Sharp Middle East innovated its new range of Multi Function Printer (MFP) solutions with the introductio of Open System Architecture (OSA) – Network Scanner Tool (NST). Sharp OSA is a powerful platform for automating document-related workflow. It transforms the Sharp MFP into hub for all existing applications – making document management systems, reporting functions, internally developed programs, and much more accessible directly from the touch-screen control panel. Read More…

SonicWALL announced availability of the SonicWALL SSL VPN 5.5 firmware for the Secure Remote Access (SRA) Series. The release significantly enhances SonicWALL’s market-leading SSL VPN technology with the introduction of spike licensing, which enables network administrators to quickly and automatically increase the concurrent user capacity of their remote access solution during disaster situations. SonicWALL also offers new features that continue to innovate Web Application Firewall (WAF) technology to help companies meet PCI compliance requirementsand deploy outbound Data Loss Prevention (DLP) withadvanced web application security.Read More…

Iomega, an EMC subsidiary signed Jumbo IT Distribution, the distribution arm of Jumbo Electronics as its in-country B2B distributor for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to insure that its B2B products and solutions are readily for System integrators, Surveillance SMB market, SMB Resellers and VARs in the UAE. Cizar Abughazaleh, regional director for the Middle East, Africa and Turkey at Iomega, said, “We are focusing on the SMB channelRead More…

Brother Gulf expects to corner the big part of US$ 7.6 billion region’s fast growing printer market segment by achieving a growth rate of 22% by 2012 in the Middle East region. According to Brother, the release of their latest lines of digital copier printers (DCPs) and multifunction centres (MFCs) will act as key drivers in achieving the set growth target and are being packaged as perfect accompaniments for small office / home offices (SOHOs), small & medium businesses (SMBs) and small workgroups of up to 25 users.Read More…

Fortinet, a leading network security provider and the worldwide leader of unified threat management (UTM) solutions – announced the introduction of FortiClient, an endpoint software agent that enables organizations to deploy business practices requiring secure remote access connectivity for its distributed and mobile workforce, contractors and partners. As an all-inclusive remote access security solution, FortiClient optimizes an organization’s security posture, helps organizations meet regulatory and legal requirements and helps enforce corporate compliance policies to prevent unauthorized devices from accessing the corporate network.
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Drobo, makers of the award-winning data storage products for businesses and professionals, recently announced corporate momentum and growth across hiring, partners, and customers, as the market readies for a wave of new storage companies, called Storage 3.0 by a leading industry analyst. Recently, Drobo introduced a new business line custom built for small and medium businesses (SMB), completed two key executive hires and achieved record year-on-year growth and sales levels.Read More…

McAfee recently announced the launch of the SMB Specialization within the McAfee SecurityAlliance program (MSA) to enable partners to improve profitability while addressing the unique needs of SMB customers. McAfee SMB specialization is a program that enables partners to sell targeted security solutions to customers with less than 250 employees. By enrolling in this, partners can offer their customers email, web, data and endpoint security solutions, with on-premise or SaaS delivery models. Also, program partners can take advantage of a monthly billing option, a full range of enablement tools, turnkey marketing programs, and dedicated resources. Read More…

ChannelTech Middle East and Africa (CTMEA) talks to Andy Zollo, vice president, SonicWALL EMEA on the vendor’s plans to pioneer new initiatives in the MEA region. A lot has been said about 2011, what is SonicWALL’s main focus for the MEA channel this year? SonicWALL views the Middle East and Africa region as the fastest growing geography that the company covers and that’s why we have put in and will continue to invest in the channel in this emerging market. The investments we have been making relate to technical resource and support, as well as marketing and brand awareness channel initiatives. For instance, we’re just starting a technical resource in Saudi which will be established soon and provide on the ground in-country support. We’re also looking for a direct touch because, as we expand into the enterprise market and we need more of that customer touch ourselves so that the channel should deliver on the opportunity. It’s all about providing comprehensive support to our channel ecosystem and getting the balance. Overall, the partner landscape needs to be balanced with distributors to improve our market reach and base. They’re two types of distributors we engage with and these are typically those who adopt the SMB range of products and enterprise focused partners that engage with top tier system integrators, VARs, and solution providers. We have a clear global two tier channel policy and everything goes through the channel. Even as we deploy direct touch, the channel can be reassured that everything goes through distribution and all those direct touch initiations are passed on to channel partners to fulfill the deals.Read More…

NETGEAR has been ranked as a global leader in the Network-Attached Storage segment in the latest ‘Market Share: Network-Attached Storage (NAS) / Unified Storage Worldwide 2010’ report released by leading IT research firm, Gartner. The report shows the global NAS market grew by 37.4 per cent in 2010, which translates to total revenue of over AED 13.6 billion. NETGEAR ranked number one in global vendor revenue share for NAS/unified storage systems priced under AED 18,400; number four for NAS / unified storage systems under AED 92,000 and ranked eighth in the NAS / unified systems overall segment.Read More…

NEC announced the launch of its new SL series of smart communication servers in the Middle East. Specifically directed at smaller businesses, the SL is an intelligent cost-effective telecommunication solution that packs affordability, efficiency, IP-telephony and ecology all into one. It is equipped with the capabilities to adapt to the needs of any small organisation.
The new SL series offers extreme value for money. Meeting the needs of the increasingly mobile workforce, a mobile phone can be designated as the answering terminal when users are away from their desk or the office.
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Riverbed Technology an IT performance company, has introduced three new Riverbed Whitewater cloud storage gateway models designed to optimise data protection. Whitewater will now allow a wider range of organisations, including small and medium businesses (SMBs), to take advantage of the benefits of cloud data protection. The new Whitewater models 510 and 710 are purpose-built for SMBs, while the Whitewater model 2010 is designed for the mid-sized enterprise and targeted use cases in the large enterprise.
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HP signed a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the assets of Printelligent, a closely held provider of managed print services (MPS). The infrastructure, software and trained workforce of Printelligent, combined with HP’s channel relationships, experience and broad base of services and solutions will strengthen HP’s leadership in MPS. This acquisition, combined with HP’s current assets, also will help HP’s channel partners extend their customer relationships while recognizing new revenue streams.Read More…