“We are Firmly Focused on the Future of Digital Innovation in Saudi Arabia”

Saudi Arabia is a priority market for Dell Technologies. Working closely with the public and private sectors for more than 20 years, Dell continues to lead efforts in helping customers harness emerging tech such as AI, edge, security, data management and multicloud to achieve business success. We sat with Mohammed Amin, Sr. Vice President – CEEMETA, during LEAP to learn more about the company's strategic vision to establish a new merge and logistics fulfilment hub in Riyadh and how Dell is helping its Saudi customers turn their business goals into meaningful outcomes.

Q1. With the rise of digital transformation in Saudi Arabia, what key technology shifts will have the most significant impact and how is Dell positioned to leverage or address these trends?

As the Kingdom embraces digital transformation, it is well-positioned to unlock new avenues for economic development, innovation, and improved quality of life for its citizens. IDC states that spending on IT services in Saudi Arabia is set to outpace all other countries in the MEA region, reaching $6.4 billion in 2027. Key technology shifts driving this change over the next decade include the widespread adoption of 5G, advancements in AI and ML, Edge, and multicloud. Workplace transformation, e-commerce, cybersecurity, and smart city initiatives will further drive digital innovation. However, to thrive in a digital future, organizations must be adept at navigating these shifts and maintain focus on fostering innovation and positive business outcomes.

This is why at Dell Technologies, what we design, and deliver is created to solve some of our customers’ greatest challenges. Over the last three years, Dell Technologies has invested over $7.5 billion dollars in research and development globally. We’re focusing our innovation efforts on what we call the “big five unsolved challenges of technology” that can hinder an organization’s ability to innovate. These comprise the future of work, multicloud, AI, edge computing and cyber security. With this, we are uniquely positioned to deliver the solutions and expertise that turn organizations’ workforce, edge, data center and cloud strategies into a single, powerful modern IT strategy. 

Q2. Saudi is adapting to AI trends and how is Dell addressing this demand through the solutions you’re bringing to market?

AI transformation represents a significant paradigm shift and is poised to impact nearly every facet of our lives. In Saudi Arabia, AI adoption is thriving in sectors like healthcare, finance, retail, and the public sector domain by enhancing efficiency, automating processes, and fostering innovation for economic growth and diversification. 

There is no doubt that AI is key to unlocking value within data and it is fast becoming one of the most important tools for businesses of all sizes. According to PWC, AI’s potential impact on the Saudi economy is immense, with the technology expected to contribute to over US$135.2 billion in 2030, equivalent to 12.4% of the nation’s GDP. 

Currently, Dell provides customers with AI solutions and expertise that define their paths to the future.  We help customers run AI workloads anywhere they need them and scale AI from proof of concept to production. As the market demand for AI enabled solutions continues to climb, we continue to capitalize on opportunities within four areas: AI-In which is ensuring AI is built into our products, AI-On which is offering solutions that customers can run their AI workloads on, AI-For which is how we use AI to modernize our business and AI-With which is how we work with our ecosystems of partners to make AI real.

Over the last year, Dell has deployed several initiatives across various industries showcasing the utilization of AI for the betterment of business and society. This also includes working with the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) to enhance the skills of young talent, in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 objectives.

Q3. Talk to us about Dell’s operation in Saudi Arabia?

Supporting our customers with the right technology to achieve business growth and continuity has always been our key priority. And as Saudi Arabia charts their ambitious growth and diversification strategies, Dell is committed to helping the country develop a thriving, innovation-backed economy. The impact of our contribution to the success of local businesses is evident in our Saudi Arabia share, where we lead in Storage (39.5% share), Server (56.7% share) and ranked #2 in CSG (35% share), according to IDC CY23Q4 report.

Taking this growth to the next level, we just announced our plans to expand our operations in Saudi Arabia with a new merge and logistics fulfilment centre in Riyadh. This strategic investment commemorates Dell’s position in securing a regional headquarters license to operate in KSA and reinforces the company’s commitment to Saudi Vision 2030. 

The new centre which includes a second touch manufacturing facility, will handle all Dell product lines in KSA, including notebooks, desktops, servers, storage and networking. This in turn will help manage the growing demand for Dell’s end-to-end consumer and enterprise solutions, create additional services and offerings, reduce lead times, and enhance customer satisfaction. Additionally, Dell is moving its Flat Panel Monitor Hub to Riyadh with inventory stocked and delivered directly to customers with same day or next day shipments.

The Saudi facility is scheduled to be operational by the end of 2024. It is the first in the META region and Dell’s third in the EMEA region, after Ireland and Netherlands. It will play a pivotal role in accelerating the growth of the ICT sector in Saudi Arabia, by creating new jobs, training local talent and fostering a culture of innovation. 

Q4. How is Dell contributing to developing the local talent pool in the Kingdom?

Investing in local talent is a key priority and we support the Saudi government initiatives in training Saudi Nationals and equipping them with the skills they need to join the future workforce.  Through our Academic Alliance Program, we collaborate with over 15 universities to offer curriculum led IT training. We also have our local graduate hiring program, where we train and hire new graduates every year. For example, last year, Dell signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with The Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) intending to train professionals in the fields of cloud computing as part of its work towards digital empowerment of government agencies to achieve the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030. We also have the NextGen Sales Academy Program where we hire junior professionals and enrol them into a two-year program on the job to build the next generation of Dell sales leaders.

As a company firmly focused on the future, we’re proud of how our team is investing in local talent and ensuring they have the skills and tools to drive digital transformation forward. We believe these initiatives will play a pivotal role in accelerating the growth of the ICT sector in Saudi Arabia and fostering a culture of innovation.

Q5. Can you tell us more about Dell's presence at LEAP? 

At Dell Technologies, our primary mission is to assist our customers in achieving their digital transformation objectives and thrive in the ever-evolving business landscape. 

At LEAP this year, we will highlight new growth opportunities for organizations in KSA with best-of-class infrastructure solutions comprising GenAI, Data Management, security, APEX, multi-cloud, servers, and data storage solutions, through our end-to-end portfolio that is helping businesses thrive in today’s digital economy. As part of our commitment to innovation, we will also showcase a Sustainability Workspace, AI Hologram, and Digital Cities VR. We will also be highlighting solutions for verticals, like telco, healthcare, financial services and energy. 

Dell’s focus has always been to add value and engage with regional decision-makers, customers and partners in a shared dialogue to support their growth vision with our industry-leading solutions and services. Being at LEAP allows us to actively connect with and support our customers in navigating the rapidly changing business environment and play a central role in fostering their growth.