerstone of hybrid work, providing a seamless and secure environment for employees to connect, collaborate, and access information regardless of their location. Cloud-based platforms, collaboration tools, and virtual reality (VR) applications will play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between physical and remote workspaces. In addition to cloud-based platforms and collaboration tools, the digital workplace's evolution will integrate advanced scanning technologies. These tools will streamline information accessibility by allowing employees to effortlessly digitize and access physical documents or materials from remote locations.

2. REDEFINING OFFICE SPACES The office will undergo a metamorphosis, transforming from a command-and-control centre into a hub for collaboration, innovation, and team building. Offices will be designed to accommodate flexible work arrangements, with designated spaces for focused work, team meetings, casual gatherings, and social interaction. Smart Meeting Devices such as RICOH’s portable monitors and laser projectors add utility to meetings and makes sharing knowledge and data easier during meetings. Asynchronous communication tools will become essential for bridging time zone differences and fostering collaboration across distributed teams. Employees will utilize asynchronous messaging, video conferencing, and project management tools to ensure seamless collaboration, regardless of their work schedules. www.integratormedia.com

PFU

FEATURE

Data is already driving hybrid work strategies. We predict organizations will increasingly leverage data analytics to optimize workspace utilization, measure employee productivity, and gain insights into the effectiveness of remote and in-office work arrangements.

3. TALENT ACQUISITION AND RETENTION Hybrid work models will open up new avenues for talent acquisition, enabling organizations to tap into a global pool of skilled professionals. Companies will need to adapt their recruitment and retention strategies to attract and retain top talent in a hybrid environment. Employee wellbeing will take centrestage as organizations recognize the importance of a healthy work-life balance in a hybrid environment. Organizations will invest in upskilling and reskilling programs to prepare their employees for the evolving demands of the hybrid workplace.

4. ENHANCED SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE Cybersecurity will take on paramount importance as organizations manage a hybrid workforce with expanded access points and increased use of personal devices. Companies will implement robust security measures to protect sensitive data, ensure compliance with regulations, and safeguard employee privacy.

5. AI-POWERED WORKPLACES Artificial Intelligence is one of the fastest adopted business technologies. AI will permeate the hybrid workplace, automating tasks, providing real-time insights, and augmenting human capabilities. AI-powered tools will help employees prioritize tasks, optimize workflows, and make data-driven decisions. This requires accurate digitisation of information held in a high volume of physical documents. PFU’s suite of services integrates cutting-edge optical character recognition (OCR) into their PaperStream Capture software, allowing for data to be captured quickly and accurately to then be fed into AI systems.

6. THE RISE OF THE HYBRID HUB Hybrid hubs, dedicated workplaces located outside of traditional office settings, will emerge as a popular option for employees seeking a more flexible and community-oriented work environment. These hubs will offer a mix of individual workspaces, collaboration areas, and amenities, providing a balance between remote and in-office work.

JANUARY 2024

PURE STORAGE

FEATURE

STRATEGIC TECH FORECASTS 2024:

CONTAINERS, REGULATIONS, SPENDING, AND DATA CENTRES

PREDICTION 1 DEMAND FOR GENERATIVE AI SOLUTIONS WILL SPARK A NEW SURGE IN CONTAINER ADOPTION

By: Fred Lherault CTO Emerging, Pure Storage

he rise of generative AI, the hosting of the COP28 conference, and a world still trying to figure out how to do more with less. These are just some highlights from 2023. Now we must look to the future. What are the opportunities ahead? And how do business leaders and other decision makers take advantage of those opportunities to build efficient, profitable, sustainable operations? The world is changing, and businesses must change with it. Technology can and must support that change. I offer four predictions for the coming new year that should prepare IT and business decision makers for the challenges they will face.

JANUARY 2024

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recent study by McKinsey predicted that US$150 billion (or 9% of combined GDP) of value could be added to GCC economies by artificial intelligence but went on to state “that figure could be quickly surpassed” by the adoption of technologies like generative AI. Next year, we can expect to see the widespread adoption of containers — already a growth market — to facilitate generative AI’s integration. The open-source Kubernetes, and containers in general, are widely seen as the best way to achieve the required agility to adopt AI at an organization’s own pace. Containers play vital roles in the curation, cleaning, and formatting of data, as well as in model training, largely because the tools used in these stages all reside in containers. This will be the third phase of growth for containers, the first being the containerization of workloads and the second involving databases and applications. Now that AI and its supporting tools are migrating, we will see the reliance on containers continue to rise, through 2024 and beyond.

PREDICTION 2

PREDICTION 3

PREDICTION 4

NEW REGULATION WILL IMPACT TECHNOLOGY PURCHASING IN 2024

ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND POWER COSTS WILL ACCELERATE THE SHIFT FROM CAPEX TO OPEX

DEMAND FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY AND INNOVATION IN DATA CENTERS TO GROW AS CAPACITY CRUNCH HITS

n 2024, regulatory compliance remains a priority, with a renewed focus on initiatives like Dubai’s Green Building Regulations and UAE Net Zero by 2050, following COP28. The surge in cyber incidents, intensified by generative AI, prompts organizations to consult guidelines such as the UAE Information Assurance Regulation. ICT resilience and sustainability are integral to technology, aiding in reporting Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions and addressing cybersecurity challenges like identity and access management (IAM) in hybrid work environments. Concerns over critical infrastructure threats from the convergence of IT and OT affect sectors like banks, telcos, and utilities. These considerations impact technology purchases, requiring procurement teams to align with organizational obligations for waste reduction, data protection, and more. Decisions not only impact internal IT but also the products and services offered, with strong reputations in cyber resilience and sustainability providing a competitive advantage in the future.

n 2024, ongoing concerns about the economy, challenging business conditions, and high energy costs will significantly impact the tech market, further accelerating the shift towards OpEx spending over CapEx. Subscription services will remain highly appealing as customers prefer paying for actual usage, scaling as needed, and avoiding large upfront CapEx expenditures. Budget constraints and uncertainty about full asset utilization will continue to drive subscription growth. However, success relies on relevant SLAs, as buyers become more selective, demanding guarantees in crucial areas like data protection and energy efficiency. This trend extends to data centers, where on-demand models for just-intime provisioning gain favor among operators. This approach enhances control over energy costs, aligning with sustainability goals. Recognizing the impact of platform usage on carbon emissions, organizations are increasingly factoring sustainability into their purchasing decisions for the year ahead and beyond. www.integratormedia.com

PURE STORAGE

FEATURE

any organizations that are reliant on data centers are reporting that their most pressing issue right now is one of capacity. A growing number of data centers are full, and don’t have the space or power available to deploy new platforms. In 2024, this will result in widespread efforts to achieve efficiency gains, even on existing data center platforms, as this is the only way they will be able to reclaim space and power to accommodate the use of new technologies inside the data center. To optimize the sustainability of existing data center footprints, we’ll see operators looking to switch to new, more power efficient technology, with smaller space and cooling requirements. This is in essence extending the life of the data center — an essential factor when considering the need for new technologies in the wake of the rise of AI.

JANUARY 2024

SALESFORCE

FEATURE

FOUR WAYS

GENERATIVE AI WILL CHANGE THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS There’s a reason that 77% of business leaders are worried their company is missing out on generative AI: the promise of not just what technology can do, but its cumulative and expanding impact on business and industry. Here’s how Salesforce’s top minds see the next year of generative AI’s impact.

JANUARY 2024

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1. GENERATIVE AI WILL BECOME FULLY OPERATIONALIZED FOR USE ACROSS THE ENTERPRISE

SALESFORCE

FEATURE

“This starts with software development, customer service, sales, and marketing, but in reality, AI will ultimately touch every department and workstream. Another big step forward will come when large language models (LLMs) are tapped not just for content generation and analysis, but decision-making and workflow automation. As AI advances and features like AI Agents are deployed more widely, efficiency will increase, creating a cycle of improvement. And while foundational LLMs will be the backbone of generative AI, companies will also start using a combination of smaller, domain-specific language models for cost, performance, and latency reasons.” – Clara Shih, CEO of Salesforce AI.

2. DATA WILL CONTINUE TO GET DEMOCRATIZED… AND SMARTER “While analytics and dashboards are used widely to meet performance management needs, getting personalized insights for knowledge workers remains a challenge. In 2024, the focus on democratizing data and analytics will take a new turn. Data and analytics will become more proactive by automatically identifying anomalies in underlying business data, delivering insights in natural language, and providing users with the ability to ask questions and get answers quickly, without pulling in a data analyst.” – Southard Jones, Tableau Chief Product Officer, Salesforce.

3. A NOTABLE RISE IN THE IMPORTANCE OF DESIGN FOR ENHANCING CUSTOMER EXPERIENCES AND PRODUCT VALUE

By: Clara Shih CEO of Salesforce AI

“There is a growing need to recognize the critical role of design in achieving goals and delivering products that customers not only find useful but enjoy using. The overall user experience will be paramount, and teams will need to take customer feedback into account and instill a design process to include prototyping, a commitment to user experience, and continuous improvement.” – Ethan Eisman, SVP of Design, Slack.

4. A NEW ERA OF CYBER DEFENSE WILL TAKE SHAPE TO ADDRESS NEW THREATS “As AI advances, we will continue to see more AI-powered attempts to infiltrate and exploit systems across the entire digital ecosystem. Bad actors are using the technology for everything from code generation, password cracking, exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities, and identifying misconfigurations, to social engineering and deepfakes. On the other hand, AI can help companies automate tedious tasks like recognizing anomalies, detecting fraud and phishing attempts, and predicting behaviors. This not only allows security teams to increase their efficiency, but to also identify threats quickly, on a large scale, and shorten response times.” – Kelly McCracken, SVP of Salesforce Detection and Response, Salesforce. www.integratormedia.com

JANUARY 2024

CLOUDERA AND ACRONIS

FEATURE

BRIDGING TRUST, SECURITY, AND INNOVATION IN 2024:

UNVEILING TECH'S NEXT CHAPTER

n the fast-evolving narrative of 2024, a riveting convergence of two technological powerhouses — artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud infrastructure — is reshaping the landscape, offering a kaleidoscopic view of innovation and vigilance. This intricately woven tale, highlighting two pivotal trends from each domain, not only reflects the current state of technology but propels us towards a future defined by imperatives of trust, security, and strategic adaptation.

1. AI'S DUAL EDGES: A THRILLING ERA MARRED BY SECURITY RISKS The meteoric ascent of AI technologies opens doors to unparalleled opportunities but casts a looming shadow of escalating security risks. In the dynamic landscape of 2024, Generative AI stands as a beacon of innovation, propelling advancements in data management and decision-making. However, this very innovation becomes a double-edged sword as cybercriminals exploit the potential for malicious purposes. The rise of deep fakes, fueled by generative AI, poses a real threat to public trust through misinformation campaigns, extortion schemes, and disruptions in financial markets. This alarming threat landscape not only necessitates heightened cybersecurity measures but also underscores the urgent need for robust regulatory frameworks. Industry leaders and policymakers must collaboratively craft strategies aimed at safeguarding societal structures and financial markets from the nefarious exploits of AI-driven cyber threats. Simultaneously, the essence of AI's transformative potential lies in trust — trust in the integrity of data, algorithms, and the systems orchestrating these intricate processes. The industry's commitment to fostering trust is evident in the adoption of hybrid cloud

JANUARY 2024

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By: Ahmad Shakora, Group Vice President, Emerging Markets (META), Cloudera

of innovation poised to redefine authentication protocols in 2024. By generating session-bound tokens or codes inaccessible on alternate devices, this approach not only mitigates vulnerabilities associated with traditional MFA methods but also ensures secure access. In a world where cyber threats are ever-evolving, such innovations become crucial in bolstering defense mechanisms against emerging threats and ensuring the sanctity of sensitive information.

CLOUDERA AND ACRONIS

FEATURE

3. NAVIGATING THE INTERSECTION: A SYMPHONY OF DATA, MOBILITY, AND SECURITY

By: Candid Wuest, VP Cyber Protection Research, Acronis

strategies and the resurgence of private data centers in 2024. Beyond a mere technological shift, these initiatives serve as a testament to a collective determination to safeguard sensitive data while navigating the ever-evolving compliance landscape.

