CPI Media and tahawultech.com spoke with Sanjay Naithani, General Manager, MEP at Hitachi Vantara to discuss their brand portfolio, regional operations and the potential of Generative AI in this exclusive interview.
Q1: Can you provide our readers with more information on why Hitachi Vantara believes that ‘now’ is the perfect time for the company to expand their operations by investing in the Middle East region?
We are aware that the Middle East’s digital economy alone is projected to grow more than four-fold to around US$780 billion by 2030, a rate of change that significantly outpaces the global average. KSA’s Vision 2030 serves as a blueprint for one of the most ambitious national transformations; NEOM and several GIGA Projects have already been launched in the kingdom. Similarly, the UAE is progressing with its ‘We The UAE 2031’ vision. Sustainable energy is a key focus for Hitachi in developing solutions; Hitachi iQ represents our offering in the AI space, as we strive to build better solutions for tomorrow. This exponential growth in strategic areas is driving Hitachi Vantara to align, reinvest, and further demonstrate our commitment to the Middle East region.
Q2: Hitachi is a global brand that is synonymous with the manufacturing of industrial machinery. However, can you tell our readers more about the broad portfolio of solutions being provided by Hitachi Vantara?
While Hitachi is recognised for industrial machinery, Hitachi Vantara focuses on a wide range of data-driven digital solutions and services. Through expertise in data storage, infrastructure systems, AI, and hybrid cloud management, we help customers build the foundation for sustainable business growth. Our recent developments are expanding our strong storage capabilities into the broader hybrid cloud and data management space, with an emerging portfolio of hybrid cloud products, platforms, and solutions.
Our latest innovation, Hitachi Virtual Storage Platform One, represents a single data platform that integrates hybrid cloud capabilities across structured and unstructured data, supporting block, file, cloud, and object storage. Additionally, we’re leveraging strategic partnerships to enhance our AI capabilities. In March, we announced a collaboration with NVIDIA to introduce Hitachi iQ, a suite of AI solutions designed to achieve precise business outcomes by integrating industry-specific capabilities into our AI framework.
Q3: In terms of the Middle East marketplace, what sector will the Hitachi Vantara brand be primarily targeting, and what do you believe is the ‘value ad’ you can deliver that differentiates you from your market rivals?
Hitachi Vantara targets the hybrid cloud and data management sector. We differentiate ourselves through strong storage capabilities and emerging portfolio in hybrid cloud products and solutions enabled by generative AI. This allows us to offer comprehensive data solutions that optimise efficiency and enhance sustainability, setting us apart from competitors in the market.
Q4: It seems every other day there is a major data breach as a direct result of cyberattacks. Amidst this current backdrop, from your perspective what do organisations need to do to better protect their data as we continue to move towards a fully-fledged digital economy and how can Hitachi Vantara assist in accelerating this?
Organisations should prioritise implementing effective, AI-driven data management solutions that offer comprehensive visibility into their data across hybrid cloud environments. This includes robust infrastructure and metadata management capabilities to detect and respond to threats effectively. Hitachi Vantara can assist by offering solutions like Virtual Storage Platform One, which enables unified cloud observability and scalable data management across multi-cloud infrastructures. This helps organisations maintain control over their data while adapting to the complexities of modern IT environments, thereby enhancing security and operational efficiency.
Q5: Gen AI is everywhere, and it is dominating the global technology ecosystem. But the hype at this point has not translated into use-cases. Where do you see the major use-cases, and what role can Gen AI play in helping the UAE become a global leader in AI?
Major use-cases for Generative AI include enhancing user experiences, optimising operational efficiency, and driving innovation across various industries. Technologies like Hitachi iQ tailor AI solutions to specific industry needs, driving targeted outcomes and supporting initiatives like helping the UAE’s global leader ambitions.
Q6: Sustainability is now a major KPI for every CEO, but some companies are still guilty of playing lip service to it. The same can’t be accused of Hitachi Vantara, who have been praised for their commitment to reducing their carbon footprint. Can you tell us more about your sustainability strategy?
Hitachi Vantara is committed to reducing its carbon footprint through innovative data centre solutions and energy-efficient technologies. Achieving Carbon Neutrality in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by FY2030 and promoting diversity in leadership underscore our environment and social responsibility. For example, Hitachi Vantara remains the only storage vendor that has achieved Carbon Footprint of Products (CFP) certification* of their flash storage offerings and is often considered as offering the world’s most sustainable storage. Hitachi Vantara’s Virtual Storage Platform One Block, for example, incorporates “Dynamic Carbon Reduction” technology to reduce energy usage by switching CPUs to eco-mode during low activity, and features an automated compression switching process that shifts from inline data reduction to post processing, significantly lowering energy consumption and decreasing CO2 emissions by up to 30-40%, thereby optimising storage efficiency and overall energy use.
Q7: Can you provide our readers with more information regarding Sphere in Las Vegas?
Hitachi Vantara’s advanced software powers Sphere’s revolutionary 160,000 square-foot interior LED display and the world’s largest 580,000 square-foot exterior LED screen (Exosphere), setting new standards for immersive entertainment experiences. Leveraging Hitachi Vantara’s robust technology, Sphere achieves seamless streaming of high-resolution, original content with unparalleled speed, reliability, and minimal latency. This technology not only enhances in-venue experiences but also extends the reach of Sphere’s captivating content globally, making waves of social media platforms.
Dennis Frank, VP, Strategic Partners & Alliances EMEA, Hitachi Vantara, concluded by adding:
Hitachi Vantara’s goal to further invest and grow AI and hybrid cloud offerings perfectly aligns with the region’s digitalisation plan and strategic IT initiatives. The SMB and commercial space are where we see the most opportunities to drive channel business, helping companies address the challenges of exponential data growth and availability issues.
Hitachi Vantara and its sister organisations have worked with companies over the world creating smart cities with supporting infrastructures, including the NEOM project in Saudi Arabia. Sustainability is in our DNA, along with our mission to contribute to business and society through innovative solutions.
As the Middle East continues its digital transformation, Hitachi Vantara is the obvious partner to support future-proof data management, and we’re very excited to support them in their vision.
Image Credit: Hitachi Vantara
*Registration number VSP G1000: CR-CI05-14003-B, VSP G1500: CR-CI05-17010, VSP 5500H: CR-CI06-20015,
VSP 5600:JR-BF-22002C, (https://www.cfp-japan.jp/) CFP Program (https://ecoleaf-label.jp/english/) Japan EPD Program by SuMPO
