Author: Business & Lifestyle Publishing

A snapshot of all things lifestyle by Island girls Shereen Shabnam and Natasha Dury.

Nutanix is Named for the First Time in 2021 Gartner® Magic Quadrant for Distributed Files and Objects Storage as a Visionary

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Company Recognized for its Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision

Nutanix (NASDAQ: NTNX), a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, announced today it has been has been named as a Visionary in Gartner, Inc.’s October 2021 Magic Quadrant for Distributed Files and Objects Storage. This is the first time the company has been recognized in this report. Nutanix believes that the company continues to expand the use cases for its technology and the inclusion in this Magic Quadrant demonstrates how Nutanix addresses additional critical functionality for enterprises.

“We believe being named in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Distributed Files and Objects Storage is a significant recognition of Nutanix’s storage offerings, which aim to simplify and lower operating costs. Our software-defined storage provides a solution for customers looking to modernize and unify their unstructured data storage, including those not ready to move to HCI,” said Rajiv Mirani, Chief Technology Officer at Nutanix. “Of course Nutanix Files and Objects also builds on the rest of the Nutanix Cloud Platform that thousands of customers rely on for their entire compute, network, and storage needs in an easy-to-operate platform that reduces the cost of management.”

The Nutanix unstructured data storage offerings, well suited for hybrid cloud and cloud native application storage, were recognized for product ease of use, simplicity of management, and for delivering rich data analytics and security tools that help customers monitor and report on abnormal user behavior, performance anomalies, and audit trails. Customers also benefit from built-in ransomware protection with the ability to detect and block attacks. Nutanix Files and Nutanix Objects also offer existing HCI users an easy way to enable enterprise-grade software-defined distributed file or object services at any scale.

In March, Nutanix was also designated as a 2021 Gartner Peer Insights Customers’ Choice vendor for Distributed File Systems and Object Storage. Today, Nutanix Files and Nutanix Objects hold an average of 4.8 out of 5 star rating as of October 4, 2021*.

Nutanix customers frequently highlight simplicity as a key benefit to enable easier day-to-day management, faster deployment, and reduced maintenance activity. Data analytics and security are also frequently mentioned, along with flexibility, including the ability to support a wide range of deployments. Finally, customers identify a robust feature set to rival any enterprise storage system, including space reduction and efficiency technologies, integrated resilience features, and data lifecycle management capabilities.

Nutanix continues to build its offerings outside of the core HCI software, including unstructured data storage. Notably, in its most recent fiscal quarter the company saw 100+% Y/Y growth in New ACV Bookings1 from emerging products. Additionally, last month, the company announced strengthened data services for structured and unstructured data, including accelerated performance for modern analytics applications, unstructured data tiering from on-premises to cloud and a new unstructured data governance service, Nutanix Data Lens.

More information on Nutanix and a complimentary copy of the report are available at: www.nutnaix.com/gartner

1 New ACV Bookings, for any given period, is defined as the sum of the New ACV booked during the given period. New ACV is defined as the ACV pertaining to sales to a new customer, or any up-sell / expansion sales to an existing customer. Annual Contract Value, or ACV, is defined as the total annualized value of a contract, excluding amounts related to professional services and hardware. The total annualized value for a contract is calculated by dividing the total value of the contract by the number of years in the term of such contract, using, where applicable, an assumed term of five years for contracts that do not have a specified term.

Source:

Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Distributed File Systems and Object Storage,Julia Palmer, Jerry Rozeman, Chandra Mukhyala, Jeff Vogel , October 1, 2021.

Disclaimer:

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Gartner and Magic Quadrant are registered trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and is used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

*Ratings and reviews are current as of October 4, 2021. Gartner Peer Insights Customers’ Choice constitute the subjective opinions of individual end-user reviews, ratings, and data applied against a documented methodology; they neither represent the views of, nor constitute an endorsement by, Gartner or its affiliates.

