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Techday NZ
8 hours ago
- Business
- Techday NZ
FieldEx boosts efficiency & security with Datadog platform
FieldEx, a Malaysian B2B SaaS startup serving organisations in Asia-Pacific and Africa with equipment tracking, inventory management, job assignment, maintenance scheduling, and repairs through a single platform, has reported a significant boost in operational efficiency and a reduced risk of downtime following the deployment of Datadog's monitoring and security platform. The company, operating across sectors including construction, telecommunications, and financial services, experienced rapid growth that intensified strain on its systems and underscored the need for a robust observability solution to assure reliability and pre-empt issues before they affected services. With Datadog, FieldEx achieved a 30 per cent uplift in operational efficiency and saw measurable improvements in the speed of issue detection, acknowledgement, and resolution. Identifying the need FieldEx Chief Architect and Security Officer Vijay Dharmaraj explained that the company's rapid expansion increased both data complexity and the risk of outages. "Our rapid expansion led to a surge in traffic, data complexity and ultimately the risk of downtime. Disruptions, even for a minute or two, impact our customers' mission critical operations," he said. "We recognised we needed a modern observability solution that could help us maintain customer trust, ensure service reliability, and proactively identify issues before they impact end users. This is where Datadog fits in beautifully – it caters to both our platform uptime target of 99.9 per cent availability, and provides deep insights that allow us to finetune the system and strengthen both our platform reliability and our overall cybersecurity posture." The platform processes more than 15 terabytes of data per week as a result of FieldEx's user growth. Following the transition to Datadog, the startup streamlined system monitoring, enhanced stability, and automated incident alerting, alleviating the monitoring burden previously carried out manually by its engineers. Operational gains "This stability and real-time visibility have directly improved customer trust and accelerated our Go-To-Market strategies," said Dharmaraj. With Datadog, mean time to detect issues improved by 92 per cent, dropping to less than two minutes. Mean time to acknowledgement fell by 75 per cent to 10 minutes, while mean time to resolution decreased by 56 per cent to 42 minutes. FieldEx reported that these gains allowed engineering teams to refocus on product development and market initiatives, rather than monitoring tasks. Initially adopted by FieldEx's security team, the Datadog platform is now used across engineering and quality assurance departments, equipping them for system validation and troubleshooting. The adoption of Datadog Workflow Automation, integrating tools such as email, Slack, and PagerDuty, has streamlined incident response. Application Performance Monitoring (APM) has revealed system performance bottlenecks, providing actionable insights to address these issues. Dharmaraj emphasised the additional value brought by Datadog's security tools: "Datadog's Security Analytics Indexed Logs alongside Sensitive Data Scanner reinforce FieldEx's layered cybersecurity defence by delivering real-time threat detection, identifying sensitive data exposure, and supporting both data loss prevention and regulatory compliance." Security and visibility Operating in multiple markets, FieldEx required 24/7 oversight. "Previously, engineers relied on DevOps to access and relay production metrics," said Dharmaraj. "Datadog not only democratised access to critical operational data, but also enhanced our security posture by eliminating the need for direct system logins – giving our team secure, real-time visibility into vital production metrics and logs." With automated monitoring in place, FieldEx engineers have shifted from manual, routine checks to more strategic projects, resulting in an improved focus on developing new features for customers. Dharmaraj likened the enhanced monitoring capability to a supervisory role over the company's technical infrastructure: "Datadog brought in a 'watch-tower'-like visibility across FieldEx's server infrastructure, instilling a deep sense of operational stability as every inch of the overall system is being monitored and anomalies instantly flagged." "It's a fantastic tool that knows every moving part in your infrastructure," he said. "It alerts you in advance and helps you to get to the bottom of the issue at lightning speeds." Future plans Looking ahead, FieldEx intends to further leverage Datadog's platform by integrating On-Call, Real User Monitoring (RUM), and exploring other advanced features from the suite. Rob Thorne, Vice President for Asia Pacific and Japan at Datadog, noted the demand for cohesive oversight amongst fast-growing firms. "FieldEx's rapid expansion has resulted in a challenge common to successful start-ups: complexity at scale. Deploying the Datadog platform has granted FieldEx a comprehensive observability strategy through a unified dashboard, helping it create stability and cohesion through real-time visibility, and simultaneously supporting its security posture. The company can now understand its expanding technology footprint and resolve issues before they are felt by its teams and customers."
