Month: February 2021

Travel app SimplyGo and SITA complete successful trial of COVID-19-focused health data platform

Leave a comment

For the first time, a small group of air travelers flying from Germany and Estonia to the United Arab Emirates has tested the health data platform and app SimplyGo in a live environment. As part of the trial project, SimplyGo is partnering with technology provider SITA. SITA’s advanced technology platforms and experience in border management, airport, and airline operations were crucial in distributing the SimplyGo platform across continents.

Ahead of the trial, some travelers obtained negative Covid-19 results via their SimplyGo app before boarding. Another group had a positive result or did not have a test done at all. They were ultimately denied check-in and boarding. The data was then securely stored on the SimplyGo platform to be accessed by airlines and border officials authorizing boarding of the plane and eventual arrival at the destination country, the United Arab Emirates. Integration to the UAE government systems was made possible through the Advance Passenger Processing (APP) platform delivered by SITA. Integrating SimplyGo with APP forms part of SITA’s Health Protect ecosystem, simplifying and automating the inclusion of health data into existing airline, airport, and government processes.

Enable traveling again with secure data infrastructure

Both direct and connecting flights were successfully tested. Travelers were able to fly roundtrip from Munich to the United Arab Emirates and from Tallinn to the United Arab Emirates via Frankfurt. In both examples, the SimplyGo platform stored their approved COVID-19 test results, and, at the point of check-in, the traveler was approved or denied traveling by the relevant border officials using SITA APP.

Peter Bauer, the founder of SimplyGo, said: “The trial demonstrated that SimplyGo technology supports travelers and airlines in adhering to health requirements and secure systems. The app is extremely simple for travelers to use. Just a few clicks and users securely store their COVID-19 test or vaccination information, making it accessible for airlines and border officials. There’s no paperwork or bar code at the check-in needed; all data is managed securely and highly protected from fraud. This trial is the first step in rolling out SimplyGo, to help restore confidence in air travel and to ensure safer and more efficient air travel for all.”

Jeremy Springall, Vice-President SITA AT BORDERS, said: “As the technology provider for the air transport industry, we are working closely with governments, industry bodies, and border organizations globally to mitigate health risks of travel during the pandemic.  

“SITA’s Health Protect ecosystem enables interoperability and acts as a bridge between health passport schemes, airlines, airports, and governments. It comprises a suite of solutions, including SITA Health ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization), SITA APP, and SITA Flex for in-airport passenger flow monitoring. Selecting the right combination of products and integrating with a health pass system like SimplyGo, ensures governments are aware of who is intending to travel and their health status. Governments can then make informed decisions on who to allow to travel. We’re excited for the potential of SITA‘s Health Protect ecosystem to support the industry recovery in 2021 and enable safer, simpler travel experiences for passengers.”

SimplyGo integrating with global platforms

One of the founders of SimplyGo, Nortal, is a member of the Estonian consortium of IT companies involved in the joint initiative of the Estonian government and the WHO, working to provide a trusted framework for vaccination data globally. SimplyGo and the consortium are working on the global interoperability standards to enable travelers control over secure access and the sharing of COVID-19 and other medical-related data for travel purposes.

Following the trial, the deployment will be further optimized and made available for broader distribution to customers. 

Creating the new norm of traveling

With SimplyGo, travelers and the transportation industry alike benefit from a highly secure and GDPR-compliant data platform with standardized gateways and state-of-the-art technology. Only officially accredited medical providers can transmit personal data. This brings the possibility of fraud to a minimum. Personal data is under full control of the user and can always be hosted in their country of residence under respective rules and regulations. A user has to actively give access to their data and can withdraw it anytime.

‘Be Our Guest’ campaign held across three Line Investments & Property malls in Northern Emirates

Leave a comment

Line Investments & Property (LIP)malls initiates five weeks of Spend and Win promotions with Valentine’s and Mission Mars Celebrations

Dubai, UAE: The shopping mall and management division of Lulu Group International, Line Investments & Property (LIP) introduces the ‘Be Our Guest’ campaign with a number of initiatives for the month of February across three Malls in Northern Emirates, RAK Mall, Lulu Mall Fujairah and Mall of Umm Al Quwain.

