Digital Archives

April 8, 2024

Sri Lanka’s leading non-banking financial services provider, People’s Leasing & Finance PLC (PLC), recently announced the launch of two networkwide digital initiatives, PLC eDoc and PLC eReceipts. These systems mark a significant stride for PLC towards further strengthening its digital infrastructure. The move also further cements PLC’s commitment to sustainability, aligning with its overarching goal of reducing its carbon footprint while enhancing customer convenience. The total solution that is eDoc and eReceipt was designed and developed by PLC’s homegrown Software ICT Development Team, demonstrating the company’s commitment to technological innovation and digital enablement.

Accordingly, PLC eDoc is a milestone achievement in streamlining operations and minimizing paper consumption. This revolutionary product offers customers and the business a centralized portal to access and manage all electronic documents, seamlessly. From traditional receipts to SMS communications and customer correspondences, PLC eDoc consolidates diverse document types into a user-friendly platform.

Complementing this digital platform, PLC eReceipts offer customers a modern alternative to traditional paper receipts. Through digital delivery via SMS messages and unique web URLs, PLC eReceipts ensure instant access to transaction details anytime, anywhere. Customers can conveniently download and share their digital receipts as well, eliminating the need for physical copies and reducing paper waste.

Prabath Gunasena – Senior Deputy General Manager – IT of People’s Leasing & Finance PLC commented saying, “The rollout of these digital solutions reflects our deep commitment to fostering a sustainable, green future. Through a reduction in our reliance on paper, we are both promoting environmentally-friendly practices, and delivering a seamless and convenient customer experience. Thus, the introduction of eDoc and eReceipts reflects our unwavering dedication to digital transformation and environmental stewardship.”

As a result of digitizing manual documents and embracing paperless operations, PLC is achieving its dual objective of improving operational efficiency and furthering its sustainability goals. By providing customers with efficient digital solutions, PLC is also demonstrating its leadership in driving the digital transformation within the non-bank financial services industry in Sri Lanka.

April 1, 2024

The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, the No. 01 herbal personal care product company in Sri Lanka, and a company that is committed to preserving the country’s rich cultural heritage through the innovative Swadeshi Khomba Avurudhu Litha initiative. As a Sri Lankan company deeply rooted in traditional values and customs, The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC understands the importance of safeguarding and promoting the cultural legacy of Sri Lanka.

In a ground-breaking move, the pioneer and the No. 01 herbal soap brand in Sri Lanka Swadeshi Khomba introduces Sri Lanka’s first-ever digital Avurudhu Litha, revolutionizing the way people, especially the younger generation, experience and celebrate the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. This digital Avurudhu Litha incorporates modern technology while staying true to age-old traditions, making it accessible to a wider audience and ensuring that cultural practices are preserved for years to come.

The centrepiece of the Swadeshi Khomba Avurudhu Litha initiative is the QR code feature, which leads users to a comprehensive Litha guide. This guide includes detailed audio, information about auspicious times, and various traditional activities associated with the Avurudhu season. Through this digital platform, Swadeshi aims to bridge the gap between generations, allowing younger audiences to connect with their roots and learn about their cultural heritage in an engaging and interactive manner.

Chairperson for Swadeshi, Ms. Amari Wijewardene expressed enthusiasm about the Swadeshi Khomba Avurudhu Litha initiative, stating, “At Swadeshi, we believe in the power of technology to preserve and promote our cultural heritage. The Swadeshi Khomba Aurudu Litha initiative is a testament to our commitment to combining modern innovation with traditional values, ensuring that our rich heritage continues to thrive in today’s digital age.”

The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC invites everyone to join in celebrating Sri Lanka’s vibrant cultural heritage through the Swadeshi Khomba Litha initiative. Embrace the spirit of tradition, innovation, and community as we usher in a new era of cultural preservation and appreciation.

Country’s No. 01 Herbal soap brand Swadeshi Khomba has been a trusted brand for generations. Swadeshi Khomba has natural Kohomba oil, which has been used for generations as a natural herbal therapy for protection against germs. Swadeshi Khomba cleanses the skin while also nourishing and safeguarding it.