GITEX 2021: Riverbed Showcases End-to-End Visibility to Deliver Actionable Insights for Customers, and Leading Network and Acceleration Solutions

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With organizations rapidly accelerating digital transformation initiatives due to the pandemic, and the dramatic market shift to cloud services, SaaS apps, and hybrid/work-from-anywhere environments, businesses are now challenged with significantly increased IT complexity. As a result, the need for end-to-end visibility to ensure the productivity and performance of the business and digital services has never been more critical.

With strong growth in its visibility portfolio over the last couple of quarters, Riverbed recently reunited with Aternity, an independent division of Riverbed, to meet customer demand and fill a void in the market for full-fidelity, end-to-end visibility for the digital and hybrid enterprise. By joining best-in-breed technologies, Riverbed | Aternity delivers the most comprehensive offering with end-to-end visibility across networks, apps, cloud, and down to the end-users to provide actionable data insights that drive real business outcomes.

At GITEX, Riverbed will use its participation at the Middle East’s largest technology event to showcase industry-leading end-to-end visibility and network and acceleration solutions. Under the theme ‘Visibility, Security and Performance for the Modern, Hybrid Enterprise’, Riverbed intends to educate customers and prospects about how they can capitalise on new opportunities, address vulnerabilities, and fundamentally rethink how their organizations and employees can thrive in a world that’s digital-first, and hybrid by design.

“Riverbed sees GITEX as one of the main trade shows in our regional events calendar and this year is especially exciting given this announcement and its implications on the expansion and augmentation of our solution portfolio. This will translate to new and enhanced capabilities in end-to-end visibility and application acceleration solutions for our customers. It also means more, innovative use cases that our channel partners can deliver through the Riverbed portfolio,” said Mena Migally, Regional Vice President, META at Riverbed.

At the show, Riverbed will co-sponsor the participation of its regional distributors – Mindware and StarLink – and will have kiosks at each of their stands. By doing so, the company aims to demonstrate its firm commitment to its channel partners. “Our intention is to educate technically proficient resellers and integrators on how they can then leverage the full scope of the Riverbed portfolio to deliver comprehensive IT solutions for the needs of the modern enterprise,” explained Migally.

Top executives from Riverbed’s regional leadership, sales, and pre-sales teams will be attending GITEX 2021. Attendees can meet them at the dedicated Riverbed kiosks on the stands of value-add distributors Mindware (E1 in Hall 3) and StarLink (C1 in Hall 1).

When Technology is a source of Inspiration

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By Shereen Shabnam

After working behind the scenes over the last few years for IoT Middle East, Digital Health Middle East and handling global technology clients on a regular basis, I never thought I would be more impressed with new innovations any more until recently when an agency selected me to moderate roundtables with industry professionals across multiple countries and representing brands that are at the forefront of new innovations.

Speaking with industry leaders in the world of technology and in the presence of CIOs from a multitude of different industries has led me to embrace the new world of workplace solutions that has helped me consolidate the way I live and work.

These days, it is possible for people to start the day with a smart toothbrush, get the car started before even getting in and control the temperature, lighting and air quality in the home and office.

During a recent AI conference, we found out more about machine learning and analysing data electronically that is not just impressive but game changing for businesses.  Automating our tasks helps save time and this impresses me most.

Plus of course the new age technologies that allow us to hold virtual meetings and seamless interactions with colleagues abroad are the order of the day especially with remote work during and post pandemic.

Currently we use applications like Whats app, skype, IMO, zoom, facebook and teams which has made communication easier and more affordable. Next week, I will be moderating a panel focused on containerisation followed by an interaction with experts offering workplace solutions globally.

The more roundtables I do for the world of technology, the more impressed I am. If you see our magazine turning into advocates of new age innovations, you know where that inspiration came from.  Let us embrace more apps and solutions that make our life that much more interesting.

#GlobalTrendMonitor  #Technology #IT #IOT #magazineUAE #magazine #mediaUAE #UAEbusiness #myDubai            

Bigger, Better, Bolder: All-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe

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Shereen Shabnam

We recently spent a week exploring the UAE with the completely redesigned Chevrolet’s iconic full-size, all-new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe which has emerged bigger, bolder and better for 2021, boasting an impressive interior and unmatched technology.