The Spend and Win promotion will have 35 daily prize winners and a grand prize winner in each mall. From February 7th to March 13th, shoppers can be part of the Spend & Win promotion by spending AED 100/- at any store and AED 200/- at Lulu Hypermarket to stand an additional chance of winning.

Shoppers spending AED 100/- at any F&B outlet can double their chances of winning a daily Prize of AED 1,000/- for 35 days or win a grand prize of AED 10,000/-. The prize adds up to AED 50,000 in Tenant Vouchers and there will be Social Media Contests to give away AED 2,000 worth of vouchers as prizes.

For Mission Mars celebrations, there will be amazing photo opportunities with replicas of space shuttle and astronauts. Visitors to the Malls can attend information sessions on Mission Mars and get detailed knowledge from the experts at hand. Customers are also encouraged to take their pictures at the Mars lookalike photo wall, post them on their channels and tag the mall.

 
For Valentine’s, there will be special offers by numerous retailers and special activations in the mall on the 14th of February.  Each mall will be distributing flowers and gifts to couples and customers next to Valentine’s picture frame. People can also click a memorable picture while receiving the flowers.

The Food Festival, Valentine’s Day and the Mission Mars celebrations with two weeks of engaging entertainment will enrich the mall visit experience further, in addition to the giveaway prizes.

All Line Investments & Property Malls place great emphasis on safety measures regarding COVID-19, ensuring the public areas remain a safe place to shop and dine in.

Veeam Expands Google Cloud Partnership and Increases Public Cloud Support with Veeam Backup for Google Cloud Platform

Leave a comment

Strengthens Veeam’s commitment to hybrid cloud, providing customers with broad platform support and choice

Veeam® Software, the leader in Backup solutions that deliver Cloud Data Management™, today announced its expansion of public cloud support with the general availability of NEW Veeam Backup for Google Cloud Platform – completing Veeam’s support for all three major public cloud providers. With the majority of organizations now running hybrid or multi-cloud environments and 72% of those using public cloud currently having more than one vendor in place[1], Google Cloud is one of the top five-largest public cloud infrastructure providers worldwide[2]. With this new offering, Veeam delivers a single platform to protect, secure and manage all applications and data – cloud, virtual and physical – enabling organizations to accelerate hybrid-cloud adoption.

“Veeam recognizes the strategic importance of the cloud to our 400,000+ global customers and we are committed to providing broad platform support and choice,” said Danny Allan, chief technology officer and senior vice president of product strategy at Veeam. “As we now expand public cloud support even further with the general availability of Veeam Backup for Google Cloud Platform, we have simultaneously expanded our partnership with Google Cloud, enabling Veeam to jointly engage customers through the Google Cloud Marketplace. Additionally, with Veeam recently acquiring Kasten, customers can also acquire Kasten’s K10 datamanagement platform, purpose-built for Kubernetes, through the Google Cloud Marketplace.”

Veeam helps customers address security and data protection responsibilities by delivering Google Cloud backup and recovery to protect and secure applications and data, utilizing and automating Google Cloud-native technologies to quickly and reliably overcome any cloud data loss.

New functionality of Veeam Backup for Google Cloud Platform includes:

  • Google Cloud-Native: Simple yet powerful web UI, deployable from the Google Cloud Marketplace starts protecting data in minutes; Policy-Based Automation of Google Cloud-native snapshots for fast and frequent recovery points, and rapid full- and file-level recovery options to overcome any cloud data loss.
  • Cost Optimization: Industry-first cost calculation to align service-level objectives (SLOs) with budgets while avoiding cloud overspend; back up to Google Cloud object storage for cost-effective long-term retention and compliance.
  • Security: Overcome security threats including ransomware as well as insider threats by isolating backup data from production (cross-project/cross-region); layered security to protect against brute force attacks with multi-factor authentication (MFA).
  • Hybrid-Ready: Portable data format and integration with Veeam Backup & Replication™ external repositories enables easy recovery outside of Google Cloud; utilizes flexible Veeam Universal Licensing (VUL) to simplify license management and enable Cloud Mobility.

New Veeam Backupfor Google Cloud PlatformFREE edition (up to 10 Google Cloud workloads can be backed up with unlimited restore options and basic support) and BYOL edition (VUL with flexible Cloud Data Management and production 24/7 support) is available now in the Google Cloud Marketplace.