2. REINVENTING AUTHENTICATION: A PARADIGM SHIFT IN CYBER DEFENSE As AI continues its evolution, the realm of authentication undergoes a transformative shift, embracing innovation and adaptability. Historically, multi-factor authentication (MFA) stood as an impenetrable fortress against unauthorized access and cyber threats. However, the paradigms of MFA are swiftly evolving in response to the relentless onslaught of sophisticated cyber-attacks and social engineering exploits. Enter the era of anti-phishing MFA technologies, a beacon

At the crossroads of AI and cloud infrastructure lies a captivating confluence of data management, mobility, and regulatory dynamics. This intersection underscores the imperatives of discerning hybrid cloud strategies, the ascendance of edge analytics, and regulatory facilitation — each a pivotal force in shaping the tech landscape of 2024. The ascendancy of edge analytics heralds a new era of real-time insights, leveraging interconnected devices to harness data at its source. This transformative potential extends beyond the business realm, offering monumental value in diverse applications, from revolutionizing healthcare practices to enhancing the safety of autonomous vehicle networks. Simultaneously, regulatory interventions targeting cloud mobility resonate with the evolving complexities of transitioning between cloud providers. Initiatives aimed at enhancing consumer flexibility abound, but the inherent complexities demand specialized skills, resources, and strategic planning. Organizations navigating this intricate landscape are tasked with the delicate balance of innovation with security, mobility with compliance, and strategic evolution with nuanced adaptation.

A TAPESTRY OF INNOVATION AND VIGILANCE IN 2024 As we traverse the technological frontier of 2024, the tapestry elucidates a landscape defined by innovation, trust, and strategic foresight. While AI and cloud technologies propel us towards unprecedented horizons, the imperatives of security, regulatory compliance, and societal trust remain paramount. Navigating this intricate terrain with vigilance, innovation, and collaborative synergy, the industry is poised to harness the transformative potential of 2024, forging a resilient path towards a connected, secure, and innovative future. This is not just a glimpse into the future; it's a proclamation of tech's next exhilarating chapter.

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JANUARY 2024

BEYONDTRUST

FEATURE

NAVIGATING RISKS, EVOLUTION, AND THE RISE:

CYBER TRENDS 2024 By: Morey Haber, Chief Security Officer at BeyondTrust

f you are looking for forwardlooking societies — citizens, governments, businesses — then the GCC has rich pickings. The dawn of a new year is a time to talk about new things, and what better venue than the Gulf, which has a fondness for new things all year round? So, let’s talk. Let’s look at seven technology trends. And in a region with an enviable average for net worth, let’s make our trends specific to cybersecurity. The threat actor has always been drawn to this region. Paydays are that much greater. According to IBM’s 2023 Cost of a Breach report, the combined average in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi

JANUARY 2024

Arabia is US$8 million against a global average of US$4.45 million. And that was before generative AI captured the imaginations of innovative minds. Let us make no mistake. Threat actors are innovative by habit. So, let’s take a dive into our seven cybersecurity trends — some good news for attackers, and some good news for defenders — for 2024.

1. AI ON THE MARCH Think of AI as a cybernetic battle-suit that extends the capabilities, reach, and effectiveness of its wearer. We have already witnessed this suit at play in generating ransomware and malware, but we expect its deployment in other www.integratormedia.com

areas any day now — discovering vulnerabilities, for instance, or evading detection. And that is just weak (or “narrow”) AI. If strong AI — also known as artificial general intelligence (AGI) or artificial super intelligence (ASI) — emerges, we could see a single threat actor become general of an army of digital menaces.

2. DEDICATED APPS FACE EXTINCTION From 2024 onward, AI is poised to facilitate trusted connections, potentially rendering banking, travel, and search apps obsolete over time. AI could handle bank statements, travel itineraries, and corporate reports. While certain applications might persist as trust-based connectors, the future envisions a realm of cybersecure digital valets and AI-driven valet services. Users would interact through voice commands, and results would be delivered in increasingly sophisticated formats as technology advances.

3. POTS AND VOIP STEP ASIDE TO MAKE ROOM FOR UCS POTS (plain old telephone system) and even VoIP will give way to unified communication services (UCS) such as Zoom and Teams. Today, any two devices that are connected to the Internet can put their users in touch with one another. Soon, phone numbers themselves will be obsolete, replaced by email addresses and other digital aliases.

4. SUBSCRIPTIONS EVERYWHERE The evolution of commerce, from bartering to cash, credit cards, crypto, and mobile wallets, has been rapid. Similarly, ownership is transforming. In 2024, the trend is expected to persist. Smart home tech and social media accounts will be offered as rentals by vendors, shifting from traditional oneoff sales. Subscriptions are becoming the primary business model for an increasing number of enterprises. www.integratormedia.com

5. USB-C IS GOOD NEWS FOR JUICE JACKERS

BEYONDTRUST

FEATURE

USB-C has arrived. It’s easier to plug in and it’s faster — a lot faster. At 10Gbps, it is twice as fast as USB 3.0. We can expect standardization on these connectors to follow. So, boons for compatibility and e-waste, but banes for cybersecurity professionals who have to consider the heightened potential for juice jacking (where data transfers, including malware, take place through media connections), since the time needed to steal data or plant malicious payloads is halved.

6. CYBERCRIME CONSULTANCY SERVICES Rather than conducting full RansomOps campaigns in 2024, we will see threat actors do the initial scouting and sell what they find. If they discover a zero day, they might sell it to the highest bidder. Likewise, inside information on a specific business’s setup — misconfigurations, unpatched flaws, and other inroads — could be sold along with customized AI tools to those that run the attack.

7. STANDARDIZATION OF CYBER INSURANCE Cyber insurance has become pricier and harder to obtain, with insurers demanding specific security standards and, at times, restricting coverage. In 2024, we anticipate a standardization of these policies. The maturity of the cyber insurance field has led to the acceptance of new categories like "Acts of War." Consequently, a frameworkbased approach to cyber insurance will emerge in 2024, allowing insurers to standardize services across all threats, aiming to reduce risk and liability.

AT ARMS Now you know what is coming over the hill, you can prepare your defenders. The more proactive you are, the more likely you are to stay out of the headlines. You will identify risks more efficiently. You will suffer fewer breaches. You will incur less damage. Stay safe in the year ahead.

JANUARY 2024

DELL TECHNOLOGIES

FEATURE

DELL TECH 2024 PREDICTIONS:

AI DEMOCRATIZATION, EDGE EXPANSION, ZERO TRUST IMPERATIVE

John Roese, Global Chief Technology Officer at Dell Technologies released 2024 predictions, highlighting emerging trends that are set to shape the technology industry.

he center of the universe for 2024 is AI. "Next year will be all about putting AI into practice at the edge, diversifying the hardware pool and securing it through Zero Trust. We’re entering an AI era so need to recognize that long term, AI will drive architectural change across the entire IT ecosystem for many years to come,” said John Roese, Global Chief Technology Officer. ”Actively think of AI but do not do it independent of other architectures – this is how you’ll make sure your visions and actions align for long-term success.”

JANUARY 2024

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AI TAKES CENTER STAGE, MOVING FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

THE EXPANSION OF MODERN EDGE AND CONTINUED REIGN OF MULTICLOUD

Roese expects that the GenAI dialogue will move from theory to practice with shifts from training infrastructure and cost to inference and cost of operation. “While GenAI has sparked incredibly creative ideas of how it will transform business and the world, there are very few real-world, scaled GenAI activities. As we move into 2024, we will see the first wave of GenAI enterprise projects reach levels of maturity that will expose important dimensions of GenAI not yet understood in the early phases,” said Roese. Increasingly, enterprises will shift from broad experimentation to a top-down strategic focus on picking the few GenAI projects that can truly be transformational. Looking further into the future, Roese expects that quantum computing will address the major issue of extreme demand for computing resources required for GenAI, and most large-scale AI. He anticipates that quantum computing will bring about a massive leap in the ability of AI systems. Roese expects that the computing foundation of modern AI will eventually become a hybrid quantum system where the AI work is spread across a set of diverse compute architectures, including quantum processing units.

As data continue to be at the center of our future, extracting value from it will be crucial in unlocking transformative business opportunities. Roese shared that enterprises will recognize that there are two ways to build a modern edge – the proliferation of mono-edges or as a multicloud edge platform. Choosing the latter to adopt an “edge platform” approach where modern edge becomes an extension of the multicloud infrastructure is the way forward.

DELL TECHNOLOGIES

FEATURE

ZERO TRUST FORTIFIES THE FRONTIER With the democratization of AI, and as more data and intelligence move to the edge, data management will become increasingly important. “Zero Trust will become the default end state people are moving towards,” said Roese. “It’s the right answer on how to change the curve on cyber so we expect to see more Zero Trust mandates to proliferate around the world.” Roese also noted that Dell’s project Fort Zero will be delivered into the market in 2024 as the first commercial full Zero Trust private cloud system in the industry, paving the way for Zero Trust adoption across various industries.

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JANUARY 2024

GENETEC

FEATURE

UNIFYING FORCES, MODERNIZING ACCESS, AND EMBRACING THE CLOUD FOR RESILIENT PROTECTION By: Firas Jadalla Regional Director – Middle East, Turkey & Africa, Genetec

he Middle East has been at the forefront of digital transformation. The TechGPT report by UBS AG projected that Middle East’s digital economy is expected to grow from $180 billion in 2022 to $780 billion in 2030. In this dynamic landscape, a vital shift is on the horizon as IT and physical security teams unite forces. Collaborative efforts between these domains promise enhanced risk mitigation and data optimization, paving the way for a more resilient business environment. This convergence is set to redefine how organizations perceive and manage security, emphasizing the need for unified, cloud-connected solutions that offer a comprehensive view of systems and evolving threats. A few top predictions for the physical security industry in 2024 are as given below:

IT AND PHYSICAL SECURITY TEAMS WILL BECOME MORE UNITED In the coming year, organizations will look to optimize collaboration between IT and physical security teams. Bridging these two valuable skill sets will result in more effective risk mitigation and data optimization across the business. Physical security leaders are increasingly integrating IT expertise into their departments. Simultaneously, Security Operations (SecOps) are broadening their function to address physical security risks, leveraging data from both groups. More and more, IT will bring physical security within their group and begin overseeing physical security mandates. The need for unified, cloud-connected physical security solutions will increase as

JANUARY 2024

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cross-departmental collaboration expands. This unified and connected view will help teams get a complete picture of systems and changing threats while enabling them to use data more effectively.

ACCESS CONTROL MODERNIZATION WILL TOP TECH INVESTMENTS Modernizing access control will remain a top priority in 2024. To ease upgrade complexities, many organizations will shift to a hybridcloud model and deploy cloud-ready access control solutions. This will deliver continuous innovation and cybersecurity updates that reinforce security from doors to networks. We’ll also see greater demand for open access control solutions. Businesses are increasingly looking for the flexibility to add and connect the best technologies available. This will include everything from building management systems and life and safety solutions to mobile credentials. Many organizations will also reach a breaking point in managing separate video and access control systems. Striving for more efficiencies, leaders will take steps towards system unification. This will simplify system monitoring and maintenance tasks, leading to higher output and cost savings across the enterprise.

HYBRID-CLOUD ADOPTION WILL RISE Over the next year, the physical security industry will see a large increase in hybridcloud adoption in medium and large enterprises. Recent research of over 5,500 physical security professionals conducted by Genetec found that 44% of organizations already have over a quarter of their physical security deployment in a cloud or hybridcloud environment. And 60% of organizations say they prefer hybrid-cloud as a long-term strategy. As cloud adoption rises, there will be growing interest in new plug-and-play, cloudready appliances. They not only streamline access to cloud services but also enhance computing power at the edge. We’ll also see more focus on cloud data usage and associated costs. Users will increasingly use cloud-managed appliances to store heavy data such as video. Organizations will seek the www.integratormedia.com

GENETEC

FEATURE

expertise of channel partners to explore use cases beyond security to maximize hybrid-cloud investments. This will create a lucrative opportunity for channel partners to focus their efforts on added-value services to help customers overcome new challenges, all while generating sustainable recurring business.

