Dell - Experts & Thought Leaders

Dell Technologies introduces AI innovations that help Dell and Microsoft customers simplify AI adoption, speed deployment and power demanding workloads in multicloud environments. Data protection, cyber resiliency and security advancements help joint customers strengthen their cybersecurity posture.  Data protection and services “Organisations modernising their IT strategies to support emerging workloads, like AI, need solutions that help them innovate faster, control costs and protect data across multicloud environments,” said Arthur Lewis, president, Infrastructure Solutions Group, Dell Technologies. “Our storage software, data protection and services advancements help customers in Microsoft environments accelerate their transformation efforts quickly and securely.”  Accelerating AI adoption and performance Dell Technologies expands the Dell AI Factory with solutions and services set in union with AI Dell Technologies expands the Dell AI Factory with solutions and services developed in collaboration with AI ecosystem partner, Microsoft. Dell APEX File Storage for Microsoft Azure will soon offer a Dell-managed option for organisations seeking a simplified deployment and management experience. Customers can easily meet the needs of AI workloads in multicloud environments using the enterprise-class performance, scalability and data services of Dell PowerScale, pioneering enterprise file storage from the industry’s #1 NAS company. The service delivers:   Burst capacity for performance-intensive AI workloads with an architecture designed to deliver superior performance density and scale.  Reduced management complexity with seamless data mobility and operational consistency across on-premises and cloud environments.  Faster time to data-driven insights through native integration with Microsoft AI tools.   Custom AI solutions Dell introduces new services designed to help organisations simplify AI adoption and create custom AI solutions.  Accelerator Services for Copilot+ PCs demonstrate how Copilot+ PCs can enhance productivity and efficiency with expert guidance on new features, implementation plans, best practices and more.  Services for Microsoft Copilot Studio and Azure AI Studio assist with the development and implementation of Copilot agents and AI solutions tailored to specific business needs.  Implementation Services for Microsoft Azure AI Service help customers support new business opportunities through AI application development on-premises with Azure AI services on Dell hybrid cloud solutions for Azure.    Comprehensive data protection and security   Dell Technologies unveils data protection, cyber resiliency and security innovations for Microsoft customers. Dell APEX Protection Services for Microsoft Azure will deliver Dell-managed, AI-powered cloud data protection and cyber resiliency across edge locations, remote offices and data centres. The service improves operational efficiency and resource usage while ensuring robust data protection using advanced data reduction capabilities.  Organisations can:   Enhance cyber resiliency with zero trust security including immutability, encryption, multi-factor authentication and role-based access controls.  Protect against ransomware and cyberthreats with efficient recovery options for traditional and modern workloads.   Accelerate cyber recovery with AI-powered CyberSense threat intelligence that results in up to 80% less time spent on recovery.  New security services Dell introduces new security services for Microsoft environments:   Advisory Services for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) for Microsoft help customers align their cybersecurity posture with CMMC guidelines through specific recommendations for Microsoft solutions.  Managed Detection and Response with Microsoft allows customers to focus on their core business while Dell experts monitor, detect, investigate and respond to threats 24/7 across their IT environment.    Additional comments  “Our customers are looking for ways to modernise their IT infrastructure and adopt hybrid cloud services safely and securely,” said Aung Oo, VP of Azure Storage, Microsoft. “Dell Technologies is enabling their customers to bring their existing knowledge, trusted platforms, and enterprise data to Azure to speed the adoption of critical technologies including Azure AI Services.”  Availability  Dell-managed Dell APEX File Storage for Microsoft Azure will be available in public preview beginning in the first half of 2025.  Accelerator Services for Copilot+ PCs are available now.  Services for Microsoft Copilot Studio are available now.  Services for Microsoft Azure AI Studio are available now.    Implementation Services for Microsoft Azure AI Service are available now.  Dell APEX Protection Services for Microsoft Azure will be available beginning in the first half of 2025.  Advisory Services for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) for Microsoft are available now.  Managed Detection and Response with Microsoft services are available now. 