[1] 451 Research, part of S&P Global Market Intelligence – COVID-19 Update: 2020 Trends in Managed Services & Hosting

[2] IDC Semi Annual Public Cloud Services Tracker, H1 2020

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd Appoints 10 Communications as its Preferred PR Partner for the region

Leave a comment
Zayyen Ahmed Haider, founder and managing director at 10 Communications

Dubai based independent consultancy 10 Communications has been appointed by Check Point Software Technology Ltd as its strategic communications partner of record for the region.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd is the world’s leading provider of cyber security solutions to governments and corporate enterprises across the globe. More than 100,000 businesses and millions of users worldwide trust Check Point’s solutions to protect their business from 5th generation cyber-attacks.

“Having set industry standards for more than three decades, Check Point is at the forefront of cyber security solutions. As we move towards growing and strengthening our presence in the region, we are excited to partner with 10 Communications, who will strategically lead our communications outreach,” said Ram Narayanan, Country Manager, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. “The team at 10 Communications is highly driven and met the requirements of our stringent brief and demonstrated impeccable market proficiency. We are looking forward to this partnership and are certain with their expertise we will reach out to our customers and stakeholders.”

With strong roots in technology and strategic business communication in the region 10 Communications will manage all of Check Point’s PR operations including strategy planning roll out, events, and reputation management.

“We are immensely proud to be chosen by the leading cyber security solutions company to manage their brand communication,” said Zayyen Ahmed Haider, founder and managing director at 10 Communications. “The appointment is testimony of our capabilities and that clients value our proactive and partner-led approach along with the fresh thinking that we bring to the table. We are looking forward to a long and progressive relationship.”

Securing the Hybrid Workplace

Leave a comment

By: Jacob Chacko Regional Business Head – Middle East, Saudi & South Africa (MESA) at HPE Aruba

With CES a staple in the tech calendar for as long as I can remember, January always heralds the launch of some of the best, and at times most bizarre, devices of the year. And despite its virtual setting, this year’s show has delivered no differently.

Indeed, products “on display” at the 2021 conference included a furry anxiety robot, a home gardening machine, and smart perfume – all of which are either already available to buy or reportedly will be later this year. Good news for all the consumers who are eager to take them home and plug them into their network.

Of course, normally this wouldn’t represent any kind of problem for business leads and their IT teams – you can watch the launches with curiosity and consider each device’s merits as a consumer would. Expect this isn’t a normal year – and now it very much could be a problem.

According to Trend Micro research, more than half (52%) of global remote workers have IoT devices connected to their home network, and at least 10% are using lesser-known brands. With many such devices – especially from smaller brands – having well-documented weaknesses such as unpatched firmware vulnerabilities and insecure logins, the security implications of your corporate devices now being connected to the same network and vice versa are significant.

While I am certainly not casting any aspersions on this specific crop of CES gadgets, as the lines between work and home networks continue to blur smart home devices and their apps could represent a major weak link in corporate cybersecurity chains.

So with home working likely to remain standard practice even after the vaccine rolls out, how can you ensure your business is secure no matter where, how and what employees connect to it? And perhaps more importantly, how can you do so in a way that protects employee productivity versus simply locking them out?

The way I see it, securing the new hybrid workplace has three core requirements:

Identification – the only way to police access to your corporate network is to know what devices are trying to connect to it (either by name or behaviour), who is operating them and how and why they need to connect. With these details to hand, and the right security solution in place, you can differentiate the type of access you grant according to device or user group – full access, access to certain resource only, no access at all.   

Visibility – of course, in order to identify and segment all the devices accessing it, the network must first be able to see them. But with networks now extending across home, branch and cloud environments the picture most companies have today is fragmented at best. And this is only likely to get worse when hybrid working has employees constantly moving in and out of the office. That is why unifying your network infrastructure to ensure a single-pane-of-glass view is such an important step. After all, you can have the smartest technologies running on your network, but if they aren’t seeing the full picture then they can’t function 100% effectively and you’re still leaving yourself open to dangers.  