Entrepreneur
20 hours ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
You've Earned a Break (And 10 Bottles of Wine)
Choose every bottle and get them shipped to your door for less than $9 apiece. Disclosure: Our goal is to feature products and services that we think you'll find interesting and useful. If you purchase them, Entrepreneur may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. You've handled back-to-back meetings, client curveballs, and a never-ending Slack thread—and it's still not the weekend. If "I could use a drink" is basically your internal monologue, this choose-your-own wine bundle might be the most rewarding thing you've done for yourself all month. You know a good deal when you see one, so how does this sound? For less than $9 each with shipping, you can hand-select every bottle from choices like reds, whites, rosés, dry, sweet, domestic, or international, and have them shipped right to your door. No subscription required. Redemption is so simple Start by buying your wine deal here, heading to Swirl Wine Shop's website, and selecting your 10 bottles. Maybe some cabernet from Chile, a red blend from France, or rosé from Italy? Don't worry about how much each individual bottle costs, because this voucher will make your total come to $59 no matter what. Then, head to checkout, enter your voucher code, and pay the $29.95 shipping fee. We know, this sounds kind of like a lot, but each bottle still comes out to less than $9. Musician Tom Petty said it best with, "The waiting is the hardest part," as you anticipate the delivery. Make sure you or someone 21 years of age or older will be around to sign for the delivery. Celebrating Friday nights, landing new clients, or getting through Q4 will be an even bigger treat when you don't have to overspend on a bottle. Get wine delivery including 10 bottles for just $59 and $29.95 shipping (reg. $200). Choose Your Own 10 Premium Wines for Just $59 – Up to $200 value! (Shipping Not Included) See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change.
Tom's Guide
a day ago
- Tom's Guide
Finally! This new Apple Watch feature from watchOS 26 just solved my biggest problem with calls and notifications
Forget Liquid Glass, your Apple Watch just got a new, free feature, and it makes dismissing the endless stream of notifications you get that little bit easier. Wrist flick, a new feature released with watchOS 26 public beta, and will come as a general update this fall, allowing you to clear notifications without touching your watch. Here's how to download watchOS 26 now. Apple's newest gesture, wrist flick, will be available on Apple Watch 9, Apple Watch 10, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. When a notification appears on the watch, you can quickly turn the wrist over to dismiss the notification. You can also use this wrist flick to dismiss incoming calls, silence alarms, stop timers, and return to the home screen from apps. It's only taken me 24 hours to find this far more useful than the double-tap gesture, released with the Apple Watch 9 and Ultra 2. Double-tap allows you to tap your thumb and index finger together twice to control what's happening on the screen of your Apple Watch. The double tap gesture will select the primary button of whichever feature you're in by default. So, for example, if somebody calls you, the double tap gesture will allow you to answer the call from your wrist, without having to touch the screen. Wrist flick builds on this, allowing you to do more with your Apple Watch hands-free. Until now, the only way to clear the Slack notifications from my colleagues and endless messages from that group WhatsApp when I'm at work was to touch the watch. When I'm cooking, holding my toddler, or walking the dog and have my hands full, the wrist flick allows me to quickly clear notifications. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. When you download watchOS 26, wrist flick will automatically be enabled, but if you find it annoying, you can turn it off. To find wrist flick, head to Settings, Gestures, and then toggle wrist flick on and off. Next up, I'll be trying Apple's new Workout Buddy feature, but until then, you can check out everything new to expect with WatchOS 26 here. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Channel Post MEA
a day ago
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
Data Intelligence is Reshaping IT Distribution in the Middle East
