Huawei focuses on channel success at Gitex partner salon

With pre-installed and pre-integrated software, the Mini VDI is an on-site configuration that can be implemented in just one hour.

It gives SMBs affordable and accessible access to cloud technologies, complementing the range of Huawei server and storage solutions offered by Huawei channel partners as well as the cloud computing products available to medium and large-sized enterprises.

Giving SMBs easier access to cloud solutions allows them to access previously unreachable IT resources at a fraction of the cost and compete on a bigger scale. Huawei is providing 100 demonstration machines so that channel partners can demonstrate the benefits of Mini VDI effectively to their customers.

Dong Wu, vice president, Huawei Enterprise Middle East, commented, "Partners attending the Channel Partner Salon have had the opportunity to review with us where their business strategies fit into the overall Huawei Enterprise picture and learn how they can get involved in the exciting programmes we have lined up this year and beyond. We are delighted to welcome our long-standing partners to Dubai, as well as newer additions to our core community of trusted and valued partners. With the SMB market playing such a significant role in spurring economic growth in the region, we were delighted to showcase Mini VDI and our commitment to making cloud technology available to a broader range of businesses."

Earlier in the week at Gitex, IDC unveiled the findings of a white paper sponsored by Huawei Enterprise outlining the challenges IT professionals face in the Middle East and the case for VDI. The whitepaper conclude that most organisations in the GCC are unaware of the benefits of VDI, and that technical staff in the GCC spend much of their time at their desks, recovering data and handling system crashes.

With investments in hardware accounting for about a third of an organisation's spending in the Gulf, a benefit of VDI is a reduction in hardware refresh costs, by using thin clients that have up to two-to-three times the average life of traditional desktops.

Dong Wu continued, "With cost reduction cited by 53% of respondents to the IDC survey as being the biggest driver of adoption of the private cloud model, which bears close resemblance to VDI, the our new mini VDI solution helps small businesses access IT resources at a fraction of the cost, freeing up valuable staff time to focus on other management priorities and enabling budget to be spent on strategic IT projects. Attendees at Cloud Confex this week heard our customer the Higher Colleges of Technology in Abu Dhabi testify to these benefits, sharing their story about the impact of the recently deployed cloud virtual desktop infrastructure solution on students and teachers alike. We are sharing this customer success story with our partners attending the Partner Salon, as concrete examples like these will help them educate and persuade SMB customers about the tangible benefits of VDI."

Partner Salon attendees were welcomed by Zhang Lu, President of the Huawei Enterprise Channel Business, Global Markets, before receiving an update on Huawei's channel development strategy for the region from Dong Wu, Vice President of Huawei Enterprise, Middle East.

Zhao Shu Gang, Director of Channel Business, Huawei Enterprise Middle East, provided an update on Huawei products and solutions before Andrew Childs, Principal Consultant, Huawei Enterprise Middle East, addressed evolving ICT trends in the region. Ismail Khan, Regional Channel Manager, Huawei Enterprise Middle East, then outlined the Huawei channel partner support and training programmes available.

Huawei (whose primary display stand is located in the Gulf Comms area, Za'abeel Hall, Stand-E13 and who are also in the Cloud area, Hall 6, Stand CLD4) is showcasing its comprehensive portfolio of ICT solutions at Gitex.

These include new offerings for data centres, cloud computing, enterprise networking and wireless, as well as Unified Communication & Collaboration (UC&C), video conference and telepresence solutions. The Huawei Enterprise Business has invested heavily in developing its Middle East customer base since its inception just over a year ago.