As a 100% local company Swadeshi continues its nation building and community CSR projects for our Sri Lankan communities. The Swadeshi Khomba brand is dedicated to carrying out sustainability projects which focus on caring for Mother Nature and enhancing cultural values. Company’s many community outreach initiatives include, Island wide annual lighting ceremony of temples “Swadeshi Khomba Aloka Puja Sathkaraya”, “Swadeshi Khomba Mihithala Sathkaraya” Kohomba tree planting campaigns, Donation of water tanks for the communities, schools and temples in dry zone of Sri Lanka and Swadeshi Khomba Baby care gifts to pregnant mothers.

“As the country’s leading herbal personal care products company, we would like consumers to learn more about the functional benefits of the herbal ingredients used by Swadeshi in all its products, we use only the best of Sri Lankan herbs, and all ingredients are extensively researched, and the products fully tested to ensure quality and all our products are 100% Vegetarian, Not tested on animals and Cruelty free. Swadeshi products including Swadeshi Khomba, Rani Sandalwood and Swadeshi Khomba Baby are accredited by the Vegetarian Society, UK.” This stands testament to the company’s forward-thinking practices, as well as our desire to help consumers make ethical and eco-friendly choices. The company has always considered the health and environmental impact of its products, and continues to prioritize it. Swadeshi, a truly Sri Lankan company has claimed many industry firsts to its name during past 80 years.

The pioneer and market leader in the herbal personal care category in Sri Lanka, The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, was incorporated in 1941. Among the brands of Swadeshi are Swadeshi Khomba, Rani Sandalwood, Swadeshi Khomba Baby, Perlwite, Lak Bar, Safeplus, Black Eagle Perfume, Khomba Hand Wash, Khomba Body Wash and Rani Shower Cream range.

The company manufactures and markets the No. 01 herbal brand in Sri Lanka “Khomba Herbal” and heritage beauty brand Rani Sandalwood.

January 2, 2024

In a significant move to elevate its customer services in obtaining your own credit report, the Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka (CRIB) is set to revamp its digital onboarding process.

CRIB, being the sole credit bureau in the country, empowers individuals and businesses by providing easy access to their credit reports through various channels, including online platforms and banking applications.

Under the legal mandate, all licensed banks and non-bank financial institutions are required to report newly granted credit facilities on a monthly basis. This includes diverse financial transactions such as loans, credit cards, leases, factoring, margin trading, letters of credit, and more. To facilitate this, CRIB has implemented a state-of-the-art Credit Information Management System and ICT infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration with all financial institutions.

This collection of credit information process is aligned with global practices aimed at maintaining financial stability and promoting responsible credit behavior in order to improve credit access to general public within the Sri Lanka’s formal financial sector. CRIB manages around 10 million facilities belonging to approximately 6.7 million individuals on a monthly basis, representing a remarkable 41% of the adult population in Sri Lanka.

Credit Information Bureau of Sri Lanka facilitates any individual or a business entity to access his or her credit information in the bureau through varied means of access modes. Every customer who requests his or her credit information, receives as a report called “Self Inquiry Credit Report” or popularly known as “CRIB iReport”.

The Bureau issues iReports through different online modes ensuring easy and convenient access to the general public on 24/7 basis. Online service is available through;

‘Customer Access Portal (CAP) for unregistered users via www.crib.lk
‘myReport’ web portal for registered users via www.crib.lk
Users of selected Internet Banking channels.

In addition to online services, CRIB accommodates walk-in customers to get their iReports at the main CRIB office situated at No 201, Sir James Peiris Mawatha, Colombo 02 during office hours. The customers also can send their applications through any bank branch situated in any part of the country, so that customer are able to receive his/her iReport to the specified personnel address by registered post.

In order to further improve the ongoing digitalization process, the bureau intends to introduce measures to digitally onboard above two categories of customers who are presently not being captured in the system and thereby ensuring digital footprint of all users of CRIB services.

As CRIB ventures into this transformative phase, matching a robust customer verification with streamlined service delivery remains a top priority. The bureau’s strategic digital onboarding initiative reflects its commitment to harnessing technology for the benefit of its users while upholding the highest standards of data integrity and security.

