Opportunity for UAE to lead regional web hosting demands says tech expert
UAE is fast becoming the regional technology powerhouse as demand for security and performance grows across the MENA region says the CTO of one of Dubai’s leading web hosting firms.
UAE is home to world-class infrastructure, providing the capability to host quantities of data for businesses across the region, which no other country in the GCC can match. Each Data Centre facility is built to world-class standards. Infrastructure is designed to provide high bandwidth, ample power, simplified system deployment and features multiple power feeds, fiber links, dedicated generators, and battery backups to support business continuity.
Regional companies are demanding the highest security, performance and support from their website providers, however local UAE based companies are better able to provide these solutions rather than international organisations such as godaddy.com according to Buzinessware CTO Anoop Sharda.
“The number one consideration for business when hosting a website, application or data-base is location as they need to put their product as close as possible to the end user,” said Sharda. Assuming an organisation’s customers are based in the GCC there are very clear reasons to embrace local hosting solutions.”
Local hosting solutions increase a website’s speed and search engine visibility when visiting from the GCC.
“Hosting a website locally allows it to run up to 30 times faster than internationally,” said Sharda. “This means your website loads faster for customers – allowing visitors to browse the site with greater ease, increasing visitor satisfaction and keeping your customer engaged for the full web experience.”
Local knowledge and support is the other key area where UAE based hosting providers are able to out-perform their international counterparts.
“International hosting companies lack important local knowledge,” said Sharda. “Based on the ground in the UAE, local providers understand the market and are able to provide insight, knowledge and full technical support that no international organisation can match.
“Using a reputable local company to host your website means you have easier access to quality support and knowledge of this market, which is very different to European and American markets, where the international companies usually operate and are based.”
Web security and privacy has made the headlines recently after the high profile Sony hacking scandal and the Snowdon NSA revelations. When hosting locally, data never leaves the UAE and hence providing data security as per the local laws.
“In the wake of data security concerns and a lack of local support, businesses are increasingly looking to local alternatives for global hosting providers,” said Sharda. “The opportunity for the UAE to step up as the regional alternative to global hosting providers is a real and tangible benefit to business as it allows local organisations the opportunity to take full advantage of web security and performance in a way no offshore provider can – improving the online experience for both the organisation and its customers.”
The final point for businesses to consider is price, says Sharma, who explains local solutions can be more competitive and often cheaper than those of an international provider.
“In the end there are four strong reasons for companies to conceder hosting locally rather than internationally: it’s safer, provides better performance, local support and is cost effective.
“As SMEs and industry continues to grow across the region the demand for local hosting solutions and expertise is going to increase alongside it. Now is the opportunity for the UAE to become the regional power-player in the industry. We have the infrastructure and the knowledge, it’s now just about showing regional business the benefits of hosting their websites locally.”
Buzinessware is the only infrastructure services (IAAS) provider in the Middle East connected with both UAE ISP’s Du & Etisalat, operating from multiple data centres in Dubai, as well as international carriers with independent ipv4 & ipv6 address space.