Sponsored Many businesses are now taking advantage of the latest developments in high performance networking, artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud compute.
They're using these tools to digitally transform their operations in innovative ways which they hope will lead to enhanced efficiency and better experiences for their customers, as well as giving them the chance to try out new business models. But next generation technologies like these often require major upfront investment and the application of specialized expertise before they begin to show returns. This can make it challenging for smaller and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to profit from them.
The power unleashed by digital transformation shouldn't just be for larger organizations. Today's SMEs have the same need for fast, reliable fixed and wireless networking across a multitude of environments for example, as well as access to other advanced ICT solutions. They know that this is one way for them to maintain a competitive edge and unlock new levels of growth. But the reality is that they can struggle to deal with the complexity of implementing and managing new technology, given their limited resources. Which makes them worried they'll end up in the slow lane of the digital economy compared with better resourced rivals.
**Closing the gap with next gen networks**
In a move aimed to help smaller businesses narrow this divide, Huawei announced in 2023 that it was developing the HUAWEI eKit portfolio, a broad set of solutions designed specifically to assist small and medium businesses on their journey towards digitalization. The HUAWEI eKit portfolio would integrate policies, products, solutions, services, as well as digital tools and platforms, into end-to-end digital solutions for enterprises. Sold through partners, HUAWEI eKit promised that its products would specifically address the unique challenges faced by SMEs in adopting cutting-edge technologies, and demonstrate that the company fully understands the needs if this specific market sector.
The HUAWEI eKit products were launched at Gitex Global in November last year, and initially comprised intelligent collaboration devices, wired and unwired networks, and optical access equipment. They included:
\- _The Datacom S220S and S310S series of GE & 2.5G converged access switches_, built to offer enterprise-class networking capabilities in a package tailored specifically for smaller businesses.
\- _The AP 673, a next generation indoor Wi-Fi 7 access point_ designed to ensure SMEs can benefit from the latest standards in network technology.
\- _The IdeaHub Board 3 Pro_, a High Definition display for offices and classrooms to support collaborative workspaces.
\- _MiniFTTO_, a fibre-to-the-office solution for small and medium-sized enterprise networks which can offer quick and simple deployment.
From the outset, the whole range was designed to adhere to what HUAWEI eKit calls it's 'six-easy' principle: easy to buy, sell, install, maintain, learn, and use, addressing the common pain points smaller enterprises face in technology adoption. As an example of this 'easy' approach, HUAWEI eKit network configurations are designed in a way that they can be completed within two minutes by scanning a QR code. AI-based troubleshooting, capable of detecting network risks within one minute, demonstrate that simplified IT management is now within reach of the SME, says HUAWEI eKit.
A concept intended to help align eKit to the actual business requirements of SMEs is HUAWEI eKit's creation of scenario-based solutions for specific industry verticals. The all-in-one wall plate AP, GE & 2.5G converged access switch, and all-optical core switch, are designed to help upgrade the network of a chain of budget hotels, for example. Elsewhere the five-in-one optical gateway and Wi-Fi 7 optical AP are designed to supply the education network architecture typically required in primary and secondary schools.
**Innovation on display at MWC**
Huawei used this year's Mobile World Congress event in Barcelona to launch a host of new solutions under the theme "Explore New Horizons and Create a Better Future Together". The event was the first chance for delegates to see 20 new HUAWEI eKit products also designed for nine key scenarios including offices, hotels and education.
During the event, Huawei and a famous European hotel jointly built a 'Global Smart Hotel Showcase' to demonstrate HUAWEI eKit's ultra-fast hotel network to its distribution partners. The solution's modular design and scenario-based capabilities have been deliberately created in a way that should help distributors easily adapt it to hotels of different sizes as they acquire new customers in the hospitality industry.
The network products showcased at MWC25 included the 3000Mbit/s Wi-Fi 6 AP362E, AP162E, AP266 and Wi-Fi 7 AP673 products. Also the 2.5Gbit/s differentiated port S220S L2 switch and S310S L3 switch.
Extending its scenario-based solution concept, HUAWEI eKit launched more than 10 new products for office, hotel, primary and secondary schools, and retail environments, including panels, indoor and outdoor APs, and switches. On show was a full range of Wi-Fi 7 wireless products as well as the new Wi-Fi 7 outdoor AP772 with built-in omnidirectional antennas for a variety of exterior use cases.
There were upgrades to the HUAWEI eKit App, a digital platform designed to integrate a number of functions for both distribution partners and enterprise-level users. Huawei has also tried to make network configuration easier thanks to upgrades to its SNC tool, configured to enable fast AI troubleshooting and capacity expansion for ease of use, installation and maintenance.
The IdeaHub range of collaboration tools got extended with new products including the high-end IdeaHub S3; the mid-range, cost effective B3; and the Board 3 Pro with its 4K soft-light screen with optical anti-blue light, 16ms low latency and Wi-Fi Direct projection - ideal for meeting rooms, discussion areas and training rooms, says the manufacturer.
There were new products for office, education, hotel and store settings, including the S3 and B3 series new model that works with both Windows and Android devise. The MiniFTTO fiber to the office range is also to be extended with products that replace copper cabling and offer support for multiple wired fiber optic and wireless network services.
The eKitStor Xtreme 300 series, a storage appliance equipped with solid state disks (SSDs) with U.2 interfaces which Huawei says is equipped for datacenter scenarios, will also be available under the HUAWEI eKit sub brand. Elsewhere the eKitStor Xtreme 200 series is built to provide high-performance, reliable, and durable NVMe SSD-based storage to extend the data capacity of PCs, laptops and gaming consoles with M.2 interfaces in home and office environments. The eKitStor Shield 210 is shockproof, dustproof and waterproof portable storage device, built for a variety of outdoor scenarios and in places where data needs protection not only from the weather, but also theft, corruption and/or unauthorized access.
HUAWEI eKit has also introduced a new SME Office Network Solution which uses a combination of 2.5GE switches and Wi-Fi 7 to handle 120 simultaneous high definition (HD) video conferencing feeds with no lag or transmission delays. A management console with visibility at the device, network, user and application level to simplify configuration and administration helped HUAWEI eKit identify an 80 percent boost in user satisfaction following its deployment, according to the company.
**In the SME pipeline**
Where next for HUAWEI eKit? A likely direction is the development of AI-driven network optimization tools for SMEs. These might offer predictive maintenance capabilities, automatically adjusting network parameters based on usage patterns, and anticipating issues before they hit business operations – the kind of innovation that could simplify IT management for smaller companies so they can focus on their core business activities.
All of which shows how HUAWEI eKit is doing its best to give SMEs a lift on their journey towards the type of connected, digital infrastructure which they might have ordinarily felt was reserved for corporates and larger enterprises. If traditionally faster moving and nimble smaller businesses can grab the opportunities presented by technologies like AI and advanced collaboration and connectivity tools, they have a chance to lead the march towards a more inclusive and dynamic digital economy.
And by putting networking, storage and display devices which should prove easy to deploy and manage at their disposal, HUAWEI eKit can help smaller and mid-sized enterprises avoid pain points and barriers to adoption on the way.
_Sponsored by Huawei._