However, in the process issuing iReports to the manual and unregistered online users, the bureau has to adopt a stringent customer verification process to ensure that the information is released to intended and legitimate user. Recognizing its significance, CRIB has incorporated multiple measures into the user verification process to guarantee the validity and accuracy of NIC information The delays encountered due to screening has always been a matter of concern of service standards.

Nevertheless, CRIB while ensuring its resolute commitment to serve the public, always reserves the rights to act diligently not to compromise the integrity and the confidentiality of information it carries within the ambit of its statutory obligation.

In this endeavor, CRIB recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department for Registration of Persons (DRP) to obtain on line facility offered by the department for verification of NIC details of individuals through an online service portal.

Integration of this service offering within the bureau’s customer service process is expected to help CRIB to carry out customer due diligence effectively and speedily. This step further elevates the ongoing digital onboarding process to its next level of digitalization of the bureau services.

Integration with DRP for verification of NIC details will enhance the bureau’s ability to proactively act on any reporting discrepancies which earlier would have been addressed on case by case basis, reported as customer disputes.

The MOU was signed by Mr. Pradeep Saputhanthri, Commissioner General of DRP and Mr. Pushpike Jayasundara, Director/General Manager of CRIB, on 13^th December 2023 at the Department head office in Battaramulla.

The dedicated teams at CRIB and DRP are currently engaged in expediting the initial registration process, aiming for a more efficient and swift completion. Both institutions are unwavering in their commitment to enhance services, ensuring a mobilized and improved customer experience for the general public.

November 23, 2023

HUTCH, Sri Lanka’s leading telecommunications operator, continues to shine in the digital realm, earning accolades at SLIM Digis 2.3. The company proudly received a Bronze Award for Creator/Influencer Digital Marketing, highlighting its innovative approach in the digital landscape. Additionally, HUTCH secured a Merit Award for Best Performance Marketing, showcasing its excellence in driving impactful campaigns. These honors underscore HUTCH’s commitment to staying at the forefront of digital marketing, leveraging creativity and performance to connect with audiences in meaningful ways.

November 20, 2023

Emirates and Boeing have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to leverage advanced digital technologies and accelerate improvements in maintenance operations.

Efforts will focus on key areas including: drone assisted aircraft inspections, sharpening the precision and effectiveness of maintenance tasks through use of virtual and augmented reality, in addition to next generation prognostic and predictive maintenance.

Ahmed Safa, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Engineering said: “Our partnership with Boeing will enable us to maximize the benefits of advanced technologies and digital excellence to improve operational reliability, minimize disruptions and ensure our fleet operates at the highest standards, ultimately providing our customers a better travel experience. Whether its drones conducting inspections with meticulous agility or AR visualisations that help engineers see behind panels or inside ducts to locate potentially defective components not visible to the naked eye, without having to dismantle them, we’re taking significant steps to optimize aircraft maintenance to its full potential on our fleet of Boeing 777s.”

“Supporting our customers on their digital transformation journey is about more than just enhancing maintenance operations,” Brad Surak, Vice President of Digital Aviation Solutions, Boeing Global Services said. “It’s about applying innovation to ensure their needs for optimum operations are met today and long term.”

The integration of drone technology for maintenance tasks represents a leap forward for the airline, helping speed up exterior inspections on wide-body aircraft utilizing ultra-high resolution cameras with the capability to reach every angle of the aircraft to detect surface imperfections. The imagery and data collected becomes the basis of highly detailed reports, allowing far greater precision and helping with audits of future inspections.

Mixed Reality and the use of augmented reality and virtual reality visual tools means engineers can investigate the innermost workings of any part of an aircraft and other intricacies. These technologies promise to deliver more precise and comprehensive aircraft inspections, reduce the risk of human error, and significantly cut down the time aircraft spend out of service – optimizing fleet availability and performance.

Next generation prognostic and predictive maintenance technology provided by Boeing leverages advanced analytics and prognostic insights, enabling Emirates to make more informed fleet maintenance decisions.

