Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) and Nexus Switching Platform deliver Cost Savings, Operational Efficiency and Consolidation

The development supports du's competitive edge in cloud-based security offerings for businesses in the UAE

Dubai, UAE, 13 Feb 2013 - Cisco today announced that du, the fastest growing telecommunications service provider in the UAE, is deploying the foundation layer for its virtualized infrastructure based on Cisco Unified Computing System (UCS) and Cisco Data Center Switches. This comes as a move to bolster du's position as a provider of competitive cloud-based security solutions for UAE businesses.

With cyber threats continuing to be a major concern, globally, du utilizes a number of systems to provide the intelligence to keep its core assets and customers safe from attack. The virtualized environment will enable du Technology Security Risk and Fraud Management team to build a scalable and operationally efficient hosting environment for its Security management systems.

A Cisco Unified Data Center changes the economics of the data center by unifying storage, networking, virtualization, and management into a single platform. The result is operational simplicity and business agility - essential for cloud computing and deploying IT as a service. For du, the Cisco UCS platform will also incorporate VMware solutions, to deliver an integrated solution designed to enable them to realize the full promise of virtualization, and also providing superior manageability, security, performance, business agility, and cost savings.

Highlights/Key Facts:

·        For rapidly changing business demands that require a fast response, Cisco Unified Computing System delivers a smart, programmable infrastructure that simplifies and speeds enterprise-class application and service deployment in bare-metal, virtualized and cloud-computing environments.
By integrating Cisco servers and network into one system, Cisco UCS improves enterprise application availability and performance whilst streamlining data center resources to reduce total cost of ownership.
du always strives to be recognized as a green service provider ensuring that it contributes to a sustainable future for the UAE, as well as rationalising both operational and capital expenditure.

·        The Cisco UCS platform will help du to deliver this goal by radically reducing the number of devices requiring setup, management, power, cooling, and cabling.

·        Cisco UCS and Nexus platforms are the corner stones for building next generation datacenters that allow for energy efficient use and reduced operation cost and complexities. Server, network, storage, and application virtualization present challenges because a server must host multiple applications with different security, compliance policy, and service-level requirements.

·        Cisco's solution has enabled du to increase its infrastructure operational efficiency and increased the agility of virtualized service provisioning.

Executive Quotes:Walid Kamal, Senior Vice President, Technology Security, Risk and Fraud Management, du
"Making our first step towards virtualization and consolidation is a part of our vision towards cloud-based security services. We have achieved this with the support of Cisco in deploying virtualization for one of our core security services. We now intend to move towards cloud-based architecture for all our internal and external security service offerings, addressing all our key security requirements, achieving operational efficiency, gaining significant competitive advantage and subsequently reducing the time to market. With this development, we are able to strengthen our portfolio of cloud-based security offerings for UAE-based businesses, to add to our competitive edge."

Rabih Dabboussi, Managing Director, Cisco, UAE
 "Being one of the leading Service Providers in the UAE, we are immensely pleased that du understands how Cisco is uniquely positioned to lead its transformation to the next generation Data Center with a new architectural approach. The Data Center is transforming into an agile and efficient networked environment providing access to every device to any content, everywhere. Subsequently, virtualization has created a unique opportunity to create a more agile and efficient infrastructure and Cisco's Unified Computing System is a next-generation data center platform that unites compute, network, storage access, and virtualization into a cohesive system that reduces  TCO, increases business agility and improve energy efficiency."

-Ends-

·        Find more information about UCS visit: http://www.cisco.com/en/US/partner/solutions/ns340/ns517/ns224/ns944/unified_computing.html
·        Middle East News: http://www.cisco.com/web/ME/about/news/index.html

About Cisco:
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Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

About du
We opened for business in 2006. We offer mobile and fixed telephony, broadband connectivity and IPTV services to individuals, homes and businesses. We also provide carrier services for businesses and satellite up/downlink services for TV broadcasters.

As a rapidly-growing enterprise, we have over 2,000 people working to enhance and expand our bouquet of service offerings. Our people come from over 60 countries - we mirror the rich cultural diversity of our nation, while being able to serve our customers in a variety of languages.

Over 50% of our senior management team and customer-facing employees are UAE nationals, and we remain committed to providing fulfilling opportunities for quality talent in a cosmopolitan working environment.

By the end of Q3 2012, more than 5.96 million people and over 50,000 businesses have chosen to use our services. In a survey conducted by ARC Chart, we were named the Best Mobile Broadband Network 2012 in the Middle East and Africa region. We also ranked first in MENA's Standard & Poor/Hawkamah Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Index in 2011.

du is 39.5 percent owned by Emirates Investment Authority, 20.081 percent by Mubadala Development Company PJSC, 19.5 percent by Emirates Communications and Technology LLC and the remaining stake by public shareholders. du is listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) and trades under the name 'du'.

For further information, please contact:
Saugat Chatterjee
Public Relations Manager
Brand & Communications
du
Mobile: +971 55 9367045
Email: saugat.chatterjee@du.ae

Reka Sepsy
LeoComm PR
Tel: +971 4 367 6154
Mobile: +971 55 220 68 20
Fax: +971 4 367 2615
Email: reka.sepsy@leocommpr.com

© Press Release 2013