GROWTH OF IIOT DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED DATA CREATES DEMAND FOR ANALYTICS The market is seeing a surge in the availability of physical security devices and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) sensors. Organizations across various industries are eagerly adopting these technologies, not only to increase the diversity of data in their security deployments but also to break down siloes between systems and retrieve valuable information. Organizations that opt for an APIcentric, open architecture, along with a unified approach will stand to gain the most over time. This will enable them to combine and analyze multiple data sources to help inform new strategies and maximize returns across all tech investments. As the amount of available data continues to rise, many organizations will also look for ways to digitize and automate their workflows to support their operators. As a result, demand for physical security solutions with embedded analytics, automation tools, and visual dashboards will grow. As we stride into the future, the trajectory of security investments unfolds with a focus on access control modernization, embracing hybrid-cloud models, and leveraging the power of analytics in response to the burgeoning Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) landscape. The commitment to unified approaches, cloud connectivity, and data-driven decisionmaking will be pivotal. The amalgamation of IT and physical security realms signifies not just a collaboration but a strategic synergy that empowers organizations to navigate the evolving threat landscape with agility. The journey towards secure, efficient, and interconnected systems is underway, propelling businesses into an era where proactive measures and unified solutions are paramount.

JANUARY 2024

DAKE RECHSAND

FEATURE

BUSINESS TRENDS 2024:

THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION MEETS SUSTAINABILITY IN GCC By: Chandra Dake CEO, Dake Rechsand

n 2023, the Fourth Industrial Revolution found a true admirer in GCC, where multiple developments and initiatives rooted in innovation were launched. For instance, policymakers launched multiple smart-cities projects while keeping the human experience and liveability at the core — something that closely aligns with the Fourth Industrial Revolution’s philosophy of leveraging novel technologies to create an inclusive, human-centric future. The technology-driven transformations are primed for greater integration with sustainability considerations in 2024, requiring particularly the regional businesses to reshape their strategies accordingly. The following are the trends to watch out for in the new year.

sustainability, and upholding social equity are expected in 2024. Those developments will require companies to revisit their ESG risks and revamp their business models. For example, regulators could scrutinize energy usage and supply-chain emissions (scope-2 and 3) in addition to direct footprint. Also, social and governance factors will gain equal emphasis as the environment within the ESG framework. That, in turn, will necessitate more accurate reporting from companies. Inadvertently, regulators will move toward uniform reporting standards to effectively benchmark and compare performances across companies and industries.

1. INCREASED REGULATORY PRESSURE

Emerging niches such as “ClimateTech” will enter the growth stage in 2024, with decision-makers reaching a consensus on adopting tech-driven sustainability

More stringent regulations and policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions, promoting

JANUARY 2024

2. UPTAKE OF TECHNOLOGYDRIVEN SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS

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DAKE RECHSAND

FEATURE

energy footprint will actively pursue climate-change mitigation — actions to reduce or remove GHG. Similarly, those on the front lines of a changing climate will emphasize adaptation. Corporations are urged to actively participate in promoting biodiversity and incorporate circular-economy models that emphasize responsible production and consumption.

4. SUSTAINABLE FINANCE AND IMPACT INVESTING

solutions to transition to green energy, capture atmospheric carbon, etc. The use of AI and Big Data, in particular, will expand to monitoring and managing sustainability initiatives across their life cycles. The demand for such solutions will see more public-private partnerships (PPPs) and collaborative efforts between governing bodies and private-sector innovators. The close cooperation means fewer roadblocks to achieving a positive impact in the new year.

3. MORE TARGETED ACTIONS IN CLIMATE MITIGATION AND ADAPTATION Climate actions thus far have been more theoretical than practical, refined, and targeted, leading to shortcomings. Going forward, though climate actions will remain the overarching theme, associated efforts will be more goal-based and targeted toward specific objectives such as carbon sequestration and circularity. Decision makers in industries with high carbon and www.integratormedia.com

In 2023, green bonds provided good returns to investors, prompting leading financial institutions globally to anticipate higher issuance in the new year. Green bond sales surged in the UAE in the run-up to the COP28 — a trend set to linger heading into 2024. Meanwhile, investors are increasingly basing their investment decisions on a potential beneficiary company’s ESG portfolio. A good track record of ESG reporting, operational transparency, and measurable sustainability impact are among telltale signs that could attract investments in 2024. Considering about 80% of companies in GCC were found to have an ESG strategy in place in 2023, the rise in sustainable finance and impact investing bodes well for the region.

5. CONSUMER-DRIVEN SUSTAINABILITY The growing consumer awareness of sustainability is expected to translate into conscious purchase decisions in 2024. As a result, markets are expected to witness heightened customer movements toward brands that demonstrably uphold environmental and ethical values. Brands with outdated models and practices could grapple with customer churn. At the same time, customer movements could favour companies that respond to evolving expectations and effectively communicate their sustainability efforts. Proenvironmental shopping behaviours are expected to grow in GCC for the foreseeable future, impacting business strategies.

JANUARY 2024

NETSCOUT

FEATURE

YEAR 2024: WHAT’S NEXT FOR CLOUD COMPUTING IN THE MIDDLE EAST? By: Emad Fahmy Systems Engineering Manager, Middle East, NETSCOUT

he cloud stands at the forefront of innovation and efficiency, enabling organizations to maintain flexibility and focus on business operations. Its evolution has revolutionized data and become crucial for organizational success. IDC's recent report underscores the growing use of cloud technology, with organizations investing significantly in artificial intelligence (AI), projected to reach $6.4 million by 2026. Cloud computing has reduced the need for costly physical infrastructure, prompting industries to leverage cloud services for data storage. As part of ongoing digital transformation, cloud services now extend beyond basic storage, offering specialized products tailored to industries, facilitating workload management, and enabling business scaling through AI, machine learning, and data analytics integration. This year, like the past 12 months, generative AI (GenAI) and large language models will continue to be the driving forces of change, taking centre stage in keynote presentations that illuminate the progression of cloud-native platforms. But let’s explore what will be new in the ecosystem.

87% OF ORGANIZATIONS WILL PIVOT TO MULTI-CLOUD INFRASTRUCTURE. With numerous options available, 87% of organizations aiming for a competitive edge prefer multi-cloud infrastructure. In the Middle East, 76% of firms are reportedly increasing their cloud budgets for rapid growth, according to MEA Markets. Expanding budgets is vital for establishing robust multi-cloud infrastructures.

JANUARY 2024

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Organizations pursue multiple clouds to boost flexibility, innovation, and risk mitigation. Various cloud services cater to specific needs, allowing businesses to customize their infrastructure. Continuous visibility is crucial during cloud migration for confidently managing application workloads and data.

CLOUD ADOPTION TO BE CORE FOR BUSINESSES BOTH SMALL AND BIG IN THE MIDDLE EAST REGION. According to the Strategy& and PwC Middle East report, 85% of companies have already begun using the cloud with only 32% of companies using the cloud in at least one area of their operations. In addition to that, over 35% have applied it across multiple domains and 18% have implemented the cloud throughout their entire business.

HYBRID CLOUD INSTRUMENTAL FOR KEEPING SENSITIVE DATA IN PRIVATE SAFE. While 72% of global organizations use hybrid clouds in their business and data strategies, in the Middle East, 88% of "cloud-powered" companies saw increased revenue in the last six to nine months, compared to 76% of noncloud-powered firms. Hybrid clouds, blending public and private cloud strengths, offer a balanced approach to security, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness. They allow retaining sensitive data privately while leveraging the scalability and cost efficiency of the public cloud for other operations, enhancing workflow, security, and operational efficiency for overall improvement.

THE INEVITABLE EMERGENCE OF PUBLIC CLOUD USAGE. In the future, the predominant focus is expected to be on “AI everything”, necessitating organizational preparedness. This shift entails a transition to cloud infrastructure, influencing cloud economics, reshaping security, and digital trust considerations, and requiring investments in relevant skills. Public cloud services remain extensively utilized, with 65% of organizations emphasizing their heavy reliance. The attractiveness of public clouds lies in their scalability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness, offering a diverse range of services to meet various business needs. www.integratormedia.com

Companies benefit significantly from public cloud usage, gaining rapid resource scalability, cost savings, and access to advanced technology without the complexities of managing physical infrastructure.

NETSCOUT

FEATURE

SEE MORE INVESTMENT IN CLOUD-LITERACY. Despite the growing acceptance of cloud solutions, 78% of organizations are worried about a shortage of cloud specialists. The complexity of cloud infrastructure, diverse skill sets needed, and the evolving technology contribute to this concern. To address it, organizations are investing in training programs to enhance their workforce's skills.

ZERO TRUST AND SOVEREIGN CLOUDS TO LOOM FOR SOME TIME NOW. Another survey indicated that cloud security professionals in the Middle East have identified zero trust as the foremost priority for cloud security in the coming year. According to the 'Future of Cloud Security in the Middle East' report, 56% of regional experts in cloud security prioritize implementing zero trust strategies, followed by data and privacy best practices at 43%. Regulatory compliance closely follows at 42%. In addition to that, the uncertain geopolitical environment, particularly in regulated sectors such as government, financial services, healthcare, and oil & gas, has heightened the importance of digital sovereignty.

GREEN IS THE NEW CLOUD? After COP28, organizations prioritize sustainability, focusing on green technologies and ESG strategies, including data center decarbonization and sustainable IT systems. The concept of 'Green Cloud' gains traction as companies assess the environmental impact of cloud service providers. Sustainability and responsibility are emerging as key market differentiators. Green computing aims to help businesses achieve sustainability goals by transitioning from energy-consuming onsite data centers to cloud computing, reducing energy consumption, and promoting sustainable development. In the GCC, cloud adoption momentum is expected to accelerate in 2024, driven by the widespread availability of hyperscale in-country cloud regions, addressing sovereignty concerns.

JANUARY 2024

RAK DAO

FEATURE

SUMMARIZING THE COURSE OF TECH PROGNOSTICATIONS

Dr. Sameer Al Ansari CEO, RAK DAO

s we explore the dynamic currents of the UAE and the wider GCC region, there's a lot of progress happening. Technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) are combining to bring innovation to our cities. This is expected to make the UAE and the GCC leaders in smart city development. The use of these technologies promises to create intelligent, sustainable cities, making life better for residents and businesses. Notable projects like Neom in Saudi Arabia show a shared commitment in the GCC to building smart cities. In the regulatory space of the UAE, we're a global hub for digital and virtual economies. At RAK DAO, we expect more people to start using cryptocurrencies, which is a positive change for digital assets in 2024. This shift opens up new possibilities for financial inclusion and economic growth. We actively support digital and virtual asset companies, providing an environment for them to thrive. Artificial intelligence is a game-changer in various industries in the region. We predict a revolution in how

JANUARY 2024

businesses operate as AI automates processes and creates personalized experiences for consumers. This will reshape innovation in the UAE and the GCC. In the ever-changing digital landscape, strong cybersecurity is crucial. Companies looking to succeed in the tech space need to take proactive steps to protect digital assets and sensitive information. The UAE is investing in advanced cybersecurity solutions to stay ahead, evident in the creation of a dedicated Cybersecurity Council with a comprehensive strategy. Lastly, the UAE and the GCC's commitment to sustainability and renewable energy is a central theme for 2024. At RAK DAO, we imagine a future where eco-friendly solutions are seamlessly integrated into daily life, promoting environmental awareness and reducing carbon footprints for a sustainable future. In conclusion, the technology landscape of 2024 holds great promise, and RAK DAO is proud to be at the forefront of these advancements.

www.integratormedia.com

GAMING

GLIMPSING THE FUTURE OF

GAMING INDUSTRY

Richard Jones Co-Founder and CEO, Bitline by Ibanera

n the dynamic world of casinos and gaming in 2024, a groundbreaking shift towards seamless blockchain integration is unfolding. The GCC has announced its openness to two key sectors: Web 3 and casinos. With numerous businesses already establishing themselves in Dubai for Web 3, the recent opening to gaming anticipates significant growth. Bitline stands at the crossroads of both sectors, connecting digital asset holders with casino opportunities. Blockchain's decentralized and transparent nature is revolutionizing the gaming industry, bringing heightened trust and security. The era of opaque transactions and concerns about fair play are fading away. Blockchain ensures players experience unprecedented transparency, fostering trust in the virtual realm. Furthermore, blockchain is driving innovation in game development and design. Smart contracts are transforming the approach to rewards and incentives, offering dynamic and personalized gaming experiences. The integration of cryptocurrency streamlines financial aspects, providing players with fast and secure payment options. As we embrace this era of change, it's clear that blockchain is not just a technological novelty but a fundamental catalyst for the future of gaming. The convergence of technology and entertainment has never held more promise. www.integratormedia.com

“

I believe an increased variety of genres will also be a focal point for game developers, as consumer preferences and tastes lean toward a diversified gaming experience. This comes with an interesting caveat that needs to be addressed: the presence of information and lack thereof. In the past, traditional cartridge games came with a guided manual teaching users how to play. This evolved into YouTube tutorials and online walkthroughs as gaming itself moved into the digital age. This evolution has not happened for Web3 gaming and might be the needed catalyst to make it a more mainstream form of entertainment. I expect to see game developers and Web3 gaming experts focus on creating concise educational materials that are easier to understand for newer or less familiar audiences. In the context of the MENA region, a series of government-backed initiatives underscore a strong commitment to enhancing the gaming ecosystem. Notably, these efforts signal a dedicated push to develop countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia into prominent global gaming hubs. The proactive measures taken by regional governments demonstrate a strategic vision, fostering an environment conducive to the rapid advancement of the gaming sector.