Emirates Engineering is one of the world’s most technologically advanced aircraft maintenance facilities, supporting the world’s largest fleet of Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft. The team manage and implement all aspects of maintenance, engineering, quality, planning and logistics. The 400,000 square metre facility features 12 hangars which form the largest free-spanned structures in the Middle East.

November 7, 2023

PayMedia, a leading provider of digital identity verification solutions, has added another feather to its cap by winning the prestigious Gold Award for its eKYC solution at the National Best Quality Software Awards (NBQSA) 2023. The ceremony, held on October 25, 2023, with the participating of His Excellency Ranil Wickramasinghe, the President of Sri Lanka, at the Monarch Imperial, was a celebration of excellence, innovation, and dedication to quality in the technology industry. As businesses across various sectors are moving towards paperless transactions and online services, the need for secure and efficient customer identity verification has never been more critical. PayMedia’s eKYC solution provides a comprehensive and user-friendly platform for businesses to verify customer identities swiftly and securely.

At the heart of PayMedia’s success lies a relentless commitment to provide secured, quality, customer satisfaction and within timelines. The NBQSA, conducted annually to recognize and honor companies that excel in these areas, has brought PayMedia into the limelight once again. The eKYC solution’s achievement in the Gold Award category highlights its consistency in delivering quality services and solutions, while simultaneously ensuring the utmost satisfaction of its clients. The rigorous evaluation process scrutinized not only the product’s technical capabilities but also its ability to meet the evolving needs of businesses and its adaptability to changing market dynamics. PayMedia’s eKYC solution distinguishes itself by its ongoing innovation and adaptability. With a rapidly evolving regulatory landscape, the solution has consistently updated its algorithms to stay compliant with the latest industry standards and provide customers with the highest level of security. Its user-friendly interface and integration capabilities with various business systems have made it an invaluable asset to companies across industries.

PayMedia’s CEO, Kanishka Weeramunda, expressed his delight at the recognition. “We are honored to receive the Gold Award at the National Best Quality Software Awards 2023 for our eKYC solution. It is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and innovative spirit of our entire team. We remain committed to raising the bar and setting new standards in quality and customer satisfaction.” His main focus is to expansion of eKYC, which will not only enhance security and fraud prevention but also reduce paperwork and administrative burdens. This shift towards digital onboarding and eKYC will make it easier for individuals to access financial services, opening up opportunities for the unbanked population, promoting financial inclusion, and ultimately stimulating economic growth in Sri Lanka and support the authorities moving towards the Digital Sri Lanka.

October 25, 2023

Singer Sri Lanka PLC, a trusted name in the world of consumer electronics and appliances, announced the grand opening of its exclusive Digital Experience Store as well as the Signature by Singer store at the Havelock City Mall. The new stores are poised to redefine the retail experience for tech enthusiasts and patrons as Singer’s unwavering commitment to delivering top-quality solutions takes center stage in this new venture.

Unveiled on the 19th of October, the Digital Experience Store serves as a one-stop destination for the latest in laptops, smartphones, computer accessories, and security cameras and equipment, featuring a wide array of the latest and most sought-after products in the market.

Among the featured brands at the store are Dell, MSI, ASUS, Acer for laptops, and Samsung, Honor, Vivo, ZTE, Apple, Huawei for mobile phones. Additionally, it boasts a range of security and surveillance systems by Dahua, IMOU, and Visonic complemented by a range of projector and accessories brands.One of the standout features of the digital store is the inclusion of a state-of-the-art gaming lounge, meticulously designed for gamers and tech enthusiasts.

Through their partnership with Signature Group, Malaysia’s largest kitchen cabinet and wardrobe manufacturer, Singer will also bring international kitchen craftsmanship to local consumers and provide a unique opportunity for customers to explore a sleek and modern pantry and wardrobe display at the new Signature by Singer showroom. As part of this collaboration, customers will have the exclusive opportunity to customize their kitchens and wardrobes, tailoring them to their unique tastes and preferences.

Singer is also set to offer an exclusive deal to the initial ten customers who place orders for pantry cupboards, rewarding them with a complimentary cooker hood and hob. This special promotion remains valid until the 19th of November, adding an exciting incentive for those seeking to elevate their kitchen experience.