Automation – even with all this visibility, the sheer volume of devices now connecting to the network makes manual intervention to enforce any access policies practically impossible. Many IoT devices are operating around the clock and have the potential to “go bad” at any time – regardless of whether it is during work hours or not.

With AI you can develop policies that leverage context, such as the user role, device type, and location to make quick, accurate and automated decisions about how to react to anything out of the ordinary. That means that when an IoT device joins a network or starts to act suspiciously, it can be automatically quarantined (to borrow a topical word), keeping the rest of your corporate traffic separate and secure.

As we head deeper into 2021, security requirements might be getting more sophisticated, but so are the solutions available to meet them. We know hybrid working is coming, so why not take the time now to get your security prepared for everything this will mean.

By setting up comprehensive visibility as an essential foundation, and then building machine learning and artificial intelligence on top your business can stay one step ahead of, and reduce, the threat of the home-connected IoT device – and much more besides.

Absolute Elegance: The 40M Sunreef Explorer

Leave a comment

By Shereen Shabnam

Sunreef Yachts are cruising worldwide and considered to be the world’s leading designer and manufacturer of luxury sailing and power multihulls. Each custom-made yacht is designed in great detail for the most demanding customers and delivers the best in comfort, style and safety.

The company is now the world leader in the design and construction of large, customized luxury catamarans and have recently introduced the 40M Sunreef Explorer.

The 40M Sunreef Explorer is a versatile multihull craft dedicated to discovering new horizons. Her propulsion options allow for transoceanic range and solid performance in rough seas.

Blending elegance and modern technology, the 40M Sunreef Explorer can be heavily customized to match ambitious navigation plans. The extended aft deck houses a launching crane, a 7m tender, two jet skis and storage for a variety of water toys. With the hydraulic aft platform lowered, guests can enjoy a full-beam private beach.

The superyacht’s 13,34m beam provides for immense living areas totaling 654m² with accommodation spread across three decks. Custom features available for this concept include a playroom with a self-leveling pool table, a steam room or a master suite with a private fold-out balcony.

Alfresco relaxation areas include a large sun lounge with a spa pool surrounded by oversized sunpads and a bar as well as a vast bow terrace.

With Sunreef Yachts, every yacht boasts high-performance sailing, luxurious accommodation, vast living spaces, extravagant and innovative design features. 

WatchBox ME Celebrates Valentine’s Day with #Timeforlove

Leave a comment

What to gift your valentine when horology is your love language

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, couples are in search for the perfect gift for their significant other. She lights up when she receives flowers, he favours powerful cologne, but you know what they would really love? Precious time together. If horology is your love language, WatchBox ME is the source to discover the timepieces of your dreams.

Commemorate the special day of connection with a permanent memory built to last lifetimes, for him and for her.

The world’s leading platform for buying, selling, and trading pre-owned luxury watches have thought outside the box when it comes to celebrating love this season. WatchBox ME “Time for Love” has challenged three couples on their knowledge of their relationships, with time-based Q&As to examine how well they know each other. Complex mechanics make our hearts beat fast, but so does competition. Some questions were fun, some were confusing, and others just plain difficult, creating the dynamic for anticipation and surprise. A relatable game for any couple to enjoy at home, turn back the clock with fond memories because it’s #TimeForLove. Watch the full videos on WatchBox Studios YouTube Channel.

Make 2021 the Year of Healthy, Glowy and Lit from Within Skin

Leave a comment

**Refresh your skin using Martiderm for your daily routine **

A skin care routine is something that needs to be constant, even at times when your daily schedule may seem packed. Having a structured routine will stand you in good stead on the quest for healthy, glowing skin and help combat any skin concerns you may have. If you are looking for some new products to up your current regime, Martiderm is at hand and will ensure your skincare routine is taken to the next level. Whether you are looking to resolve any anti-ageing issues, or achieve a fresh-faced look, Martiderm’s product range is backed by pioneering formulas that are effective for each person’s skin requirements.

We are all on the lookout for products that can benefit us, but it’s important to simplify our selection to ones that are specifically targeted to the area of concern. Here are a few products that we would recommend adding to your daily skincare routine:

Martiderm Pigment Zero DSP- Renovation Cream 340 AED

Martiderm Pigment Zero DSP- Renovation Cream – AED 340

This is the most effective treatment for unifying skin tone and removing facial blemishes. The formula contains depigmenting principals that have a high skin tolerance, making it a very appropriate treatment for all skin types.