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Mohsin Waqar CEO, Senet System JANUARY 2024

COVER STORY

EXPLORING SEAGATE’S

INNOVATIVE DRIVE & MARKET STRATEGIES

eagate Technology specializes in designing, manufacturing, and marketing of hard disk drives tailored for a range of applications, including enterprise and client computer

usage, personal data backup systems, portable external storage, and digital media systems. In the light of approaching Intersec 24, the Integrator

had an exclusive Interview with Mohit Pandey, Head of Sales – META, Seagate Technology, addressing industry challenges, providing key insights on market segmentation, technological prowess, and their electronic data storage solutions.

What can we expect from Seagate at Intersec 24? At Intersec Dubai 24, visitors to our booth will witness the latest products and technologies expected to hit the market in the near future. We are eager to onboard resellers and installers for our partner program and engage in meaningful discussions about our unique services and solutions. Seagate's EMEA Management team, including Maarten Guijt (Vice President, EMEA Channel, Consumer and Distribution Business), Vincent Oostlander (Director, Seagate Systems and Lyve Solutions, EMEA), and Mohit Pandey (Head of Sales, META), along with Country Managers and Marketing & PR leads, will be physically present at the event to assist current and potential customers. How is Seagate ensuring it has industry-leading solutions for today’s demanding and secure use cases? Securing mission-critical data in the most advanced way

JANUARY 2024

is Seagate’s primary objective. Our guiding principles of innovation, integrity, and inclusion have positioned us as a leader in data management in today’s complex IT world. Our extensive portfolio caters to various sectors, including consumers, the surveillance industry, gamers, network-attached storage users, cloud service providers, flash users, NVMe users, and unified storage users. Surveillance Industry – Data that gets generated through Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled cameras and Internet of Things (IoT) edge points, Seagate provides Skyhawk and Skyhawk AI HDDs for Network Video Recorders and Direct Video Recorders to ensure not a single frame of video is lost, and the customer stores data in the most secured yet cost-effective way. Cloud Service Providers – CSPs are driven by solutions that are scalable, responsive, and innovative. Seagate Exos provides the most innovative and futuristic Nearline HDDs for customers looking for high throughput and massively

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SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

Mohit Pandey Head of Sales – META, Seagate Technology

www.integratormedia.com

JANUARY 2024

COVER STORY

SEAGATE TECHNOLOGY

dense storage capacity. With our Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording Technology, together with Multiple Actuator 2.0, we are the answer to the industry’s mission-critical workloads, for Cloud, IoT, and AI. Creating a data pool for high-performance computing is now affordable and not a distant dream for organizations. Enterprise Mission Critical Drives – Enterprises, day by day are working on complex virtualized use cases that demand application throughput to enhance speed and agility. Seagate offers customers worldwide its ultra-agile SSD and NVME solutions known as Nytro. With cuttingedge technology and data protection, corporations have peace of mind when accessing mission-critical and high throughput use cases. Consumers with personal storage demand – Seagate provides solutions like Expansion, One Touch Hubs, and SSD solutions for storing consumer’s data in the most dataprotected environment. Gaming Industry – If someone calls the gaming industry a niche, then this niche industry has been surpassing the billion dollars for the past years and its incremental growth is a testament that this industry is growing by leaps and bounds. Seagate with its incredible FireCuda brand offers unmatched gaming experience for the users by providing HDDs, SSDs, and NVMEs for this performance demanding market. To top that, we have driven designed as per the game. E.g., Call of Duty, we have a specialized drive designed for Call of Duty, so on and so forth. How do you define market segmentation? SMEs and SMBs – SME and SMB constitute 60% of the corporate entry-level IT use cases. Even if the size of the organization is medium, their IT challenges and ambitions are not. The ever-increasing and growing IT management requires very demanding and secure data management. Seagate with its Network Attached Storage HDDs and SSDs (IronWolf, IronWolf Pro, and IronWolf SSD) proposes superior and industry-leading NAS HDDs and SSDs for customers whose requirements are growing and demanding secured drives with unmatched throughput. Large Corporates – With Seagate Data Storage System (Unified Storage), Seagate provides Hybrid Flash Arrays (HFA), All Flash Arrays (AFA), and the most densely populated Storage available on earth (Corvault). Imagine 2.5PB of RAW Capacity in a 4U enclosure. That’s unbelievable, right? I will say that’s new age technological superiority and that’s Seagate. Use cases such as virtualization, data backup and recovery, highperformance computing, on-premises and hybrid cloud set up, media editing and hosting, video surveillance and analysis, mission-critical applications get the most thriving data management solution for secured data. Vloggers, YouTubers, and Resellers (Consumer – Retail) – Seagate has a special product for prosumers (professional consumers) and provides the most rugged yet stylish

JANUARY 2024

HDDs and SSDs for consumers who have no limit to their creative imagination and world-class content. Supported heavily by Apple, Seagate’s LaCie drives create magical data management and solution for creative data. Whatever the need of the data, whether it is structured data or unstructured data or a combination of both, LaCie provides the most impeccable solution to prosumers globally. What is Seagate's edge on technology alliance? Seagate has years of experience in monetizing worldclass data management for mission-critical use cases based on Artificial Intelligence, cloud network operations Center, Internet of Things, high-performance computing, virtualization, data backup and recovery, data imaging, media content editing, and hosting. Seagate does all that by constantly investing a major sum of its income in research and development. Some of the examples are mentioned below as follows: Thus, with massive solutions, marketleading areal density, tested and aligned development with technological alliance partners on futuristic and secured technology, Seagate is poised for a bright and committed data management solution for the customers and consumers of Datasphere. Which markets does Seagate prioritize in CY 24? One of the largest markets in the Middle East, which is actively pursuing digital transformation is the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia actively working to roll-out the latest advanced technologies and Smart City developments. In fact, the Kingdom was named the “Top Digital Riser” among the G20 nations in 2021 due to the comprehensive government support for digital transformation in the Kingdom as part of Vision 2030. As a global leader in massdata storage solutions, Seagate is actively investing in KSA. To support its ambitions as a leading tech hub, affordable, flexible, scalable, and secure high-performance data management systems will be vital. With more than 40 years of experience in cutting-edge technologies and solutions, we are equipped with the skills, expertise, and technology to support Saudi Arabia’s advanced IT infrastructure needs. In line with Saudi Vision 2030, the National Transformation Program, growth of the nonoil sector and a fast-growing population, the market for surveillance and video analytics in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% between 2020-2026. Within the segment, the camera component acquired the highest revenue share, and the most popular vertical for the market proved to be government and transportation, as remote monitoring, transportation management and increased public safety are priorities among the authorities. At the same time, looking to the future, surveillance and video analytics are expected to play a major role in the development of smart cities. They will also be critical as Saudi Arabia’s major infrastructure projects are advanced.

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FORTES EDUCATION

FEATURE

A GLOBAL OUTLOOK ON THE IMPACT OF

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AI'S TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT ON THE EDUCATIONAL SPHERE The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the educational system marks a revolutionary paradigm shift, particularly in technologically adept regions such as Dubai. This transformation goes beyond mere technological application; it signifies a fundamental change in educational methodologies and outcomes. AI-based learning platforms are at the forefront of this change, offering a level of personalisation in education that was previously unimaginable. These platforms, through their advanced algorithms, are adept at adapting to each student's individual learning styles and paces. This capability is a radical departure from the one-size-fits-all approach of traditional education. Now, AI enables personalised learning, where each student is taught in a manner tailored to their needs. This personalisation is achieved by AI's ability to process and interpret vast

amounts of data about that student, from their academic test grades to their attendance, sickness, absence and even sense of well-being. The interconnectedness that AI can identify and analyse offers unprecedented insights into student learning patterns and needs. Armed with these insights, educators are empowered to tailor their teaching strategies in ways that profoundly enhance learning outcomes in a manner we have never seen before. As Dr. Patricia Fletcher, an EdTech innovator, notes, "AI in education offers a mirror into a student's mind. It gives educators a unique window into understanding what their students know and how they learn." Critically, AI brings a high level of personalisation to students who may otherwise have struggled to access the best teaching simply by geography. The role that AI has in democratising education is profoundly significant. It offers a beacon of hope for bridging the educational

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JANUARY 2024

FORTES EDUCATION

FEATURE

divide, providing high-quality, personalised educational experiences to students regardless of their socio-economic background or residence. This aspect of AI in education has the potential to level the playing field, offering equal learning opportunities to all students. As Prof. Sebastian Thrun, a pioneer in AI and education, states, "AI is the great equaliser. It holds the potential to bring quality education to every corner of the globe, making learning a truly inclusive experience." Some have argued that democratising education is not just a necessity but a moral imperative in nurturing a generation of well-educated, critical thinkers. After all, these individuals will lead and navigate the complexities of an increasingly interconnected and complex world. Audrey Watters, a leading thinker in the intersection of technology and education, says, "AI promises a future where every student, regardless of their background, has access to the tools they need to succeed." In essence, the role of AI in reshaping education is a clarion call for an educational renaissance. It's about harnessing technology to create learning experiences that are tailored, inclusive, and effective. This shift has the potential to transform how we teach and learn and reshape the foundations of our educational systems globally.

DO WE STILL NEED TEACHERS? Educators' attitudes towards AI are often varied. While some embrace its potential to enhance teaching and learning, others remain sceptical, concerned about its impact on their role and, ironically, the possible depersonalisation of education. Some educators fear that whilst AI may herald a better interaction at a personal assessment level can be managed by a teacher standing in front of an entire class of students, the lack of human connection vital in teaching will be recovered. We all remember how vividly we felt the importance of that school-based human connection during COVID restrictions. Perhaps we were surprised at that sense of loss and vowed never to lose it or take the teacher-student connection for granted again. And yet, just a short period later, some anticipate this 'new' technology steering us towards a similarly disconnected prospect of the learning environment. Memories are short now, with many AI evangelists flying headlong into a 'tech is the answer' mindset again. But we might find that the need for human connection during COVID finds a new manifestation during the era of AI-based education. Professional development and ongoing training in AI will certainly be essential for educators to integrate AI tools effectively into their teaching. It is crucial to view AI as a complement to traditional teaching methods, enhancing rather than replacing the human elements of education. However, it is likely that in the best schools, teachers will see much more of their skill sets migrating towards facilitation and enabling students to understand how to leverage the use of AI rather than remain passive student consumers.

JANUARY 2024

FORTES EDUCATION'S PIONEERING ROLE IN AI INTEGRATION Fortes Education has been at the forefront of integrating AI into our educational systems for some time. COVID offered little operational challenge across our schools as we had been highly innovative in deploying technology across our learning communities. Our schools have repeatedly received awards for 'Most Innovative School' and our teachers for 'STEAM / STEM Teacher of the Year'. Our approach involves using AI to create adaptive learning paths, offering resources tailored to individual students' learning styles and paces. This customisation ensures a more effective and engaging learning experience. Additionally, AI in administrative tasks has revolutionised school management. By automating tasks like attendance, grading, and scheduling, AI allows educators more time to focus on teaching and mentoring, improving the overall quality of education. AI-driven tutoring systems have improved student engagement and understanding, offering personalised assistance that adapts to each student's needs. These systems encourage active learning, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of concepts, vital skills in today's world. Arguably, AI's role in identifying and addressing learning gaps is unparalleled. AI systems can predict students' learning trajectories, enabling early intervention and support where needed, thus ensuring on a personalised level that we can guarantee, perhaps for the first time in reality, that no student is left behind, all through AI-augmented learning systems.

AI IN ADMINISTRATIVE TASKS HAS REVOLUTIONISED SCHOOL MANAGEMENT. BY AUTOMATING TASKS LIKE ATTENDANCE, GRADING, AND SCHEDULING, AI ALLOWS EDUCATORS MORE TIME TO FOCUS ON TEACHING AND MENTORING, IMPROVING THE OVERALL QUALITY OF EDUCATION.