The new stores are staffed with a dedicated and knowledgeable team of experts, committed to providing an exceptional shopping experience to customers who will have the opportunity to explore and test a diverse range of products.

The stores are open every day from 10.00 am to 10.00 pm, ensuring convenient access for all technology enthusiasts and customers.

October 24, 2023

• More than 400,000 merchants in Sri Lanka will be able to accept cross-border digital payments from some of Asia’s most popular digital payment apps, with more to be progressively included
• More than 25 e-wallets supported by LankaPay will be accepted at Alipay+ merchant network globally
• Both parties will collaborate in promoting Sri Lanka tourism and local businesses

Alipay+ recently signed an MoU with Sri Lanka’s National Payment Network – LankaPay towards enhancing inbound and outbound travel experience through cross-border digital payments, enabling users of Alipay+ payment partners to make payments seamlessly at over 400,000 LankaQR merchants across Sri Lanka. The partnership will also enable Sri Lankans to use their LankaQR enabled apps to scan and pay at Alipay+ merchants globally when traveling overseas.

By early 2024, users of leading Asian e-wallets from the region including Hong Kong SAR, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand, will be able to use cashless payments when they travel to Sri Lanka with Alipay+ – a suite of global cross-border digital payments, marketing and digitalization solutions operated by Ant Group – by simply scanning LankaQR. More e-wallets are expected to join in the near future.

LankaQR is a project initiated by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka to ensure all QR codes and QR based transactions in Sri Lanka are standardized and interoperable. Introduced in 2020, LankaQR network is managed and operated by LankaPay, the operator of Sri Lanka’s National Payment Network.

Welcoming Alipay+ aboard, Channa de Silva, Chief Executive Officer of LankaPay stated “We are delighted to announce this important partnership with Alipay+, which is a significant milestone in our endevour to facilitate seamless cross-border transactions in support of our vision to become a global player in digital payments. We believe this partnership will provide greater convenience to Asian tourists visiting Sri Lanka and a more acceptable proposition especially to the SME merchants with substantially low commission rate compared to card payments. Therefore, we envisage that our efforts will invariably motivate more SME merchants to come onboard digital platforms, which is essential in developing the country’s digital eco-system to propel the the tourism industry and the national economy.”

Additionally, all e-wallets supported by LankaPay will be accepted by Alipay+ global merchant network by end of 2024, enabling Sri Lankans traveling overseas to simply pay with their familiar home e-wallet. Alipay+ is currently accepted at tens of millions of merchants in more than 50 countries.

Alipay+ and LankaPay will also be partnering on joint marketing efforts to promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination and tourism-related local businesses overseas.

Dr. Cherry Huang, General Manager of Alipay+ Offline Merchant Services, Ant Group, said: “Alipay+ continues to accelerate the shift towards digital travel in more regions through our integrations with national standardized QR codes, this time in Sri Lanka with LankaPay. As global travel recovers, we’ve noticed a shift in travel preferences, including travellers’ heightened expectations of how digital solutions should enhance their travel experience and greater interest in visiting previously less-explored destinations. That’s why we’re really excited at how our partnership with LankaPay will allow tourists to explore the wonders of Sri Lanka more easily, while also helping them discover and pay more conveniently at local merchants, which drives growth opportunities for local businesses.”

Sri Lanka is experiencing a boom in tourism, recording more than 1 million tourists from January – September this year, surpassing the 720,000 in the whole of 2022 . Since January, there has been a month-on-month increase in arrivals, and in September, the number of tourists increased by 275 percent compared to the previous year. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority is optimistic of exceeding their target of 1.5 million visitors for the year. As a result, it has generated more than USD1.3 billion for the tourism sector as of August, up 56 percent from the year before . With China opening up their borders earlier this year for their citizens to travel overseas, Sri Lanka has the potential to attract from a larger base of Chinese and Asian tourists. As Asian consumers are savvy in using digital solutions like e-wallet payments, local businesses must adapt to these new digital habits.