Nutanix, a pioneer in hybrid multicloud computing, announced it has been named as a pioneer in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Distributed Hybrid Infrastructure, 2024, which Gartner describes as “offerings that deliver cloud-native attributes, which can be deployed and operated where the customer prefers." "Distributed hybrid infrastructure provides the foundation for the deployment of applications in a distributed manner that retains a cloud or cloud-inspired approach. In doing so, it improves agility and flexibility for the workloads outside of public cloud infrastructure.”  Hybrid multicloud platform Nutanix believes this award is due to the group's vision and assets in the integration of edge Nutanix believes this recognition is due to the company’s vision and investments in the integration of edge, private and public clouds, as well as having a platform that supports both cloud native and traditional applications. All this while providing unified management to help customers simplify their operations and use a hybrid multicloud platform to run applications anywhere and realise business outcomes faster. Hybrid multicloud vision “We are pleased to see this outcome and view it as validation of our hybrid multicloud vision and execution,” said Lee Caswell, SVP, Product and Solutions Marketing at Nutanix. “We are committed to the innovation, execution and support that free customers to build, manage and run secure applications and manage their associated data, including cloud-native Gen AI apps, anywhere.” New Generative AI models Nutanix provides a secure, resilient, and self-healing forum for running apps and managing data Nutanix provides a secure, resilient and self-healing platform for running applications and managing data at scale across edge, public and private cloud environments. The single solution simplifies the management of distributed hybrid infrastructure with consistent data services across a choice of Kubernetes® environments for applications of all kinds, including new Generative AI models. Nutanix also continues focusing on innovation to support customers now and in the future. Recent announcements include: joint solutions with Dell Technologies to give customer choice for traditional and modern workloads; the GPT-in-a-Box 2.0 AI solution, including integrations with NVIDIA and Hugging Face, to accelerate enterprise AI adoption; Nutanix Kubernetes Platform solution to simplify management and operations of Kubernetes clusters; and new functionality in the Nutanix AHV hypervisor to drive enterprise modernisation, and more. Nutanix customers shared "We selected Nutanix to help us modernise our IT infrastructure from our VMware legacy environment which no longer supported our growing needs.” Paul Straton, Infrastructure and Security Manager, Day Lewis. “We explored other solutions following the acquisition of VMware and after evaluating key criteria, decided Nutanix was the best option.” Asad Rehman, IT Director, Regent’s University London. “Transitioning to Nutanix from VMware simplifies our operations with a unified hybrid multicloud platform.” Jeff Mack, Manager, Network/Server Administration, Titan America. "The migration to Nutanix was one of the fastest and smoothest transitions we’ve ever experienced.” Andrew Phan, CIO, Treasure Island Hotel and Casino.

BlackFog, the pioneer in ransomware protection and anti-data exfiltration (ADX), announced it has made new appointments to strengthen its leadership team as it witnesses significant growth. John Sarantakes has joined as Chief Revenue Officer, and Mark Griffith has been appointed as Vice President of Strategic Sales. As one of its founding team members, CMO Brenda Robb has also been promoted to President of BlackFog. As executive director of the company, Brenda led the expansion of the company into Northern Ireland, where BlackFog has now established R&D headquarters. As President, Brenda’s strong leadership skills and counsel will be leveraged with BlackFog’s expansion throughout North America. BlackFog’s success “As CMO, Brenda has spearheaded our marketing and communications strategy as BlackFog has launched in new territories and markets, while building a strong brand presence for our pioneering ADX technology,” says Dr. Darren Williams, CEO and Founder, BlackFog. “Brenda is instrumental to BlackFog’s success, and I am thrilled she is taking on the role of President in addition to pioneering our marketing operations.” With over 28 years in technology sales, John Sarantakes will play a pivotal role as CRO in driving global sales through direct sales and the development of a strong channel. He will also target sales growth across State, Federal, Local Government and Education sectors. Partnerships with MSPs and MSSPs John served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development Previously at InMotion Software, John served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. He has also held positions as Executive Vice President at Headspring Systems, Senior Vice President of Sales and General Manager of EMEA at Absolute Software and National Sales Director at Dell. Mark Griffith was also appointed as Vice President of Strategic Sales at BlackFog. Griffith, who has more than 30 years of experience in strategic leadership and innovation, will lead BlackFog efforts to develop partnerships with MSPs and MSSPs, to secure customers in State, Local and Government agencies, and continue to work alongside customers on a tactical and operational standpoint. New effective solutions “We’re thrilled with the appointments of both John and Mark, and we know they will be great assets to both the company and it’s customers,” says Dr. Darren Williams, CEO and Founder, BlackFog. He continues, “Mark is a results-focused and motivated individual who will deliver unprecedented value to our team. John is a respected colleague who brings years of results-driven experience to the table, critical as we target new territories and sectors." These appointments lay the foundation for BlackFog’s next stage of rapid growth. As ransomware threats escalate, the demand for data protection and anti-data exfiltration is at an all-time high. Organisations are seeking new effective solutions to help them protect their systems and data from ransomware attacks.