The IT distribution landscape in the Middle East is undergoing a profound transformation, fueled by rapid digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and shifting market expectations. Once defined by bulk hardware shipments and reactive, push-based sales tactics, the relationship between vendors and distributors is evolving. Today, distribution hubs are evolving into intelligent ecosystems that prioritise data-driven decisions, partner enablement, and proactive market engagement. In this new era, success is measured not by transaction volume but by the speed, clarity, and strategic value of data. At the core of this shift is a new understanding: data is the most valuable resource in a distributor's arsenal. From predictive inventory management to personalised partner support, data intelligence is enabling distributors to become strategic growth enablers rather than just product movers. Across the region, global vendors and regional distributors alike are embracing analytics to enhance operational efficiency and optimise partner ecosystems. Real-time dashboards, AI-powered CRMs, and data fabric platforms are no longer futuristic tools—they're already in play, delivering measurable impact. Mukesh Kumar, Regional Vice President, Middle East Alliance & Channels at Salesforce Salesforce exemplifies this transformation through its ecosystem-wide use of data and automation. Mukesh Kumar, Regional Vice President, Middle East Alliance & Channels at Salesforce, emphasised how the company is equipping partners with smart tools to accelerate innovation and growth. 'Our Agentforce platform is a game-changer. It enables businesses to build intelligent agents that operate across departments, enhancing both customer engagement and internal workflows,' he explained. Through its comprehensive Partner Community portal, Salesforce offers a single interface for updates, enablement resources, performance tracking, and collaboration. Kumar pointed out that partners benefit from real-time visibility into their project pipelines, while the integrated Slack platform fosters seamless communication and faster decision-making. The regular triannual product updates also serve as strategic guides, enabling partners to align with Salesforce's innovation roadmap closely. In this way, the company doesn't just distribute technology—it distributes intelligence. Ilyas Mohammed, Chief Operating Officer, AmiViz In the cybersecurity space, AmiViz has established itself as a regional leader by leveraging deep analytics to drive smarter distribution strategies. AmiViz's COO, Ilyas Mohammed, explained that the company focuses on using data to anticipate market demand, streamline inventory, and reduce lead times. 'We've developed real-time dashboards that provide partners with a granular view of sales trends, deal progress, and buying behaviours,' he said. These insights enable partners to adjust sales tactics, identify cross-sell opportunities, and collaborate more efficiently across the value chain. AmiViz has also invested in a specialised marketplace model, allowing vendors and resellers to engage with real-time data and performance metrics. This transparency fuels agility, enabling rapid adaptation to market fluctuations and partner needs. With analytics embedded in every layer of operations, AmiViz helps its ecosystem make smarter, more profitable decisions. Hesham Tantawi, Vice President of ASBIS Middle East Another distributor setting benchmarks is ASBIS Middle East. Vice President Hesham Tantawi discussed the company's shift from traditional push-based logistics to a pull-demand model, enabled by AI and predictive analytics. 'We analyse historical data, supplier performance, and market trends to forecast demand accurately. This allows us to avoid overstocking and instead align our inventory with actual partner and customer requirements,' he noted. ASBIS's strategy also centers on partner enablement. The distributor conducts regular Periodic Business Reviews where insights from analytics are shared with partners, helping shape joint strategies. Training programs focused on emerging technologies like AI-powered solutions, IoT, and cloud computing further empower partners to expand their portfolios. According to Tantawi, feedback from partners plays a critical role in evolving the company's approach—data doesn't just drive internal decisions; it shapes external collaboration as well. Shane Grennan, Senior Director – Partner Sales & Business Development, Middle East, Fortinet Fortinet, a cybersecurity giant, brings another layer of sophistication to data-driven distribution. Shane Grennan, Senior Director of Partner Sales & Business Development for the Middle East at Fortinet, stressed the importance of a unified, intelligence-led view of partner and customer engagement. 'Our systems integrate data from Sales, Marketing, Customer Satisfaction (CSAT), and Support to build a complete engagement map,' Grennan said. 'Our AI-powered CRM tools dig into this data to identify patterns and uncover opportunities that would otherwise remain hidden.' Fortinet goes beyond simply sharing data—it works alongside partners to interpret it. Real-time dashboards display key performance indicators (KPIs), pipeline updates, and profitability margins. These insights are used collaboratively to shape go-to-market strategies, optimise campaigns, and boost return on investment (ROI). This hands-on engagement model demonstrates how data is not just a tool but a medium for deeper collaboration and strategic execution. Suresh Chandrasekaran, Executive Vice President at Denodo Denodo offers a compelling example of how logical data management can transform operations. Suresh Chandrasekaran, Executive Vice President at Denodo, described how their platform creates real-time, unified views across disparate systems. 