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Nevertheless, this is not to suggest that sophisticated conversational AI tools, whilst revolutionary tools in education, are paving the road to educational excellence with gold. Generative AI can be an interactive assistant, providing students with immediate responses to queries, aiding in homework, and facilitating a deeper understanding of subjects. It is also true that this immediate feedback is invaluable in reinforcing learning and encouraging exploration. However, many within education worry that this considerable expertise might lead to students leaning too heavily on AI at the cost of their own HI - human intelligence. We should not be preoccupied with the debate that raged initially in the tabloid press and some rather backwardslooking educational jurisdictions that students might use generative AI to generate their coursework and attempt to pass it off as their own. This wrongheaded debate misses just about every important point that should be addressed regarding AI in education, implying to maintain some status quo in the option. Suppose teachers or examination boards set examinations and tasks that AI can marvellously answer. In that case, it is time that those teachers and examination boards create functions that are more fit for the AI-infused era in which we live. Nevertheless, caution should be exercised, but that caution has much more to do with ensuring that our curricula and pedagogies ensure that students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills rather than become overly reliant on AI for answers. However, even in curriculum design, AI is a game-changer. AI algorithms can help design curricula more adaptive to student needs, dynamically updating content based on class performance and emerging educational trends. This approach ensures the curriculum remains relevant and practical, providing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in a rapidly changing world. Indeed, AI can assist further by creating interdisciplinary learning experiences where subjects are no longer siloed but interconnected. This integration reflects the real-world scenarios students will face in their future careers, encouraging a more holistic understanding of knowledge. There are other areas of AI implementation that school leaders and governments should attend to that deserve cautious exploration. Many ethical and legal issues need substantial investigation in the sharing, mining and accessibility of children's data, to which educators should pay exceptional attention. Ensuring data privacy is paramount, as AI systems handle sensitive student information. Schools and educational institutions must implement robust data protection measures and be transparent about student data use. Algorithmic bias is another concern. AI systems are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on. Therefore, it's essential to use diverse data sets to train AI systems, ensuring they are fair and equitable to all students. The digital divide is a significant challenge, especially

FORTES EDUCATION

FEATURE

Dr Neil Hopkin, Director of Education, Fortes Education, Dubai

in less developed regions. Access to AI-driven education should not become a privilege of the affluent. Efforts must be made to ensure that AI educational tools are accessible to all students, regardless of their socio-economic background.

REASON FOR HOPE - AI ADDRESSING EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES Despite these critical cautionary notes, it remains the case that AI has the potential to address some of the most pressing challenges in education today, including teacher shortages and the need for personalised learning. These AI solutions are not replacements but valuable tools that enhance the teaching process, ensuring a more equitable and effective educational system. The future of AI in education is a landscape of immense potential. We will likely see more immersive learning experiences powered by AI through virtual and augmented reality. Predictive analytics will identify learning gaps early on, allowing for timely interventions. It is impossible to imagine that the long-term vision includes AI learning companions that evolve with students throughout their educational journey, offering consistent support and guidance. AI will likely become integral to the educational ecosystem, transforming how we teach and learn.

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JANUARY 2024

HEDGES IT

IN CONVERSATION

HEDGES IT: EMPOWERING BUSINESSES WITH COMPREHENSIVE IT SOLUTIONS AND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS Can you provide an overview of Hedges Information Technology and its core areas of expertise in IT, ELV, and Building Automation? Hedges Information Technology LLC is a preeminent and well-established System Integrator specializing in Information Technology, ELV, and Building Automation solutions based in the United Arab Emirates. With a history spanning over a decade, we have diligently served the needs of SMBs, mid-market, and larger corporate enterprise accounts. As an ISO certified, SIRA certified, and TRA certified company, we ensure the highest quality of services in compliance with regional technology regulations. Our subsidiary, Hedges Information Technology FZ-LLC, based in Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone, is a major stockist of IT hardware and software solutions. We specialize in servers, network security, surveillance, and IT peripheral equipment, offering products from major OEM brands to overseas markets.

Bibbin Varghese Managing Partner, Hedges IT

The interview conducted by The Integrator with Mr. Bibbin Varghese, the managing partner responsible for IT, and Mr. Jins Alex, the managing partner overseeing the ELV wing, provides a comprehensive overview of the future of their solutions in IT, ELV, and Building Automation. We also delved into the strategic partnerships that the company is currently pursuing, aiming to understand how they approach business in the coming decade in the region. 38

JANUARY 2024

How has Hedges Information Technology evolved and grown over the past decade, and what sets your company apart from other IT service providers? The company has executed multiple turnkey projects under enterprise contracts in the areas of Building Automation, Security & Surveillance, Datacenters, Infrastructure, Networking, Enterprise storage, Business continuity, Data Management, Cybersecurity, Data security & Privacy, and IOT. Since its founding in 2014, Hedges IT has worked hard to stand out in the SI landscape by concentrating on the newest technologies, collaborating with Tier 1 vendors to scale up partnership levels, building technical competence, and promoting customer success & excellence through value addition and a client-centered strategy. As we reflect on the journey of the past decade, Hedges IT has undergone remarkable evolution and growth. Since our inception, we have experienced a transformative journey that has positioned us as a leading force in the dynamic landscape of Information Technology in the UAE. Over the years, our commitment to innovation, client satisfaction, and technological prowess has propelled us to new heights. We take pride in the fact that Hedges IT has become synonymous with excellence in IT services in Dubai and beyond.

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What strategic technology partnerships and industryleading vendor products does Hedges Information Technology offer to enhance the customer experience? At Hedges, we are fully equipped to efficiently address current digital transformation demands, starting from IT Infrastructure to AI & IOT enabled analytics requirements. We offer an exhaustive array of services encompassing the complete project lifecycle, starting with consultation, design, meticulous implementation, and steadfast ongoing support. This comprehensive approach equips us to meet the burgeoning demands of our clients. At the core of our operational philosophy lies the establishment of strategic technology partnerships with prominent industry vendors, which empowers us to furnish clients with a diverse range of cutting-edge products and solutions. Our success story is intricately woven with strategic technology partnerships and collaborations. Here's a glimpse into the industry-leading vendor products we have partnerships and technical expertise with. • DELL Technologies Gold Partner • HPE Silver Partner • Specialized Premium SI for Synology in UAE Symantec (Won the best SB partner for the • Gulf region for multiple years) • Veritas (SMB Partner of UAE for multiple years) • Fortinet & Sophos Silver Partner • Bitdefender SMB specialized partner • APC • ABB • Samsung • Schneider • Hikvision • Suprema • Bose • TOA and many more How does your company approach the full project lifecycle, from consulting and design to implementation and ongoing support, to ensure client satisfaction and success? At Hedges IT, we pride ourselves on delivering a comprehensive approach throughout the entire project lifecycle. Our journey with clients begins with meticulous consulting and design phases, where we collaborate closely to understand unique requirements and formulate tailored solutions. We seamlessly transition into the implementation phase, leveraging our expertise to bring designs to life. Our commitment doesn't end there—we provide ongoing support, ensuring our clients experience sustained success. By prioritizing client satisfaction at every stage, we guarantee a holistic and effective partnership from project inception to long-term support. What are the core verticals Hedges IT is targeting with its solutions and services? For over a decade, Hedges IT has been at the forefront of

HEDGES IT

IN CONVERSATION

Jins Alex Managing Partner, Hedges IT

the IT Infrastructure ELV & Business Automation industry in the UAE. Our unwavering commitment to delivering excellence, fostering strategic partnerships, and embracing cutting-edge solutions has earned us a reputation as a trusted service provider and a leader in the field. At the heart of our mission is the commitment to providing tailored and impactful offerings to sectors where our expertise can make a significant difference. Recognizing the evolving needs of Government sectors, Oil & Gas, Aviation, Academic, Construction, Developers & other SME’s, our services are crafted to enhance efficiency and drive growth. Whether it's digital infrastructure, enterprise storage, networking, cloud solutions, or ELV & automation, we are dedicated to being the strategic partner that fuels success. Is there any game-changing technology Hedges is focusing on with its upcoming set of products & services? Moving forward, Hedges has a defined strategic growth plan to expand in the near future & focus on expanding teams specialized in the latest technological domains. Our team is dedicated to keeping track of the latest trends, embracing emerging technologies, and adapting swiftly to industry trends in digital transformation, multicloud, AI & Automation technologies. We recognize that the journey to success lies in our ability to stay ahead, and we are fully committed to this pursuit. Through continuous learning, collaboration, and innovation, we aim to deliver solutions that meet the expectations of our clients.

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JANUARY 2024

INGRAM MICRO

IN CONVERSATION

INGRAM MICRO ON

SUSTAINABLE GROWTH, GLOBAL IMPACT, AND CUTTINGEDGE SOLUTIONS The Integrator had an exclusive interview with Elie Semaan, Managing Director for Gulf & Levant at Ingram Micro

JANUARY 2024

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Could you provide an overview of Ingram Micro's mission and how it helps businesses ‘Realize the Promise of Technology’? At Ingram Micro, our mission revolves around empowering businesses to "Realize the Promise of Technology." We aim to be a strategic collaborator for our customers, helping them navigate the complexities of the rapidly evolving technology landscape. Our core focus is to deliver innovative solutions and services that enable businesses to harness the full potential of technology to drive growth, efficiency, and competitiveness. We understand that technology is not just a tool but a catalyst for transformation. Therefore, we are committed to providing a comprehensive suite of services, including distribution, logistics, and value-added solutions, to ensure that our business associates can seamlessly integrate cutting-edge technologies into their operations. Could you elaborate on the customized solutions and services you offer the partners and how they benefit from your support? We are dedicated to amplifying the success of all our stakeholders —vendors, resellers, and retailers—through tailored solutions and services. For vendors, we offer expanded market access, efficient logistics, and valuable market intelligence. Resellers benefit from our diverse product portfolio, training programs, and channel support services. Retailers receive merchandising and marketing support, e-commerce solutions, and supply chain optimization. Our commitment is to create a dynamic and mutually beneficial ecosystem, empowering each ally to thrive in the rapidly evolving technology market. Ingram Micro's Xvantage for Vendors (X4V) and Xvantage for Customers (X4C) serve as a cornerstone in the commitment to amplifying the success of vendors, resellers, and retailers. Xvantage is not just a platform; it is a strategic enabler designed to provide tailored solutions and support services that cater specifically to the unique needs of each stakeholder. How does your vast global infrastructure enable business partners to operate more efficiently and successfully? The extensive global framework of Ingram Micro is a fundamental element of our dedication to empowering business allies for enhanced efficiency and success. Our robust logistics and distribution network facilitates seamless and timely product delivery, minimizing lead times and optimizing supply chain management. The vast geographic reach ensures that vendors have unparalleled market access, allowing them to tap into diverse customer bases worldwide. Furthermore, our global presence fosters collaboration and knowledge-sharing, providing vendors with insights into regional trends and best practices. This interconnected infrastructure serves as a catalyst for innovation, empowering our business allies to

INGRAM MICRO

IN CONVERSATION

Elie Semaan, Managing Director for Gulf & Levant, Ingram Micro

navigate the complexities of the technology industry and achieve sustained success on a global scale. How does Ingram Micro demonstrate unrivaled agility and provide deep market insights to its partners? Ingram Micro distinguishes itself in the technology industry through unrivaled agility and profound market insights, essential for navigating the dynamic landscape. Our agile approach is evident in swift adaptation to market trends, enabling us to promptly respond to changing demands. Through continuous engagement with industry stakeholders and leveraging advanced analytics, we provide allies with real-time market intelligence, helping them anticipate shifts, capitalize on emerging opportunities, and mitigate risks. Our commitment to agility is complemented by proactive collaboration, ensuring allies have the tools and insights needed to make informed decisions and stay ahead in the everevolving technology sector. By combining flexibility with comprehensive market understanding, Ingram Micro empowers allies to thrive in a fast-paced and competitive environment. Could you share some examples or stories that showcase the value of long-term alliances and the benefits they bring to your clients? The enduring relationships that Ingram Micro has

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JANUARY 2024

INGRAM MICRO

IN CONVERSATION

cultivated over decades underscore our commitment to trust and dependability. One compelling example is our longstanding collaboration with a major technology vendor. Through the years, our consistent support in distribution, logistics, and market access has enabled them to expand their regional presence significantly. The vendor has experienced streamlined operations, helping to allow them to increase their market share due to the reliability of our services. Similarly, our enduring alliances with resellers and retailers have resulted in shared successes, such as joint marketing initiatives that have helped boost product visibility and sales. These stories illustrate how our commitment to long-term relationships fosters mutual growth, trust, and sustained success for all stakeholders in the technology ecosystem. How does Ingram Micro stay ahead of the curve in adapting to emerging tech trends and meeting the changing needs of its allies? Ingram Micro's ability to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving technology landscape is anchored in our proactive approach to innovation and continuous adaptation. We invest in comprehensive research and development initiatives to identify emerging tech trends early on. This involves close collaboration with leading vendors, participation in industry events, and continuous training programs to ensure our team is well-versed in cuttingedge technologies. By fostering an agile corporate culture, we swiftly integrate new solutions into our portfolio, providing customers and vendors with a competitive edge. Additionally, our commitment to open communication and feedback channels allows us to understand the evolving needs of our customers, ensuring that our services and solutions align with the dynamic requirements of the market. This strategic combination of innovation, collaboration, and responsiveness positions Ingram Micro Gulf at the forefront of technology trends and equips our allies to navigate and capitalize on the ever-changing landscape successfully. Could you elaborate on any specific initiatives or programs that promote sustainability and responsible business practices within Ingram Micro? Ingram Micro is committed to fostering sustainability and responsible business practices through various initiatives. This commitment is evident in our adoption of green supply chain management practices, emphasizing environmentally friendly logistics and distribution. The company actively promotes proper disposal and recycling of electronic waste, contributing to responsible end-oflife processes for technology products. Ingram Micro also prioritizes energy efficiency, implementing measures to reduce its overall carbon footprint across operations, warehouses, and offices. In line with sustainable practices, the company explores eco-friendly packaging solutions to minimize waste and environmental impact.