The acceptance of LankaQR by merchants big and small across the country will encourage tourists to make seamless payments at more attractions in Sri Lanka. This would be in line with the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority’s initiative to promote lesser-known attractions of the island. Sri Lanka has also received global recognition for its attractions, including for having the ‘Top Wildlife Safaris Outside Africa’ for 2023.

Introduced by Ant Group in 2020, Alipay+ enables local businesses, especially small and medium-sized businesses, to process a wide range of mobile payment methods and reach more than 1.4 billion regional and global consumers, through one-time integration and simple technical adaptation. Alipay+ enables digital payments from e-wallets, banks apps and buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) apps to be accepted at millions of merchants globally within the Alipay+ ecosystem. It is widely accepted in popular travel destinations including the Chinese mainland, Macao SAR, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, UAE, Italy, France and Spain among others.

October 3, 2023

Social media platforms have become the epicentre of our collective digital discourse in an age defined by the relentless pace of technological advancement. These platforms have revolutionised how we communicate and emerged as influential players in the realm of politics, particularly during elections. I have observed with keen interest the profound impact of social media on our democratic processes, and it’s time to address a critical issue at hand: the role of social media in disseminating misinformation and how we can counter this growing challenge.

The Information Revolution: A Double-Edged Sword

The rise of social media has been nothing short of revolutionary. It has democratized information, giving voice to the voiceless and empowering citizens to engage with political discourse as never before. In the Sri Lankan context, it has allowed diverse voices to be heard, promoted transparency, and enhanced civic participation. However, like any powerful tool, social media comes with its complexities and risks.

Misinformation, the spread of false or misleading information, has emerged as a formidable challenge in the digital age. During elections, this menace is amplified, potentially influencing voter behaviour and public opinion and even undermining the very fabric of our democracy. Falsehoods, rumours, and unverified claims can spread like wildfire, often with malicious intent.

Social media platforms have a pivotal role to play in addressing the misinformation crisis. They are not just facilitators of communication but curators of the information landscape. As such, they are responsible for ensuring that the content disseminated on their platforms is accurate, fair, and reliable.

The Role of Community Guidelines

Social media platforms have developed Community Guidelines to tackle misinformation, a set of rules and standards that govern user behaviour. These guidelines serve as a cornerstone in maintaining the integrity of information dissemination. Community Guidelines are more than just rules; they are a commitment to fostering a safe and respectful online environment. They provide the framework for responsible content creation, striking a balance between freedom of expression and responsible conduct.

A global platform like TikTok has recognized its responsibility to maintain the integrity of information dissemination, particularly during elections. Their Community Guidelines, a set of rules that govern user behaviour, play a pivotal role in ensuring that those seeking to spread falsehoods do not hijack the platform. These guidelines are more than just a set of rules – they are a commitment to fostering a safe, responsible, and respectful online community. They provide a framework that strikes a delicate balance between free expression and responsible conduct.

Ensuring Fair Elections

During elections, the role of these guidelines becomes paramount. They serve as a safeguard against the spread of false information, divisive content, and external interference. Platforms that enforce these guidelines diligently can help ensure that the electoral process remains fair, transparent, and free from manipulation.

However, the responsibility doesn’t rest solely with the platforms. Users, too, play a critical role. Educating users about the significance of responsible content creation and the consequences of spreading misinformation is essential. Awareness campaigns and digital literacy initiatives are vital components of the misinformation mitigation strategy.

A Collective Endeavor

In conclusion, countering misinformation on social media during elections is a collective endeavour. It requires the vigilance of platforms, the active participation of users, the guidance of policymakers, and the scrutiny of civil society. As citizens, we must approach social media with discernment, verifying information before accepting it as fact.

Misinformation poses a clear and present danger to the democratic process. To safeguard our democracy, we must foster an environment in which social media platforms adhere to robust Community Guidelines; users are educated about responsible content creation, and the principles of truth and transparency guide our digital discourse.

As we look ahead to future elections, both in Sri Lanka and across the globe, let us remember that the power of social media can be harnessed for the betterment of our society and our democracy. It is up to us to ensure that this powerful tool remains a force for good, upholding the principles upon which our democracy is built.