Managed services provided through the cloud offer multiple advantages for system integrators. These include: Increased recurring monthly revenue: Managed services are a new business model that generates more stable and predictable income streams for integrators. Stickier customers: Managed services foster a more involved relationship between integrators and their customers, which can help boost customer retention. The cloud enables integrators to serve more sites without hiring additional technicians High gross profit margins: Cloud managed services create an opportunity for a service and technology to be purchased together, helping to generate a higher gross profit margin from the beginning of the customer relationship. They are easier to provide: The cloud enables integrators to serve more sites without hiring additional technicians. Problems can be fixed proactively: When a problem occurs on a site that is managed by a cloud-based system, the integrator can receive a real-time notification regarding the issue - possibly before the customer even notices a disruption in service. Increased valuation of business: According to a study by Dell, companies that utilise cloud, mobility, and security technologies are experiencing as much as 53 percent higher revenue growth rates compared to those who do not such technologies. Importance of cloud-based solutions The cloud also challenges integrators to educate customers on the value of the new approach The cloud also challenges integrators to educate customers on the value of the new approach. For example, the cloud changes the expense model of security systems. It allows customers to shift from a capital expenditure (CapEx) model, where large capital funding is required to purchase equipment, to an operational expenditure (OpEx) model, where the costs of the solution become an operating expense. Since the cameras, installation, storage, and software are packaged into the service, you don’t need a large capital outlay up front - you simply pay a predictable expense every month. Leveraging this difference opens new sales opportunities for integrators. The benefits of cloud services on how physical security equipment and software services can be monitored and maintained through a connected service is a particular benefit to integrators. Data monitoring and security “By having data describing the health of the system shared on the cloud, system integrators can observe data on demand and create proactive maintenance plans in coordination with the end user,” says Stuart Rawling, Director of Business Development, Pelco by Schneider Electric, and one of our Expert Panelists. A daily challenge for end users is balancing human resources used in the operation of a system “Such plans should result in increased system reliability and less downtime. If system performance data is aggregated and anonymised, it could also be used by manufacturers to analyse and form conclusions about maintenance schedules and system lifespan.” A benefit is happier customers. “A daily challenge for end users is balancing human resources used in the operation of a system and daily maintenance, with maintenance having shared responsibility with the system integrator,” says Rawling. The cloud software as a service The SaaS model gives companies the resources to improve the deep learning model" The cloud also can help to make cutting edge technologies more affordable. Economies of scale provided by the Cloud (Software as a Service, or SaaS) are making the sophisticated capabilities of deep learning affordable to a wider audience. Meanwhile, deep learning augments cloud systems with capabilities that may not be available (or affordable) in on-premise systems, thus accelerating the broader move to cloud systems. “Having a SaaS model gives companies the resources to improve the deep learning model,” says Shawn Guan, CEO and co-founder of Umbo Computer Vision, a provider of deep learning video analytics. "We can make more accurate systems that scale better and faster. SaaS enables vendors to do something great with deep learning. You don’t have to redo it for everybody. One customer benefit from another customer and all the knowledge is aggregated together.”