The new 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe’s off-road capability has been transformed and comes back better equipped and efficiently balances performance and practicality. It drives and feels like the most capable, most confident and most connected Tahoe than ever before after having been through a complete transformation. It combines the strongest aspects of its new full-size truck architecture with entirely new systems tailored for the needs of today’s SUV drivers and passengers.

Thanks to Chevrolet designers, the all-new Chevrolet Tahoe offers customers more choices than ever before, made possible by the new architecture. Each trim has been carefully refined for drivers to find the perfect blend of eye-catching design and premium comfort that best suits their lifestyle.

Inside the cabin, the biggest change that customers will notice is the additional space that offers comfort for all passengers, making every seat the best in house.  We found it to be a practical full-sized SUV suitable for every adventure and it delivers the smoothest ride, on and off-road.

The 2021 Tahoe optimizes performance and yet is good with conserving fuel. The updated V-8 engine comes with Dynamic Fuel Management and Auto Stop/Start tech, all mated to an advanced 10-speed automatic transmission as standard.

Inside the all-new Tahoe is unrivalled connectivity and technology, with up to five display screens in total, including an 8-inch-diagonal central color touchscreen and 10-inch-diagonal central color touchscreen on LT trim and above all in High Definition. Available are also an 8-inch-diagonal instrument cluster, 15-inch head-up display, dual 12.6-inch diagonal rear seat LCD displays, keeping rear passengers entertained through the longest drives.

Other features include HD Surround Vision and Rear Camera Mirror, Automatic Emergency Braking, Rear Pedestrian Alert, restraint system with inboard seat-side airbag and Passenger Sensing System, Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Alert, Following Distance Indicator, Front Pedestrian Detection, Rear Park Assist, Rear Seat Reminderand IntelliBeam automatic headlamp control.

The driver awareness technologies include new Rear Pedestrian Detection, Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Front and Rear Park Assist and best-in-class Head-Up Display, many of which are standard on the majority of Tahoe models.

We like that the all-new Tahoe is available with a Wi-Fi data plan for up to 7 devices, keeping passengers connected, wherever the road may lead. It is the perfect spacious and reliable SUV to have for a family adventure or even for daily use for school runs, golf weekends and in my case, retail therapy as well. The boot can easily accommodate my golf bag, gym bag, weeklong grocery shopping and still has space for enough shoes to see me through an entire week of events.

#GlobalTrendMonitor  ‪#Automotive‪ #Motoring #AllAboutWheels #ShereenBehindTheWheel #Chevrolet #Tahoe #ShereenBehindTheWheel #ShereenShabnam #WCOTY #MECOTY #WWCOTY #WWCOTYjury #MECOTYjury  #magazineUAE #magazine #mediaUAE #UAEbusiness #myDubai 

Incredible Iguazu

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Shereen Shabnam

Before the pandemic, we ventured to Argentina to get up, close and personal with the famed Iguazu Falls and while there were some great hotels closer to the natural attractions, I spent my nights in Mercure Iguazu surrounded by nature.

The hotel is located in the middle of a natural reserve and built with natural wood and stone that blends in with nature and offers guests a warm ambience. The best part of my stay was a relaxing massage at the spa and relaxation time by the infinity pool surrounded by a forest after a long day at the Cataratas.

After a good nights rest, I spent a full day at the Iguazu National Park which is a total of 55,500 hectares. Surrounded by a lush subtropical rainforest, I enjoyed the majestic Iguazú Waterfalls, the most important and spectacular waterfalls which is also one of the seven wonders of the world.

It is taller than Niagara Falls, twice as wide with 275 cascades spread in a horseshoe shape over nearly two miles of the Iguazu River. It is the most dramatic waterfalls in the world with panoramic walkways.

Via different footbridges, we visited the heart of the waterfalls, appreciating them from different angles and refreshed ourselves with the waterfall drizzle at the bottom.

On the upper circuit, we enjoyed the different viewpoints until we reached the balcony at Garganta del Diablo (Devil’s Throat). Without doubt, this is the most amazing of all falls where water falls down from 80 meters. 

At the end of the excursion, we ventured to the border, which is a stone’s throw away from Brazil and Paraguay. It is incredible to be able to step foot into three countries in one day if adventurous visitors wanted to experience it.