'Our data fabric approach allows partners to tap into multiple data sources instantly. Sanofi, for example, improved its logistics by basing decisions on real-time operational insights,' he shared. Denodo supports partners by integrating data into third-party business intelligence tools such as Looker, making it easier to visualise metrics like profit margins, sales pipeline health, and customer engagement trends. Internally, Denodo also uses tools like its FinOps Dashboard to monitor operational performance, from cost optimisation to data usage analytics. This level of visibility supports more agile and precise decision-making across the enterprise. Vivek Gupta, COO, CyberKnight CyberKnight, a distributor focused on cybersecurity, adopts a vertical-specific approach to data utilisation. COO Vivek Gupta elaborated on how the company blends historical trends with real-time sales and partner forecasts. 'Each product segment behaves differently, and our data strategy reflects this complexity,' Gupta said. By tailoring forecasts to sector-specific conditions, CyberKnight ensures accurate inventory planning and efficient supply chains. The distributor also offers partners strategic insights such as MSSP (Managed Security Services Provider) growth trends, whitespace analysis, and market segmentation data. These are presented during quarterly reviews, where performance is assessed against agreed benchmarks. This collaborative performance management ensures that investments are well-targeted and go-to-market strategies are fully aligned with market realities. Toni Azzi, Vice President for Qatar, Africa & Levant, Mindware Mindware, with over 30 years of regional experience, brings historical depth to its data-driven strategies. Toni Azzi, Vice President for Qatar, Africa & Levant, emphasised the value of decades' worth of sales data and vendor intelligence. 'We use these insights to forecast demand, manage logistics more efficiently, and identify refresh cycles in customer infrastructure,' he explained. Real-time dashboards help partners track profitability by region, vertical, and product category, making sales planning more dynamic and responsive. According to Azzi, this access to granular data empowers partners to refine their selling motions and align with customer needs at every stage of the lifecycle. It's not just about delivering products anymore—it's about delivering outcomes, powered by data. Emir Amri, EMEA Partner Program Manager at Seagate Even companies like Seagate, which have traditionally been more conservative in their data-sharing practices, are embracing internal analytics to support smarter operations. EMEA Partner Program Manager at Seagate, Emir Amri, mentioned that while the company adheres to strict compliance regulations, it still utilises POS (point-of-sale) data and market signals to fine-tune inventory and forecast demand. 'We use these insights internally to ensure that our allocation strategies are aligned with actual demand,' he stated. Seagate's Partner Portal, although it does not provide external analytics, does offer essential enablement resources. From training modules to updated solution briefs, the platform ensures that partners are always equipped with the latest tools and knowledge. It's a more controlled approach, but still one rooted in using data to support ecosystem-wide alignment. As these examples show, data intelligence is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity. Middle East distributors are evolving into high-value partners that offer not just products, but strategic guidance and actionable insights. This marks a fundamental shift in how value is defined within the IT distribution model. Several key themes emerge from this transformation. First, the shift from push to pull-based models is enabling better alignment with real-time market demand. Distributors are now calibrating their supply based on customer insights and partner forecasts, rather than just vendor shipment targets. Second, the use of dashboards and analytics platforms is democratising data access, enabling partners to act faster and smarter. Third, the integration of AI is elevating insight generation to new heights. Companies like Fortinet and Salesforce are using AI to mine deeper insights from CRM systems, partner activities, and sales trends. This leads to sharper marketing campaigns, optimised resource allocation, and improved ROI. Lastly, sector-specific intelligence is becoming increasingly critical. Distributors like CyberKnight are crafting bespoke strategies for different industries, enabling partners to target niche opportunities with precision. In conclusion, the Middle East IT distribution sector is shifting from a transactional framework to a partnership-based, intelligence-led model. The focus has moved beyond delivering hardware to delivering value through insights, tools, and innovation. Distributors are becoming architects of growth, empowering partners to lead with data, adapt with agility, and scale with confidence. The future of IT distribution lies in the hands of those who can harness the full potential of data. As this transformation continues, distributors who lead with intelligence will define the competitive edge, not just for themselves, but for the entire digital ecosystem.