JANUARY 2024

Inspired by the United Nations’s Decade of Action, we announced our 10 to Zero initiative in 2022. As part of this initiative, we aim to achieve the following three major operational milestones by 2030: (1) Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions, (2) Zero Waste, and (3) Zero Recordable Safety Incidents. Could you share insights on the partnerships and collaborations that have been particularly valuable for Ingram Micro and its partners? Ingram Micro recognizes the pivotal role of collaboration in the technology industry and has forged strategic alliances that contribute significantly to the success of both the company and its customers. Collaborations with leading technology vendors have been instrumental in expanding market access and ensuring a diverse and cutting-edge product portfolio. These alliances facilitate efficient distribution, streamlined logistics, and timely access to the latest technologies, enhancing the overall value proposition for clients. Strong collaborations with resellers and retailers have also resulted in joint marketing initiatives, training programs, and channel support services, fostering a symbiotic relationship that drives mutual growth. The emphasis on collaboration extends beyond traditional boundaries, with collaborations in the areas of e-commerce, supply chain optimization, and sustainability initiatives. By cultivating a network of robust and diverse collaborations, Ingram Micro strengthens its position as a trusted and comprehensive partner, delivering innovative solutions and support to meet the dynamic needs of the technology ecosystem. In the ever-evolving world of technology, security and data privacy are crucial, how does Ingram Micro help businesses navigate these challenges and protect their assets? In the continually shifting realm of technology, security, and data privacy stand as pivotal considerations, and Ingram Micro assumes a vital role in assisting businesses in addressing these challenges and safeguarding their assets. Ingram Micro provides a comprehensive suite of solutions and services designed to address cybersecurity threats and ensure data privacy compliance. This includes offering advanced security technologies, such as firewalls, encryption tools, and threat detection systems, sourced from reputable vendors. Ingram Micro also provides education and training programs to empower businesses in implementing best practices for cybersecurity and data protection. Collaborative initiatives with leading security providers contribute to staying ahead of emerging threats, enabling proactive measures to secure digital assets. By offering a robust ecosystem of security solutions coupled with expert guidance and support, Ingram Micro assists businesses in fortifying their defenses and maintaining the integrity of their data in the face of evolving security challenges.

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SONOVA CONSUMER HEARING

IN CONVERSATION

SONOVA'S PARADIGM SHIFT IN CONSUMER AUDIO TRENDS AFTER SENNHEISER ACQUISITION The Integrator had an exclusive interview with Heston Saldan, General Manager, Sonova Consumer Hearing (Sennheiser ME)

Could you provide insights into the recent acquisition of Sennheiser by Sonova Consumer Hearing and how this strategic move aligns with the company's vision and goals? Sonova acquired Sennheiser in early March 2022, aligning with our vision to expand into the consumer space. The strategic move was driven by our desire to offer a toptier consumer headphone brand and its products to our target audience. Acquiring Sennheiser was instrumental in incorporating a brand known for its pristine sound quality, catering to the needs of our consumer base. This acquisition reflects our commitment to enhancing the overall audio experience for our customers. How will this acquisition impact Sonova's position in the consumer audio market? Certainly, and to revisit your previous question about Sonova's acquisition, Sennheiser, with its 75 years of experience in delivering exceptional headphones and microphones, brings a wealth of expertise. Sonova, known for its specialization in

JANUARY 2024

audiology, seeks to bridge the gap by entering the consumer audio market. The synergy lies in introducing consumer hearing as a category, which is currently lacking in the consumer spectrum. Sonova envisions bringing this specific segment of consumer headphones into both retail and offline spaces, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to enhance our position in the consumer audio market. Can you elaborate on your company's strategy for catering to the diverse Middle Eastern market, especially regarding consumer preferences and demands? Consumer demands are continually evolving, and in today's technological landscape, basic headphones are no longer sufficient. The advent of AI has significantly transformed the industry. Consumers now seek more than just basic functionalities; they desire data collection and research insights. Many headphone brands are shifting towards this trend, and Sennheiser, with its recent introductions, exemplifies this approach. We offer various categories,

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THE ADVENT OF AI HAS SIGNIFICANTLY TRANSFORMED THE INDUSTRY. CONSUMERS NOW SEEK MORE THAN JUST BASIC FUNCTIONALITIES; THEY DESIRE DATA COLLECTION AND RESEARCH INSIGHTS

including premium headphones, audiophile headphones, and sound bars, showcasing our commitment to diversity in our product offerings. Our R&D team consistently explores ways to enhance not only sound quality but also the value we provide to consumers through research insights. Looking ahead, we anticipate further developments in the headphone category, including diverse wearing styles, as we navigate the dynamic landscape of the market. Congratulations on the launch of the Sound Bar. What inspired the development of this product, and what unique features can consumers expect? I've been with Sennheiser for about 12 years, and at every event, we were consistently asked when we would enter the speaker market, given our strong reputation in producing high-quality headphones. The pilot project for the Sound Bar started some time ago with the goal of creating a distinctive product rather than generic sound boxes or speakers. We aimed to carve out a niche for ourselves, and with the launch of the Sound Bar category, we now offer a range from good to better, with the best featuring the introduction of the mini to our product lineup. A key differentiator is our patented technology called AMBEO, setting us apart from others in the market. This move completes our entire audio experience portfolio, spanning from headphones to in-room home cinema. The inspiration behind this venture was the evolving dynamics during the COVID era, where cinemas found their way back into family homes, bridging a gap that complemented our offerings seamlessly. The demand from consumers to have Sennheiser within their homes for speakers motivated us, and we are proud to have fulfilled this demand exceptionally well. How does the Sound Bar fit into Sennheiser's overall product lineup? The Sound Bar represents a new addition to our product lineup, expanding our range. It complements the entire

audio spectrum we offer, spanning the categories of good, better, and best. The journey began with the launch of the flagship product, the Sound Bar Max, in 2019, based on valuable consumer feedback. Responding to the demand for more, we introduced the Sound Bar Plus two years ago. This September, we unveiled the Sound Bar Mini, completing our comprehensive offering for home cinema. Our patented technology, Ambeo, which excels in 3D virtualization, is a source of pride for us. It effectively brings the real home cinema experience back to your living room. The Sound Bar is an excellent addition for those seeking a high-quality home cinema experience at home.

SONOVA CONSUMER HEARING

IN CONVERSATION

What are some of the highlights or challenges that you faced in this market in the year 2023? In 2023, emerging from the post-COVID landscape, we encountered certain challenges and notable shifts in consumer behavior. A significant change was observed in the buying patterns, with consumers transitioning from traditional retail purchases to an increasing reliance on online platforms. While retail remains robust in this region compared to other global markets, the shift towards online platforms signals a positive trend in consumer openness to exploring online purchasing experiences. Moreover, the consumer market space saw a surge in demands. It's noteworthy that not only dedicated headphone brands but also mobility brands are venturing into the consumer headphone sector, intensifying the competition and meeting the ever-growing consumer expectations. Despite these challenges, our core strength lies in consistently delivering top-notch headphones to our consumers. On a positive note, we are proud to offer a two-year international warranty for all our products. This provides consumers with the confidence that they can purchase our products anywhere and enjoy warranty coverage globally. Our commitment to quality is reflected not only in our products but also in our communication and packaging, reinforcing a sense of trust and assurance for our consumers. As we move into the new year, 2024, what market drivers do you believe will shape this industry? Do you have any predictions for the upcoming year? In 2024, we anticipate significant changes in how headphones are perceived and utilized. It's no longer just a device for delivering sound; rather, headphones will evolve into devices capable of integrating data and providing research insights based on their wearing styles. The consumer hearing space is expanding, focusing not only on delivering products for those with hearing challenges but also emphasizing diversity in presentation and various wearing styles. An essential aspect today is how a product fits onto users' ears, considering the diversity in ear shapes. Meeting this challenge is crucial, and we anticipate notable changes in the way headphone products are introduced to the market. The emphasis will not only be on the product itself but also on the positive impact it can bring to an individual's life. Expect to witness substantial changes in this regard in the coming year.

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JANUARY 2024

ZEPTH

SPOTLIGHT

ZEPTH TRANSFORMS CONSTRUCTION WITH AI-DRIVEN PROJECT MANAGEMENT

n a groundbreaking development, Zepth, an innovative global tech startup and leader in construction management SaaS software, announced the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its platform, marking a transformative leap in the industry. The integration will see Zepth deploy 40 AI agents to reach an artificial general intelligence (AGI) status where its machine will have human-level intelligence — a first-of-its-kind endeavour in the Middle East and worldwide. Under the leadership of Founder Prasoon Shrivastava, Zepth is redefining the construction landscape. "Zepth stands at the forefront of the AI revolution, redefining the commondata environment with AGI-driven human-level intelligence. Our platform epitomizes intelligence, simplicity, and efficiency, designed for the modern world. Zepth's AI-driven solutions are delivering extraordinary efficiency and precision to clients globally. The traditional Big Tech solutions, while once groundbreaking, now lag in a rapidly changing world. They are complex relics of a bygone era — no longer the best fit for today’s dynamic industry needs," said Shrivastava.

JANUARY 2024

The pioneering product, the AI Risk Manager, will harness the power of AGI, with 40 AI agents proactively identifying potential risks, collaborating with each other, carrying out likelihood and impact assessments, and assisting in mitigation plans for the identified risks, to enable project managers to make data-driven decisions. This revolutionary tool is a testament to Zepth's commitment to innovation and excellence, ensuring project success even in the most challenging environments. AGI comprises intelligent agents with human-like capabilities to carry out a range of tasks, including in construction. Zepth is ambitiously expanding its AI ecosystem to include hundreds of specialized agents, each designed to adapt to the complex, ever-changing demands of construction management. The first-of-its-kind endeavour not only reaffirms Zepth's leadership in the software domain but also spotlights the ingenuity and influence of technological advances globally. The UAE, with its multiple governmentled initiatives in smart buildings and cities, presents a strong appetite for AI-driven construction management solutions like Zepth. Reaffirming the company’s mission of empowering the developer community, Founder Prasoon Shrivastava said the journey that Zepth is charting is clear: In the world of construction, Zepth stands as the embodiment of advanced intelligence, driving an industry towards unparalleled efficiency.