After a long day of exploring nature, it was a delight to come back to the comfort of the hotel. The hotel is located at the heart of the Iryapú Jungle, just 20 minutes from Puerto Iguazu International Airport and close to the region’s main tourist attractions. All the rooms offer free WiFi, balconies, LCD TVs with satellite channels, minibar, room service and hair dryers to guests.

#GlobalTrendMonitor #Iguazu #Argentina #Travel #Destination #Holiday   #magazineUAE #magazine #mediaUAE #UAEbusiness #myDubai 

Living by Design – Magical Milan

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Shereen Shabnam

All roads lead to Milan – no matter which industry I write for, somehow, I end up in Milan each year.  As Italy’s city of the future, it is a fast-paced metropolis where creativity is big business and looking good is an art form with fashion, food, art and architecture being pillars of life.

I have driven luxury cars here, visited shipyards to look at yachts being conceptualised, attended art and fashion galas, learnt how technology helps motorcycle riders perform better on racetracks and even represented my company in a science centre congress one year.

Milan has an ancient and fascinating history and is an important industrial and cultural centre with its own art collections, an interesting literary heritage and a vibrant social and music scene. It is a city where natural wonders, old world romance and ancient art merge seamlessly with new age design trends, financial hubs and urban steel.

Milan is not just a fashion capital. It attracts as many artists, artisans, and architects as possible and the city boasts an impressive, sustainable architecture with a futuristic skyline modelled by Zaha Hadid, Daniel Libeskind and César Pelli. The city is also home to new start-ups and global companies like Google, Microsoft, Alibaba and Apple.

Architecture is what I appreciate most about Milan. Buildings range from the Renaissance-style Santa Maria delle Grazie church, a Unesco World Heritage Site, to the 19th-century shopping plaza, the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. The art-nouveau townhouses come with stained-glass windows, detailed floral motifs and ornate metalwork but what fascinates me most is Bosco Verticale (vertical forest), a metropolitan reforestation project devised to regenerate urban biodiversity with trees, shrubs and plants covering luxury apartment buildings.

Art enthusiasts go to Milan for the many museums and art galleries. It is home to one of the most famous Renaissance paintings in history, Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper (1494-1498) with unrivalled collections of Italian modernism and one can see works of artists such as Umberto Boccioni and Lucio Fontana as well.

Food in Milan delights all your senses and are typically rich and hearty, with meat, risotto, pasta and pizza taking centre stage. My hosts always recommend dishes where I can sprinkle their famous local cheese on the dishes. When I am attending an event, we always start our evenings with a reception where local cheeses, freshly cut vegetables, crisps, cured meats, olives and local bread are served before dinner.

For travellers looking for great photo opportunities, the imposing gothic cathedral that took nearly six centuries to complete is the perfect backdrop. Visitors can climb up to the rooftop and have sweeping views of the city with close-up views of the menacing gargoyles and intricate spires on the building.

Retail therapy in Milan is a must as the city is home to the biggest names in the fashion industry, such as Valentino, Versace, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana, Armani and my favourite brand Missoni. I almost cried when the Missoni shop in City Walk across my home closed and I had to venture into the bigger malls to get clothes that were accessible to the masses.

Shopping in Milan is not limited to just clothes, bags and shoes. Milan’s art deco and furniture brands are trendsetters in interior design. The city is a hub for designers, with showrooms, studios and outlets welcoming international buyers all year round.

Performing arts and theatre is a big deal in Italy and Milan is no different. The Teatro alla Scala, built in 1770s is a must visit. I come from a family of theatre buffs with my husband being an award-winning theatre actor and a daughter who studied drama all her life and has attended more theatre shows than movies so the first thing we check out on a holiday is theatre shows.  Teatro alla Scala is a spectacular performance hall with red velvet, brocade and gold elements giving it a lavish ambience.

To get around Milan, try out the yellow tram which is a famous symbol of Milan. Some of the trams running in Milan are versions of the original 19th- and 20th-century designs while some come with wooden interiors, long benches and glass lamps dotted along the ceiling. You can be transported to a bygone era while exploring Milan.