As technology advances, the world is becoming increasingly connected, changing the way users think about and interact with security systems, which continue to evolve across all verticals and applications. With this change comes new opportunity for security integrators; security systems are advancing, creating new needs for products and services — some of which can be met through the adoption of cloud-based service systems. Cloud technology is no longer a dreamt-up version of the future of security — it’s here. If you’re hesitant to make the move to the cloud, consider these six reasons to embrace this new technology now.Cloud technology has created an opportunity for integrators to offer managed services to their customers Increased RMR Cloud technology has created an opportunity for integrators to offer managed services to their customers, producing a new business model that generates more stable and predictable income streams. By offering managed services on a subscription basis, integrators can build a part of their business to provide recurring monthly revenue (RMR), allowing them to scale faster. This business model is especially beneficial for customers who prefer to pay a fixed monthly or yearly rate for services rather than a large upfront fee, which can help attract new business while growing revenue from current customers. Stickier customers Providing managed services fosters a more involved relationship between integrators and their customers, which can help boost customer retention. This is primarily the result of three factors. Firstly, customers who buy managed services are committed for a specified term, which helps develop an ongoing business relationship between them and the integrator. Secondly, providing managed services creates an opportunity for more customer contact — each interaction is an opportunity to build rapport and monitor customer satisfaction.While the functionalities of each system vary, their potential is evident in the cloud-based services available Third, customers who purchase managed services generally tend to do business longer than customers who purchase products or services individually; with the monthly purchase of their services on autopilot, customers get into the habit of receiving these services, which helps reduce the chance that they’ll cancel their subscription while also building customer loyalty. High gross profit margins Cloud managed services create an opportunity for a service and technology to be purchased together, helping to generate a higher gross profit margin from the beginning of the customer relationship. On an ongoing basis, cloud service platforms offer a new level of accessibility to integrators, helping to provide better insight on activity trends to identify opportunities to continuously grow their revenue through subscription-based streams. Easier to provide managed services Traditionally, serving more sites required integrators to hire more technicians to meet the needs of their growing customer base, but the cloud has helped overcome this demand. While the functionalities of each system vary, their potential is evident in the cloud-based service platforms that are available today. When a problem occurs on a site that is managed by a cloud-based system, the integrator can receive a real-time notification regarding the issue The Avigilon Blue™ platform, for example, is a powerful new cloud service platform that helps integrators address the needs of their customer sites using fewer resources by offering the ability to administer system upgrades, fixes, health checks, and camera or system settings adjustments remotely.  The Avigilon Blue platform automatically sends, and stores video analytics highlights in the cloud, which can easily be accessed from any PC browser or mobile device. This data can be used to efficiently manage customer sites and maintain the health of those sites, helping to increase speed of service and expand the capacity to have more sites up and running. Cloud service platforms have the potential to revolutionise the security industry by providing new opportunities for integrators Not only does this help integrators scale their business faster, it creates an opportunity to provide added value to the customer at a lower cost as new upgrades and services come out. Proactively fix problems before they occur In addition to automating notifications and tedious maintenance tasks, cloud service platforms help provide integrators with the information and abilities they need to keep their customer sites running smoothly. When a problem occurs on a site that is managed by a cloud-based system, the integrator can receive a real-time notification regarding the issue — possibly before the customer even notices a disruption in service. They can then identify the problem and determine whether it can be resolved remotely or requires a technician to be deployed. By having the capacity to pinpoint service needs and make certain adjustments via the cloud, integrators can streamline their customer service processes and lower their response times to provide better, more efficient service. Increased valuation of business Companies that utilise cloud technologies are experiencing as much as 53 percent higher revenue growth rates The ability of cloud service platforms to help integrators manage more sites remotely and expand their revenue through subscription-based streams offers a competitive business advantage. Security innovators have harnessed the power of the cloud to enhance integrator efficiency so that they can spare their attention, resources and effort for where it’s needed most. As a service that helps offer scalability and a high gross profit margin while requiring fewer resources to maintain customer sites, cloud service platforms have the potential to revolutionise the security industry by providing new opportunities for integrators that may ultimately increase their business valuation. According to a study by Dell, companies that utilise cloud, mobility, and security technologies are experiencing as much as 53 percent higher revenue growth rates compared to those who do not such technologies. Integrators who adopt cloud service platforms can benefit from numerous advantages — cost-saving maintenance capabilities, the potential to generate new monthly recurring revenue, and user-friendly design and data security — which make them a significant development within the industry as well as a potential lucrative new business model. The dream of cloud technology is no longer a distant idea of the future, it can become a present reality — and integrators who harness its power can reap its business benefits now.