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SOLARWINDS PREDICTS KEY TRENDS AND THEMES THAT WILL DEFINE ENTERPRISE IT IN 2024

SOLARWINDS

SPOTLIGHT

olarWinds has released its predictions for the IT trends and themes that will dominate in the year ahead. This year, enterprises are likely to further embrace artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and automation to meet their efficiency, service delivery, and productivity goals. For 2024, SolarWinds forecasts these themes—powered and accelerated by AI and machine learning—will shape the enterprise technology landscape:  Observability across the full tech stack will become a priority. According to SolarWinds research, the typical enterprise loses more than $13M annually to costs associated with the nine brownouts or outages experienced each month. Despite this, nearly half of IT professionals surveyed lack visibility into the majority of their organization’s apps and infrastructure.  Organizations will prioritize getting to the root of database issues. One-third of IT professionals surveyed manage upwards of 300 databases. This year, teams will embrace AI and automation to ensure the health, stability, and scalability of their services.  Organizations will embrace Artificial Intelligence for IT Operations (AIOps) to support busy teams. With AIOps, organizations can integrate data from across complex hybrid IT environments and receive the actionable, predictive intelligence they need to optimize performance, resolve issues quickly, and relieve pressure on IT teams.  IT Service Management (ITSM) will support faster, more successful IT outcomes. On average, research shows that organizations surveyed who adopted AI-powered tools to meet their ITSM needs were able to reduce system downtime by 21% and decrease time spent resolving incidents and service requests by 23%. Features such as virtual troubleshooting agents and guided incident resolution will continue to support the workload of IT teams in 2024. In fact, SolarWinds Service Desk customers surveyed reported saving 23 hours per week due to reduced ticket volume—nearly the equivalent of adding an extra employee to their team. Throughout 2023, SolarWinds retained its position as an industry leader by continually developing modern IT and software solutions that evolve in lockstep with the challenges faced by today’s enterprises as they attempt to compete, scale, and innovate. SolarWinds solutions are rooted in the company’s deep connection with tech professionals.

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JANUARY 2024

FORTINET

SPOTLIGHT

MEET FORTINET ADVISOR, A GENERATIVE AI ASSISTANT THAT ACCELERATES THREAT

INVESTIGATION AND REMEDIATION

JANUARY 2024

www.integratormedia.com

ortinet, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, added Fortinet Advisor, a generative AI assistant, to its portfolio of more than 40 AI-powered offerings. AI has served as the backbone of the Fortinet Security Fabric and FortiGuard Labs threat intelligence and security services for more than a decade, and the implementation of GenAI is Fortinet’s latest innovation designed to protect customers and keep business operations online. The initial release of Fortinet Advisor will help support and guide security operations (SecOps) teams so they can investigate and remediate threats faster than ever before. “Fortinet has pioneered artificial intelligence innovation within cybersecurity, and to date, we’ve delivered more than 40 AI-powered offerings that put the transformative power of this technology into customers’ hands,” said Michael Xie, Founder, President, and Chief Technology Officer at Fortinet. “We’re excited to build on our legacy as a leader in AI cybersecurity innovation with Fortinet Advisor, which combines Fortinet’s vast intelligence network with the benefits of GenAI to increase security team productivity and accelerate threat detection and mitigation.” Fortinet Advisor is available within FortiSIEM, Fortinet’s security information and event management solution, and FortiSOAR, Fortinet’s security orchestration, automation, and response offering. Fortinet Security Operations Solutions already enable customers to slash the time needed to identify and contain threats from more than 20 days to less than an hour and condense investigation and remediation timelines from more than 18 hours to 15 minutes or less.1 By providing contextually aware incident analysis, remediation guidance, and playbook templates, Fortinet Advisor delivers critical information in natural language within seconds so SecOps teams can further reduce the mean time to detect and respond as well as improve their organizations’ overall risk posture.

FORTINET

SPOTLIGHT

Specific benefits of Fortinet Advisor for SecOps teams include: • Interprets security incidents: Fortinet Advisor rapidly analyzes alerts to generate easy-to-understand incident summaries within seconds, including context and potential impact. • Builds complex investigation queries: Fortinet Advisor helps security analysts generate productive queries to aid investigations. Analysts enter their desired insights—in natural language—into Fortinet Advisor, which creates precise syntax to return useful results. • Creates remediation plans: Fortinet Advisor aids in rapid threat response by suggesting threat remediation plans. It can also refine suggested response plans based on real-time analyst feedback. • Augments playbook creation: Security architects can consult Fortinet Advisor to generate playbook templates, translating processes into actionable plans quickly. Fortinet Advisor is continuously updated and refined by Fortinet AI and product specialists. Fortinet experts regularly refresh the assistant’s knowledge base with the latest threat information and optimize its interactions and results.

MORE THAN A DECADE OF AI-POWERED THREAT RESEARCH, PREVENTION, DETECTION, AND RESPONSE Fortinet has been on the bleeding edge of AI innovation for more than a decade, and more than 700,000 customers already benefit from AI-powered offerings, including FortiGuard AI-Powered Security Services, FortiAIOps, FortiEDR, and FortiAnalyzer. The use of AI across the Fortinet Security Fabric aids in zero-day threat detection, helps remediate today’s most sophisticated attacks, and enables IT teams to refine and resolve networking and security issues before they impact the organization.

AN INDUSTRY-LEADING CYBERSECURITY PLATFORM The Fortinet Security Operations portfolio is a part of Fortinet’s cybersecurity platform—the Fortinet Security Fabric—and because of this tight integration, organizations can move from a reactive to a proactive security posture and quickly detect and disrupt cyberthreats. Fortinet Security Operations Solutions utilize AI and advanced analytics to identify sophisticated threats early in the kill chain and automate response activity across the Fortinet Security Fabric to speed investigation and remediation. “GenAI has the power to make security teams smarter, more efficient, and more productive. Fortinet Advisor, which is backed by Fortinet’s long history of AI innovation and deep threat expertise, can help organizations improve business operations and harden themselves against attack, especially for those struggling with the cybersecurity skills gap.” – Jon Oltsik, Distinguished Analyst and Fellow at Enterprise Strategy Group

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JANUARY 2024

TRITERRAS

SPOTLIGHT

TRITERRAS COLLABORATES WITH OMAN-BASED MAMUN

riterras, a leading fintech company focused on digital trade and supply chain finance has announced a strategic alliance with Oman-based Mamun, an embedded fintech infrastructure as a service and finance provider. The collaboration aims to bolster the trade finance and short-term lending landscape in the Sultanate of Oman. This collaboration harnesses Triterras' technological expertise and leverages Mamun's experience in Oman's financial services sector. The collaboration will initially target the Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (MSME) finance sector in Oman, with a specific emphasis on the food and beverage industry. The collaboration will also enable Triterras to offer the KRATOSTM financing platform to banks in Oman on a white-label basis. As part of the alliance, Triterras will introduce eDirect Debit, a direct debit payment technology developed by Mamun, in the UAE. eDirect Debit is designed to offer businesses a seamless and highly efficient payment solution, with the aim of enhancing the ease of handling transactions within the region. "One of the key challenges for startups and micro businesses is a lack of capital and financing, which hinders growth and accessibility to markets. Our primary aim is to

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enable MSMEs with access to immediate and workable financial solutions to maintain business continuity and foster growth opportunities,” said Ashish Srivastava, Chief Commercial Officer at Triterras. “This collaboration strengthens our commitment to deliver cutting-edge finance solutions that meet the evolving needs of businesses in Oman, and the wider Middle East region. This 2-way agreement facilitates Triterras' expansion in the MENA region.” With Oman's vibrant market in mind, this collaboration potentially makes a substantial impact on businesses looking for finance by simplifying access to financial resources. As with Triterras' global mission, the collaboration will support MSMEs, enhancing financial inclusivity for businesses in Oman. “We are excited to witness the expansion of our eDirect Debit technology into the UAE through our collaboration with Triterras,” said Mohammed Al Tamami, Co-Founder and Chief Commercial Officer, at Mamun.

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KPMG

SPOTLIGHT

DATA IS AN ASSET THAT GROWS WITH USE AND GOVERNANCE

Matin Jouzdani, Data & AI Leader, KPMG

n today's digital age, data is more valuable than ever before. Despite huge investments in AI and other technologies, many companies are still struggling to leverage it to its full potential. Organisations continue to be plagued by complex and siloed system architectures, unclear roles or policies, cultural and skills gaps, and interoperability issues across the business. We estimate that anything up to 80% of the potential value of data is lost by not having the right foundations in place. The most important element of this foundation is strong data governance. A data governance foundation is a set of standards, policies, and procedures that set out how data is collected, managed, and used within an organization. It ensures that data is trusted, accurate, and compliant with regulations and makes sure that all efforts are aligned with the overall data and business strategy. There are three key elements of a data governance foundation: Data strategy: This defines the organization's overall goals for data, such as clearly what data it wants to collect, how it wants to use it, and who will be responsible for managing it. Many organizations invest huge sums in data and AI initiatives without having

this fundamental element in place. Data operating model: This describes how the organization will put its data strategy into practice, including the key roles and responsibilities, how data teams will interact within the organization and ultimately how data governance will be monitored. Data management policies: These define the standards and guidelines for how data should be collected, managed, and used. They also help to ensure that data is compliant with regulations. Having a solid foundation for managing data is really important if we want to get the most out of it. Without it, organizations are at risk of making lesseffective decisions, making crucial missteps with customers and other stakeholders and being exposed to regulatory non-compliance. A strong data governance foundation can help organizations improve decision-making. By ensuring that data is accurate and reliable, data governance can help organizations make better decisions. For example, retail banks rely on strong data governance to ensure they are using most up to date customer information, which is not only demanded by Central Banks and other regulators but is vital in making proper lending decisions.

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JANUARY 2024

AMSAAN PROJECT

HOSPITALITY

HOSPITALITY 2024:

NAVIGATING DYNAMIC SHIFTS & TRANSFORMATIVE TRENDS Vitalii Potapchuk, Co-Founder, AMSAAN Project

s the hospitality industry gears up for the challenges and opportunities of 2024, it stands out as a sector shaped by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic shifts, and global concerns. In the face of unpredictable circumstances, the industry and its stakeholders have showcased remarkable resilience. Accustomed to navigating unforeseen challenges, their adaptability has become a cornerstone in shaping the industry's response to the current global landscape. HSBC's latest report highlights the Middle East as the global leader in hospitality, boasting the strongest recovery post-pandemic. Despite a turbulent global economy, the region surpasses others, with tourism contributing 5% to its GDP. This robust rebound positions it well for the highly anticipated tourism industry revival. The report found that 15% more

JANUARY 2024

tourists visited the Middle East in the first three months of 2023 than in the same period in 2019. The UAE, consistently in the top 10 global tourist destinations, plans to significantly boost its economy through the National Tourism Strategy 2031, targeting an injection of AED 450 billion into its GDP. This ambitious goal underscores the region's commitment to growth in its hospitality and tourism sectors. With a strong foundation, let’s take a closer look at the trends defining the travel experience in 2024 that businesses can utilize to stand out in the competitive market:

GEN Z'S IMPACT ON TRAVEL PREFERENCES Gen Z, who will make up 27% of the workforce by 2025, is growing up in a world marked by global concerns, prioritising more than just the www.integratormedia.com

aesthetics of hotels. This demographic of travellers values the narrative, landmarks, and societal contribution of businesses. In 2024, hotels embracing environmental standards, conscious food consumption, and accessibility to people with disabilities emerge as winners—those making a meaningful contribution to the world beyond providing accommodation and two meals a day.

INCREASING DEMAND FOR INCLUSIVE TRAVEL This trend emphasises expanding attention to the needs of people with disabilities and the development of inclusive tourism and programs. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that 1 in 6 people globally lives with a disability, and in the Middle East, about 30 million individuals are recognised as People of Determination. Today’s

educated and socially responsible society is pushing businesses to recognize that individuals with disabilities have equal rights. The travel sector is adapting to address diverse needs, which rightly seek equal access to the pleasures of experiencing new destinations and the latest attractions. A 2022 survey by Expedia revealed that 92% of participants highlighted the necessity for travel providers to accommodate the accessibility needs of travellers. In response to this growing demand, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, as well as Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airlines and Group, initiated the Dubai Team for Accessible Travel and Tourism. This initiative aims to enhance the travel and tourism experience for People of Determination, demonstrating Dubai's dedication to promoting equal and barrier-free travel for all. Amsaan Accessible Tours (AAT), a pioneer in inclusive travel for Deaf tourists, is keen to help the hospitality and tourism sectors embrace this trend and ensure equal opportunities for all. In the Middle East, over 11 million out of 350 million people have disabling hearing loss, underscoring the region's need for Deaf inclusivity as well. In 2024, there will be a transformative experience for People of Determination, including hardof-hearing travellers.