MartiDerm 3 in 1 Micellar Cleansing Solution – AED 220

This beautiful micellar water gently cleanses the skin and keeps it hydrated. The formula is enriched with antioxidants to keep the skin protected and it also offers repairing activity. It perfectly cleanses the skin, preparing it for the other products along with your beauty ritual.

Martiderm Flash Serum – AED 260

This serum instantly brightens the skin with an immediate boost of radiance and hydration. Ideal to use. It is ideal to use in the morning when your skin must look its best and is the perfect base for makeup. It has an instant lifting effect due to a powerful combination of peptides, visually reduces dark sports and will help the skin with firmness.

Martiderm Platinum Expression Gel – AED 380

This wonder-gel helps to redensify and soften expression wrinkles in the area around the eyes and lips. It has a relaxing effect with active ingredients that release muscle tension, minimizing expression lines. It acts on the forehead, the eyebrows and nasolabial folds with a Botox-like effect and is a natural alternative to such aesthetic medical treatment.

Martiderm Black Diamond Ionto-Lift Eye Contour – AED 500 

This treatment works for deep facial contours and has a tightening and firming effect, which uses Iontophoresis technology that reduces wrinkles around the eyes immediately. It penetrates deep into the skin leaving the surface of the skin thoroughly hydrated.

This year, it’s all about looking refreshed and natural! If you focus on the right products, you will be able to embrace your skin and see results quickly. Go minimal and enjoy maximum benefits for glowing and clear skin!

A MASTERPIECE OF ART AND MARINE ENGINEERING: MAGELLANO 25 METRI FROM AZIMUT YACHTS

Leave a comment

By Shereen Shabnam

Azimut Yachts new Magellano 25 Metri is created in partnership with the internationally renowned artist and architect Vincenzo De Cotiis, who brings his unmistakable signature style to the interiors, while Ken Freivokh is behind the timeless elegance of the chic and sophisticated exterior lines.

The yacht makes extensive use of carbon fiber and draws on the latest technological developments, including an active air sanitizing system based on a NASA patent and the Hotel Mode option that guarantees prolonged stops at anchor at zero emission.

To offer long-range cruising in the utmost comfort and safety, even in rough seas, Magellano 25 has been designed with a special fuel-efficient Dual Mode hull. The partnership with Vincenzo De Cotiis springs from the brand’s desire to reach a new milestone by creating for the first time ever a yacht that isn’t a container for art, but a work of art in its own right.

For Magellano 25 Metri, De Cotiis used a special type of resin and thanks to an elaborate artisanal process, the result of multiple layers and embellished with a bronze powder, he has given life to surfaces of parchment colour, characterized by a pleasant clouded effect and inclusions that in somehow recall those typical of some precious stones.

The “artistic fiberglass” is joined by other materials and types of wood to create a highly appealing play of contrasts: brushed Verde Alpi marble, dark walnut wood, carpet, polished brass, lacquered wood and ribbed wood.  The furnishings feature flowing shapes and a lot of effort has been put into creating a sense of continuity expressed by seamless, curving lines.

The interior furniture recalls the shape of the dry bar outside creating an indoor-outdoor connection in order to get the sensation of a unified space overlooking the sea. Still on the Main Deck, the stairway is clad with mirrors to “dematerialise” it and, by reflecting the light, the view of the sea became an inner part of the yacht.

Artificial light is a key element, with a lighting system designed to create a soft, warm mood. The carefully thought-out light design created by the artist involves not only lamps and classic ceiling spotlights, but also and even the sofa bottoms to give the furniture the appearance of “being suspended”.

In the night area on the Lower Deck there are four cabins, including two VIPs, one double and one with sliding double beds. In the owner’s suite, thanks to the inclined position of the walk-in closet, the space extends out, while the mirror coating makes the volume disappear and reflects the light and the starboard panorama, creating highly suggestive changing optical effects. All the fabrics on board are by Loro Piana Interiors.

