Why WAN Acceleration?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n WAN Acceleration is a technology that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to mitigate the retarding effects of latency and packet loss upon data egress and ingress on Wide Area Networks. Latency and packet loss slow down data transfers. They create a window for slow data backups and restores, while also providing time for cyber-criminals to divert sensitive data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At worst, their impact could lead to a significant amount of downtime and, in the case of a data breach, there could be significant reputational and financial losses. This could be from, for example, non-compliance to GDPR or from non-compliance to other international and national data protection laws and regulations \u2013 including in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n British talent welcomed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Pete Newman, Senior Trade & Investment Officer, says he really appreciates the participation of UK cyber companies \u2013 including Bridgeworks. \u201cIt was a real pleasure to host 15 companies and to meet with entrepreneurs representing the best of British industry and innovation,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In a LinkedIn post after the event, he continues: \u201cUN agencies in New York and across the globe procure nearly $30B per year across a wide variety of goods and services. The UK is the third largest country supplier to the UN with $1.3 billion supplied according to the latest figures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unfortunately, since the meeting, new figures have arisen. In an email, he reveals that the UK has dropped to become the 7th<\/sup> largest country supplier to the UN. This is caused by procurement numbers dropping across the UN from the highs of 2021 and 2022. \u201cThey were a result of spending, due to the pandemic. The latest numbers available from 2023 are still at historic highs for the UN, but down from $29B to $24B,\u201d he states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n UN HQ tour<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Returning back to his LinkedIn post, he comments: \u201cIn addition to attending the Trade Mission at British Consulate General in New York, delegates toured the UN headquarters to gain a better understanding of the organisation\u2019s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in support of international development, fighting poverty, promoting human rights and the UN’s commitment to maintaining international peace and security.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bridgeworks\u2019 invitation came after being asked to attend by the UK Trade Team at the British Embassy in Washington, where the firm attended a previous conference.<\/p>\n\n\n Generating interest<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Antony Reynolds, Vice-President, Federal and National Security Business and Global Channels Leader at Bridgeworks, attended the Trade Mission with the company\u2019s CEO and CTO, David Trossell. They attended roundtable discussions and presentations with UN procurement officials, and Trossell then gave a 20-minute presentation to UN procurement managers on day two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBy far, we generated the most interest and triggered many questions from the UN Buyers, with a lot of interest in data centre transfer speed and efficiency,\u201d says Reynolds. He points out that the main reason for attending the Mission was to increase Bridgeworks\u2019 visibility because before the meeting, UN procurement knew nothing about Bridgeworks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It also allows the firm to respond to Request for Information (RFIs) and tender invitations. \u201cWe are now seeing regular RFI and Bid invitations from the UN Trade Alert Service, with the caveat that the parameters for products and services needs to be reviewed and tweaked.\u201d It works through the UN Global Procurement Portal, the UN Global Marketplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He adds: \u201cWe have shown that we exist, and that we have been supported by the British Government. Subsequently, we are now registered as a supplier to the UN.\u201d Ultimately, it\u2019s all about selling WAN Acceleration to the UN, as there is a huge sales opportunity across the organisation. For Bridgeworks, at the moment, that relates to deals of up to \u00a3100,000 each. The firm\u2019s investment might increase if their registration proves successful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.gpsj.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/David_Trossell_Brdigeworks.png\")