EMBRACING GREEN INITIATIVES In 2024, sustainability will emerge as a paramount trend in the hospitality industry, reflecting the growing concerns of consumers about the ethical conduct of businesses. Recognising this shift in consumer priorities, hotels are increasingly adopting innovative green initiatives. These range from sustainable sourcing of ingredients to implementing energy-efficient practices. The urgency of this trend is underscored by a report from Sustainable Travel International, which highlights that tourism contributes to 8% of the world’s carbon emissions. Alarmingly, it's

estimated that globally, a single hotel can generate approximately 289,700 tonnes of waste annually, including 79,000 tonnes of food waste. Hoteliers worldwide are actively embracing ecofriendly initiatives. Marriott International's Travel Trends Research study for the UAE and Saudi Arabia underscores this shift, revealing that a majority of travellers in these regions consider sustainability a critical factor in their travel plans— 85% in the UAE and 80% in Saudi Arabia. Responding to this demand, hotels of all sizes are prioritising eco-friendly practices across their operations. This includes a focus on eco-friendly packaging, energyefficient lighting, and comprehensive waste reduction initiatives. The trend is clear: sustainability is no longer a niche concern but a central focus in the hospitality sector's evolution.

TECHNOLOGICAL INTEGRATION FOR PERSONALISED SERVICE The hospitality sector has long employed various technologies to cater to the individual needs of tourists, enhancing the overall level of service. In 2024, this will be the driving force, enhancing guest experiences through artificial intelligence, augmented reality, voice tech, and contactless services while streamlining operations for better efficiency. Anticipate an increase in chatbots, virtual assistants, and personalized recommendations, aligning with the modern traveller's expectation of a tech-savvy hospitality sector. Leveraging technology has also emerged as a key strategy for bridging the accessibility gap. According to the European Network for Accessible Tourism, the global economy is suffering a staggering loss of $150 billion annually due to its oversight of the accessible tourism market. Expedia’s research showed that 70% of respondents would opt for a more inclusive travel choice, even at a higher cost. For example, innovative solutions like adaptive sightseeing, offering real-time communication support for Deaf individuals, demonstrate how www.integratormedia.com

accessible features can be smoothly integrated into travel, allowing tourists with disabilities to enjoy barrier-free experiences alongside fellow travellers and guides and easy communication with service providers. The recently launched Amsaan Tours app provides access to sign language interpreters and a wealth of travel information in sign language, showcasing the pivotal role of technology in creating inclusive travel experiences. When integrated into a hotel or restaurant, a quick video connection with an interpreter via a QR code can seamlessly link staff and tourists to a live sign language interpreter, thereby facilitating fluid communication.

AMSAAN PROJECT

HOSPITALITY

DEMAND FOR EXCLUSIVE AND PERSONALISED EXPERIENCES Post-pandemic, there is a discernible shift in traveller preferences towards exclusive tours and personalised experiences. Travellers are seeking something beyond the ordinary, investing in moments that create lasting impressions. While "standard tourism" remains relevant, in 2024, businesses are challenged to go beyond the conventional and seriously consider a "unique selling proposition," contemplating what distinctive offerings they can provide. This can be achieved through technology, improved accessibility, sustainable measures, luxury amenities, and a one-of-a-kind brand story. In conclusion, as hospitality charts its course through 2024, the industry is marked by dynamic shifts and transformative trends. From an increased emphasis on personalized experiences to the integration of cuttingedge technologies and the demand for inclusivity and sustainability, businesses are redefining the traveller's journey. Staying adaptable and customer-focused is key. Those hotels that are customercentric and responsive, continuously levelling up their operations and finding ways to do better with less, will be able to provide extraordinary, unforgettable experiences, innovatively enhancing operations and efficiency for a brighter future.

JANUARY 2024

TIGRUS RESTAURANT HOLDING

HOSPITALITY

TIGRUS RESTAURANT HOLDING:

SAVORING SUSTAINABILITY IN EVERY BITE The Integrator had an exclusive interview with Henrik Winther, Founder, Tigrus Restaurant Holding

JANUARY 2024

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Could you provide a brief overview of Tigrus Restaurant Holding and its founding principles? We are a sustainable, family-friendly hospitality group that prides itself on operating eco-friendly restaurants, educating on leaving a better world behind for future generations to come. Being sustainable is a lifestyle choice for us, and it's something we work on as a team daily, creating a positive, motivating, and uplifting work ethic for the whole team. How has Tigrus evolved since its establishment in 2005, and what sets it apart in the restaurant industry? Our growth and efforts have been a huge factor in evolving. Since we began in 2005, we've expanded into the Middle East and now plan to launch 25 restaurants in the next 4 years in the GCC. When we started, we were not carbon neutral. Our most significant evolution was understanding where we could cut back, and in three years, we reduced our CO2 emissions by 43%. We have now achieved a state of neutrality. We're different from other hospitality brands as we have implemented sustainability into our lifestyle and company culture. It's not something we do half-heartedly; it's our tool for growth and expansion as it drives team morale and saves us money. Tigrus Holding is known for its commitment to sustainability. Could you elaborate on the initiatives the company has taken to fully compensate for its carbon footprint and achieve zero waste since 2018? We do many things. Some of my favorites include utilizing coffee ground waste to become plant food to feed foliage in the restaurants, switching our kitchen stoves to induction, and sponsoring wild cats around the world in locations where we open restaurants. We are sponsoring Siberian Tigers in Russia and snow

TIGRUS RESTAURANT HOLDING

HOSPITALITY

leopards in Tajikistan and are in the process of doing the same in the UAE. I really enjoy taking my team on excursions to experience something new and take part in saving wildlife. Tigrus recently launched Osteria Mario in Dubai Marina. What motivated the choice of location, and how does this new venture align with the company's overall mission and values? The marina is a bustling hotspot in Dubai. If you've visited our Marina branch, you'll notice that we have an extensive terrace filled with live plants and the most beautiful view, which both align with our brand as we like to be in hotspots and have plenty of space for plants. Could you share insights into the unique features that Osteria Mario offers in Dubai Marina? As mentioned, we have an extensive terrace. Unusually, we also have a dine-in, out concept for cooler months as we have had bi-fold doors fitted on the ground level so we can open them up to give guests the same open plan view of the marina up and down in the restaurant. Tigrus has ambitious plans to expand its chain to 100 restaurants. Can you share some insights into the company's strategy for achieving this growth while maintaining its commitment to sustainability? Having four restaurants in Dubai has meant our supplier database is expensive, so we've done the groundwork here to operate sustainably. We're currently exploring how to do that in other GCC countries as we grow in this region. As mentioned throughout, sustainability is a lifestyle choice that we take everywhere we go.

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JANUARY 2024

SAXO BANK

FINANCIAL

SAXO BANK ON NAVIGATING GLOBAL FINANCIAL MARKETS:

KEY TRENDS AND FUTURE VISIONS IN THE 2024 OUTLOOK The Integrator had an exclusive interview with Nicholas Wright, Head of Institutional Sales, Saxo Bank.

In the context of global financial markets, what were the key highlights and challenges that shaped Saxo Bank's performance in 2023? In 2023, we witnessed a significant shift in the interest rate environment. As you may be aware, for the past 10 years, we've been accustomed to a very low-interest-rate environment. During this period, cash, instead of being invested in bonds and interest-paying deposits, flowed into equity markets. However, this trend reversed this year. Saxo Bank experienced a notable increase, with our client assets now exceeding 100 billion, a direct outcome of the new interest rate dynamics. Concurrently, we faced a challenge of very low volatility. Given our focus on traders, volatility is beneficial for our platform. However, this year, we observed significantly lower volatility compared to the previous year, resulting in reduced overall trading activity in equity markets. This decrease in trader activity was compensated by income generated from interest rates. These, I would say, are the primary factors influencing Saxo's performance this year. Are there any specific sectors or countries in the region that stood out in terms of investment opportunities or risk throughout this year? In terms of countries, the UAE has exhibited remarkable growth, and alongside that, Saudi Arabia is undeniably

JANUARY 2024

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a market that has experienced significant expansion. The financial services sector is opening up, presenting substantial opportunities in both of these markets. Regarding industries and sectors, the fintech sector stands out prominently. Most governments in the GCC are actively promoting the evolution of their financial centers into world-leading, cutting-edge financial hubs. This has led to a significant push for firms to establish startups and delve into sectors like blockchain. These initiatives are gaining momentum in the GCC, especially in the UAE. With technologies like AI and Blockchain becoming pivotal in finance, how does Saxo Bank envision the future of this industry? AI is currently in the spotlight, capturing public attention, and we, as a bank, are actively leveraging it. Presently, we use AI to enhance digital onboarding, gain insights into client behavior, and intelligently display products

SAXO BANK

FINANCIAL

tailored to individual client needs based on their behavior. AI plays a significant role in our operations. As for the blockchain concept, it is still under discussion. There's no denying that blockchain acts as a facilitator for business. I would liken our current stage with blockchain to the late 90s with the Internet, where everyone recognized its potential but hadn't fully grasped its impact. Blockchain, being the technology behind crypto like Bitcoin, holds promise for more efficient processes in various areas such as contracts, back-office operations, settlement, and custody. Currently, blockchain is perceived as the next technological improvement, although its full potential is yet to materialize. For readers interested in online trading, what is the process when starting with platforms such as Saxo Bank? Saxo Bank is a fully digital platform. Any client seeking a digital platform would first visit our website. On our website, they will find information about the multi-asset nature of our product and details about our extremely competitive pricing. They also have the option to download a demo platform, allowing them to explore and become familiar with the platform. We provide training videos and informational resources to assist in this process. Once they feel comfortable and decide to establish a relationship with Saxo, we offer a fully digital onboarding process. The client can upload necessary documents and complete the KYC process, enabling them to effectively open an account within a couple of days. Are there any notable regulatory trends that Middle Eastern investors should be aware of as we are moving in 2024? Yes, what we have observed globally is a trend toward tighter regulation, leading to the evolution of a more controlling regulatory environment. As a regulated European bank, we are obligated to maintain the highest standards, which significantly influences our operations and the entities we engage with. From an institutional perspective, we conduct extensive due diligence on our clients, and this process is ongoing, requiring continuous efforts year after year. Recently, we completed an ODD program as a bank, where every one of our institutional clients underwent re-onboarding. The global regulatory landscape has become more stringent, and I believe it has a substantial impact on any broker operating in this region.

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JANUARY 2024

MINING GRID

FINANCIAL

BLOCKCHAIN EVOLUTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST:

REGULATIONS, STRATEGIES, AND FUTURE TRENDS

By: Solaiman Al-Rifai, Board Member, Mining Grid

he crypto landscape in the Middle East has been dynamic, with varying levels of acceptance and regulation across different countries in the region. However, the developments in the crypto space can change rapidly. The UAE announced its Digital Economy Strategy to increase the sector's contribution to the GDP by 20 per cent over the next 10 years, up from 9.7 per cent in 2022, as it seeks to leverage cutting-edge technologies and attract high-skilled talent. Amid this evolution, Blockchain technology and distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) have progressed rapidly in the last two years, moving beyond conceptualization to practical applications in various disruptive domains. While blockchain's full potential is yet to be realized, certain

JANUARY 2024

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predictions offer insights into its promising trajectory. Web 3.0, driven by blockchain, marks the third evolution of the Internet, succeeding Web 1.0 and 2.0, which aims to address issues associated with centralized control, data privacy, security, and trust that emerged during the Web 2.0 era. Notable benefits of Web 3.0 include decentralized control of user data, data ownership by individuals, permissionless services, enhanced trust and cybersecurity, uninterrupted service, and equitable distribution of value. Governments in the region may collaborate on creating a standardized approach to blockchain and cryptocurrency regulation, fostering a more consistent and harmonized environment for businesses and investors and launch initiatives for the improvement of public services and economic sectors. The global cryptocurrency market, with an estimated capitalization of $1.58 trillion (as of December 2023), is witnessing growing interest and adoption. Central bank digital currencies are evolving, expected to offer partially decentralized payment channels. The Blockchain ecosystem, particularly in the enterprise segment, has progressed significantly, focusing on commercial impact. Business networks, especially in supply chain management, are expanding, creating digital enterprise ecosystems. The integration of financial services into the Web 3.0 digital market is increasing, with a focus on customer acquisition and decentralized finance. In conclusion, the transition from Web 2.0 to Web 3.0 signifies a shift towards decentralization, driven by blockchain, distributed ledger technologies, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.