Germany-based global technology company SAP has launched the first live Public Cloud Data Center in Saudi Arabia, empowering Saudi Vision 2030 and marking a major milestone in the kingdom’s digital transformation.

As Saudi organizations invest heavily in cloud solutions, the Saudi IT market is set to reach SR33 billion ($8.8 billion) in 2018, according to a recent report by BMI Research.

The landmark launch of the SAP Public Cloud Data Center, the centerpiece of SAP’s 4-year SR285 million Saudi investment plan, was announced at SAP NOW, a signature event in Riyadh, with an audience of hundreds of C-suite leaders.

The SAP Public Cloud Data Center is part of the wider Digital Hub, which additionally includes: an open digital platform supporting entrepreneurship, co-innovation with customers, partners, and the wider ecosystem to leverage cloud solutions to solve real world problems, and localization to support the Government’s vision and journey into digital transformation.

“Today’s SAP Public Cloud Data Center launch will deliver a new level of cloud-based digital solutions to accelerate transformation and competitiveness to the Kingdom, underscoring our commitment to Saudi Vision 2030,” said Ahmed Al-Faifi, senior vice president and managing director, SAP Middle East North.

“Our in-country Public Cloud Data Center will enable Saudi public and private sector organizations to securely digitally transform their business.”

Using the SAP Public Cloud Data Center, organizations can adopt opex-friendly and scalable cloud solutions for 25 industries and 12 lines of business. Customers can start their journey of digital transformation by leveraging solutions running on the SAP HANA in-memory database and SAP Cloud Platform, which are available on the SAP Public Cloud Data Center. SAP will be offering its latest Cloud ERP solutions, such as the SAP S/4HANA Cloud, on its SAP Public Cloud Data Center.

“Our investment in a Public Cloud Data Center is aimed at supporting the Kingdom’s transformation into a leading digital economy, enabling young Saudi talent to innovate, and fostering the next generation of Saudi leaders,” said Khaled Alsaleh, the recently-appointed managing director for SAP Saudi Arabia.

“Saudi organizations that use our SAP Public Cloud Data Center can optimize their budgets in an opexmodel, and analyze data easily and securely for new levels of business innovation to excel.”

Underlining SAP’s support for the Saudi government to digitally transform, SAP continues to deliver on its Memorandum of Understanding with the Saudi Government. Currently, SAP is exploring how to integrate the SAP Public Cloud Data Center into the planned Saudi Government Cloud.

In support of the Saudi workforce of the future, the SAP Training and Development Institute, has graduated more than 750 young previously unemployed Saudi talent through their Young Professional and Dual Study Programs and has successfully placed over98 per cent of them in employment in the greater SAP ecosystem.

Further fuelling economic growth, SAP’s Startup Focus Program is supporting local entrepreneurs, and the Winnovate initiative is inspiring breakthrough innovations by providing a unique blend of coaching and tools to businesses and institutions.

During the SAP Middle East and North Africa Quality Awards ceremony, the Saudi Arabian Monetary Authority (Sama), Awqaf Suleiman Al Rajhi, EA Juffali and Brothers, and Global Beverage Company were recognized as leading digital innovators in the Kingdom. – TradeArabia News Service