Euronews
a day ago
- Health
- Euronews
Staring at screens all day? Here's how to protect your eyes
Screens have become an inescapable part of our daily lives. From replying to work emails on a laptop to doomscrolling through brain rot on TikTok, the average adult now racks up more than six hours of screen time every day – nearly a third of our waking lives. The shift to remote and hybrid working has only intensified this. With Zoom meetings, Slack pings, Google Docs, and Teams chats becoming the new office norm, our eyes rarely get a break. The big problem, according to UK-based optometrist Shahina Pardhan, is the strain we put on our eye muscles. "When you're looking at a digital screen up close, like a smartphone, your eyes have to focus at that short distance. To do that, they use muscle power, specifically the ciliary muscle inside the eye," Pardhan,** who leads the Director of Vision and Eye Research Institute at Anglia Ruskin University, told Euronews Health. "With sustained use, especially as we get older and those muscles don't work as well as they used to, the muscle gets really tired," she added. The pressure can have a serious impact on our wellbeing. While estimates vary, many people have Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), also known as digital eye strain, with symptoms ranging from dry, irritated eyes to headaches, blurred vision, and fatigue. But these symptoms don't have to be inevitable. Here are five evidence-based tips to give your eyes a break – and protect your vision for the long haul. 1. Practice the 20-20-20 rule One of the most widely recommended techniques to reduce digital eye strain is the 20-20-20 rule, proposed by the American Optometric Association (AOA). It suggests that every 20 minutes, you should look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Studies have shown that teaching this technique to people with CVS helped to ease their dry eye symptoms. "When you look at something around 20 feet away, you're actually relaxing those eye muscles," Pardhan said. "Even just 20 seconds of that can really help". However, the results are mixed on whether the method helps with tear film stability, which helps ensure eyes stay lubricated and vision stays clear. 2. Optimise your work station and screen position The way your workspace is set up can make a huge difference to your eye health. Poor lighting, bad screen angles, and reflective glare are some of the biggest culprits behind digital eye strain. "It's really important to keep your screen at eye level," Pardhan said, regardless of whether it's your smartphone or computer. "Tilting your head down can put a lot of strain on the neck, increasing stress on the spine and shoulders". Additionally, bright overhead lights or sunlight pouring through a window can reflect off of your screen, forcing your eyes to work harder and causing discomfort. To cut down on glare, try using an anti-reflective screen filter or adjust the lighting in your room so it's soft and indirect. If you work near a window, avoid placing your screen directly in front of or behind it. 3. Blink more than you think Blinking lubricates the eyes by spreading tears across the cornea. But researchers say that when we're glued to screens, our blink rate can drop by as much as 66 per cent, raising the risk of getting dry eyes. Studies show that the average person blinks 15 to 20 times per minute. But this rate drops significantly when working at a computer, to around four to six times per minute. To keep your eyes from drying out, try sticking a small reminder on your monitor or around your workplace – even something simple like 'Blink!' or a visual cue that nudges you to give your eyes a break. And also don't forget your surroundings. If your space is dry, for example if you have central heating or air conditioning, keeping your environment well-hydrated can also help. 'Just having a humidifier or even just a bowl of water or a vase of flowers with water will humidify the air and it won't dry out the atmosphere as much," Pardhan said. 4. Use blue light filters Blue light – the high-energy visible light emitted by LED screens – is more than just a sleep disruptor. Studies show that prolonged exposure to blue light, particularly in the 400 to 470 nanometre range, can contribute to retinal stress and damage, increasing the risk of eye discomfort. Pardhan said that "very bright screens – especially when used in a dark environment – can be harsh on the eyes. They cause your pupils to contract due to the glare, which is the opposite of what your eyes naturally need in low-light settings". Thankfully, most modern devices offer night mode or blue light filter settings. Activating these reduces blue light exposure, especially in low-light environments. Additionally, wearing blue light blocking glasses, especially at nighttime, can provide extra protection. Keep in mind, though, that blue light filters can only do so much. Research indicates they do not protect against serious eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration. 5. Use your devices more mindfully Even when we're off the clock, many of us instinctively turn to screens for downtime – scrolling through social media, binge-watching shows, or falling into YouTube rabbit holes. But those micro-moments of leisure can quietly add up. Cutting back on non-essential screen time, especially outside of work hours, can give your eyes the rest they desperately need. A good starting point is to use your device's built-in tools that track how much time you're spending on different apps and websites. There are also smartphone apps designed to help reduce screen time. The Forest app, for example, lets you 'plant a tree' that grows the longer you stay off your phone. If you give in and start scrolling, your tree dies. Users say it is oddly motivating – and it even helps plant real trees through a partner initiative. Another option is OneSec, which adds a one-second delay before opening apps like Instagram or TikTok. That tiny pause can help disrupt your autopilot habit and give your brain just enough time to ask: Do I really want to open this right now?