H.265 compression continued to be a popular topic from exhibitors on the second day of IFSEC Video beyond security, compression, HD over analogue and integration were on the lips of several exhibitors at IFSEC International 2016. Strangely for a security exhibition, there were plenty of exhibitors talking about non-security applications on the second day of IFSEC International in London. For Axis Communications, Atul Rajput, Regional Director for Northern Europe, said the Internet of Things will have a big impact on security systems. Having been a leader in the IP video space, Axis is now involved in applications such as audio, intercoms and HVAC (heating ventilation and air conditioning) -- all over IP. Looking ahead, in five to 10 years, the Internet of Things will include sensors that can report back information such as environmental data and the interconnectivity in smart homes. “Now we’re involved in access control, horn speakers and retail analytics such as people-counting,” said Rajput. Over at Hanwha Techwin, a press conference highlighted one pioneering application -- using video to monitor a person’s vital signs such as breathing and heart-rate. Such a set-up could, for example, be used to monitor the wellbeing of detainees in police custody. Again today, H.265 compression was mentioned as a popular feature among exhibitors. Hanwha Techwin uses its own Wisestream compression technology in addition to H.265. The company says Wisestream can deliver up to a 50 percent reduction in bandwidth, with this rising to 75 percent if used with H.265. To put it another way, when you combine both with 4K images, the bandwidth required is the same as that for HD video. H.265 not the only compression standard in town But not everyone has been carried away by H.265. The folks at Axis use something called Zipstream compression and H.264; the thinking is that most video management systems don’t yet support H.265. Zipstream uses a dynamic frame rate that reduces the rate to its lowest when a scene is static, then increases it when there is movement or activity. Say you reduce your video storage by half, it translates into needing less hardware and less cooling, thereby reducing the carbon footprint of the end-user. Another big talking point was HD over analogue, or AHD. At Hanwha Techwin, for example, where they have a full range of AHD cameras and NVRs, they say the technology has “taken the market by storm” – especially in the UK, southern Europe and even Nordic countries. It seems existing analogue infrastructures, their ease of installation and low cost of implementation account for the high demand for this video technology. Partnerships and integration were also big themes at this year’s show, as Milestone promoted their Open Platform Community Partnerships lead to better security solutions Partnerships and integration were also big themes at this year’s show. VMS (video management system) supplier Milestone Systems announced what it describes as a “deep level partnership” with access control specialists Nedap. “Milestone always [was] an open platform company because we couldn’t do everything ourselves,” said Kenneth Petersen, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer. “We now want to take this to the next level to be an open platform community. Together with our partners, we can offer the best solutions.” Sieger Volkers, Managing Director of Security Management at Nedap, said: “The best of video management and access control will be combined into a solid, seamlessly integrated security solution. We’re committed to developing a deep integration between our access control platform AEOS and [Milestone’s] XProtect, reducing delivery risks and complexity for our mutual partners.” Hardware and software in harmony With this approach, Milestone hopes to provide more certainty about different software and hardware working well together, which should make life easier for integrators too, who are just beginning to integrate IP access control and video. A deep partnership, however, does not merely involve working together from a technical perspective but also with commercial operations such as sales and marketing. Milestone also announced a new global partnership with one of its existing partners, Dell OEM Solutions, which helps customers who have their own intellectual property to bring their technology to market. Dell will be able to fully test Milestone’s VMS and can simulate large camera systems, showing customers how their systems will perform before committing to them. Finally, speaking of VMS, AxxonSoft has brought these systems to a whole new level. The company was demonstrating what is said to be the first video transmission to a VMS from an HD-equipped drone. It incorporates a 14MP fisheye lens camera, flies at a height of up to 150 metres and can deliver images wirelessly within a 2km range. It is capable of providing video analytics and face recognition and should be available later this year.