[The writer is the Chairman of The Federation of Information Technology Industry Sri Lanka (FITIS)]

September 22, 2023

New Underlay and Overlay Services make SD-WAN deployments more seamless than ever before, even for resource-constrained organizations

Fortinet, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, recently announced an expansion of its services portfolio with the addition of two new SD-WAN services.

Commenting on this release,John Maddison, Chief Marketing Officer and EVP, Product Strategy at Fortinet said,”At Fortinet, we empower IT teams to simplify operations and enhance user experience by addressing today’s most pressing SD-WAN pain points. Our new services make SD-WAN more accessible to organizations with limited resources, offloading the technical expertise of setting up, configuring, maintaining, and running an SD-WAN network to Fortinet experts.”

What’s New?

Underlay Performance Monitoring Service for SD-WAN:

To support IT teams in achieving operational efficiency while simultaneously enhancing the user experience, Fortinet is introducing an Underlay Performance Monitoring Service for SD-WAN. Enabled by FortiManager and FortiGuard’s database of hundreds of popular SaaS and cloud designations, this service offers centralized visibility into the underlay performance of the entire network, facilitating the sorting and reporting of ISP link performance. This empowers IT teams to swiftly prioritize network traffic and efficiently address operational issues. This service features a full suite of underlay monitoring capabilities, including:

Underlay Setup Wizard leverages Fortinet best practices to make SD-WAN setup easier and more efficient than ever before, even without trained IT staff.
Underlay Monitoring Dashboard empowers customers to monitor underlay performance and application performance from a single intuitive dashboard.
FortiGuard Performance SLA Database includes hundreds of preconfigured SaaS and cloud application workloads so customers can easily create service level agreements (SLAs) for ISP link performance. This reduces time spent on setup, curtails the chance of configuration errors, and ensures organizations are getting the most out of their applications.
Application Performance Scoring uses advanced analytics to measure the complete end-to-end user experience for applications and pinpoint granular issues within the network, reducing time to remediation.

Overlay-as-a-Service for SD-WAN:

Every organization is unique, with varying sizes and objectives. While some may operate with only a few sites, others could have a vast network spanning thousands of locations. Because of this, it’s imperative for provisioning solutions to adapt to the specific requirements of each organization, including their goals, budget, and IT resources.

Fortinet’s new Overlay-as-a-Service offering for SD-WAN is purpose-built for lean organizations with limited technical expertise and constrained budgets. This solution facilitates rapid deployment and seamless interconnection of locations within minutes, eliminating the need for self-hosting or a dedicated hub. Instead, setup and management are efficiently handled through FortiCloud, a cloud-hosted service. This approach significantly reduces deployment time and associated costs while also alleviating the burden of hosting and management expenses. By embracing Overlay-as-a-Service, organizations with limited resources can enjoy the benefits of an effective secure networking solution without compromising performance or breaking their budget.

Additionally, Overlay-as-service further automates integration with FortiSASE, enabling SD-WAN hubs to quickly connect with Fortinet SASE points of presence (POPs) for Secure Private Access, allowing remote users to connect to corporate applications simply and securely.

Older Posts

PLC Launches Ground-breaking Digital Initiatives: eDoc and eReceipts, Pioneering Sustainability and Digital Transformation in Sri Lanka’s Financial Sector

Swadeshi Khomba celebrates Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage with digital “Avurudhu Litha” for the first time in Sri Lanka

CRIB plans to enhance its Customer Services through digital onboarding

HUTCH Wins at SLIM DIGIS 2.3

Emirates and Boeing partner to advance aircraft maintenance with digitally focused solutions

PayMedia wins Gold for Digital Onboarding, Identity Verification and eKYC Solution at National ICT Awards

Singer Launches an Exclusive Digital Experience Store and Signature Store at the Havelock City Mall

Alipay+ partners LankaPay to enhance digital travel experience to and from Sri Lanka

Tackling the Misinformation Quandary: The Crucial Role of Social Media in Elections

Fortinet Announces New SD-WAN Services to Further Simplify Operations and Enhance Digital Experience