Post pandemic, Milan may just be the first city we will venture to for a dose of the best food, culture, art and of course cars. You can fly there directly with Emirates Airlines or to make up for the lost travel time to different cities during the pandemic, take Turkish Airlines, stop for a few days in Istanbul and get to Milan via Turkey. It is time to discover the world again, albeit safely.

#GlobalTrendMonitor #Milan #Spain #Travel #Destination #Holiday  #magazineUAE #magazine #mediaUAE #UAEbusiness #myDubai 

Masterpiece of Style and Space: Azimut Grande 35 Metri

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By Shereen Shabnam

As yacht specialists, Azimut always delivers the best build quality and the Azimut Grande 35 Metri, the new flagship in Azimut Yachts’ most exclusive line, the Grande Collection is no different and is designed to excite the most discerning yacht enthusiasts.

Drawing on Azimut carbon fiber technology and the expertise of Stefano Righini, who defined the concept and designed the exteriors, the yacht offers unprecedented solutions for a boat this size, representing a masterpiece of style and space.

The yacht has a Wide Body with sleek exteriors and exceptionally sized full-height windows in both the bow and salon. Unique in this category is the option to add an additional sundeck (almost 30 m2) on a third level, with access from the upper deck in the stern.

The entire superstructure and hardtop are made from pure carbon fiber, which Azimut uses with great success to increase the volume of the structures, and so to offer more space and comfort, but without adding weight to the boat. Epoxy, the non plus ultra of resins, is used alongside the carbon because it has superior mechanical characteristics to the resins normally used.

With a maximum beam of 7.5 meters, the wide-body Grande 35 Metri has all the features of even bigger superyachts, like the side garage for a 5 meter tender plus a 3.25 meter jet-ski. This leaves the stern completely free for a magnificent 12 m2 beach area provided by the big pivoting swim platform.

The yacht has a second lounge or beach club area in the bow (30 m2, excluding the side walkways) and is fitted with sofas, a sun lounging area and a hydromassage tub. The spacious deck area in front the tub is in fact a platform that can be raised using an electrohydraulic mechanism to gain access to the winches and fender racks beneath. The trapezoidal bow provides plenty of space and even more comfort throughout the area during both mooring operations and navigation.

The interiors of the Azimut Grande 35 Metri are designed by world renowned architect Achille Salvagni who uses flowing lines and streamlined shapes to reinterpret various classical features from a distinctive and unmistakably contemporary point of view. The various adaptations of the design share the same guiding thread, with one matt, textured type of wood juxtaposed against a darker, polished variety.

A series of inserts in exclusive materials like treated brass, bronze and polished stainless steel characterise and contaminate the space, giving it authority and a sense of memory. The interiors are serene, calm and sophisticated in their simplicity, expressing the new approach to well-being under the banner of calm and sophistication.

They provide a neutral backdrop with unique, specially-designed furnishings that enhance and embellish, with meticulous attention to detail. The big circular sofa in the salon on the main deck defines the dynamism and originality of this living area.

The main deck has the owner’s suite with a king size central bed as the main feature around which the entire space revolves and has a private balcony and offers panoramic views. Below deck, the layout includes four guest cabins (two VIP cabins with double beds and two with twin beds), with access from a big central lobby. In the bow, in a space that is completely separate from the guest area, the quarters for the six members of crew consists of a crew mess, four cabins and four bathrooms.

No effort has been spared to make the Grande 35 Metri a paradigm of comfort. Special care has been taken over noise reduction, with the use of elastic mountings for the propulsion system transmission and the introduction of modal analysis into the design process.

The Grande 35 Metri, with two MTU 16V2000 M93 engines rated 2,400 hp each, has an estimated cruising speed of 21 knots and a top speed of 25.5 knots. It is the top of the range in the Grande Collection, representing a step forward in the search for new solutions that benefit owners in terms of their technology, design, comfort and navigation efficiency.

#GlobalTrendMonitor #Azimut #LifeOnWater #Grande35Metri #VIPMarine  #magazineUAE #magazine #mediaUAE #UAEbusiness #myDubai