The crew quarters are independent, with direct access from the galley to avoid interference with guests’ movements and ensure a high level of privacy. Ken Freivokh offers his own personal take on exterior styling based on the concept of timelessness, driven by the desire to create an object of evergreen beauty and appeal, far from fleeting fashions and passing trends. The central element around which the entire design revolves is the fully-glazed superstructure, created to convey the feeling of a penthouse overlooking the sea. The standout features include the non-slip surfaces on the transom and the retro-style windows in the hull.

The yacht’s silhouette is given even more personality by the slatted teak panels on either side aft of the deckhouse. The elegant spiral staircase leads up to the Fly Deck, where the hard top is supported by a minimalist central mast. The almost vertical bow underscores the remarkable seaworthiness of this model.

The bow area can be experienced differently depending on the various times of the day as a sunbeds and lounge area, while the stern, thanks to a pivoting hatch mechanism, offers the charm of an Infinity Terrace from which to contemplate the charm of the sunset without any visual impediment.

The Dual Mode hull, designed by the firm led by Pierluigi Ausonio, ensures safe and comfortable cruising even in rough seas. The double shaped chine joint with a skeg reduces consumption at different cruising speeds and cushions wave impact. As these features show, Magellano 25 Metri has been designed for long-range cruising even in unfavourable sea and wind conditions.

The yacht is fitted with two MAN engines rated 1,400 horsepower each (or alternatively 1,550 HP), with V-Drive in-line transmission. Stabilization is provided by a Humphree electric fin system. The yacht has a top speed of around 24/25 knots and a cruising speed of 21 knots.

Forever Innovative: Riva 88’ Folgore

Leave a comment

Edited by Shereen Shabnam

The new Riva sport-fly, an exciting combination of innovative vision and legendary style is a product of collaboration between Officina Italiana Design, the firm headed by Mauro Micheli and Sergio Beretta that designs the entire Riva range, the Product Strategy Committee led by Piero Ferrari and Ferretti Group’s Engineering Department.

Only Riva has the history, inventiveness, appeal and inspiration to create a boat that anticipates the future but is permeated by the evocative mood of tradition. The production and creative capacity of the shipyard, which has continued to maintain its stability and vitality in 2020, has been exploited to the full to realise a sport-fly of dazzling beauty, a groundbreaking mixture of style, technology and innovative materials.

The 26.92 m (88.4 ft) long and 6.31 m (20.8 ft) wide Riva 88’ Folgore introduces novelties in the exterior and interior design, in the ergonomics, and in the materials used, combining them with the classic hallmarks of Riva’s legendary history.

Built from composite materials, with carbon fiber reinforcements in the superstructure, Riva 88’ Folgore is entirely focused on efficiency, with a design developed specifically to embrace materials like marble, crystal glass and stainless steel, but without affecting performance.

Turning to the design, the course set by Officina Italiana Design with the Dolceriva continues to hold true: the new design of the hull windows, reminiscent of a black brushstroke along the silver side of the yacht, rises towards the deck and meets an original and innovative hull-deck coupling system, where the stern area makes space for a steel-edged air intake.

The iconic mahogany and steel detailing, combined with carbon fiber elements, epitomises the perfect balance between past and present that has typified Riva boats in recent years. This is the merit of a sophisticated functional design, as can be seen in various elements, including the navigation lights framed in polished stainless steel, or the continuous aquamarine waterline.

 The walkway handrails are also carbon fiber and steel, with a section on the starboard side that also acts as the handle for the access door to the interior. Making this boat even more unique is the innovative windscreen, manufactured with spherical crystals that result in a slight counter-curvature, a detail that looks set to become a Riva hallmark.

Another innovative style feature is the glass roof in the superstructure, which swings open both towards the stern and the bow, to allow fresh air in either when cruising or at anchor. Under the roof is a slatted structure that separates the interior and exterior spaces if desired. The standard solution is a fixed roof.
The first unit has a Shark Grey hull with Bright Black detailing, classic colours in the Riva tradition of recent years.

This first Riva 88’ Folgore unit is fitted with a pair of MTU 16V 2000 M96L engines rated 2,638 mhp, for a top speed of 39 knots and a cruising speed of 33 knots. The standard propulsion solution is a pair of MTU 16V 2000 M96 engines rated 2,435 mhp, which drive the yacht to a top speed of 36 knots and a cruising speed of 30 knots.